Patsy - Then
and Now
Effanbee
used the name "Patsy" for dolls in their line as early as the
mid-1920s using composition mama dolls with a cloth body. Bernard Lipfert
designed an all composition 14-inch jointed doll patented in February of 1928.
It was made to more realistically represent a young girl with a pudgy tummy and
proved to be so popular, the line was expanded to include a family of larger and
smaller similar dolls. The doll with the all compo body looking like a wishful
little girl was a sensation and instantly popular.
The Patsy doll was the first composition doll to have a large
wardrobe of ready-made clothes. One can only admire the marketing expertise of
Effanbee during this period—as they published "The Patsy town News"
that went to a reported 250,000 children and they also had an Aunt Patsy"
that toured the country promoting their dolls. New Patsy collectors will not
find themselves in a quandary as they try to research their dolls and build
their collection. Many of the books about the Patsy Family are out of print but
we have two definitive volumes from Patricia Schoonmaker via Hobby House Press.
Besides
the Effanbee trademark, Patsy dolls are perhaps best known for their molded
bobbed hair, a bow (pouty) mouth, bent right arm, simple classic dresses and a
golden heart shaped bracelet or gold paper wrist tag.
Left: New from Effanbee Doll Company, vinyl Patsy
2003 line "Ducky and Me" in
her pajamas with towel shows the Robert Tonner influence in bringing Patsy up to
date.
There is a wide range of sizes and the sister Patsys have an
added name like Patsy Ann and Patsy Joan. Effanbee, was so proud of their
special line of dolls they emphasized in their advertising that the Effanbee
trademark and that the name was on the back of the doll. Exceptions were some
the 1946 Patsy that just had a wrist tag. The 1946 Patsy Joan had a body marked
"Effandbee" with an extra ‘d’ instead of the usual "Effanbee".
Above: The cover from the
1932 Patsy For Keeps sticker book by Esther Merriam Ames shows Patsy and Patsy
Ann and above in typical wardrobe.
Some dolls were made incorporating a marked Patsy family body
with another marked head, i.e., Skippy on a marked compo Patsy body, Mary Lee on
a marked Patsy Joan body, and Mary Ann on a marked Patsy Ann body. Effanbee also
combined Patsy marked heads on Patricia marked bodies—and there are enough
other combinations to be thoroughly confusing.
Above left: Ccomposition Effanbee Patsy Babyette in
original organdy dress and cap, circa 1932. Above right, pair of composition
Patsy Babyettes with caracal curly wigs in matching brother and sister blue
coats and hats, circa 1930s, courtesy Donna Nance.
One of the variations that was sold during World War II was
the result of an innovative marketing move— perhaps at the request of F. A. O.
Schwarz who always liked to add a little something extra to make their
merchandise have that special appeal. Some of the Effanbee dolls were made with
magnets embedded in their hands that allowed the dolls to hold tiny accessories.
Skippy, Patsy/Patricia and Patsy Babykins were some of the Patsy family that had
magnets and they were also used in some of the other dolls in the Effanbee line.
Above left: 9 1/2"
composition Effanbee Patsyette, all original with hang-tag, circa 1931+. Above
center: 9 1/2" composition Effanbee Patsyette, all original with
box, in pale green bridesmaid outfit, circa 1933. Above right: Limited
Edition 9" vinyl wigged Effanbee Patsyette in "May Day" outfit.
To add even more confusion to what is a Patsy
family doll, one must remember that Bernard Lipfert was also an independent
agent who marketed his designs to other manufacturers, changing the
features just enough to escape legal infringements. Because of this, we have
similar dolls made by this master doll designer marketed by other companies, as
well as many other little girl composition dolls quickly put on the market with
the success of Patsy. These copies of Patsy and her sisters are referred to as
unmarked "Patsy-types" or Patsy "look-alikes"—even though
they may have been advertised with another name.
Above left: Trio of vinyl Effanbee Patsy Babyettes,
new from Effanbee Doll Company's 2003 line, "Rosebud," "Sleepytime
Baby Bunting" and a Limited Edition costume "Tutti Fruiti."
Above right: 13" vinyl Effanbee Limited
Edition Patsy looking oh, so smart in her "Picture Perfect" outfit of
black and white saddle oxfords, pleated skirt, bolero jacket and matching velvet
hat, new from Effanbee's 2003 line.
Patsy was the first composition doll to have a manufactured
wardrobe and a whole array of accessories to go with her. The collector can be
kept busy just hunting for paper memorabilia like the paper dolls, certificates,
newspapers, books, boxes and advertising surrounding this charming doll. The
company did produce Newsletters and booklets as part of their 30s’ advertising
campaign—and these can be delightful to find. A good way to begin any search
is to survey the available published material. Primary evidence material would
be Effanbee catalogs, advertising, Effanbee published booklets, newspapers—anything
that came from the company itself.
Above left: New 13" vinyl Effanbee Patsy in
pink 2003 "Powder Puff" coat, hat and matching pink shoes.
Above right: 9" vinyl Effanbee Patsyette in
2003Limited edition "Playmate" in red 1930s print with white collar
and matching hat.
Effanbee has changed ownership several times since the forties
and the company records are lost of the composition Patsy era— which lasted
until just after World War II.
Above left: 13" 2003 vinyl Effanbee
Limited Edition Patsy in "Grandma's Garden." Above
center: 9" 2003 vinyl Effanbee Patsyette in Limited
Edition"Rainy Days" costume. Above
right: 9" vinyl Effanbee Babyettes in Limited Edition red checked
"Old McDonald" sunsuit, orange-billed yellow terry cloth "Bathtime
Basic and right, "Carolina Blue".
New ownership revised Effanbee in the 1970s and there followed
a series of ownership changes in the 1980s and 1990s. Now again with new
ownership under the helm of Robert Tonner, a new chapter in Effanbee history has
begun. This year, 2003, Robert proudly brings the quality and detail to the
famous faces of the past and continues the Effanbee legacy by creating the next
generation of "dolls that touch your heart."
Above left: 9" vinyl 2003
Effanbee Patsyette in Limited Edition costume "Spring Bonnet." Center:
9" vinyl 2003 Effanbee Patsyette in
"Winter Chill" with red plaid skirt. Right:
13" vinyl 2003 Effanbee Patsy in
"Limited Edition costume, "Ship Ahoy."
Today you do not have to have just won the lottery or grow old
scouring the market place to find a suitable Patsy. The latest vinyl versions by
the new Effanbee Company make wonderful play dolls, are great to sew for and
will provide the nostalgia for you to remember your mother or grandmother’s
dolls. Take a look at the new line for 2003 and I am sure you will find at least
one that will capture your heart.
Above left: 13" vinyl Limited Edition Effanbee
Patsy in "Snow Baby." Above
right: 9" vinyl Effanbee Patsyette in 2003 Limited Edition
costume, "Sweet Dreams."
Other Articles:
The Shirley
Temple Pastime Book
Nancy Drew
Molly Brown
Snow Baby
Orphan Train