Effanbee often made dolls clothed as majorettes, starting with their composition dolls. This 1961-1981 all vinyl 18 in. majorette has sleep eyes and freckles. She was also sold as Susie Sunshine.
Category Archives: 1960s
The Tiny Tubber
The Tiny Tubber 10 in. nurser dolls were first made by Effanbee in the 1960’s. This is the black version with sleep eyes and open mouth.
Beautiful Crissy Doll
Beautiful Crissy, 18 in., 1969 by Ideal, was very popular. She had ankle-length “growing hair.” Here she is in her original orange lace mini-dress. Her Mary Jane style shoes are missing.
Sasha Morgenthaler
This unmarked 16 in. rigid vinyl doll is in a class by itself. Known as Sasha dolls, they were designed by Swiss artist Sasha Morgenthaler from the 1940s until her death in 1975. After first making dolls in her studio in limited numbers, mass production was started in the 1960s by Gotz in Germany and Frido (later Trendon) in England. Morgenthaler wanted the dolls to represent an image of universal childhood, so from the beginning of mass production, the vinyl was coffee-colored so the dolls would not appear to belong to any particular ethnic group. In the early 1970s, black dolls were introduced, first in an extremely dark complexion, then later in a lighter complexion. Caucasian boy dolls were known as Gregor, black girl dolls as Cora, and black boy dolls as Caleb. The one shown was found at a flea market with the hair cut off. With a blonde wig and Tyrolean outfit added, it’s now just called Sasha.
Toddler, Little Mary Sunshine, Littlest Angel
On the left is an 11 in. Toddler, 1961, made by Effanbee. using their Tiny Tubber head mold. She is all vinyl with sleep eyes and rooted hair. I made her outfit. In the center is Mme. Alexander’s 14 in. Little Mary Sunshine, 1961. The mold for this doll was first used to make Caroline, styled to resemble the young Kennedy daughter, but it was soon discontinued. Vogue’s 11 in. Littlest Angel 1964 is on the right. Her PJ’s are tagged “Vogue Dolls Made in USA.”
1969 Dollikin
This 11.5 in. Dollikin by Uneeda, 1969, was the first doll in my memory having 14 joints. She is all vinyl with painted eyes.
Flatsy Dolls
Flatsy dolls were made from 1969 to 1971 by Ideal. They were cut out in one piece from vinyl and were fully posable. In the back is 8.5 in. Fashion Flatsy Gwen packaged in a plastic picture frame with cardboard backdrop. Another 8.5 in. Fashion Flatsy Ali stands on the right. Baby Flatsy, 4.5 in., Mini Flatsy, 2.5 in., and a 1982 new Flatsy by Gatabox stand in a row.
1960 Small Stuff Doll
Jolly Toy Inc. made this 15 in. Small Stuff doll in 1960. It is rather unusual, with chubby cheeks, rosebud mouth, and one curl set into a slit on her head.
Fluffy and Toddler Betty
On the left is a 10.5 in. vinyl doll with sleep eyes and freckles on her nose, Effanbee’s Fluffy. She was made from 1954 to 1965 and was chosen to wear the official Girl Scout uniform. In the center is 12 in. Toddler Betty made by Horsman in 1965, wearing her original outfit. On the right, an unidentified 10.5 in. chubby toddler marked “Made in Hong Kong” is exceptionally cute.
Storykins
In 1969 Hasbro created nine Storykins sets with 2 in. to 3.5 in. dolls. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was a favorite of our kids. All of the dwarfs can still answer, “Present!”
