Mary McAboy Skookum Doll 14″ Native American Indian Couple Set *SOLD*

Mary McAboy Skookum Doll 14″ Native American Indian Couple Set 

We have for you a Mary McAboy “Skookum” Native American set of 14” male and female dolls that were manufactured by Mary McAboy who partnered with H.H. Tammen Co. of Denver, Colorado in the 1920s.  

Dolls are not our specialty, but we will try our best to explain them. Production of these went from 1913 well into the 1960s, we think these are mid-production maybe mid to late 20s to 30s.  

“Skookum” dolls resembled Native American people and were usually sold in tourist spots. They came in a variety of sizes and styles to represent various tribes, dress, and customs. You can find these in from 3” H to 3’ H store displays. These dolls don’t have arms but are wrapped with Native American style folded blankets so that it looked like they had folded arms.  Some had accessories like earrings or bead necklaces, papooses, cigarettes, headbands, hair ties, kerchiefs, feathered headdresses, etc.  

These Skookum dolls are right-looking. The legs are wooden dowels, the feet are wooden with a paper or felt-like material and hand-painted details. Their heads are a composition almost chalkware type material covered in cotton yarn or mohair hair. They feel to be stuffed with straw or grass, something crunchy feeling. They all have hand-painted faces. The male’s face has some damage to it, his nose has a chip that looks like it’s been glued back on with a touchup on the tip. His hair is also separated at the back showing his chalkware/composition head. The headbands are an almost plastic-like material and hand-painted. They both have beads, but the woman’s appears to be repaired or replaced as it has Velcro to hold it on. The blankets are a fleece type material. Their outfits are made from cotton material and felt. 

These pieces are in good all original condition with the exception of the above-mentioned repair and touchup. These pieces show the usual patina, fading, dust, chips, scuffs, surface rust, scratches, missing accessories, and wear that is to be expected from age and play. These are approximately 14″ H.  We invite you to view the photos to further determine quality and condition.