The Golliwogg and Dutch Dolls

Book Cover, Florence Upton, 1895. Renier Collection (click image for larger version)

In 1895 Florence and her mother produced the book entitled The Adventures of two Dutch Dolls. Florence provided the illustrations and Bertha wrote the verses. The book was published by Longmans, Green & Co. of London. It was accepted due to the positive response the publisher's children had to the manuscript. The success of The Adventures of two Dutch Dolls sparked a series of thirteen stories. The last, Golliwogg in the African Jungle, was published in 1909. Upton's books sold extremely well in the United Kingdom and in Europe, and could be said to be the Harry Potter of their day.

The book established particular characteristics of the Golliwogg as it appeared on its page: large eyes, giant lips, black skin and wild, untamed hair. His clothes varied in style from a sailor to evening suit, although hedid begin life in The Adventures of two Dutch Dolls in the minstrel style of dress that is based on the caricature of the black dandy.

Florence Upton's remark that the Golliwogg was to be the hero of the books is represented in the close relationship and adventures he has with the dolls. This is further expressed through the titles of the children's books. Though the Dutch Dolls took precedence in the title of the first book, from the second book onwards the titles referred only to the Golliwogg as an indication of his being at the centre of the adventures contained within.