Antique Doll Journey

Menu

Antique Phillip Goldsmith Doll Body

patented cloth doll body designed by Phillip Goldsmith in 1885

The Phillip Goldsmith Doll Body Patent

On December 15, 1885 Phillip Goldsmith of Covington, Kentucky patented a cloth doll body with a corset design. The patent ID US-0332248-A can be viewed at the United States Patent and Trademark website. Such doll bodies were used for porcelain doll heads usually imported from Germany, such as the curly head Alt, Beck & Gottschalck doll head found on the cloth body in the photo.

How to find the patent: In the advanced search query box type in Goldsmith and then in the date column look for 1885 Dec. 15. To see the image click on the camera icon.

History of Phillip Goldsmith

Phillip Goldsmith died by drowning at Cedar Lake on July 11, 1894. At that time his company was known as “Phillip Goldsmith & Sons.”

The Patent Description

Phillip Goldsmith

(1) To all whom~ it may concern.

(2) Be it known that I, PHILIPP GOLDSMITH, a resident of Covington, in the county of Kenton and State of Kentucky, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Doll- Bodies with Corsets, of which the following is a specification.

Purpose

(3) The nature and object of my invention will be apparent from the following specification.

(4) T , Figure 1 represents a doll-body embodying my invention. Fig. 2 shows the detached pieces which, when sewed together, form the front of the outer part of the doll-body. Fig.

(5) 3 shows the detached pieces which, when sewed together, form the rear part of the doll- body.

The Pieces

(6) The pieces A and D are similar in shape, and when put together form the upper part of the body. The pieces Band E F are likewise similar to each other in shape, and together constitute the corset and the middle portion of the body. Anteriorly the piece B does not reach the groins, which are indicated by the line c in Fig. 1. Posteriorly the piece E joins the piece F, which latter forms the hustle portion. The piece G completes the rump portion, and also makes the posterior portion for the legs. The piece C, besides forming the front portion of the legs, also forms the lower portion of the abdomen. The pieces C and G reach only to the knees. The pieces B and E are preferably of a different color from the other pieces, preferably a bright striking color.

(7) These pieces are preferably ornamented with edging or something similar, as shown at b, Fig. 1. A line of cross-stitches, b’, indicates the lacing of the corset.

(8) In sewing or securing together the aforementioned pieces the preferable order is as follows: The pieces constituting the front portion of the doll-body are secured together.

(9) The pieces constituting the rear portion of the doll -body are secured together. The front and rear portions are then united at their outer edges in the usual manner by sewing or other suitable means.

The Improvement

(10) In providing doll-bodies with corsets it has heretofore been customary to stitch an extra corset over the already formed body. My improvement dispenses with this additional material of the corset and the additional labor required to make and put it on.

(11) The various features of my invention are preferably used together; but one or more of said features may be used without the re- mainder, and when desired one or more of said features may, so far as applicable, be used in connection with doll-bodies other than the one herein specifically set forth.

Claims

and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A doll-body composed of a front portion composed of the upper piece, A, middle piece, B, and lower piece, C, secured together, and a back portion composed of the upper piece, D, middle piece, B, rump-piece F, and lower portion, G4, secured together, the said front and back portions being likewise secured together, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

2. A doll-body composed of a front portion consisting of the upper piece, A, middle piece, B, and lower piece, C, secured together, and a back portion composed of the upper piece, D, middle piece, E, rump-piece F, and lower portion, G, secured together, the pieces B and E being made of a different colored material from the other parts, and the said front and back portions being secured together, substantially as and for the purposes described. PHILIIPP GOLDSMITH.

Witnesses: JNO. W. STREHLI, 0. M. HILL.

Drawing of the Phillip Goldsmith Doll Body patented design from 1885
The Phillip Goldsmith Corset Designed Cloth Doll Patent from 1888
A Phillip Goldsmith Doll Body found in  NC 2022 with replaced arms
A cloth doll body invented by Phillip Goldsmith of Covington, Kentucky in 1885 (with replaced arms)