Composition Shirley Temple

The most popular personality doll of all time is Shirley Temple. Shirley Temple was the darling diminutive movie star of the 1930s who kept a nation smiling during the Depression. Millions of people went to see her movies and millions more bought the doll made in her likeness by the Ideal Toy Company of New York.

BY JUDITH IZEN

Morris Michtom, founder of the Ideal Toy Company, with Shirley Temple circa 1935.

Source: April 2001 • Antique Doll Collector, Pages 26-30

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Shirley Temple (1935) 13" in knife pleated organdy dress from movie "Curly Top." Notice the little ties that attached to Shirley's wrists. The dress came in several color variations: pink, blue, yellow. It also came in a star-burst variation. Courtesy Loretta and Keith McKenzie.

The first Shirley Temple doll was made in 1934 after Ideal obtained permission from the Temple family to make a composition Shirley Temple doll. This composition Shirley Temple doll was sold until 1939 and continues to delight collectors today. Since then there have been several other licensed versions of the Shirley doll by Ideal and several non-licensed imitation or "knock-off" Shirley Temple dolls by other manufacturers. The composition Shirley doll remains one of the most popular composition doll with collectors.

Shirley Temple (1934) 16" polka dot dress from the movie :Stand up and Cheer." The dress came in several color variations including red and yellow. Missing matching hat. Courtesy Loretta and Keith McKenzie.

Shirley Temple (1935) in outfit from the movie "The Littlest Rebel." Courtesy Veronica Philips.

Composition Shirley Temple

Designed by prolific doll sculptor Bernard Lipfert, the composition Shirley Temple doll had signature dimples in her cheeks, special hazel color sleep eyes, golden blonde mohair wig in her famous ringlet style, and an open mouth with six teeth and a felt tongue. Most of the dolls are marked "Shirley Temple" on the head and body along with Ideal and their size. The dolls came in several sizes between 11" and 27 including 11", 13", 16", 17", 18", 20", 22", 25", and 27". The most common sizes are 13" and 18." Over one and a half million Shirley dolls were sold from 1934-1939 and many have survived in excellent condition. The Shirley Temple doll's enormous sales reflected the child star's popularity and made millions for the Ideal Toy Company and saved the company from financial ruin in the midst of the Depression.

Shirley Temple (1936) 20" composition in green sailor dress from "Poor Little Rich Girl" Outfit. Doll is marked Reliable and was 1nade by the Reliable Toy Company of Canada under license from Ideal. Courtesy Loretta and Keith McKenzie.

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View Shirley Temple Dolls for Sale

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A gaggle of Shirley Temples ready to charm children and collectors alike ranging in size from 13" up to 27". (Including a 19" and 25" flirty-ei;e version, and the 27" blue eye version.) Replaced dresses on the 23" and 25" doll. Courtesy McMasters Doll Auctions.

A rare store display of Shirley playing the organ from 1937. Courtesy Veronica Phillips.

Shirley's Birth

Shirley Te111ple (1936) 27"iu Texas Rauger outfit fro111 the Te.ms Cenle1111inl. Niissing 111atc/Jing Stetsou hot. This outfit is oue of the hardest to fiud. Courtesy Loretta aud Keith McKenzie.

The first announcement of the Shirley Temple doll came in the September 1934 Playthings

Magazine (the toy industry's trade journal). It read: "Shirley Doll. Shirley has same well-shaped body, legs and arms as 'Ginger'. New Ideal double action glace eyes and lashes, has wig in choice of brunette, blonde, or auburn. Variety of costumes in pink, blue, maize, green or white." The name Shirley Temple was not mentioned nor that she was a film star.

In October 1934 Ideal ran itss first ad for Shirley in Playthings which included the information that the Shirley Temple doll was so popular Ideal didn't have time to send out samples to the stores. Further information stated that Fox Films was helping to promote the doll with display material and admission tickets for stores to use for promotions including contests for the girl who best resembled Shirley. Four sizes of the new doll were available retailing at $3, $5, $6, and $7.

Shirley Temple (1935) in musical dress from movie "Our Little Girl." There also was a red and royal blue with white notes color variation. Courtesy Millie Caliri.

Shirley's Outfits

Ideal issued the Shirley doll in outfits that were exact replicas of dresses Shirley Temple wore in her movies "Stand Up and Cheer." "Littlest Rebel," "Curly Top," and "Our Little Girl." Each dress had a woven label featuring her signature sewn into the seam and came with a signed photo of Shirley in the box.

In 1934 Shirley was issued in a long dress from the film "The Little Colonel." This remains a favorite with coJlectors with its pantaloons and fancy bonnet. Lucky little girls could also obtain Shirley in a trunk filled with clothing from her movies. The wardrobe trunk was available in three sizes retailing for $5, $8, and $11, and had stickers of Shirley's name and pictures on all sides.

Ideal was selling thousands of Shirley dolls by this time and Ideal had licensed factories from all around the world to make the Shirley dolls. These companies included: Reliable from Canada; Hijos Francisco Merin Perez from Spain; Richards, Son & Allwin from England; Printemps Sapac from Paris; and S. Hoffnung; & Co from Australia.

Shirley Temple in trunk wearing with various outfits from her movies. Courtesy Loretta and Keith McKenzie.

In 1936 the Shirley face mold was changed. The Ideal ads in Playthings said that the Cape Cod Slicker (featured in Captain January) was being sold separately. Coming was a new Shirley doll at a new price to celebrate her birthday, April 23rd (she'll be 7). In reality, Shirley was one year older than the studio let on.

Box for 20" Shirley Temple showing original label. Notice number #2020, and price $10.50. Courtesy Diane Zillner.

In March 1936 Playthings featured an interview with Morris Michtom, President of the Ideal Toy Company. Mr. Michtom had returned from an 18-day trip in Hollywood visiting Shirley Temple. The article quotes Mr. Michtom who was most impressed by "the natural sweetness and happiness of the child". "She is intelligent, too. Acting is not work for Shirley Temple, in fact she regards it as so much play.

Shirley Temple (1935+) One of the outfits that were available as separates for Shirley Temple - her plaid raincoat, hat and umbrella. Also available in red. Notice the Shirley hanger that the separates came on. Courtesy Veronica Phillips.

An incident which showed her intelligence and judgment occurred one night when I was at dinner with the Temples. I turned to Shirley and asked her a question which has often been put to me, 'How is it, darling, when you are acting you are never pictured with a Shirley Temple doll like yourself?' Quick as a flash she answered, 'Oh, Mr. Michtom, you wouldn't want me to do that; it wouldn't be nice - it would be too much like advertising, and you can't do that in a picture.' I had to agree, she had me there."

Shirley Temple (1934), 16," in "Stand Up and Cheer" dress in trunk, shown with 20" Shirley Temple Baby. Courtesy McMasters Doll Auctions.

Mr. Michtom had negotiated with the Temple family and her agents for the rights to produce the Shirley doll. The negotiations had taken several months and included the points that the doll was to have hazel eyes, just like Shirley, and that there be 52 sausage curls exactly like the hair that Shirley made famous.

In 1936, Shirley Temple came in a cowgirl costume, the Official Doll of the Texas Centennial, which was a special summer item. The Texas Centennial Shirley came in 3 sizes- 11", 13", 16,"and retailed for $2.98, $3.98, $5.98. The outfit included a plaid shirt, khaki shorts, brown stockings, high brown boots, sleeveless vest and leather chaps, red bandana, studs, real western metal ornaments and a Stetson hat. This remains a hard-to-find outfit that collectors are willing to pay more for especially if it includes the Stetson hat and the elusive little metal pistol. A 27" Centennial doll was available for $15 which was quite expensive at the time. Shirley Temple accessories and costumes including new doll handbags were available.

A rare ston; display of 27" Shirley Temple. Courtesy Veronica Phillips.

The outfits available in 1936 were: "Captain January", "Baby Take A Bow," "Curly Top," "Bright Eyes" and "Littlest Rebel" for the 16", 20", 27" sized dolls priced at $3.96, $5.92, and $12.18. The 11" doll came in "Curly Top" or "Baby Take a Bow" only for $2.19. Costumes could be bought separately for $0.94 for 11" up to $2.49 for 27" doll.

Promotional material was available from Ideal to help dealers sell Shirley dolls. This included publicity pictures of Shirley in many poses, mirrors with her picture on the back, flip books showing her changing expressions, a booklet by Shirley called The Story of My Life", balloons and cutouts. Also available for dealers were newspaper mats of ads and publicity releases, life­-size cut out figures with easel, 18" counter stands, 16" head

hangers, enlarged photos and other aids for arranging Shirley Temple displays. These publicity items remain favorite collectibles for the devoted Shirley collector.

In addition to dolls dressed in costumes from her movies, separate outfits were available for Shirley as well and included party dresses, play dresses, pajamas, coats, hats, rain coats, Cape Cod slicker, and a sailor suit. An outfit from ''Poor Little Rich Girl" had a coat and beret. Sales of the Shirley doll were up 14% in 1936 over 1935 for Ideal.

What all little girls from the 1930s wished for, as well as today's Shirley Temple collectors - a Mint In box Shirley Temple wearing one of the most commonly found outfits, a knife pleated pink organdy dress from "Curly Top." Courtesy Iva Mae M. Jones.

In 1937 Ideal introduced the Shirley Temple Doll Hair Curler "to keep Shirley Curly." It was packed with curlers and instructions in each doll sold. Also new was the Scottish Highlander outfit from "Wee Willie Winkie," available for the 18 inch doll at $6; 22 inch size for $9, and $15 for the 27 inch doll . The outfit included a jaunty Glengarry bonnet, sporran, tan military jacket with brass buttons, a white army belt, a MacKenzie plaid kilt, patterned socks and black shoes. Outfits from "Heidi" including a Tyrolean costume were also sold.

Ideal always paid special attention to publicity and promotion. A special store display was designed with a mechanically animated Shirley playing a pipe organ. Shirley was synchronized to transcribed organ music. The music came from five speakers behind the organ pipes. The display was 4 feet wide by 5 1/2 feet high by 3 feet deep. It was quite a sight! This display when found remains a rarity in the Shirley collecting world.

In 1938 Ideal issued a new model of Shirley with curls close to the head and side part called "Shirley Temple At Nine" (she was in reality 10 years old). Shirley's popularity was beginning to wane as she matured into a pre-teen, and fewer dolls were being sold. Ideal issued Shirley's last costume from the film "The Blue Bird" in February 1940. This outfit remains a very difficult one for collectors to find since Ideal never went into full production for this outfit.

Shirley Temple (1934-39), 18" is marked "Shirley Temple" on her head and body. Courtesy McMasters Doll Auctions.

Throughout her production Shirley's shoes were made of oilcloth and were white with center snaps. Most had a cute silver buckle on the toe. Her eye color varied from pale brown to true brown, a few have been found in blue and even brown or blue metal eyes have been found. Her hair color ranged from pale blonde to golden blonde. No matter what color hair or eyes, the Shirley doll still captures collector's fancy after all these years.

Prices for Shirley

Prices for Shirley depend on condition of the doll, rarity of size, and rarity of outfit. Condition of the composition is very important. Because it is made of wood pulp and glue, it is subject to cracking and craze if exposed to extremes of temperature. Collectors should look for Shirley with her original ringlet hairdo, original clothing, minimal crazing, and clear eyes since the eyes tend to get cloudy. The doll is worth more if the original box and button are present. Shirley dolls range in price from $600 to $1,800, with the 11 inch and the larger 27 inch being the rarest sizes to find.

A recently made reproduction Shirley Temple doll that looks like the original. Collectors should be aware of imitation and reproduction Shirley Temple dolls. Courtesy Dyan Murphy.

Collectors should be aware that with these dolls commanding high prices, reproductions will be made. Currently, there is a gentleman in Texas who is making reproduction composition Shirley Temples. However, he does sign them on their shoe. However, unscrupulous dealers may remove the shoe, so please be aware. I have included a photo of her so that collectors can see how faithful the reproduction is. (The article was published in 2001 and does not reflect the current prices.)

Composition Shirley Temple Baby

In addition to the all composition Shirley Temple girl doll, there was an adorable Shirley Temple baby made in 1935 only. These lovely babies had composition head and limbs with a cloth body. The adorable face with signature dimples had sleep eyes, an open mouth with teeth, and a blonde wig. Marked

"Shirley Temple" on their head, they are quite appealing and very desirable to collectors who pay in the $1,500 range for them. They are available in six sizes ranging from 20 to 27 inches. A darling carriage from F.A. Whitney Company of Leominster, Mass. was introduced at the same time to allow little girls to wheel their Baby Shirley Temple doll around.

Shirley Temple Baby in carriage by Whitney Carriage Company of Leominster, Mass. Notice Shirley Temple photo on the side. Courtesy Veronica Phillips.

The lovely Shirley Temple dolls still bring joy to collectors who remember the charming child actress Shirley Temple in movies from the 1930s and even to newer collectors seeing the movies on television for the first time. Both are enchanted with the Shirley Temple doll's adorable smile and dimples which remind of us a time when an talented child brought happiness to a nation in the depths of a Depression.

For more information about Shirley Temple or other ideal dolls see Judith Izen's book: Collectors Guide to [deal Dolls: Second Edition. She is also the author of the Collector's Encyclopedia of Vogue Dolls co-authored with Carol Stover.

Cutting & Curling Doll Wigs

Ideas and Methods of Curling and Styling a Basic Mohair Doll Wig.

EDITED BY Janet Irvin and Eva Oscarsson

Long-Face Jumeau reproduction. This mohair wig and the wig extensions were set witt alternating large and small perm rods.

Source: Curl Talk 1997 • Jones Publishing, Inc., Pages 11-13

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Styling a wig is as simple (or as compli­cated) as styling your own hair. Mohair has the same structure as human hair and responds excellently to all kinds of curling techniques. There are a few sim­ple dos and don Js, hints and ideas that have been worked out through the years. The best source for help with cut­ting and styling your wig is your hair­dresser. Chances are he or she would be delighted to advise you.

Cutting the Bangs

For cutting bangs on wigs that are not to be set in curlers, have ready

• 1 fine comb and 1 wide-toothed comb

• Spray bottle and water

• Small, very sharp scissors (Perhaps you can get a pair of hair dressing scissors from your hairdresser.)

• Basic, unstyled mohair wig

• Doll with foam pate or wig stand

• Glass-headed pins

• Pin curl clips

1. Place the well combed-out wig on the doll or wig stand.

2. Fasten the wig onto the doll, (or wig stand) checking very carefully that the wig is placed exactly as desired. If the wig is askew, you may end up with a crooked haircut! Pin the wig down onto the pate firmly, using at least four pins.

3. Pull back all hair except the first row and hold with clips.

4. Spray the first row thoroughly with water, and comb neatly.

5. Cut the hair as desired, keeping in mind that this will be the shortest row. Each subsequent row will be cut about 1/8" (3mm) longer than the row before. This prevents getting a thickly cut edge of the bang.

6. Pull down the next row of mohair. Wet-comb and cut about 1/8" -1/4" (3 -6mm) longer than the previous row.

7. Proceed like this until all rows have been cut. Wet and comb again. Neaten the bangs. Taper the sides a little.

Don't make the bangs too long - they should not cover those eyebrows. (If the eyebrows are not to your satisfaction, do them again!)

Don't be afraid to cut the hair. As with people, a good haircut does wonders for your doll.

8. Lightly spray with water, then comb the remaining wig. Cut off any frizzy and uneven ends; shape the base of the hair. Scrunch the hair with your hands to re-form the curls. Place a hair net over the wig to settle all the fluffy and stray hairs and let dry.

9. Carefully comb out with a wide-toothed comb, should it need extra combing.

NOTE: Never cut a wig and then decide to set it - always curl it first, then cut the hair.

Curlers Suitable for Mohair Wigs

Many hair curlers are suitable for mohair. Keep in mind that mohair sets very easily, so the finished curl will be similar in size to the curler used. Many doll makers like to use perm rods, main­ly medium size and large size for 10" to 16" (25 to 41cm) wigs, and small ones for the smaller wigs. Steer away from any curlers that have little spikes on them. They can tangle the hair badly and cause a fair bit of frustration.

Spiral curlers are the popular choice at the moment. They are particularly good for modem dolls and should be used mainly with long mohair.

Bendable curlers can sometimes be found in retail department stores. These are foam-covered wires, about 8" (20cm) long. You wind the hair around the rod and then bend it over to hold the hair in place. Try cutting these into three pieces and using them to achieve the woolly look.

What about using drinking straws on small wigs? If you can manage to keep straws in place they are fine. However, many people find the smallest perm rods to be easier, as they have the elas­tic and clip to hold the hair.

Hair clips are excellent when making lit­tle love curls or just curling the ends of the mohair. Some doll makers avoid using electric curling irons because the tongue, which holds the hair while it is wound around the iron, causes a small ridge mark on the finished curl.

Straightening Mohair

Very large curlers can be used to straight­en frizzy-looking mohair. After setting and combing, you will have to place a net over the hair to settle it down.

If you own a little "Puff-Iron," use it. This looks like an egg on a pole and is about the size of a duck's egg. It gets clamped to the table and is designed for ironing cuffs of sleeves, frills and other bard-to-get-at items. It is also very use­ful for straightening mohair. Rub the mohair over the heated egg-shaped piece in a see-sawing motion. It works well but is not fast. You can also iron mohair with a conventional iron, but the result doesn't look as good. The round­ed shape of the puff-iron gives the mohair a more natural look than the flat iron. Be careful, though, not to burn your fingers!

Angel-Hair Curls and Waves

Crimping irons work quite well on long mohair, especially if you can find one with interchangeable plates and a small crimp. An even better result can be achieved by braiding the wet mohair into several thin braids, letting these dry, and then undoing and combing the braids - instant angel hair. Of course, a lot of mohair has a natural angel hair curl already.

You can buy butterfly clips that are designed to sculpt waves into the hair. These are also quite successful on mohair. Wet the hair, apply a little set­ting lotion or mousse, comb well and place the clips into the hair. Let dry, then very carefully comb the waves.

Hints on Curling Mohair

If you want a sharp and defined curl that holds its shape, use a little setting lotion or mousse on the wet hair. Use your spray bottle to wet the hair with water. Fasten the wig securely with pins to the doll. Comb a small section of hair with a fine comb. Use an end paper to hold all the end hairs together and roll the hair around the chosen curler. It is important to position the curl carefully. Once it is set in a certain way, it can not be shifted. If you want a curl to hang down, as a sausage curl, position the curler in just such a way.

Important! Do not put too much hair on one curler. It is hard to dry and will be shapeless.

In a symmetrical style, place a curler on one side, then repeat on the other side. It is easier to keep the style symmetrical, if you work on both sides simultaneously. For the wild and woolly look, try using the cut-up, bendable curlers mentioned previously, and cover the entire wig with loads of curlers, using setting lotion and end papers. Let dry thor­oughly. Carefully undo the curlers.

Don't comb, but use your finger to divide each hair curl into three or four

sections. Use a small amount of hair­spray to hold the hairdo in place. Now cut and shape the hairdo as needed.

Should you still need to cut the bangs, proceed in the already described

method but do not wet the hair. Just comb each row, then cut.

If you have made a wig with extensions, curl them before they are stitched to the

wig. Place the curls as you stitch the extensions - in a spiral fashion. Stitch the extensions to the wig after you have dried the hair and removed the curlers.

Separate the curls with your fingers for a lovely, curly look. You need, of course, to curl the wig as well.

You can achieve n very interesting and natural look by using a fat and a thin curler alternately. Use a large and a medium sized perm rod for large wigs, and a small and a medium sized rod for medium to small wigs.

French braiding is also lovely on dolls. This takes a little practice (probably your teenaged daughter can show you, or borrow someone else's teenaged daughter).

You can braid from the back forward, or from the front to the back. You can also make two braids, one on each side of a parting, or you can braid a wreath encir­cling the entire head.

Drying Mohair

Now, to dry the hair. You can let it dry naturally or you can use a hairdryer. You can even place it in an oven on a very, very low setting.

Or you may even use the microwave oven. (Do doll people ever actually use their ovens and stoves to cook on? You mean to say that is what they were really designed for? Amazing!)

Check carefully that you did not leave any pins inside the wig or you will smell an awful burnt-hair odor and find charred bits of hair and fabric on the wig. Make sure you have used no metal curlers or clips. You can not use the bendable curlers - they have metal wire inside them.

Place wig on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave on medium for one minute. Let the wig cool down completely. Microwave for another minute on medi­um. Let cool again. Check the hair and repeat. Depending on size and wetness of the hair, it will take three to five min­utes. Be careful! Always cool down the wig and check it and the curls. Do not rush it or you will burn the hair. The entire process takes barely thirty min­utes. That is not much.

The steam that is generated through the heating process really sets the curl exceptionally well. This method of set­ting a wig is one of the best.

Finishing Touches

Use extra fine hair needles to hold curls and hair in place. Cut off the ends with wire cutters, bend one end of the hair needle back, and it will never fall out again.

Flowers and ribbons are lovely to use for giving the wig its final touch. If the doll is to wear a hat, design the wig with this fact in mind. You would, for exam­ple, not make a pulled back style, as it would be squashed by the hat.

Well, hopefully these pointers will give you some ideas, and inspire you to real­ly finish your wig creatively. Just use your imagination. Check hair styles in the books and magazines at a local styling salon to get inspiration.

None of the listed above ideas were checked by Doll Kingdom. We are not responsible for any of the described processes. Please use your own judgement before trying any recommendation.

Composition Toddler Dolls

Although the composition toddler dolls are far outnumbered by the little girl models made of composition, many fine designs for dolls with toddler bodies were made during the approx­imately 40 years of composition doll production.

BY DIAN ZILLNER. Photographs by Suzanne Silverthorn

Composition Effanbee Walk Talk Sleep Grumpy Doll with painted features and molded hair.

Source: November 1990 • Doll Reader , Pages 70-74

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13in (33cm) Bubbles made by the Effanbee Doll Co. beginning in 1926 in the toddler model. The doll has a composition shoulder head, full composition arms and legs and a cloth body. She has molded hair, an open mouth with teeth and tin sleep eyes. She is marked: "EFFANBEE//BUBBLES//COPYR. 1924//MADE JN U.S.A." She has been re-dressed.

Some of the earliest of these toddler dolls were made by the Effanbee Doll Co. during the 1920s. After Effanbee's successful marketing of the composi­tion Bubbles baby doll in 1924 and 1925, a new design of this doll was produced in 1926, perhaps to take advantage of the company's new slogan advertising dolls that "Walk -Talk -Sleep." The "new" Bubbles had toddler legs instead of the traditional curved baby legs so that she could also fit the "Walk" of the company's logo. Bubbles had a compo­sition shoulder head, full arms and legs and a cloth body. The hair was molded and she had sleep eyes. The company also used the same body construction on its Grumpy doll which had originally been placed on the market in 1912. The Grumpy doll was made in both black and white models. Grumpy had a frowning face, painted features and molded hair.

12in (31cm) black Baby Grumpy doll made by the Effanbee Doll Co. The doll has a composition shoulder head and full composition arms and legs, a cloth body, painted features and molded hair. She is marked in an oval on the back of her shoulder: "Effanbee//Dolls//Walk Talk Sleep."

Effanbee continued its interest in the toddler doll into the 1930s when the doll called Sugar Baby was developed. This doll was all composition with sleep eyes and came either wearing a wig or with molded hair. It was 16in (41cm) tall to 18in (46cm) tall.

The last great composition toddler made by the Effanbee Doll Co. was marketed in 1946 when the manufacture of composition dolls was nearing an end. The new doll was called the Candy Kid. The all composition dolls were dressed as either boys or girls and one popular model wore boxing gloves and shorts. The 1946 Montgomery Ward Christmas catalog featured a 13in (33cm) tall doll with wardrobe in a traveling case that sold for $16.50. The doll had molded hair and sleep eyes.

Although the Alexander Doll Co. did not make as many great toddler dolls as other companies, it did have one line of toddlers that outsold any other dolls of this type.

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FOR SALE Antique 1920’s American Character "Petite" 24” Composition Doll Original wig

FOR SALE Antique Unmarked Horsman (?) 21” Composition Doll Sleepy Eyes

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13in (33cm) Candy Kid made by Effanbee Doll Co. in 1946. This toddler doll is all composition, jointed at the shoulders and hips and has molded hair and sleep eyes. The doll is marked on the back of the head and on its body: "EFFANBEE."

The dolls were modeled after the famous Dionne Quintuplets who had been born in Canada in 1934. From 1935 until 1939, these toddler dolls were manufactured in various sizes from 8in (20cm) to 16in (41cm) wearing many different outfits. The dolls were made of all composition and most of them wore wigs although some did have molded hair. The smaller dolls had painted eyes while the bigger dolls had sleep eyes. The dolls remained on the market until the Quints began to grow up and lost some of their public appeal.

14in (36cm) Dionne Quintuplet toddler made by the Alexander Doll Co. during the mid 1930s. The all composition doll is jointed at the shoulders and hips, has sleep eyes and a mohair wig. She is marked "Alexander" on both her head and her back. She has been re-dressed.

19in (48cm) Baby Sandy doll made by the Freundlich Novelty Corp. from 1939 to 1942. The doll was made to honor tiny movie star Sandra Henvville. The all composition doll is jointed at the shoulders and hips and has molded hair, sleep eyes and an open mouth with teeth. She is marked "Baby Sandy" on her head. She has been re-dressed in factory made toddler clothing from the 1940s era.

Another famous toddler was also used as a prototype for a doll maker. The Freundlich Novelty Corp. designed a Baby Sandy doll named after the tiny movie star Sandra Henville who had become popular so quickly from her short-lived movie career.

These toddler dolls were marketed from 1939 until Sandy's movie career was over in 1942. There were several different model made of the dolls in sizes from 8in (20cm) to 16in (41cm) tall. The smaller doll's eye were painted while the larger editions had sleep eyes. The dolls were all composi­tion with molded hair and originally came with a pin showing a picture of Baby Sandy.

One of the most famous doll de­signs made in composition also hap­pens to be in the shape of a toddler doll. Although the variety of Rose O'Neill Kewpie dolls can provide a collection all by themselves, the composition Kewpie is designed with a short stocky body which places this doll in the tod­dler category.

13in (33cm) all composition Kewpie doll designed by Rose O'Neill. This doll was made by the Cameo Doll Co. in the 1940s. She is jointed at her shoulders and hips and has molded hair and painted features. Her dress may be original.

She was made by the Cameo Doll Company for many years in both a black and a white model. Both the 1945 and the 1947 Sears, Roebuck and Co. Christmas catalogs list the dolls in the 13in (33cm) size priced from $1.65 to $2.57. The dolls are jointed at the shoulders and hips, have molded hair and painted features. The same company also made another f toddler when Rose O'Neill's Scooamoust/es was produced from composition in sizes from 8in (20cm) to 16in (41cm) tall. The last great Rose O'Neill Cameo composition toddler was made in 1946 when the Giggles doll was produced. The doll is all composition with painted eyes and molded hair with a bun in the back. Both the Scootles and the Giggles composition dolls fetch top dollar in today's doll market when they are in original condition.

13in (33cm) Jo Jo made by the E. I. Horsman Co. in 1937. She is all composition with a mohair wig and sleep eyes. She is jointed at the shoulders and hips and wears her original cotton print dress and one-piece underwear. She is marked "Horsman Jo Jo" on the back of her neck.

The E. I. Horsman Co. probably produced more different designs of tod­dler dolls than any other company. Many of these dolls were unmarked but a few still survive in their original boxes. The Montgomery Ward Christmas catalog for 1945 listed a 16in (41cm) tall Horsman toddler doll with sleep eyes and painted hair priced at $5.50. The doll is similar to all of the unmarked toddler dolls that were ad­vertised in the toy catalogs throughout the 1940s.

A Horsman toddler with a better design was marketed in 1937. The doll was called Jo Jo and was 13in (33cm) tall and came with a wig or with molded hair. The dolls were dressed either as boys or girls and some had tin sleep eyes.

11in (28cm) Dream Baby made by Arranbee Doll Co. The all composition toddler has molded hair, painted eyes and open mouth. He is marked "Dream Baby" on both his head and his body. He is a product of the 1940s and has been re-dressed.

Several other doll companies made toddler dolls over the years including the Arranbee Doll Co. Although the trade name, Dream Baby, is usually associated with baby dolls, the com­pany did manufacture a toddler doll with the Dream Baby mark on its back. The doll is all composition with molded hair and painted eyes. As a doll design it is not of great merit as is the design which produced the toddler doll made by the American Character Doll Co. called Puggy. This 12in (31cm) tall doll was first manufactured in 1928 and is made of all composition. He has molded hair, painted eyes and is marked "A Petite Doll." He has an unusual quizzical pouty expression and is one of the most expensive of the tod­dler dolls when found in excellent con­dition.

16in (41cm) unmarked all composition toddler doll jointed at the shoulders and hips. This boy doll has molded hair and painted eyes. He wears his original cotton suit and bonnet and dates from the mid 1940s.

Although there are lots of composi­tion toddler dolls still available to to­day's collectors, many of them are of the non-descript unmarked variety that were shown in the toy sections of the Christmas catalogs all through the 1940s.

Illustration on the right shows a large 16in (41cm) tall all original composition boy with painted eyes and molded hair. He may be the same doll shown in the Montgomery Ward Christmas Catalog for 1945 priced at $2.10.

16in (41cm) unmarked all composition toddler doll jointed at the shoulders and hips. She is all original and dates from the 1940s. Her dress and bonnet are of light blue dotted Swiss with pink trim.

The toddler doll shown in Illustra­tion on the left is a much nicer example but she is also unmarked. The doll has a wig, sleep eyes and wears her original clothing. Collectors should not pass up these dolls when they are all original because these inexpensive dolls made it possible for many little girls to own dolls who would never have had that opportunity if the doll market had only consisted of the more expensive Alex­ander and Effanbee models.

The more desirable composition toddler dolls continue to rise in price with the toddlers from the major doll companies bringing $200 and up when dressed in original clothing. Because fewer toddler dolls were made, it seems likely that this trend will continue. It is not hard for a modern doll collector to become interested in toddler dolls after seeing a Candy Kid, Scootles or Dionne Quint doll in original condition. Maybe that is what has happened at doll shows and auctions and that explains why the prices continue to soar.