Tucker’s Nesting Dolls
Ask anyone. One of the best things that has happened to the neighborhood lately (and by lately, I mean in the last half decade or so) is that Tucker and Carol have become full-timers. Practically speaking, that means that they are ‘regulars’ at our Friday Nights and serendipitously speaking, Tucker almost always brings something for “show-and-tell.” Last night it was a set of Russian nesting dolls.
It wasn’t just your ordinary, everyday set. The ‘grandma doll’ was large – probably ten or twelve inches tall and inside were not four (as is usual), not five, not even six more! There were fifteen, each small enough to fit in the last one. They just kept coming. The final little doll, perfectly painted like all the others, was no bigger around than a toothpick and less than an inch tall!
The Seven Smallest
Grandma was a bit faded (as in aren’t we all?) because, Tucker explained, she had been on display in the window of his toy store (without benefit of sunscreen, no doubt.) Yes! From 1973 until 1979, Tucker and Carol owned a toy store in Portland. I want to say it was called “Tucker’s Toys” but I’m really not sure. What I do know is that the shop specialized in wooden toys imported from Germany. The nesting dolls, though purchased through their German distributor, were from Russia. The ‘USSR’ stamp is on the bottom (well, the underneath) of the Grandma doll and will no doubt become a collector’s item in its own right someday.
The Stamp of Authenticity
The first set of nesting dolls, also called Matryoshka (meaning ‘little maiden’) dolls, were first carved in Russia in 1890 by Vasily Zvyozdochkin and designed by Sergey Nalyutin, a folk crafts painter. In 1900, the dolls were shown at the Exposition Universelle in Paris, where the toy earned a bronze medal. Soon after, Matryoshka dolls were being made in several places in Russia and shipped around the world. Who knew a set would eventually end up here in Oysterville!
On the other hand… those of us who know Tucker know that anything is possible when it comes to treasures – from pin ball machines or oyster tongs or Babushka dolls. Our neighbor seems to have an endless supply of amazing show-and-tell items! Such fun!
Tucker, (I call him Chet) had a wonderful, wonderful toy store in Portland and his cousin had a fabulous children’s book store beside his. A real must see stop for those who are eternally young. Portland’s loss is Oysterville’s gain. Tucker and Carole make the best of neighbors.
Tucker is so good at and enjoys sharing his knowledge of historical objects! He ought to have a little museum of his own to share with students of history. You are fortunate indeed to have him as a friend and neighbor!