"Julia" The First Black Woman-Lead American Sitcom Paper Doll Book Archive, 1968-71

Diahann Carroll Julia

Archive

Diahann Carroll Julia paper doll archive, 1968 to 1971, documenting the translation of one of American network television’s earliest Black female starring roles into children’s mass market play. NBC’s Julia, which premiered September 17, 1968, cast Carroll as Julia Baker, a widowed nurse raising her son Corey and placed a Black professional woman at the center of a prime time television series during the Civil Rights era. The series was widely discussed for replacing the servant roles historically assigned to Black women on American television with a middle class professional protagonist, even as contemporary critics questioned whether its carefully integrated social world adequately addressed racism. The four licensed paper doll formats here show how that television persona circulated beyond broadcasting: Julia appears as nurse, mother, fashionable professional woman, neighbor, and consumer, accompanied by Corey, Earl J. Waggedorn, and Marie and supplied with wardrobes ranging from children’s baseball uniforms and casual clothes to Julia’s tailored coats, dresses, handbags, hats, and brightly patterned late 1960s fashions.

Four licensed Julia paper doll books and boxed sets, Saalfield Publishing Company and Artcraft, circa 1968 to 1971, printed in color with punch out figures, clothing, accessories, and domestic settings. Related surviving examples document Saalfield and its Artcraft line issuing several versions of the property during and immediately after the television series, frequently reusing Julia, Corey, Earl, Marie, and their wardrobes in altered covers and packaging.

[1] “Julia” Paper Doll Book. Saalfield Publishing Company, No. 1335. 1968. The cover presents Julia in her white nursing uniform behind Corey, who wears a red jacket and holds a baseball, explicitly identifying the publication as an “Authorized Edition” “Based on the NBC TV Series.” Interior figures include Julia, Corey, Earl J. Waggedorn, and Marie, with full color clothing and accessories designed for attachment by tabs; a documented collector reference identifies Saalfield No. 1335 as the company’s 1968 issue.

[2] “Julia” Paper Dolls. Artcraft, No. 4472. Circa 1968 to 1969. The die cut cover resembles folding doors through which Julia appears above a standing figure of Corey. Interior scenes place Marie beside flowers and identify Corey and Earl through portrait panels, while clothing includes casual dresses, children’s sportswear, and domestic leisure attire. A documented example identifies No. 4472 as an Artcraft and Saalfield issue from 1968 to 1969.

[3] Diahann Carroll as “Julia” Paper Dolls. Artcraft, No. 5140. First issued 1968, this form documented through 1971. The pink cover places Carroll’s full length figure at the center beneath her name and advertises “31 PUNCH-OUT COSTUMES,” with portraits of Corey, Marie, and Earl at left. Interior sheets show Julia in contemporary striped and psychedelic dresses, a blue belted coat with handbag and hat, Marie in dresses and trousers, and Corey and Earl in coordinated baseball uniforms and casual clothes. Published descriptions record four dolls and 31 costumes, with the Artcraft edition measuring approximately 12½ x 10 inches.

[4] Diahann Carroll as “Julia” Paper Dolls. Saalfield Publishing Company, boxed set No. 6055, circa 1968 to 1970. The illustrated blue box shows Julia with Corey and Earl and announces “4 Stand-up DOLLS and Complete Wardrobes” and “Based on the TV Series.” The surviving contents include large stand up figures and coordinated clothing sheets for Julia, Marie, Corey, and Earl; Julia’s garments include tailored and casual dresses, coats, handbags, hats, and shoes, while the boys receive baseball uniforms and everyday clothing. Multiple Saalfield boxed versions carrying No. 6055 are documented with differing exterior graphics but substantially related dolls and wardrobes.

The repeated production of Julia paper dolls across book and boxed formats shows how Carroll’s television character was converted into a reproducible model of Black middle class domestic and professional life. Moderate handling and edge wear to wrappers and box, with scattered rubbing, spotting, small stains, and wear at box corners and edges; interiors remain bright, with the illustrated figures and wardrobes shown largely uncut and intact. Overall very good condition. A four format record of how Diahann Carroll’s Julia Baker moved from prime time television into children’s material culture through images of Black professional work, motherhood, fashion, friendship, and middle class domestic life.

Item #23736

Price: $775.00