This "untearable linen" book was published by Raphael Tuck and Sons, probably around 1900. No author or illustrator listed.
16 pages including the covers.
Each of the 14 inside pages has a large picture with a text underneath.
5 pages are in color (including the covers, though the back cover is the
same as p. 8), the rest in black line with red coloring on some items,
such as the Soldier's tunic, Dolly's hat, and the Japanese doll's kimono.
The text is in script with little pictures for certain syllables or words--a
rebus for the child to decode. The story is told by a blonde dolly who,
with a soldier doll and Jappy, leaves the nursery cupboard for a series
of adventures.
Front cover (color): A little girl sits on a chair holding a Punch doll. The three dolls from the book stand around her; the blonde dolly is holding Jappy's open parasol. Jappy is presenting the little girl with a book, Father Tuck's Annual.Inside front cover (line): The dolls emerge from the cupboard. The Japanese doll has his parasol (closed), which he keeps throughout the story.
Page 1 (line): The dolls discuss their plans. The soldier doll sits on a child's block, Dolly and Jappy on the floor.
Page 2 (line): a) The Soldier drives a toy car with the dolls down the stairs. b) The three dolls are shown tumbled at the bottom of the stairs.
Page 3 (color): The three dolls confront Topsy the cat (much larger than any of them), standing in front of a toy-sized house.
Page 4 (line): The dolls explore; Jappy finds a shoe cupboard.
Page 5 (color): At Jappy's suggestion, Dolly gets into a shoe and opens the parasol; Jappy and the soldier doll are the "horses" pulling her as in a carriage.
Page 6 (line): A hand lifts the shoe, with Dolly in it and the other dolls holding onto the laces.
Page 7 (line): We see a laughing little boy shaking the dolls from the shoe, out the window; they are falling through the air outside.
Page 8 (color): The three dolls admire a rooster. Jappy again holds the closed parasol.
Page 9 (line): The three dolls hide behind the open parasol as the rooster crows.
Page 10 (color): Dolly and Jappy leap in distress as the dog Rover tosses the soldier doll into the pump trough.
Page 11 (line): Dolly holds Jappy by the waist and Jappy holds out his closed parasol for the soldier doll, floundering in the water tank, to grasp.
Page 12 (line): The dripping Soldier is led by Dolly back to the nursery (Jappy holds his other hand).
Inside back cover (line): The soldier is in bed. Jappy sits in a chair beside him. Dolly offers a hot drink.
Back cover (color): Same as page 8, though against a yellow background.
