Gollies / Gollywogs

The 'Golliwogg' (later 'Golliwog', 'golly', 'golly doll') is a character of children's literature created by Florence Kate Upton in the late 19th century, inspired by a blackface minstrel doll which Upton found as a child in her aunt's attic in Hampstead, North London.The character, depicted in the books as a type of rag doll, was reproduced, both by commercial and hobby toy-makers as a children's toy. Upton's Golly was jovial, friendly and gallant. In the period following World War II, the golly was seen, along with the teddy bear, as a suitable soft toy for a young boy. Teddy’s best friend being of course a golly.