This is a 1948 composition 12 in. Campbell Kid by Horsman, bought in Canada. She came dressed in a skimpy sun suit that fell apart. The smaller 9.5 in. vinyl doll c. 1972 was a premium for sending in Campbell’s Soup coupons.
Category Archives: Composition
1940s Mystery Dolls
Here are three unmarked 1940’s composition dolls that were given to me. The 13 in. doll on the right is wearing one of the popular pinafore dresses and has mohair braids and straw hat. The 13 in. doll on the left carries a bag with laced-edged hanky, mirror, powder box, and powder puff marked Vogue. The 11 in. doll in the center with sleep eyes is, dressed as a skater, resembling the famous Olympian and film star, Sonja Heine. Can anyone identify these three?
Madame Alexandar Little Genius Doll
When mother bought me a Madame Alexander Little Genius cloth and composition baby doll I had a feeling that, at age 12, I was getting too old to play with dolls. So she was never played with and remains in perfect shape.
Tiny Betty Doll
This is the 8 in. Tiny Betty (1943) I received in the 1940s. By using different hair and clothes, this doll mold was used to make many cute characters like Carmen Miranda. Can you see the resemblance?
Carmen Miranda
Alice In Wonderland Doll
I went on to receive additional Madame Alexander composition dolls. One was a 14 in. Alice in Wonderland (1946). Her blue dress has faded a little over the years.
McGuffey Ana and Flora McFlimsey
In the 1940s, my sisters gave me two 13 in. composition dolls McGuffey Ana and Flora McFlimsey, with wardrobe. These dolls were so beautifully dressed that I kept them that way. Both had human hair wigs. Flora was a redhead with freckles.
Madame Beatrice Alexander 1895-1990 was primarily a fashion designer and her doll clothes were perfection. To this day the Madame Alexander label means excellence.
1940s Carmen Miranda Doll
Carmen Miranda
Sometime in the 1940s I received three Madame Alexander dolls. My brother, soon to be drafted into the Army, gave me a 7 in. composition Carmen Miranda doll. The real Carmen was a popular singer, dancer, and comedienne in the movies.
Debu Teen Doll
Returning now to that 1939 Christmas, the doll my other sister gave me was a 17 in. Debu Teen doll with composition head, arms, and legs and a stuffed cloth body. It was made by the Arranbee Toy Co. I don’t remember what she was wearing at the time but I read recently that she came in a pink evening gown like a debutante might wear. My sister made her a rayon lounging suit with blue glass buttons. Her mohair wig became thin and mousy so I gave her a modern wig to cover it.
1940s Shirley Temple Doll
More recently, I found an 18 in. composition Shirley Temple doll from Ideal, circa 1940, at a flea market. She was wearing only a housecoat. Again, the original mohair wig was hard to style. I’ve heard that the real Shirley Temple had 55 curls. Could that be true?
Fashiondol Doll in Satin Brocade
Fashiondol doll in satin brocade dress.
