In the late 1990’s, Mme. Alexander’s 21 in. Cissy made a return with a vinyl head. I bought one named Royal Reception. It has the new face of Cissy and jointed knees. Hard plastic was used on the Mme. Alexander Cissy dolls from 1947 to the mid 1950’s but the coloring on this 1999 vinyl Cissy head deserves a close up.
A vintage 1950’s bridal gown suits this 20 in. soft vinyl doll marked “AE” on the head. I made the cap and veil and added a pearl necklace. There were two of these bridal gowns found in a doll trunk.
A friend gave me two unidentified doll trunks, each containing a fashion doll of the 1950’s with its wardrobe. The dolls were 19 in. and 18 in., each having an identical set of outfits, some factory made but most hand made from commercial patterns. The 18 in. vinyl glamour doll, 1957-1959, is marked VT 18, which stands for the Ideal Toy Co. She is wearing a flower-trimmed gown, nylons, and wrist corsage. She was given to me with a trunk of clothes. I added the wig and earrings.
Even before Barbie was introduced in 1959 there were vinyl full figure dolls with high-heeled feet and suran-rooted hair. They came in sizes 18 – 23 in. and also smaller 10.5 in. look alikes. The doll on the left is 19 in. with hard vinyl body and soft vinyl head. Unmarked and wearing a 1950’s dress, she has the face of a Uneeda doll. The 10.5 in. doll on the right is marked Uneeda on her head. With a hard vinyl body and soft vinyl head, she has sleep eyes and a twist waist.
