Overview

Provenance Reveals Untold Story of Old China Doll, Grace Darling Sophia's Gift is based upon the true story of a Confederate soldier's friendship with child Sophia Strauss in Culpeper, Virginia, in 1862, amid the American Civil War. Sophia and her mother, Caroline Strauss, bind up the soldier's wounds and nurse him back to health. When he is well enough to travel, the soldier gives Sophia a china doll she names Grace Darling, after the real British Victorian icon, Grace Horsley Darling. The doll became Sophia's beloved plaything, and still lives on at American Civil War Museum in Richmond, Virginia. Few books provide a glimpse into the daily life of women and children during the American Civil War. Fewer still talk about Jewish Confederates. Sophia's Gift speaks to the universal truths of courage, compassion, and perseverance. Such a message is eternal, and will survive any war. Filled with vivid watercolor spreads, Sophia's Gift is for children, Junior Collectors aged 8 to 17, and adult enthusiasts of doll collecting, history, military, and antiques. Color photos in Historical Note recall Victorian times. A high-quality hardcover book with 32 pages. Ages 8 and up.

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9781945190971

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"Award-winning author Karen B. Kurtz has published books, essays, poetry, and countless articles for readers of all ages. Karen's credits include DOLLS, Antique DOLL Collector, DOLL NEWS, Doll Reader, Doll World, Contemporary Doll Collector, Birmingham Arts Journal, Civil War Times, Alabama Heritage, AntiqueWeek, Highlights for Children, Cobblestone, Child Life, Scholastic, Daisy, Country Woman, Instructor, Lady's Circle, Farm Journal and many more. A Coleman Award from United Federation of Doll Clubs (UFDC) empowered Karen's research into American Civil War dolls with provenance. She met the captivating old china doll Grace Darling from Culpeper, Virginia, that was manufactured in the 1850s by Alt, Beck and Gottschalck in Thuringia, Germany. A casual turn of phrase in Grace Darling's provenance alerted Karen to Great Britain, where she learned about the doll's namesake, Grace Horsley Darling, the real British Victorian icon. UFDC officers praised Karen's work that ""accomplishes much in trail blazing this area of doll research."" Editors at Civil War Times said Karen's work ""for the very first time, speaks to the everyday activities of women and children, not men and battles."" A former elementary school teacher, college administrator, editor, publisher, and consultant, Karen holds a master's degree from Indiana University. Loran Chavez is an award-winning, self-taught artist with representation in several Gulf Coast galleries. Her art career began nine months after she and her family were involved in an automobile accident that left Loran with a permanent injury. She went back to painting, something enjoyed during childhood, to help her work through the pain of the accident. Loran's diligence paid off. She became well known after 10 years. Loran's art is now found in collections all over the world. She competes in 12 to 15 juried art competitions every year, which allows travel opportunities. Loran enjoys mentoring other artists, and delights in teaching children a love of art and recycled art forms through summer-long experiences. She eagerly takes on new projects that expand her knowledge of the arts. Loran's house is the largest art project she has ever created. The master bath is an underwater scene she designed and created from vitreous and glass tiles. It took more than six months to complete. She also helped to design unique home spaces that surprise and delight visitors. Loran Chavez and Karen B. Kurtz live in the community of Fairhope, Alabama, on the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay."

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