She came to New York to marry on 2 July 1870 Thomas Harborough Upton, who had immigrated to the United States in 1868. Florence K. Upton, born on 22 February 1873, was the second of four children. The family lived prosperously until Thomas Upton died unexpectedly on 11 June 1889. Supporting the family fell to Bertha and the two older girls; Florence used her artistic talents as an illustrator. By the time the family traveled to London for an extended visit in 1893, Florence was ready for more independence. The children's-book market had established itself as a lucrative one, and Florence chose the fantasy world of toys for her first endeavor. Thus, during this visit to London Florence and Bertha wrote and sold their first book,
The Adventures of Two Dutch Dolls--and a "Golliwogg." By the time the book was actually published, Bertha and three of her children had returned to the United States. Florence, however, chose to remain in London to pursue her career.
Florence was a skilled artist, determined to create her own books. Preferring to draw from models, she searched for an idea until she came upon some old wooden dolls while cleaning the family attic.
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