 Martha
Armstrong Hand
July 4, 1920 ~ October 22, 2004
Legend and Icon
In August of 1949
Martha and her husband Sam, daughters Jessie and
Ruthie immigrated to America. Daughters Susie and
Alice were born in America. Later in her life,
Martha would begin the fascinating path she was
to follow in America. Over the years she would
become a sculptor for View Master and Hagen-Renaker,
a ceramic company would contact her on the recommendation
of a licensed Supervisor of Disney, who knew her
work. She would sculpt Donald Duck, Uncle Scrooge
and Chip for View Master, to mention a few. She would
work for the studio of Hanna Barbera with MGM Studios,
working in collaborations with animators on "Tom
and Jerry," " Littlest
Angel" and "Peter Pan." Her years
with Mattel would find her sculpting on such notable
dolls as: "Baby First Step," "Pat-a-Burp." "Kiddles," the
Sunshine Family, "Rosebud Babies," "New
Skipper," and "Love and
Touch Baby," among many others. Her history
in the doll industry is notable. Her one of a kind
and limited edition porcelain dolls were quite remarkable!
Her work in developing complex porcelain doll joints
remains unsurpassed.
 Once
coined as "the most technically
correct doll artist of our time" by a NIADA
member, her expertise, demand for perfection, tireless
effort and supreme work ethic would keep her going
through hardships and good times. Her love of doing
her own one-of-a-kind dolls was to come following
this period. She will go down in the annals of the
history of the doll as one of our most talented.
She had a sense of perfect proportions, excellence
in design and was a doll artist who was terribly
respected by all who knew her. She helped to mold
the history of the doll in our time. Her standards
and dedication have helped make NIADA the organization
it is today. Martha was a consistent supporter of
NIADA right up until the end. In later years, Martha
would lend wisdom and balance, which all organizations
need.
A devoted friend and mentor, Martha Armstrong Hand
was loving, supportive, inspiring and ever faithful
to not only friendships, but also to the special
guidance she possessed as a mentor. A consistent
correspondent and friend, Martha blessed many with
her friendship and guidance over the years. Her great
wisdom was a guiding light. Her expertise a challenge
to improve and learn to challenge yourself. Praise
from Martha was like manna from heaven, her criticism,
founded, constructive and informative. Personally,
she was warm, tender, loving and an expressive friend,
always interested in your progress and your families.
She came to respect the new works in progress from
fellow NIADA members and was excited about the new
artistic expressions of so many. She would often
talk about her excitement and fascination with them.
 Her dedication to her daughters, their husbands
and grandchildren were fierce, as was theirs to her,
each given with consistent and loving devotion. The
personal letters and Christmas letters from her were
always laced with news of her family, travels and
friends whom she visited. She was faithful in her
commitment to those she loved, and was respected
by many as a true icon of her time. Martha will be
missed by so many. Though the last few years of her
life were met with medical challenges, she did not
allow these infirmities to stop her from her artistic
efforts and support of NIADA. She worked with diligence,
even through the loss of the sight in one eye which
made sculpting difficult. She met this challenge
with true Martha style and fortitude. She would continue
to meet creative and artistic challenges and push
ahead, setting a fine example for us to follow.
A consummate journal keeper, she recordedher life,
the lives of family and friends. It is due to her
daily record keeping that some day history will know
more about her fascinating life. I was blessed to
have her share her autobiography with me following
her visit to my home in May of 2003. It is a treasure
which reveals much about the personal life of a great
artist and human being. Martha's absence will leave
a hole in the fabric of our beings, and in the community
of doll artists. NIADA has lost another guiding light.
She lived a long and happy life and will be abidingly
missed by so many. Her spirit will remain in our
hearts and lives always.
~ Jan Collins-Langford, Friend and
Doll Artist
For more photographs of Martha Armstrong
Hand click
here.
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