American Civil War Era Paper Dolls

Paper doll collecting is popular with all ages, not just little girls. They're also a great teaching tool for young kids to learn about the fashions and people of different eras.

They may be low tech but they never go out of style. Some people collect them for kids to play with but others love collecting them as ephemera for potential future value or just because they love the beauty and creativity of them.

This collection of historical paper dolls focuses on the American Civil War which took place from 1861 to 1865 between the northern (Union) and southern (Confederate) states of America. They were created by renowned paper doll artist Tom Tierney. Included are different sets of dolls including the fashions of Southern Belles and famous personalities of the civil war and their families. Most of these can be purchased inexpensively, but I've also included links to a set of free, printable Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler dolls at the end of this article.

Uniforms of the Civil War and military memorabilia are a popular collectible for era enthusiasts.

Below are two sets of dolls. The first is a typical family of the north including a Union uniform for the soldier. The other is an American family of the Confederacy with a soldier's uniform several beautiful dresses for the ladies.

Tierney includes dolls of different ages and his art work is not only beautiful as usual, but his research into the fashions of the time shows through.

Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States. He is famous for abolishing slavery, his leadership during the Civil War and for his assassination in April of 1865. This paper doll collection includes President Lincoln and several outfits for him, his wife Mary Todd Lincoln and his three children Robert, Willie, and Tad.

General Robert E. Lee was the leader of the Confederate Army. Included in this collection are dolls of he and his wife Mary in three different stages of their lives including when they were a young couple, married with young children, and during the Civil War when their children were adults. All together there are 20 costumed dolls (they had 7 children) and 14 extra costumes including military and civilian outfits in this set.

During the Civil War Ulysses S. Grant led the Union army to victory and later became the 18th President of the United States. This doll set includes 16 dolls and 17 costumes for Grant, his wife and children including military uniforms, day wear and formal wear such as for the White House wedding of his daughter.

This collection isn't based completely in the Civil War but on famous African-American women. One of them included is based on the famous slavery abolitionist Sojourner Truth. During the Civil War, she recruited black soldiers for the Union Army.

For many of us, it was Scarlet O'Hara in the movie Gone With the Wind who epitomized the Southern Belle. These two collections include sassy beauties like her and the elaborate outfits they wore.

Tierney adapted these designs from fashion plates from the era. Both include male dolls as well. Fashions of the Old South also includes 6 dolls of children and appropriate fashions for them.

As I mentioned, Tierney's historical research is usually impeccable and his talent for detail practically brings his paper dolls to life.  These collections are perfect for Civil War buffs and those who are interested in the fashions of this era.