Paper doll:Little Pets

Paper dolls of the mid-19th century showcased the latest in stylish fashion and feminine comportment. Magazines for women and for children and some newspapers offered pages of paper dolls for young readers. Manufacturers promoted their products with paper dolls that served as trade cards. When chromolithography produced paper dolls of vibrant colors, the toy became even more popular in the 20th century. McLoughlin Brothers, founded in 1828, became the largest manufacturer of paper dolls in the United States, and its paper dolls of the turn of the 20th century, like this one, showcased the fashionable (perhaps even lavish by our standards) wardrobes for children of prosperous American families.