Heidi and Peter Paper Dolls (Saalfield)

Saalfield printed two different versions of this paper doll set in 1957 and 1963.  The dolls and two little lambs are identical in both books but the clothes (with a few exceptions) are different.

Both sets are very pretty - although I do prefer the later book as it is the one I played with as a child.  The updated outfits have a bright crisp freshness that is very appealing.






                                                                             

This set perfectly conjures up the world of Heidi and Peter - majestic alpine scenery, endless flower meadows and pure mountain air.

I loved playing with these dolls and spent hours recreating scenes from the story.




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The next set of pictures are all scans of my original dolls and the outfits I still have.  As you can see they have the well-worn look of a book that was a definite favourite.                                                                           

As I don't have an uncut version of this book I am borrowing the next 5 images from a copy I found for sale on eBay.  If you visit the shop of mr.rockito you will find not only this set but some of the other paper dolls I have included in previous posts.  There is a lovely selection but I think they are a little expensive.

The older (1957) version of the book contains the dolls, clothes and two additional pages of background scenery.  This set is also extremely cute and once again perfectly captures the alpine character of the story.

The tale of Heidi was still extremely popular when I was a child.  I had no idea when I first read it that Johanna Spyri wrote the story almost a hundred years previously (1881/1882).  It had remained a perennial favourite down the years, loved by each new generation.

Besides 'Heidi' I also read 'Heidi Grows Up' and 'Heidi's Children', but must confess that I can only remember the details of the original story.

Many different editions of the story have been published over the years, each with a beautiful set of illustrations.  The images I have included here are by Pelagie Doane, an American illustrator whose work spans the 1930's to 1960's.  The three illustrations below are taken from Heidi and Heidi's Children and are some that I particularly associate with the story.

Next time ......                                             

  

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Thanks to everyone who responded to my post about blog problems.  I've always used Internet Explorer and am very comfortable with the 'feel' of it, but realised that it has been the cause of much of my frustration, including increasingly slow response times.  I've changed to using Google Chrome and have noticed a big difference both with my own blog and others I enjoy visiting.