This darling little doll is a Nancy Ann Storybook doll. These endearing dolls came in a vast variety of elaborate outfits, many inspired by storybook tales and nursery rhymes. Of painted bisque, this charming child represents the old counting nursery rhyme "One two, buckle my shoe." She is nearly pristine in her original polka dot adorned box.
In 1936, Nancy Ann Abbott began dressing small all-bisque baby dolls she purchased from Japan in elaborate layettes. The dolls were so popular that the next year Nancy Ann Dressed Dolls was incorporated in San Francisco, California. The company's name was changed to Nancy Ann Storybook Dolls Incorporated in 1945. Although originally the dolls were made in Japan, by 1939 they were being manufactured in California. In the 1950s, the company was producing up to 12,000 dolls per day. The dolls were very popular with little girls to collect and display. At one point the company boasted 125 different characters with outfits that were redesigned from year to year. After 1948, the dolls began to be produced in plastic. However, the popularity of the dolls began to fade and after Abbott's death in 1964, the company filed for bankruptcy.
Polka-dotted boxes are standard for Nancy Ann Storybook dolls and a silver sticker describes the doll within.
Beginning in 1941, gold identification wrist tags were placed on the dolls. This helps date this little miss somewhere between 1941 and 1947.
Most Nancy Ann Storybook dolls have painted slippers. This little doll instead wears painted black boots with three white buttons. This uncommon footwear is found only on three characters produced by Nancy Ann, One-Two Button my Shoe and the company's early Topsy and Mammy dolls.
All posted items are for sale at Next-to-New, but things can sell quickly!
10238-10885
No comments:
Post a Comment