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| Brown Bisque Babies, Among Friends Auction, courtesy, Theriault's |
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| 1950s 7.5 inch Hard Plastic |
German bisque dolls and French dolls by SFBJ and Unis spilled over into the early 1900s, and even Huret under Prevost was producing dolls. Armand Marseilles dolls were extremely popular, and character dolls, like the super rare K*R 108 and others were emerging. The big German makers continued, as did Jumeau, Eden, even Bru, under the SFBJ umbrella. I've read legends that the Bru doll molds were destroyed in the Blitzkrieg, but I won't own that as truth.
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| Betsey McCall |
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| Prevost Huret, courtesy, Theriault's |
Half dolls and ornamental dolls became popular and continue to be collected.
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| Bleuette, Courtesy, Theriault's |
"Low brow" china heads and penny dolls of all types were made, and papier mache as well, but early composition toddlers were emerging. These were by Ideal and others. Mamma dolls of this type, and Dolly Walker by Coleman with her cage body were popular.
Wax dolls of various types were not as plentiful. They were still being made as Christmas angels and ornaments, and would emerge later as works of doll artists, including N.I.A.D.A's Lewis Sorensen and Gladys McDowell.
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| Viintage Repro French China, courtesy Old Eclectics and Ellen Tsagaris |
In Fact, N.I.A.D.A. was formed during the 20th c. as was the United Federation of Doll Clubs.
Raggedy Ann was "born" in 1915. Kewpies in 1909.
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| Kewpies, by Rose O'Neill, courtesy, Theriault's |
George Borgfeldt worked with many artists, and Horseman dolls, Madame Alexander, Ideal, Arranbe, Effanbee, and others began making dolls.
Steiff came up with the Teddy Bear in 1902, as did Morris Michtom.
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| Courtesy, Theriault's |
Schoehnut and Kathe Kruse jointed the trend to realism along with other artists turning to dolls, and Lotte Pritzel fascinated and repelled poet Rainier Marie Rilke with her dolls.
"Flapper dolls" and bed dolls dominated the 20s and adult collectors began to come forward.
Shirley Temple, Patsy, Jane Withers, Ginny, and of course, Barbie, are all children of the 20th c.
More about individual dolls in future articles.
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| Spain, Cloth, Klumpe, courtesy Theriault's |
Japanese dolls marked Nippon, and dolls by Morimura Bros. and other companies became popular and rivaled German dolls. World Wars I and II interrupted the German, European and Japanese doll industries, but Lenci began a reign that would last several decads in Italy.
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| Stand Up and Cheer Dress from Love, Shirley Temple | Courtesy | , Theriault's |
The Jose Marin doll company was founded in Spain in 1918 and is still going strong.
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| Nancy Ann Style Show and Miss Bangles Kitty, Avid collector. Ellen Tsagaris |
G.I. Joe began marching 51 years ago, and he hasn't stopped.
All kinds of talking and action dolls by Mattel, Ideal, Hasbro, and Remco emerged. These include Chatty Cathy and family, Growing Hair Chrissy and friends, Baby Boo, Real Live Lucy, Baby Secret, Baby Pat a Burp, Giggles, Tippy Tumbles and more.
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| Lenci, courtesy, Theriault's |
Mid century, hard plastic dolls in all sizes were wildy popular; these included Betsy McCall, Toni, Ginger, Madame Alexander dolls Cissy, Wendy, etc.
Shirley Temple dolls were made in vinyl in all sizes, and companion dolls like Patti Playpal rocked.
Storybook dolls, gas station dolls, Bye Los, Dream Babies, composition babies of all types, the "Kaiser" baby and Magic Skin dolls were very popular.
Eloise Wilkin designed Baby Dear, and after he banged his shoe on the table at the UN, a Soviet dictator took a few home to his grandchildren.
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| Shirley Temple's 5' Japanese Doll |
Max Von Boehn wrote Dolls and Puppets in 1927, and Carl Fox wrote The Doll in 1970. Other authors on dolls were Laura Starr, Janet Pagter Johl, Clara Hallard Fawcett, R. Lane Herron, Eleanor St. George, Mary Hillier, The Colemans, and Helen Young.
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| Courtesy, Theriault's |
Pat Smith wrote a series of picture books on modern dolls that made them instant collectibles. Johana Gast Anderton wrote several volumes on Twentieth Century Dolls that prompted more and more people to collect.
The Action figure took off as never before, and MacFarlane Toys, Mego, Disney, and others took the lead. Star Wars figures and Toy Story dolls were in leagues of their own.
Cabbage Patch Kids began a frenzy that would later include frantic searches for Furby, motorized scooters, Playstation, certain Star Wars figures, and Tickle Me Elmos.
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| Doll Artist Lita Wilson, Public domain |
Asian ball jointed dolls emerged in the latter part of the century and continue to be popular. Tamagotchi and Beanie Babies started trends.
Robots became popular again, and Worlds of Wonder gave us Teddy Ruxpin and other dolls. Cricket and Julie were animatronic dolls that seemed real, and more and more people were collecting Nutcrackers and animated holiday dolls.
Mel Odom's Gene developed her own following, as did R. John Wright's dolls.
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| K*R 108 courtesy Antique Doll Collector Magazine |
Paper doll artists like Stephanie Hammonds, Tom Tierney, John Noble, and John Axe are all the rage.
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| "Baby" Mikki Brantley Collection |
Danbury Mint, Franklin Mint, Ashton Drake and other similar companies made gorgeous dolls that were meant to be collectible. Seymour and Eda Mann made wonderful bisque dolls. Many independent artists also reproduced antique dolls that were lovely, but pricey.
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| 1920s Wax Heads, Tsagaris Collection |
As a result, Walda and her mass produced porcelain sisters flooded the market.
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| 20th c French Wax Doll, Antique Doll Collector Magazine |
The 21st century brought more dolls for collectors and children, including Monster High and other dolls we will feature as we continue our tour of doll history.
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| Baby Boo and a Beanie |
