Pin Up Doll?

This one will remain with me but I have always wondered about her and never found much information.

She so reminds me of Betty Grable. Even has little gold boudoir slippers.

Was this a line of dolls after the war or something? Any help appreciated. I just love her. I won a ribbon with her back in the 1980s at a Doll Show. Mollye?

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Permalink Reply by Sunday Dolls on March 6, 2012 at 9:13am

Hi. Adorable! Her face is very similar to that of several dolls manufactured in the late 1930s/early 1940s, such as Alexander's Princess Elizabeth. She appears to be in extraordinary condition. If there are no markings on the doll, it will rule out a few companies, but it will be difficult to identify her definitively unless someone recognizes her outfit. Anyone?

Permalink Reply by Sunday Dolls on March 6, 2012 at 9:38am

Just wanted to mention that Mollye's purchased dolls from several manufacturers and redressed them. Therefore, many of the early composition dolls were unmarked.

Permalink Reply by Graceful Antiques on March 6, 2012 at 10:41am

She is unmarked but hard vinyl. Thank you for your help. I do appreciate it.

I just cannot imagine this is a homemade outfit with the gold shoes.

Permalink Reply by Sunday Dolls on March 6, 2012 at 11:29am

Hi. I'm sorry, I thought she was composition. She does have that sassy 'fifties' look, like Cissy, in her lingerie. I'm sure her outfit is factory-made, too.

Permalink Reply by Graceful Antiques on March 6, 2012 at 12:20pm

I am trying to make myself list a Cissy in an Aqua ballgown called Lady Hamilton.

I really loved having my dolls but need to pass them on to a person that will also love them.

You have gorgeous dolls.

Permalink Reply by debdoll on March 6, 2012 at 3:21pm

Hello, I haven't been around here for quite a while but saw your doll and know who she is so thought I'd respond. Your doll is considered hard plastic, rather than hard vinyl. She was made in the 1950's by a company in Pasadena, CA. known as Artisan Dolls. She is known as a Raving Beauty doll or Miss Gadabout (depending on whether she is a walker or not). Hope that helps you. I have sold several of these dolls and have several more in my personal collection. Since I am a CA native, I especially like the fact that these dolls were made locally to my childhood area.

Permalink Reply by Graceful Antiques on March 6, 2012 at 3:51pm

Sorry. I meant hard plastic.

I did know her as Raving Beauty at one time but is seems I ruled it out a long time ago for some reason. She is not a walker doll. She is 20 inches tall. I will have to check it out again. Glad you are local and are able to pin her down more.

I am more curious about her outfit and wonder if it was made to resemble a pinup and by another company or what. I may never know. Just so unique. Possibly a special order or something.

Permalink Reply by debdoll on March 6, 2012 at 4:10pm

If she is 20 inches tall and not a walker, she is Raving Beauty by Artisan. The walkers were called Miss Gadabout.

I don't know alot about the Raving Beauty outfits but yours certainly looks original. One of my most recent ones appears to have an original outfit and I think it has the same style panties as yours. Do your panties close with a snap in the back? I have another one that came with 2 outfits when I bought her. One of them is tagged by a seamstress that made clothing for these dolls. When I bought this one, she was sold to me in an I-Magnin box and the tagged dress was made by a seamstress for Saks 5th Avenue. I'll look at her tag for you when I get home and report back. She came from the original owner who got her as a child.

Interestly, I found a seller on-line once that was selling a number of the identical outfits that came on one of my dolls originally. That tells me that it was a 'factory' outfit of some kind. Most of the Raving Beauty dolls I find have been redressed along the way so it's hard to know if the Artisan Co., actually dressed the dolls as well as made them. There were a number of companies that bought undressed dolls then marketed them with their own clothing.

I've seen the type of outfit yours is wearing on the composition Little Lady/Anne Shirley dolls by Effanbee also (those dolls are from the 40's) but if your outfit isn't original to the doll (which I bet it is) it was probably made just for her as it fits her remarkably well.

Permalink Reply by debdoll on March 6, 2012 at 4:20pm

Check out the article in this link. I hope we can post links here. I think you will find it interesting and helpful as it describes some of the clothing offered for this doll. When I found the article again, I remember now that my costumes have been tagged by Michelle so that confirms my thoughts that the dresses I found on-line and bought were old store stock from Michelle.

http://www.antiquedolls-collectors-onlineadvisors.com/Walking-Dolls...

Permalink Reply by Sunday Dolls on March 6, 2012 at 4:35pm

Thank you!

Graceful Shops said:

I am trying to make myself list a Cissy in an Aqua ballgown called Lady Hamilton.

I really loved having my dolls but need to pass them on to a person that will also love them.

You have gorgeous dolls.

Permalink Reply by Sunday Dolls on March 6, 2012 at 4:37pm

Great link; thank you.

debdoll said:

Check out the article in this link. I hope we can post links here. I think you will find it interesting and helpful as it describes some of the clothing offered for this doll. When I found the article again, I remember now that my costumes have been tagged by Michelle so that confirms my thoughts that the dresses I found on-line and bought were old store stock from Michelle.

http://www.antiquedolls-collectors-onlineadvisors.com/Walking-Dolls...

Permalink Reply by Graceful Antiques on March 6, 2012 at 5:40pm

uh oh. I may be in trouble now. Great link. The cowgirl outfit is adorable. I used to go mad silly dressing my dolls.

Yes, her little bra and tap pants have a snap on them.

I may sell all my other dolls and buy her a wardrobe.