I have no title or author for a children's book that must have been
published between 1900 and 1950 with phtographs of dolls for
illustrations (tinted? or black and white?)  The dolls are the
characters of the book and are pictured doing everyday things like
washday and tea parties, I think.

Hello.

I believe that you're thinking of "The Lonely Doll" (1957) by Dare
Wright or one of its sequels.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0395899265/

"Since it was first published in 1957, The Lonely Doll has established
itself as a unique children's classic. Through innovative photography
Dare Wright brings the world of dolls to life and entertains us with
much more than just a story."
http://www.fadedgiant.net/html/wright__dare.htm

See this newsgroup post archived by Google Groups:

> There were all b & w 
> photographs of the doll & bears (no illustrations), in a large sized
> hardcover book. I don't remember the story.
> 
The story is The Lonely Doll by Dare Wright and it is the original story in the
 Lonely Doll series.  There were about 10 stories in all.  The original was
 done in the late 1950's.  I believe the last book in the series was done in
 the late 1970's maybe early 1980's."
source: google groups
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&selm=19971108104001.FAA15989%40ladder02.news.aol.com

Some of the other "Lonely Doll" titles are listed in this newsgroup post:
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&selm=4p1q65%24gbu%40nntp1.best.com

Many of those Lonely Doll titles are available used from dealers such as Alibris:
"Holiday for Edith and the bears" (1958)
http://www.alibris.com/search/search.cfm?qwork=2965777&ptit=Holiday%20for%20Edith%20and%20the%20bears&pauth=Wright%2C%20Dare&pisbn=&pbest=34%2E95&pbestnew=1000000%2E00&pqty=24&pqtynew=0&matches=24&qsort=r
"The Doll and the Kitten" (1960)
http://www.alibris.com/search/search.cfm?qwork=1784566&ptit=The%20doll%20and%20the%20kitten&pauth=Wright%2C%20Dare&pisbn=&pbest=20%2E39&pbestnew=1000000%2E00&pqty=15&pqtynew=0&matches=15&qsort=r
"The Lonely Doll Learns a Lesson" (1961)
http://www.alibris.com/search/search.cfm?qwork=4019447&ptit=The%20lonely%20doll%20learns%20a%20lesson%2E&pauth=Wright%2C%20Dare&pisbn=&pbest=27%2E95&pbestnew=1000000%2E00&pqty=21&pqtynew=0&matches=21&qsort=r

------------
search strategy:
photos doll book group:rec.arts.books.childrens

I hope these are the books that you had in mind.  If not, please let
me know via the request clarification feature.  Thanks.

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Request for Answer Clarification by reverendpate-ga on 22 Jun 2004 13:36 PDT

The books suggested are beutiful and I am delighted to learn of
them...but they are not the ones.  I was born in 1954 and they had
belonged to an aunt.  So what I am looking for must be a Dare Wright
predecessor.  Let me know if any thoughts come to mind and thank you
again.

---

Clarification of Answer by juggler-ga on 22 Jun 2004 14:02 PDT

Hi.

Okay, back to the drawing board...

How about "Days in a Doll's Life" (1948)?

21pp. Delightful B W photos of dolls all dressed up and posed in
various daily activities. Tells the story of Juliette, a doll.
http://www.alibris.com/search/detail.cfm?BID=8090293283&pwork=0