American Character TOODLES & McCalls 2468

A few months ago, I stumbled across this cutie at my favorite Goodwill store (it's my favorite because they are the only thrift store in our area that consistently offers vintage dolls).  I recognized her immediately as an American Character TOODLES.

24" tall and naked as a newborn!

She is marked "American Doll & Toy Corp. 1960" on the back of her neck, which is one of several ways that American Character marked their dolls.

She didn't look quite this good when I found her...she received a nice sponge bath and got her hair washed and conditioned.  She's in really nice condition for being nearly 60 years old!

One of the things that makes these dolls special is their "follow me" eyes.  No matter which way you turn her head, her eyes look like they're following you!  This is achieved by setting the pupil and iris quite deep underneath the surface of the eye.  Very ingenious!

I did not move this doll at all while photographing her, so here you can see exactly what I mean about her eyes being able to follow you.

I had a photocopy of a vintage pattern in my stash which I predicted would fit this doll.  It is McCalls 2468, for 21"-23" dolls of the era.  Even though Toodles is an inch taller, I figured the bodice would be just fine.  I cut view B, in the top right-hand corner.  I liked that it was sleeveless, but cut a little wider in the shoulders with added trim to look a bit like a sleeve.  I didn't have to make any adjustments whatsoever, and it fit perfectly!  I just love it when that happens.

I trimmed the bodice with a bias strip of the same fabric and edged both sides with rick-rack.  I also used rick-rack at the armhole edges and skirt hemline.  The only changes I made to this pattern were to line the bodice and use snaps to fasten it (under decorative buttons)  I really think it turned out so cute.

She even got a pair of matching panties, also from the McCall's pattern

Snaps are such an easier way to fasten doll clothing.

Her hair is still in nice condition with plenty of wavy curls near the ends.  I tied it back on the sides with pretty ribbons.

I wish I had some shoes for her, but for right now we're just going to pretend that she's a typical child who likes to run barefoot through the grass.

This little cutie will be heading off to Ebay soon.  As much as I'd like to keep her, I just don't have room for them all!

"Would you like to adopt me?  If so, head over here (after July 2) and check me out!"

Show and Tell: American Character TINY TEARS

I am many things...a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sister...but I'm also a doll collector.  I love dolls!  I can't remember a time ever NOT loving them.  I have been collecting them for years, so I figured maybe I should start "showing and telling" what has tickled my fancy.  Here we go:

 

This little sweetie is Tiny Tears, made by the American Character Doll Co. from 1950 and on.  There are still versions of Tiny Tears being made today!  The very earliest ones had hard plastic heads on jointed rubber bodies.  The next models had hard plastic heads on vinyl bodies.  After that, both the heads and bodies were made from vinyl.  My 11 1/2" example is the smallest size made (I think) and is one of the earliest versions with the all rubber body.

What made Tiny Tears unique and one of the most popular baby dolls of the 1950's was the fact that she could cry real tears and blow bubbles!  Really!  See those two holes on either side of the bridge of her nose?  A little mother simply fed her baby some water with a bottle, and then when she squeezed Tiny's tummy, tears would exit the holes!  Tiny Tears also came with a plastic pipe that one could fill with soapy water; again, if her tummy was squeezed while the pipe was in her mouth, bubbles would come out!

An early advertisement for Tiny Tears

 

I bought my Tiny Tears at an estate sale from the lady who had owned her as a child.  The estate sale was for her mother, who had gone to live in a nursing home because she had advanced Alzheimer's.  The daughter was trying to get rid of all of her mother's vast doll collection, and I found Tiny Tears among hundreds of Barbies.  She came with several, home made outfits, in addition to her original pink & white dress and bonnet.  Here she's wearing a little pink sweater crocheted just for her by the original owner's grandmother.  I don't think this is her original bottle, but it's definitely of her era, with a rubber nipple on a glass bottle.

 

Home made, flannel diaper shirt

 

Home made, one piece romper.  Tiny Tears sometimes came in a commercially made romper just like this, but it would have had "Tiny Tears" embroidered across the front.  After looking at other pictures online, I realize that I put this romper on backwards!  There are ribbons at the sides which I tied in the back, but they are supposed to tie in the front.  I'll get it right next time!

 

Another handmade item--a sweet, yellow, flannel coat and bonnet.

 

Isn't she adorable?  I remember talking to the original owner, and asking her why she was selling this doll, when it was obviously a favorite plaything, not to mention that her mother had made all the extra clothing.  She just shrugged and said that she had kept what she wanted, and this one needed to go.  I felt so sad!  I just don't think I could get rid of anything that my mother had made for me as a child.  Then again, maybe I'm too sentimental?  In any case, I'm glad she found her way into my collection.  She really is a cutie and I smile whenever I look at her.