Trolls portray supernatural beings from Scandinavian folklore. Various companies copied the Fauni Trolls, circa 1952, designed by a couple from Finland, Helena and Martti Kuuslkoski.
Category Archives: 1950s
1950s Horsman Doll
This is a 17 in. Horsman doll with vinyl head and limbs and a soft cloth body. When found at the flea market she was dressed in this handmade velvet gown that really suits her. She dates from the 1950’s to early 1960’s.
1958 Teeny Betsy McCall
Teeny Betsy McCall, 8 in., by American Character, 1958, is all hard plastic with jointed knees. She first appeared as a paper doll in McCall’s Magazine in 1951. There were patterns for her outfits and I made this from one.
1958 Teeny Betsy McCall Doll
This 14 in. high heel teenager has a face like the Teeny Betsy McCall standing beside her. She has a hard plastic body, vinyl head, and is marked “R 15 V” on her lower back. I found a photo and detailed description that identified her as an American Character 14 in. Betsy McCall, 1958. The dress was made from McCall’s Betsy pattern #2255.
1950s Mary Hoyer Doll?
Several years after finding this doll undressed, apparently with no marks, I thought I knew who she was – a 14 in. hard plastic Mary Hoyer from the 1950’s. Recently upon closer examination, I found the mark R&B under her hair and identified her as Nancy Lee by Arranbee. I made her dress from one of the sewing patterns in the book, Mary Hoyer and Her Dolls. Mary Hoyer was a designer of knit and crocheted fashions for children. She had a mail order business to sell her patterns and supplies. The idea of adapting similar patterns for dolls proved to be very successful.
The dolls and their patterns were sold through needlework magazines.
1950s Bride Doll
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.
1950s Horsman Glamour Doll
A stuffed vinyl body was used on this 1950’s 19 in. Horsman 82 glamour doll. She has jointed elbows and a typically beautiful Horsman face. Her taffeta shirtwaist dress and plastic rain cape are vintage. The poodle was adopted.
1953 Madame Alexander Walking Doll
A hard, plastic 18 in. Madame Alexander walking doll like this is a lucky find at a flea market. She dates from about 1953. Besides making the outfit, I had to replace part of her eyelash using a bit of unraveled black velvet ribbon. The Margaret face mold was used for this doll.
1950s Horsman Glamour Doll?
One of my favorite flea market dolls is this 17.5 in. hard vinyl from the late 1950’s. Unmarked, she was wearing a one-piece sun suit with matching skirt. Notice the elbow joints that allow her to twist her arm around so one can see her engagement ring. With this particular face, I would guess it’s a Horsman doll.
1957 Glamour Doll
This 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.
