1894 Z9 McLaughlin Coffee XXXX Paper Dolls Set

Posted on September 5, 2016 by Pre-War Cards

‘It’s In The Details’

Title	Z9 McLaughlin Coffee XXXX Paper Dolls
Year	1894
Size	Varies
Images	Color
Type	Trade/Coffee Cards
Number in Set	3 (Major Sports)

1894 Z9 McLaughlin Coffee XXXX Paper Dolls Overview

McLaughlin Coffee produced numerous paper dolls in the 1800s. These would feature a boy or girl and also various outfits that they could wear. While most of these were non-sports issues, a baseball, basketball, and boxer paper doll are known.

While often categorized as a trade card, this issue is actually a Z-Card in the American Card Catalog. Specifically, it is a Z-9 issue (among others) as it is a coffee and food insert.

The baseball doll is of an unknown boy with only baseball equipment on the floor near his feet – a baseball and a bat. Meanwhile, the basketball doll (pictured) still raises questions from some collectors today. Arguably, it may be the oldest basketball collectible known to exist. However, while it does look like a basketball he is holding, it isn’t definitive.

While these are generally classified as trade cards, it is difficult to consider them in that manner. Many paper dolls from the era are actually stated as such directly on the product. Some also fold out to stand up and really are more display pieces and collectibles than actual cards. But as 1800s items, they certainly remain sought after collectors to this day.

The set is identified as an 1894 issue by the copyrighted information on the back.