oldest existing ragdoll in north america
By Heather on Monday, April 3rd, 2006
this is thought to be the oldest existing ragdoll in north america: Bangwell Putt, great name!
Clarissa Field of Northfield, Massachusetts, was born blind in 1765. This doll was made for her and she fancifully named it Bangwell Putt. Bangwell lacks facial features but her ten carefully constructed fingers suggest the importance of touch in Clarissa’s world. Bangwell has a homespun body and is dressed in 18th century fashion, including corset. Clarissa kept Bangwell until she died in her eighties. Bangwell Putt is thought to be the oldest surviving rag doll in North America.
i love this website, and how you can zoom in!
April 3rd, 2006 at 4:58 am
it’s wonderful and what a beautiful story!
April 3rd, 2006 at 5:19 am
Amazing - in so many ways….
April 3rd, 2006 at 7:09 am
My husband and Iooked at the picture of this doll for a long time. She was clearly so well-loved and very well constructed. She is just wonderful. Thanks for finding her!
April 7th, 2006 at 10:20 pm
Hello,
This is wonderful! And, yes, what a great name too!
cheers, gracia
October 16th, 2006 at 1:23 am
Hi,
I’m so intrequed with this doll. I’ve made some ragdolls… but his one is so interesting and I’d like to know more about her… has anyone tried to reproduce her? Is there a more detailed discription of her?
Do you know any more?
Awed,
Shari
December 30th, 2006 at 7:11 pm
A children’s picture book, “The Journey of Bangwell Putt,” http://www.amazon.com/journey-Bangwell-Putt-Mariana/dp/B0007E4JV0/sr=1-1/qid=1167473367/ref=sr_1_1/002-0155043-4279234?ie=UTF8&s=books is an imaginative account of Bangwell’s trip to New York for a museum exhibition loan. This book is a treasure and ought to be reprinted and cherished as a classic!