Argentina, 11 in., 1984 by Effanbee, was described as a “play size Collector Doll.” Fully jointed with rooted hair and sleep eyes, she is one from a set of international dolls

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.

This is a 15 in. Vietnam souvenir doll, plastic and vinyl, many of which were sent home by US soldiers in the 1960’s. She is wearing an áo dài, a traditional Vietnamese national costume. It is a tight-fitting silk tunic slit to the waist on both sides and worn over pantaloons. She is wearing a simple gold necklace. Her hat is a replacement., much like the original.

This 1989 booklet for World Friends by Loretta Daum Byrne contains the patterns and history of seven different national outfits.

World Friends, 1989, is a series of mother and daughter dolls to dress in their national outfits. They were designed by Loretta Daum Byrne along with patterns and instructions for crocheted or no-sew felt costumes.