More Patsy family dolls

With the phenomenal success of Patsy, Effanbee developed several other dolls with the same Patsy type face and right bent arm. These dolls were manufactured in the period from 1929 to 1946

First there was Patsy Ann, essentially a larger version of Patsy; Patsy Lou, Patsy Joan, Patsyette, Patsy Jr, and many others. All of the dolls have a typical Patsy-type face: chubby cheeks, puckered lips, short bobbed hair (some with molded headbands), painted side-glancing eyes or sleep eyes in all different colors with lashes, and a toddler proportioned body. Dolls are all composition. Some dolls came with mohair or caracul wigs.  There were also black versions of these dolls.

The dolls started to wane in popularity and in the last year of their manufacture, 1946, they were unmarked, otherwise, dolls are marked Effanbee and have the doll's name.

I have a Patsy Ann from the early 1930's and a Patsy Jr, from 1946. There's a big difference in the quality of the newer dolls versus the older dolls. I am guessing that when materials became scarce during World War 2, shortcuts had to be made. As you can see on my Patsy Jr from 1946, there is a top layer of paint that is peeling, revealing a lighter tint below. I've seen this on a few Patsy Jrs. Patsy Ann, however, looks almost as good as the day she was purchased. Patsy Ann wears an original dress (don't you love the penguins?) and shoes, and Patsy Jr wears a vintage mommy-made onesie and old oilcloth shoes.

Patsy Ann is 19 inches tall, and Patsy Jr is 11 inches tall. There were plenty of imitators during the years of Patsy's popularity, but one good way to identify your doll, if she is unmarked, is to closely check the pattern in the molded hair. It's unique to Patsy dolls. It's generally straight, slightly parted in the middle, and curves on her cheeks. Some dolls have the molded headband. Patsys did not come with bow loops (a loop of composition through which you can thread a ribbon.)

Patsy's face is so endearing - no wonder she had so many imitators!

More Patsy family dolls

With the phenomenal success of Patsy, Effanbee developed several other dolls with the same Patsy type face and right bent arm. These dolls were manufactured in the period from 1929 to 1946

First there was Patsy Ann, essentially a larger version of Patsy; Patsy Lou, Patsy Joan, Patsyette, Patsy Jr, and many others. All of the dolls have a typical Patsy-type face: chubby cheeks, puckered lips, short bobbed hair (some with molded headbands), painted side-glancing eyes or sleep eyes in all different colors with lashes, and a toddler proportioned body. Dolls are all composition. Some dolls came with mohair or caracul wigs.  There were also black versions of these dolls.

The dolls started to wane in popularity and in the last year of their manufacture, 1946, they were unmarked, otherwise, dolls are marked Effanbee and have the doll's name.

I have a Patsy Ann from the early 1930's and a Patsy Jr, from 1946. There's a big difference in the quality of the newer dolls versus the older dolls. I am guessing that when materials became scarce during World War 2, shortcuts had to be made. As you can see on my Patsy Jr from 1946, there is a top layer of paint that is peeling, revealing a lighter tint below. I've seen this on a few Patsy Jrs. Patsy Ann, however, looks almost as good as the day she was purchased. Patsy Ann wears an original dress (don't you love the penguins?) and shoes, and Patsy Jr wears a vintage mommy-made onesie and old oilcloth shoes.

Patsy Ann is 19 inches tall, and Patsy Jr is 11 inches tall. There were plenty of imitators during the years of Patsy's popularity, but one good way to identify your doll, if she is unmarked, is to closely check the pattern in the molded hair. It's unique to Patsy dolls. It's generally straight, slightly parted in the middle, and curves on her cheeks. Some dolls have the molded headband. Patsys did not come with bow loops (a loop of composition through which you can thread a ribbon.)

Patsy's face is so endearing - no wonder she had so many imitators!

Kewty and Sue

In the late 1920's, toddler dolls started to take the nation by storm. Two such dolls were Amberg's Sue doll (a doll with molded curls and a swivel twist waist) and Arranbee's Kewty. (There was also another version of Kewty made by Domec which more closely resembles a carnival doll.)

Kewty and Sue rode the wave of success that Effanbee's Patsy had created. Toddler dolls with molded hair, about the right size for little hands to hold, became popular. There were also plenty of other imitators that cropped up along the way during the 1920's and 30's (I'll showcase a couple more in another entry.)

My Kewty and Sue dolls appear to be dressed in their original costumes with their original shoes and socks. Sue is about 14 inches tall, and Kewty is about 15 inches tall. Sue is marked on her back:Amberg/Pat. Pend./L.A.& S. © 1928 and Kewty is marked on her back: KEWTY. They both have painted eyes, and to be honest, I think they are just as adorable as Patsy. Both dolls have a little age-related wear, but considering that that are 80 years old, they've held up well over the years.

In these photos, Kewty is on the left, and Sue is on the right.

Kewty and Sue

In the late 1920's, toddler dolls started to take the nation by storm. Two such dolls were Amberg's Sue doll (a doll with molded curls and a swivel twist waist) and Arranbee's Kewty. (There was also another version of Kewty made by Domec which more closely resembles a carnival doll.)

Kewty and Sue rode the wave of success that Effanbee's Patsy had created. Toddler dolls with molded hair, about the right size for little hands to hold, became popular. There were also plenty of other imitators that cropped up along the way during the 1920's and 30's (I'll showcase a couple more in another entry.)

My Kewty and Sue dolls appear to be dressed in their original costumes with their original shoes and socks. Sue is about 14 inches tall, and Kewty is about 15 inches tall. Sue is marked on her back:Amberg/Pat. Pend./L.A.& S. © 1928 and Kewty is marked on her back: KEWTY. They both have painted eyes, and to be honest, I think they are just as adorable as Patsy. Both dolls have a little age-related wear, but considering that that are 80 years old, they've held up well over the years.

In these photos, Kewty is on the left, and Sue is on the right.

Patsy

Back in the 1930's, Effanbee made Little Lady for older girls, but before that, in 1928, Effanbee came up with a hit with younger girls - Patsy.

The ever popular Patsy is a little girl doll with moulded hair and headband. She has a typical toddler body with a distended belly, bent right arm, a puckered closed mouth, painted eyes and chubby cheeks. Her hair is usually auburn but her eye color can vary. Some Patsys had "sleep" eyes. Patsy had quite a few "sisters," but Patsy herself is 14 inches tall. Effanbee patented Patsy as she was one of the first strung dolls able to stand and pose on her own.

Patsy became so popular that soon, rival doll manufacturers were following the Patsy craze. Sally, Peggy, Peaches, Chikie, Trixbe, Babs, Maizie, Judy ... all attempted to latch on to the Patsy phenomenon.

During World War 2, Effanbee made a special Patsy in time for Christmas, and Patsys were produced with magnets in their hands so that the little dolls could hold things - and parents could buy endless Patsy accessories. There were Patsy sticker books, Patsy paper dolls, and special Patsy newsletters and booklets. "Aunt Patsy," an Effanbee public relations wonder, traveled the country touting the joys of Patsy. There was also a Patsy Doll Club. No other doll enjoyed such marketing mania.

The last composition Patsys were manufactured in 1946, and these dolls are unmarked. Dolls made before 1946 are marked Effanbee Patsy Doll on their backs. Effanbee designed a wardrobe of clothes for Patsy, and little girls fastened them with safety pins. My Patsys long ago lost their original outfits and heart charm bracelets, but are wearing outfits that they might have come with, back when they were sold.

In the 1980's, Effanbee (now Tonner) revived Patsy and sold vinyl dolls that used the original Patsy mould. The latest Patsy type dolls have rooted Saran hair, but in my opinion, nothing beats the charm of the original composition doll.

Patsy

Back in the 1930's, Effanbee made Little Lady for older girls, but before that, in 1928, Effanbee came up with a hit with younger girls - Patsy.

The ever popular Patsy is a little girl doll with moulded hair and headband. She has a typical toddler body with a distended belly, bent right arm, a puckered closed mouth, painted eyes and chubby cheeks. Her hair is usually auburn but her eye color can vary. Some Patsys had "sleep" eyes. Patsy had quite a few "sisters," but Patsy herself is 14 inches tall. Effanbee patented Patsy as she was one of the first strung dolls able to stand and pose on her own.

Patsy became so popular that soon, rival doll manufacturers were following the Patsy craze. Sally, Peggy, Peaches, Chikie, Trixbe, Babs, Maizie, Judy ... all attempted to latch on to the Patsy phenomenon.

During World War 2, Effanbee made a special Patsy in time for Christmas, and Patsys were produced with magnets in their hands so that the little dolls could hold things - and parents could buy endless Patsy accessories. There were Patsy sticker books, Patsy paper dolls, and special Patsy newsletters and booklets. "Aunt Patsy," an Effanbee public relations wonder, traveled the country touting the joys of Patsy. There was also a Patsy Doll Club. No other doll enjoyed such marketing mania.

The last composition Patsys were manufactured in 1946, and these dolls are unmarked. Dolls made before 1946 are marked Effanbee Patsy Doll on their backs. Effanbee designed a wardrobe of clothes for Patsy, and little girls fastened them with safety pins. My Patsys long ago lost their original outfits and heart charm bracelets, but are wearing outfits that they might have come with, back when they were sold.

In the 1980's, Effanbee (now Tonner) revived Patsy and sold vinyl dolls that used the original Patsy mould. The latest Patsy type dolls have rooted Saran hair, but in my opinion, nothing beats the charm of the original composition doll.