This page is a place for friends, family, and visitors of this site to share their special doll memories.
The photo above shows my friend Mary-Sarah with one of her favorite dolls. I was admiring him in a recent photo of her doll cabinet and I asked who he was. Here is her response: "The fat little guy you liked was my grandfather's favorite doll. He was a Russian immigrant and the guy is a Cossack. I had my tonsils out when Star Wars was released. I couldn't go out in crowds so I went over to my grandfather's house. He had just moved from NYC to CT to be near my brother and me, his only grandkids. We spent the day unpacking my aunt's dolls. He said I could pick one, so I chose a Spanish dancer (my daughter Tati's current favorite). Then he gave me the Cossack, and I've always treasured him because of the association."
Isn't that a great story? Yet another example of how special doll memories can last a lifetime!
The photo above is of Laura and her little brother David, who loved each other and their various dolls and playthings and who were inseparable. This photo was taken while they were watching "Wild Kingdom" and David was concerned about protecting "Mrs. Beasley" from the tigers on the screen. "Dressy Bessy" and "Dapper Dan" also join them. Great examples of dolls from the early 1970's! I remember having my own "Mrs. Beasley" as I'm sure many of you do too!
The photos above were sent in by Susanne. These photos of her daughter Laura's dolls were taken in 1974. Note all the wonderful examples of late 1960's/early 1970's Barbie dolls. What a beautiful doll house and Principessa furniture! Definitely a dream display for those of us who remember playing with dolls during this time period. Susanne made the covers for Barbie's bed and Laura made the swing that Crissy and Velvet are sitting in. Susanne recalls Laura displaying these dolls before they went on vacation so she could say "hello" to them when she returned. We can see that Laura really loved her dolls and Susanne treasures the memories of her playing with them.
The first photo above is a picture of my friend Julie from Ohio when she was 2 or 3 years old holding a Barbie doll. (Not sure, but I think it might be a 1967 Twist & Turn Barbie). That is her brother standing in the background. Julie says from the age of 2 until the age of 12 or 13 she could always be found with a Barbie doll in her hand. Julie has many fond memories of playing dolls with her sister and friends. The next photo is of Julie today posing with a Jamie Sommers, "The Bionic Woman" doll. Julie loved the Bionic Woman television show so much when she was young that her Mom would tell her if she didn't behave, she wouldn't be able to watch the show. Of course this kept Julie right in line. Naturally she had to have the doll to go along with her favorite show.
The photo above is of my Aunt Lina taken around Christmas 1957. This was was her first year in America after moving here with her family from Italy. I've identified the doll she is with as "Sweet Rosemary" made by the Deluxe Reading Corp. She was a 30" stuffed vinal doll who came complete with earrings, a necklace, high heels, and a frilly ball gown. Auntie Lina did not remember her name, but does remember many wonderful hours where Rosemary was her tea party playmate and dancing partner.
The photo above is of my friend Trina (on the left) and her sister Jean on Christmas day 1975. Trina is holding a "Growing Up Skipper" doll and Jean has a "Dusty" doll. As Trina looks back, she seems to remember being more excited about the "Lite Brite" she and her sister received that Christmas then the dolls. (Lite Brite can be seen in the background behind Jean.) Well, I have to agree that Lite Brite is an exciting toy, but if it were me, the dolls would have won out in the end. ! Click here to see my "Dusty" page.
The photo above was sent in to me by Liz from California. It was taken on her first Christmas in 1960. Her Grandma Sharp is holding her and standing next to them is a beautiful Patti Playpal doll. Wow, Patti almost looks like a real little girl in this photo! Liz hopes to someday find a replacement for this doll. Good luck Liz and thanks so much for sharing the great photo! Click here to see my "Patti Playpal" page.
The photo above was sent in to me by Wendy. She is the little girl in the plaid dress on the left. Wendy believes this photo was taken on Christmas day 1951 or 1952. She was visiting a friend of the family for the day and this photo was taken of her and the friend's daughter with their brand new dolls! (Note that both dolls look very much alike.) Wendy remembers this doll as having a cloth body and a composition or hard plastic head with a smiling open mouth. She had blond hair and her coat and hat were made from a dusty pink broadcloth fabric with white lace trim. Wendy is wondering if anyone knows the name or manufacturer of this doll. I did some research and believe she may be an Ideal "Tickletoes" or Ideal "Deluxe Baby Beautiful" that were made around 1950/1951. Wendy also notes that her father worked for Goodyear Tire and Rubber and most likely the doll was purchased at the toy store run by that company at the time. If anyone has more information on this doll, please e-mail me at the link below so I can pass this information on to Wendy. Thanks so much Wendy for sharing your photo and information about your doll! Hope you find another one like her someday!
The photo above comes from my friend Nancy in New Hampshire. This doll was hers when she was young. Her mother kept it in a wooden case with a glass door that her grandfather had made. Unfortunately, Nancy was never allowed to play with it. (She believes her mother really wanted the doll for herself!) I believe this doll was made by the Deluxe Reading Company (same company that made "Sweet Rosemary" shown in one of the photos above.) This doll may have been sold as "Sweet Rosemary" or "Bonnie Bride".
Years later when Nancy got married her mother decided that she should have the doll. However, at that point Nancy was not really interested in displaying it in her home, so the doll stayed in her mother's house. (I guess it was a little to late to warm up to a doll she was not allowed to touch.) Later, when her mother moved, the glass case broke. After that, Nancy's mother periodically would tell Nancy that she had "her bride doll" to take home. Nancy always "conveniently" forgot to take it with her. Over time, Nancy had two sons and then a daughter. After her daughter was born, Nancy's mother reminded her that she could pass the bride doll on to her. Although it seemed like a neat idea, she did not want to give her daughter the doll and tell her that she could only look at it (like a dog salivating over a treat!) Finally one day Nancy went to her mother's house and she said, "Here, I packed up your doll for you to take home." So now the doll lives with Nancy. She's no longer in her glass case, but is wrapped up in her closet. Nancy says someday her daughter will be lucky enough to take the doll home with her.
Nancy assures us that she did actually have some dolls she could play with when she was a child. She promises to send us a photo of her "Chatty Cathy" wearing an outfit that her mom crocheted for it.
You might see your "doll memory" on this page in the near future.