Velvalee Dickinson: The Doll Woman Spy by Barbara Casey - Book Tour and Giveaway

Velvalee Dickinson was born in Sacramento, California, graduated from Stanford University, married three times, and then in the early 1930s moved to New York City where she eventually opened her own exclusive doll shop on the prestigious Madison Avenue. It was there that she built her reputation as an expert in rare, antique, and foreign dolls. She traveled extensively around the country lecturing and exhibiting her dolls while building a wealthy clientele that included Hollywood stars, members of high society, and other collectors.

When medical bills started to accumulate because of her husband’s poor health and business started to fail with the onset of World War II, she accepted the role as a spy for the Imperial Japanese Government. By hiding coded messages in her correspondence about dolls, she was able to pass on to her Japanese contacts critical military information about the US warships. After surveilling Velvalee for over a year, the FBI arrested her and charged her with espionage and violation of censorship laws. She became the first American woman to face the death penalty on charges of spying for a wartime enemy. 

Velvalee Dickinson: The “Doll Woman” Spy is a carefully researched glimpse into the “Doll Woman’s” life as a collector of dolls, and as the highest paid American woman who spied for the Imperial Japanese Government during World War II.

Excerpt

As the country absorbed the shock of the bombing at Pearl Harbor and tried to adjust to the new and difficult reality of rationing and travel restrictions while tearfully watching their loved ones depart for war zones in places unknown, the “Doll Woman,” Velvalee Dickinson, continued sending out her chatty, gossipy correspondence to her clientele and other doll enthusiasts. 

One letter about dolls, however, posted from New York and sent to Señora Ines de Molinali in Argentina, was intercepted by wartime censors because of its unusual and somewhat confusing contents, as well as incorrect postage. The letter, dated January 27, 1942, was brought to the Bureau’s attention in February 1942. Purportedly written by Maud Bowman of Portland, Oregon, the letter mentioned a “wonderful doll hospital” where the writer had left her three “Old English dolls” for repairs. Also mentioned in the letter were “fishing nets” and “balloons.” 

If dolls were somehow being used to assist the enemy, it wouldn’t be the first time. During the American Civil War, contraband, medical supplies, and messages were smuggled across the Northern lines inside the hollow interiors of dolls carried in the protective arms of little girls. More recently, smugglers from the United States concealed amphetamines inside small, soft “Minion” dolls and shipped them to Israel.

FBI cryptographers, and in particular C.A. Appel, examined the letter and eventually concluded that it was likely the “dolls” in question were possibly three warships and the “doll hospital” was a West Coast-based shipyard where repairs were made. They also speculated that the “fishing nets” referred to an aircraft carrier with antitorpedo netting on its sides, the “wooden doll” was an older battleship, and the “little boy” was a destroyer. “Balloons” mentioned in the letter probably disclosed information about coastal defenses and other critical information on the West Coast.

Interview

What should readers expect when they pick up your book?

Velvalee Dickinson: The “Doll Woman” Spy is a carefully researched glimpse into the “Doll Woman’s” life as a collector of dolls, and as the highest paid American woman who spied for the Imperial Japanese Government during World War II. 

Velvalee built her reputation as an expert in rare, antique, and foreign dolls. She traveled extensively around the country lecturing and exhibiting her dolls while building a wealthy clientele that included Hollywood stars, members of high society, politicians, and other collectors. 

When medical bills started to accumulate because of her husband’s poor health and business started to fail with the onset of World War II, she accepted the role as a spy for the Imperial Japanese Government. By hiding coded messages in her correspondence about dolls, she was able to pass on to her Japanese contacts critical military information about the US warships. After surveilling Velvalee for over a year, the FBI arrested her and charged her with espionage and violation of censorship laws. She became the first American woman to face the death penalty on charges of spying for a wartime enemy. 

The fascinating world of doll collecting is revealed in Velvalee Dickinson: The “Doll Woman” Spy, and even today doll collecting remains one of the most popular hobbies. Beyond that, however, is the rich historical narrative of how this diminutive woman put the United States Government in jeopardy when war was spreading around the world.

What was the hardest part to write in this book?

Because it is nonfiction and no other books have been written about Velvalee Dickinson, researching her life and activities was difficult. I used the FBI, the FBI Vault and FOIA (Freedom of Information Act), period articles and newspapers, personal documents and letters, and other sources.

How long does it take you to write a book?

It depends on whether it is fiction or nonfiction. For my novels, I basically work out the storyline, characters, plot, beginning and ending, and interesting marks along the way, in advance of actually sitting down to write. When I write a nonfiction book, I do as much research as I can in advance. Then I have a clearer idea of what I want to write and how I want the chapters to fall. It is a different process.

Which character is your favourite and why?

In Velvalee Dickinson, she had no redeeming qualities having been convicted of being a spy. Even her reputation as an “expert” doll collector was suspect. In one of my novels, however—The Gospel According to Prissy—I introduce a little girl who has the gift of prophesy. Born in a prison where her mother is an inmate, having been convicted of murder and dying of aids, Prissy has the unusual ability to quote Bible scripture based on her understanding of life that includes Santa Clause, the Easter bunny, and other things young children love. It is Lara Kruger, the woman who is drawn to Prissy and who tries to give her a good life that is one of my favorite characters. 

Do you have a favorite quote?

Adversity is the opportunity to develop character. 

Do you have any unusual writing rituals?

It isn’t really a ritual, but I write early every morning. My writing time is between 4 a.m., after I feed the pets, and 9 a.m.  I am my most creative at that time.

Any last words? 

As a writer, I really enjoy hearing from my readers. So I hope if any of your bloggers get a chance to read my book about Velvalee, or any of my other books, they will let me know.

Thank you so much for your interest in my writing. I hope to be able to visit with you again soon.

My best,

Barbara

Thanks...

About the Author

Barbara Casey is the author of several award-winning novels for both adults and young adults, as well as book-length works of nonfiction, and numerous articles, poems, and short stories. Her nonfiction true crime book, Kathryn Kelly: The Moll behind Machine Gun Kelly, has been optioned for a major film and television series. Her nonfiction book, Assata Shakur: A 20th Century Escaped Slave, is under contract for a major film. In addition to her own writing, she is an editorial consultant and president of the Barbara Casey Agency. Established in 1995, she represents authors throughout the United States, Great Britain, Canada, and Japan.

In 2018 Barbara received the prestigious Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award and Top Professional Award for her extensive experience and notable accomplishments in the field of publishing and other areas. Barbara lives on a mountain in Georgia with her husband, and three pets who adopted her: Benton, a hound-mix; Reese, a black cat; and Earl Gray, a gray cat and Reese’s best friend.

www.barbaracaseyagency.com

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/697572.Barbara_Casey

https://www.amazon.com/Barbara-Casey/e/B001K7S4IW

Giveaway

Barbara Casey will be awarding a $20 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway