I own three Pedigree dolls which are examples of the Pedigree company through the decades.
The first is a baby boy doll made of composition. He has side-glancing painted eyes and teeth that need a wee bit of work to straighten out. He's in need of a good cleaning, but, as he dates back to the 1930's, he's not in too bad a shape. Baby Pedigree is approximately 16 inches tall.
The next is the much sought-after hard plastic toddler doll made from the late 1940's to the late 1950's. She was a Mama doll, but her cryer is now missing. This adorable dolly was literally rescued from a trash heap. She needed to be re-strung, her torso was split and warped, and her hair was bleached to a strange colour due to being left outside in the sun; however, being the kind of woman who takes pity on old abandoned dolls, I rescued her, and with the help of my husband, we managed to repair her body. She has silicone "collars" where her legs meet her torso so that they don't get pulled in by her new stringing. Her wig is original and full, and I dyed it to help mask the strange green tint that it had, and her eyelashes are replacements. She has flirty sleep eyes that still freely flirt from side to side, even if they don't open and close well any more.
After her body was repaired and some blush restored to her face, she was given a new outfit. Her shoes are original as far as I can tell, and I am eventually going to make a new set of front teeth for her. Truly, restoring this doll has been a labour of love. Toddler Pedigree is about 20 inches tall.
The 1950's was a heyday era for Pedigree. They made toddler dolls, walker dolls, and Brighton Belle, a playpal size doll that stood around 28 inches tall. All are highly collectible and sought after, especially if their plastic hasn't faded and they don't suffer from Pedigree doll disease. Pedigree doll disease is not treatable, unlike other hard plastic doll "diseases." Once the plastic begins to break down, you may as well throw the poor dolly away, as she will melt over time.The third Pedigree doll dates from the late 1960's. She's Pedigree's Sindy doll - their teen doll competition to Barbie, Tammy, and other teen dolls of the era. My Sindy has a twist waist and posable legs. I am fussy about Sindy. When Pedigree went bankrupt in the mid 1980's, Hasbro bought the rights to manufacture the doll, and they changed her look. The Sindy of the 1960's is quintessentially a British Mod doll. Anything else just doesn't feel right. Sindy is 11 inches tall and like Barbie, came with an extensive wardrobe and accessories.
Pedigree dolls are great examples of dolls that were popular in England and other Commonwealth countries in the 1940's through the 1960's. Since living in Australia, I've been introduced to these dolls and love them as much as my American dolls.
Hallo
ReplyDeleteI collect dolls and I have a few number of Pedigree dolls. Next year I will have a Doll show and I will also show the Pedigree dolls.
So I am looking for the history of this dolls and I wonder if you can help me with this.
I like to send you a few pictures of my dolls, but I need your email adress.
I hope you can and will help me with this
For now I wish you a merry christmas and a happy New Year
Betsy Janssen
betsy@poppenwereldlandgraaf.nl
I have a Pedigree doll from the early 60's though her face looks much like your "Sindy" doll. She stands approx 22" with jointed shoulders, neck, hips and knees but what is most interesting is she has 2 sets of eyes; one pair of blue and one pair of brown. These can be changed by a push on a section of her tummy (where a crier box would usually be located). each push changes her eyes from open to closed and when opening again they'll be a different colour. Up until a short while ago this mechanism still worked — now it seems to be stuck but could likely be fixed. Anyway I can't find any reference to such a doll. Do you have any knowledge of it?
ReplyDeleteThx Marylou
merrilu@cogeco.ca
Canada
Hi Merrilu
ReplyDeleteFrom what I've been able to find out, the eye-colour changing Pedigree dolls are called Pretty Peepers dolls. They were only produced for two years ('57-'59) and are fairly hard to find. I hope you can get her eye mechanism fixed - she sounds like an amazing doll!
I had my pretty peepers doll fixed by a doll doctor. To do this they need to remove the wig, cut quite a large hole in the back of the head to remove and repair the workings that make the eyes change colour etc....then all put back together. Mine works fine now and as the repair "scars" are under the wig you wouldnt know it ever happened.
ReplyDeletebudgiesplus, that is wonderful! So glad you could get her fixed up.
ReplyDeleteI am looking for a pedigree doll from 1960..it was purchased in Sydney..brunette hair...vynil/rubber..it had baby legs and the joints twisted into place..I have a picture of my sisters doll which was the blonde version..its hair was rooted,had a fringe and curly hair that was long enough to tie in a ponytail..my sister (family reasons) will not tell me if it has any markings..can anyone help me please..
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous - Do you have any other descriptive info about the doll? About how tall is she? Does she have an open or closed mouth? If she has baby legs that swivel, I would say she is probably one of Pedigree's walker dolls, but it's hard to say without more information.
Deletemaybe a rubber pedigree if the arms screwed into place.
DeleteClosed mouth..she didn't have legs straight enough to stand up..had small dimples in the knees and elbows I think..Ive looked at the grumpy dolls and she was a bit like that..the hair was like nylon but it didn't knot up..like I said..I have a picture of my sisters doll but cant see where to post it on here..I also think she was taller than 12 inches..thanks very much for your replies..
ReplyDeleteHi, I am in Australia and am hoping to sell a pedigree doll but I have no information on her. I know she was owned by my mother. who is now in her late 70s, but not sure how old she was when she got her.
ReplyDeleteShe is a very hard shiny plastic and has elastic and wire joints, her back has "Pedigree Made in England" on it. She has a crack on the side of her torso, and looks like she had hair at some stage that was glued on, but it is gone now. She has slightly open mouth and two visible teeth. I can send photos if you can me an email address.
I assume the best way to sell her is on Ebay.
Hi Mel (another Mel! :) Sounds like you have a cute little toddler doll. Have you thought of getting her restored before you sell her? It sounds like, with some minimal work (fixing the crack and getting her a new wig), you might be able to make a better sale. Just be sure to disclose the fixes in your listing. Of course, you can always sell her "as is" as there are plenty of people who like restoring these old girls.If you can get someone to sell her at a doll show, you will probably get more money than if you sell on eBay (as the bargain hunters tend to shop there). Best of luck! Let me know how you go.
DeleteHi, I am in Australia and am hoping to sell a pedigree doll but I have no information on her. I know she was owned by my mother. who is now in her late 70s, but not sure how old she was when she got her.
ReplyDeleteShe is a very hard shiny plastic and has elastic and wire joints, her back has "Pedigree Made in England" on it. She has a crack on the side of her torso, and looks like she had hair at some stage that was glued on, but it is gone now. She has slightly open mouth and two visible teeth. I can send photos if you can me an email address.
I assume the best way to sell her is on Ebay.
there's an Aussie FB page called Pedigree & Vintage Dolls & Bears Buy Swap Sell Chat Australia
DeleteI have a flirty eyes 16" walkie talkie. I'd like her voice box, her eyelashes and her 2 front teeth restored/repaired. I'm in Adelaide, Australia. Is there a doll repairer here that does this sort of work?
ReplyDeleteHi Cedesings - sorry for the delay in answering your question. I found out that there is a doll hospital in Adelaide in Melrose Park. I had no idea - it's the oldest doll hospital in Australia! Here's some more information on it: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/adelaide-arcades-doll-hospital-moves-to-new-home-at-melrose-park-after-more-than-130-years/story-fnii5yv7-1226780510268 From the photo in this article, looks like they repair the Pedigree dolls. :) Hope it works out for you!
DeleteHi Mel, I love what you have been able to do with your dolls. I notice you said the rescued Pedigree had a non working crier. Have you replaced it and if so how would you go about it. Many thanks for your informative blog on vintage dolls. Regards from Ronda
ReplyDeleteHi Ronda - I have seen the criers for sale at doll shows, and also have seen them on eBay. The trick is to find one the right size for the opening in the Pedigree dolls' back. I've managed to "make" things fit using silicone, so that might be in my toddler girl's future. :)
DeleteCriers are easy to repair. Just search uTube.
DeleteI have a pedigree boxed 16" toddler doll with blue hair. Think 1950's/60's I cannot find any information at all about a blue haired pedigree doll. Help please
ReplyDeleteHi Mel, I have a Pedigree doll. It is mine that I have had since I was a child. I think it is a toddler doll. Its only about 10inches high. Its used to have hair glued on but now its gone. I love her dearly, would never part with her. I was born in the year 1950 so I guess she is a little younger than me. She has very sweet pale blue eyes a deep pink rosebud mouth and rosey cheeks. I called her Rose. I came across your post while looking for patterns to knit her some clothes as she has no original clothes. I would also llike to get her restored with new hair. I live in Australia. I am looking for somewhere they do that. I love your dolls, My Rose does look a lot like your toddler doll.
ReplyDeleteCheers form Lorraine
I have the hard plastic walkie talkie doll 2 front teeth missing use to say mama when tipped no longer does arms not connected properly no hair or clothes but will not part with her are there any wigs and clothes to make her look better
ReplyDeleteI have a hard plastic doll. Doesn't walk as far as I know. But it also said "mah mah" when tipped forward. It no longer does make noise. It was given to me as a child in the early 90's after it was refurbished by someone my nan knew. Not sure I can part with it either. Never knew the history until I've only now googled it. I now know its at least 50 or so years old. But dont know its original owner.
ReplyDeleteIs there anywhere that I can add a picture from my phone? My name is Stacey.
DeleteThis is all me^^^ btw 😊
DeleteHello last week at a flea market i bought a pedigree boy doll with a clock work mechanism and on the back is Pedigree made in england and patents applied for i have had lots of pedigree dolls in the past but have never come across this one would love to know more about this doll.
ReplyDeleteI am chasing the smae of a pedigree doll my mum used to own. She was made of a porcelain type material not hard plastic... mum was born 1953.... ik have a photo and pretty sure she is pedigree
ReplyDeleteI have a doll with red hair and a purple dress who is tall and looks some what like your Sindy doll. I’m pretty sure she’s a walker doll and she dates from the 1940s-1950s. I was wondering her price and she looks similar to other pedigree dolls. She was my grandmothers and when my grandma was a child she named her Ramona. I’m not sure If the name was given by my grandma or if that was the name on packaging for the doll. I would love to send pics if I could. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteTrying to find out if my pedigree is a boy or girl...paid to have it restored but side on torso has split again..he/she has moulded hair in light tan..can stand but not walk..she was given to me by a neighbour in 1959 when I was 4..loved he/she then and now...I lived in Scotland at the time ..and the only boy seen are all in Tartan dress..wonder if need to make a kilt..stands 18in -20inch
ReplyDeletehey I have a vintage pedigree doll that my nan bought for 900 aus back in the early 90s and she now has dementia and my parents are cutting me out of her will. Because I am a Drug user but she did say in the past that I could have it What I am trying to do is get some items so that I can go to detox and rehab with something to do. Also people have done the wrong thing and Im being left with the bill nothing to do with drugs Swear as I only get about 100 bucks a week and I get it in 5 x 20 dollar payments its gonna be impossible for me to own anything decent in life. Its the pedigree doll that all the collectors really want the 28T made in England doll about 50 to 55cms with original white satin dress and it has the long straight cut golden hair with braids please can someone tell me what its worth roughly
ReplyDeleteIM IN AUSTRALIA +61459429396 PLZ CALL ME ASAP..... FUZ WUZ
Hi I have a pedigree doll made in England that I I merited from my mother. It comes from the 1940s. She is made with hard plastic, has starfish hands with a little bracelet around her wrist. She has brown hair, very messy and blue eyes. She also has a lamb which is half her size with a pink ribbon around her neck. She is not pristine ad she was my mothers toy but ha s down t the last 50 years in a box. I would like to find put how much she is worth and possibly sell her. I am in South Africa
ReplyDeleteHi I have two pedigree walkie talkies from the 50s can you please tell me why one has the cry holes on the front and one with it on the back. I am Helen from New Zealand
ReplyDeletePlease help me!!!!
ReplyDeleteI desperately need to find my Netta Baby Doll (Natalie) that I had since I was four years old. I went through a hard time a few years ago and moved from Adelaide to Melbourne. All of my possessions were put in storage in the northern suburbs (Munno Para). My heart broke to learn that everything I owned was removed as I was struggling to keep up with the rental of the unit and being interstate I could not access my property to retrieve her :(
She is a rubber newborn baby doll made in the 80’s by a South Australian company called Netta that was located in the suburb of Newtown, Adelaide.
She has the Netta trademark stamp on her back which is the outline of Australia.
I would do anything to have her returned to me. I haven’t the heart to of told my mum that she is no longer with me…she was always with me. It’s my biggest regret to of left her in storage…I was uncertain of where I was going and I had to ensure my children and myself had a roof over our heads. For these past years I have cried myself to sleep with the regret of loosing her.
Please let me know if you know of any Netta Baby girl newborn dolls sold or being sold in Adelaide. I will be forever in your debt if she is returned to me. Please email me loveontherocks2017@outlook.com
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ReplyDeleteHello I have a pedigree doll which is over 60 years old. I've had her since I was around 2 years old. One of her legs is broken and I'd love to get a spare one. Pedigree is written on the neck and made in England on her back. 16 t on the voice box. Can you or anyone you know help me? Julie Weaver
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteMy mum has a doll, between the shoulders it has 'made in England'.
The doll very much looks like a pedigree doll - Same face.
Mums doll has a voice box inside with the voice holes in her front (stomach).
I have done some research and can only find dolls with the voice in the back or is a pull string system which mums doll is not.
The voice still slightly works when you rock the doll back and forth but unfortunately doll has become brittle and I dont want to break it to figure out the sound its actually making.
She has moving blue eyes, slightly open mouth with teeth and mum stated that the doll could move arms, legs and head.
If I could send photos to someone to get an idea of when this doll was made that would be wonderful.
Or if anyone has the same style of doll with the voice holes in the stomach of the doll instead of the back.
Kind regards Elle
Hi I have been collecting hard plastic pedigree dolls which have been struck with 'hard plastic disease' I have found a way to stop thd progression of this and am able to thereafter repair and restore some of the looks of the doll. These dolls no longer smell or degrade further In my care. I'm in the UK so come across these dolls often.
ReplyDelete