The history of Skookum dolls starts with Mary McAboy filing two applications for patents for a doll or toy figure on November 29, 1913. After the popularity rose in 1920, They were factory-made dolls from the 1920s-1960s that resembled Native American people and were usually sold in tourist spots The word Skookum originated from the Chinook or Siwash traders of the American Northwest and has a few meanings. The main one attributed to the Skookum doll is Bully Good!
In this rare set, there are 4 Native American depicted dolls, 3 skookum, and one male figurine with an unknown background. These skookum dolls are suspected of being created in the early 1930s.
1- Figure of a woman and her baby on her back, with a wrapped blanket, flowered pants, and beaded mocassins 14in X 7in
1- A male figure wrapped/ clothed in fringed hide clothing. He has wooden moccasins worn over time (Hide is deteriorating due to age) 8in X 4w
1- Skookum doll wrapped with blanket, she is wrapped with cloth blanket and has a pink beaded necklace, she has plastic mocassins and mohair hair that is damaged. 7in X 2w
1- Skookum postage figure papoose with a leather headband. She has mohair material hair and a red gingham blanket and a note attached; the note says "today I haven't time it sounds like a poor excuse but that's the truth and so I'll say hello with this papoose!" 7in X 3in.
