Daytripping Spring 2023

Lake Huron
MI
ONTARIO
NY
It may be called Daytripping, but you should always consider staying longer
A Treasure
in a Trunk
By Janet Gula
Several years ago, a local doll show
displayed an antique trunk. The contents
held a true treasure from the past. Inside
was an early glass-eyed French china
head fashion doll on a very simple leather
body with a body stamp indicating it was
made by the Blampoix firm. Normally
this alone would not have necessarily
attracted the attention of a doll
collector. It was what came with
her that made her so special. A
wardrobe, that was original to her,
accompanied the doll and it was
simply breathtaking to behold.
The doll itself dates to the
mid to late 1850’s. Claude
Blampoix established his
doll manufacturing firm
in 1840. Located in Paris,
Blampoix took out a patent
in 1847 for five porcelain doll
heads. In 1855, he took out a
second patent to produce doll heads
with glass or enamel eyes, fixed or with
the ability to open or close. The patent
describes this as: “never having been
done this far.”
A piece of evidence as to the doll’s
age and provenance is the small sampler
that was included with the wardrobe.
The sampler is signed in stitching by Zoe
Levoy with the added date of 1849. Zoe
Leonie Levoy was born in an affluent
suburb of Paris on July 16th, 1841. She
was eight years old when she created the
sampler. Her father’s name was Pierre
Denis Levoy and her mother’s name
was Ursule Salaberge Leroux Levoy. She
had one younger sister, Laure Marie
Zelie Aimee Raimbault. Zoe had two
children with her husband Jean Baptiste
Ernest Pille (born 1838), a daughter,
Jeanne Louise Watin-Augouard, and a
son who died in childhood. It would
be nice to think that the Blampoix and
her wardrobe were passed down to her
daughter but that is speculation. Zoe
would have been 14 or 15 when she
received the doll. Who created the doll’s
extensive and exquisite wardrobe is a
mystery. More research needs to be
done on this but what is certain is
that the doll originally resided in
the Levoy household.
While jewels like this are
certainly rare to find it is
impossible to know what
visitors to antique shows and
specialty shows, like the
Greater Toronto Doll Show,
might discover. There
are other “treasures in
a trunk” just waiting
to be discovered. Dolls,
especially ones with
provenance, provide three
dimensional and tangible keys
to the past and deserve to be lovingly
preserved for future generations. Doll
dealers are happy to share their extensive
knowledge of items like these. Plan on
attending the Greater Toronto Doll Show
on Sunday, May 7th, 2023 at the Holiday
Inn located at 590 Angus Road, Oakville.
You never know what you’ll find!
We ran out of time
and had to print this issue,
but if you have a great destination
we’d love to promote you.
We know you’re busy
and didn’t want to bug you,
but... as you can see...
Daytripping really works!
(because they read it for the ads)
We saw
your ad in
Daytripping!
The interior of A. Raines’ store was
typical of the six grocery stores in
Essex circa 1910, when the population
was 1700 and electric power was
supplied by Naylor Lumber Mill in this
shop, located second from this corner
on Talbot. Clerk Roy Clinansmith
filled customers orders over the
counter from bins and children knew
“Daddy Raines” had free penny candy
for them.
Raines Store
Exchange rate as of March 28th, 2023
Thank You so
much for letting
me know that
my advertising
works.
Daytripping
has been
going strong
for 28 years...
we can make
it 28 more
with your help!
The American dollar goes a lot further in Canada, and the Canadian dollar
doesn’t go nearly as far in the United States.
It’s a great time to explore Canada!
Your Dollar is Worth
36% More
in Canada
Sign, Sign, Everywhere a Sign
The American dollar goes a lot further in Canada and the Canadian dollar doesn’t get too far
in the United States
At a
Bowling
Alley...
One of many murals in Essex
s
"Please be quiet,
we need to
hear a pin drop."
... ...
The deadline for our
SUMMER 2023 issue
is JUNE 12th
...
It’s okay
to bug us.
...
We know that t
many of you use Daytripping
ping
to find unique ue shops, towns & events.
ents
We’d love to see and hear about your
experiences, en
and so would our readers!
ers!
You don’t need ed
to be a pro - a short article
or great photo with a few words could work!
You can make some spending ng money for
your next outing. Send ‘em in!
info@daytripping.ca
REPORTERS: P
RTER
ERS:
Retiredor e
freelance,
e we’d also like to hear from you!
Call Mark or Carrie-Ann with questions, or email submissions any time.
1-800-667-0337 | info@daytripping.ca
Spring 2023 Churck Norris wears a hat to protect the sun.
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