It all began in New Orleans in old South Rampart Street in the late 1930's. Shirley and her parents lived above their small shop, "The Brooklyn Bargain Store", which specialized in new second-hand clothing. Shirley's first three dolls were all gifts - a gypsy doll from neighbors, a sailor doll from a seaman, and a rag doll from the family maid. Thus was born Shirley's love for dolls which eventually evolved into a passion for accumulating them. Today, hers is one of the largest private collections in America, numbering well over 1,500 dolls of every size and variety.

Back to Exhibition