Posted 12 years ago
lindajot
(3 items)
Okay Manikin, or anyone else. With your vast knowledge, perhaps you can help with one more doll that was in the same box as the Effenbee doll.
This one is 14" tall and the only marking is on the back stating
"Made in U.S.A. 145"
She has movable limbs, with the legs being hinged with a screw.
She does "cry" when moved up and down, but at this age it is truly a pitiful squall :)
I never planned on collecting dolls, but these gals kinda get you hooked.
Thanks again for all your info.
Linda
The answer it many companies did dolls marked like her . The description of the pin in leg may narrow her down to maker but unlikely as there were so many . She is a lovely doll and appears to be a walker does her head turn when you move her legs ?
yes dolls can be addicting :-) actually they are 2nd most collectible item in the world of collectors . Enjoy them . I like to think of the kids that had them and loved at some time and I am merely a caretaker of them .
Here is some info for you
The "Made in USA" were wide-distributed in the 1950s and were used by many doll companies. Roberta used this doll, DeSota, Valentine, Horsman, as well as many other companies. They have both open and closed mouths. They are most often 14 inches. They vary widely in the quality. These dolls were made by a major manufacturer and sold to other companies. Here is a general guide to determine the overall quality. This is not to say one is better than another, but will help to identify who the doll is:
The Hard Plastic: The quality of the lower-end "budget" doll will be considerably lighter than the higher-end dolls. The plastic has more of a translucent look.
Seams: The biggest indicator of who the "Made in USA" doll is will be the "seams." The higher-end dolls will have smooth seams. The "budget" dolls will have seams that are clearly indicated. You can see the seams in the arms, and the legs, and other joints as well. This is a tell-all sign. The more crude the seams, the more "budget" the doll is.
Walker Joints: For walker dolls, the mechanism is also a "tell-tale" sign. Look at the pin.
Unpainted or painted rivet: You can actually see the pin at the upper leg. It will be visible as a round rivit at the top of the leg. Most Sayco dolls, Made in USA dolls, Imperial, and Eegee used this rivit. They will usually be a higher end doll.
Painted countersunk-type screw: This screw is actually in the plastic. You can see it as a raised area at the top of the leg. Most of the Horsman dolls, and a few Sayco dolls used this type of screw. They are generally a higher-end doll in the Made-in-USA category.
Hidden pin: The pin is inside and is hidden - it will appear as a bar going from the each leg and through the torso. The hidden pin dolls are generally the less-expensive "budget" dolls. Interestingly, these dolls are great head-turning walkers move their legs and their heads will move quickly.
A example of made in USA doll in excellent condition
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1950s-Made-USA-15-Hard-Plastic-Girl-Red-Hair-/380442246104?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item58941ffbd8#ht_2811wt_1037
Your doll appears all original but looks as though she had a hat on also . The hair loss in back or lack of it consistent with a doll wearing a hat from factory :-) It may have matched her dress fabric /
I'm assuming she is composition? It looks like it, with the seam on the finger (that's the only place I can see it), and of course, the wig. The fact that there is molded hair visible underneath the wig, seems to indicate that this doll head mold was also used for baby dolls, with perhaps a different body? I'm not nearly as knowledgeable as Mani, so just adding a few observations. Is it possible she's earlier than the 1950s?
I think whole doll looks like it is hard plastic Stef . Unless I see her nude but she looks head and body hard plastic :-) Or she is the lower quality composition that tended not be thinner but held up better than old composition type. Lots of dolls have molded hair under wig . Take Mary Hoyer hard Plastic they have molded hair under some of the models and face is not a babies . Hard to tell by the 3 smaller photo's . But I believe 50's doll . Thanks for helping stef always glad to have someone see something I may have missed and these dolls in the 50's were so many that they all start to look a like . This one tends to take on look of a saucy walker face :-)
If she's hard plastic, then I agree that she must be from the '50s. The wig looked older to me, but I will defer to your professional judgment! She's in nice condition, and very pretty!
Hi Stef ..Wouldn't it be so much easier if we could touch some of the things posted . I vote for touch show and tell . A photo can deceive us . Please always jump in when you see something I didn't. You for sure are better at solving at the newer dolls especially by Mattel :-) I tend to stick with 1700-1960 then my interest in dolls falls off not much interest to me as I love the history of the old ones and the one's that were never meant to be collected but played with . I do love Chatty you posted . Was there a chemical reaction to all the repro's eyes ? that they turned pink ? Vogue ginny dolls had same problem and turned red but they are highly sought after . Never can figure what collectors will love we all different for sure .
Talk soon :-)
I agree & vote for the touch show & tell!
As far as the Chatty's eyes, I really don't know. Of course, the eyes came from China, as that's pretty standard for most major toy manufacturers. My guess is we chose a vendor that produced inferior eyes, perhaps the exposure to UV light caused them to change color. I would like to hope that it makes them more valuable, because I plan on selling them in the near future! As always, appreciate your expertise!
Thank you Manikin and Stefdesign!
I never realized the depth of knowledge and helpfulness - again I so appreciated ALL your information. The details you've provided are beyond amazing to me.
And yes, her head does turn when the legs are moved - I hadn't tried that and was so tickled when her head turned . . . then the sad crying, lol.
Thanks again!
Linda
Your welcome Linda :-)
I don't think I added much to the conversation, Linda, but it's always nice to be able to contribute something to someone's knowledge of their treasures. You're welcome!