| The 1950s is often seen as an idealistic era, and the | | | | she has an abundance of appeal to collectors! |
| dolls and toys produced during the decade were no | | | | #6: Madame Alexander Wendy/Alexander-Kins |
| exception. Children's dolls tended to be high quality, | | | | First known as Wendy, and later renamed |
| and as a result, many of the dolls of that era are | | | | Alexander-Kins, this doll is Madame Alexander's |
| now highly collectible. | | | | answer to the toddler doll craze of the early 1950s. |
| #1: Madame Alexander Cissy | | | | These eight-inch dolls have china complexions, pouty |
| There is nothing quite as exquisite as a Madame | | | | lips, and hundreds of different outfits to keep |
| Alexander Cissy. Released in the early 1950s, Cissy | | | | collectors busy. |
| stood 21 inches tall, with a womanly figure and stylish | | | | #7: Madame Alexander Maggie |
| clothing. There are many collectors who are very | | | | Perhaps Madame Alexander's most beloved face is |
| passionate about this doll. As a result, a "mint" Cissy | | | | that of Maggie, the face that was on many |
| can command several thousand dollars at auction. | | | | "pre-teen" dolls during the 1950s. Maggie wore a |
| #2: Vogue Ginny | | | | variety of outfits, from classic 50s costumes to |
| There are few dolls that have attracted the kind of | | | | brides' and bridesmaids' dresses, but almost every |
| following that the Vogue Ginny inspires. Outrageously | | | | Maggie made has become an instant favorite. |
| popular when she was introduced around 1950, this | | | | #8: Arranbee Nancy Lee/Nanette |
| doll is an eight-inch "toddler doll," meaning that she | | | | Few dolls during the 1950s could compete with |
| has the chubby figure and adorable face of a toddler. | | | | Madame Alexander's superior quality, but Arranbee |
| Today, Ginny is incredibly popular with collectors. | | | | was one of them. With their sweet expressions, |
| #3: Madame Alexander Elise | | | | "puppy tail" hairdos, adorable school dresses, and |
| Fashion doll collectors know that the early Madame | | | | beautiful formal gowns, Arranbee Nancy Lee and |
| Alexander Elise, introduced in 1957, is a very unique | | | | Nanette dolls are beloved by many collectors. |
| doll. The 16-inch tall Elise had jointed ankles, and as a | | | | #9: Ideal Miss Revlon |
| result she was frequently dressed as a ballerina. | | | | Perhaps one of the best-known fashion dolls of the |
| However, she also came in highly fashionable street | | | | late 1950s is Ideal's Miss Revlon. Miss Revlon spawned |
| dresses, pantsuits, and formal gowns. Today, Elise's | | | | many look-alike fashion dolls, such as Horsman's |
| street dresses and formals are the most highly | | | | Cindy, American Character's Toni, and dozens of |
| desirable of her outfits. | | | | cheaper knock-offs. For many collectors, however, |
| #4: Nancy Ann Storybook Muffie | | | | Miss Revlon is the quintessential pre-Barbie fashion |
| Muffie has a face unlike most other eight-inch toddler | | | | doll. |
| dolls, with eyes spaced wide apart, sultry lashes, and | | | | #10: Cosmopolitan Ginger |
| full lips. Although she was one of Vogue Ginny's | | | | Although she is often thought of as a "Ginny |
| competitors, she is more than just a knock-off; she | | | | knock-off" and therefore commands only a fraction |
| has earned her own place on collectors' shelves, and | | | | of the price of a Ginny doll, Cosmopolitan's Ginger has |
| generally commands as high a price (or higher than) | | | | developed a following in her own right. Ginger dolls |
| as Ginny does. | | | | can be just as high quality as Ginny or Muffie, and are |
| #5: Madame Alexander Cissette | | | | known for their sweet faces and detailed outfits. |
| A miniature (and more affordable) version of the | | | | The 1950s was a decade of beautiful, high quality |
| glamorous Cissy, Cissette boasts a beautiful | | | | dolls. Although there are many exceptional dolls that |
| wardrobe of street dresses, opera dresses with | | | | are not listed here, these are the ones that most 50s |
| matching coats, formal gowns, and stylish pantsuits. | | | | doll collectors strive to represent in their collections. |
| Her size may be small -- a mere nine inches -- but | | | | |