<P> Book publishing companies that followed in the production of paper dolls or cut - outs were Lowe, Whitman, Saalfield and Merrill among others . Movie stars and celebrities became the focus in the early days of paper dolls in the USA . Paper dolls are still produced today and Whitman and Golden Co. still publish paper dolls . </P> <P> Vintage paper dolls with hand - painted artwork are becoming increasingly rare due to paper aging issues . They have become collectible, and the prices for mint uncut sets can be between $100 and up to over $500 for a sought after title . </P> <P> A paper doll convention is held every year in the United States, with hundreds of attendees . The most recent convention was held in Phoenix, Arizona in the summer of 2016 . </P>

What role did the wire play when it was attached to the paper doll