Friday, February 18, 2011

BDHT: Topsy Dolls Found in Early Sears Christmas Books

With the exception of her larger, harder-to-find size, 16-inch Topsy with jointed head from my personal collection is very similar to a smaller Topsy featured on page 65 of the 1940 Sears Christmas Book (shown in next image). 

The 1940 Sears Christmas Book describes Topsy as
Topsy . . . at a Saving!
  • 9 inches tall
  • Tilting head
  • All composition
C In cute printed rompers; and her three adorable pigtails are tied with pretty ribbons.
49 N 3405 Shpg. wt. 10 oz., 23c







Goo-Goo Topsy, circa late 1930s-early 1940s is also from my personal collection.  A similar Topsy along with a Topsy baby were included and described on page 36 of the 1943 Sears Christmas Book, shown below:



Their descriptions read:

C 21-inch composition-head Topsy.  Big colored doll with large, moving goo-goo eyes.  Cotton stuffed body, arms, legs.  Percale dress; ribbon . . composition head.  49 N 3433 -- Shipping weight, 1 lb., 12 oz. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1.07

G 10-inch Topsy doll.  Any little tot will adore her.  All composition.  Painted eyes. In romper and socks.  49 N 3427 -- Shipping weight, 10 ounces. . . . . . . . . . . 30c



Goo-Goo Topsy made another appearance in the 1945 Sears Christmas Book, available in two sizes and priced higher, illustrated and described below:

Chocolate-colored Babies
They're darling with their big, rolling goo-goo eyes.  Assorted style gay cotton dresses.  Composition heads, molded hair; cotton stuffed bodies covered with fabric to match dresses. 
49N3134--23-inch size.  With wide-brimmed bonnet.  Shipping weight, 2 lb. 12 oz. .... $4.19
49N3133--19-inch size.  With ribbons; no bonnet.  Shipping weight, 2 lb.  $2.79




This 1950s Topsy, made by Reliable of Canada, is featured with her brother on page 4 of the 1957 Canadian Simpsons-Sears Christmas Catalogue.   My doll is redressed in a vintage 1970s dress.  The siblings are illustrated and described below:


Described as: 
B  Wide-eyed Topsy Doll of soft, unbreakable, washable vinyl.  Detailed face and fingers; simulated pigtails.  Cotton dress, panties, simulated vinyl socks, shoes.  48N3824--Abt. 12" high  Del'd . . . . . . . . . . $1.98
C Topsy's Twin Brother in cotton rompers.  48N3825--Price, Del'd . . . . . . . $1.98
Brother is missing from my collection.  I hope to find him someday.

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