Doll Show Finds: Betsy McCall, Japanese Dolls and a Shirley Temple Clone

The best finds at this doll show were the ones that made identification part of the fun. A group of familiar names sat alongside dolls the collector had never encountered, uncertain Betsy McCall clothing, and a composition Shirley Temple lookalike that became a Christmas gift. There were no purchases for the collector on the day, but the tables offered plenty to investigate.

Familiar faces and open questions

The displays included tall fashion dolls, smaller figures and several Madame Alexander dolls. One small cloth faced doll looked familiar, though the collector couldn't place the character. Another Madame Alexander might be Maggie, a tentative identification that fellow collectors could help confirm. A group that may represent Little Women offered another possible connection.

A Betsy McCall stood out as a Uneeda-made version described as a “child fashion doll,” though her tween-like look has also led to the name “preteen Betsy McCall.” The dealer thought her outfit might be an original Betsy outfit. That remains uncertain: it isn't pictured with the other outfits on the original box, and patterns were available for making Betsy clothes. So the outfit could be homemade. The collector has shared more about preteen Betsys here and here.

Alice in Wonderland fans had an appealing scene to spot: an Alice doll with the baby who turns into a pig. Madame Alexander, Tiffany Taylor and Malibu Skipper dolls appeared behind them. Nearby, Little Betty by Madame Alexander shared the display with a more recent Madame Alexander doll, while another doll and her dress drew notice for their beauty.

International dolls and unusual materials

Japanese dolls added a different thread to the show. One group included figures that looked like Jenny or related characters, and another was identified as Petit Jenny. A Skipper from India, called School Going Skipper, was new to the collector; she differs slightly from the U.S. Skipper from the same era. The show also had a male doll resembling a Ken clone from the early 1960s.

Two dolls with thin plastic or celluloid faces were notable simply because the faces had survived. These delicate features could cave in, so their intact appearance is a point of interest for anyone looking closely at vintage construction and condition.

Character dolls, clones and collector memories

A Phantom of the Opera doll caught the collector’s sister’s eye, while a table of Cosimo and Cosima dolls and clothing brought back a long-running collecting story. Made in Germany, the pair are Petra’s little brother and sister. The collector had wanted Cosimo since a Big Lots buyout of the dolls and clothes in the 1990s, but found only Cosima and clothing by the time she was ready to buy. A reader later traded her a Cosimo. Earlier posts show her Cosima here and Cosimo with several original outfits here.

Other displays prompted recognition games: a dark-haired doll the collector knew but couldn't name, and a Connie Lowe doll. One Connie Lowe figure was jointed and wore carefully detailed clothing; the collector described her as very expensive. Another Connie Lowe doll was her sister’s favorite sighting. A dealer later declined photography of additional Connie Lowe dolls, explaining her preference in a friendly conversation. The collector accepted that choice.

A doll roughly the size of a Tammy’s Mom doll was another unfamiliar face. The collector used the Sunshine Family Dad and a Pepper doll behind her as size references. A boxed Cinnamon doll was priced at $25, which the collector considered a good price, but she already owns two and left this one behind.

A set of Beatles bobble head dolls prompted a double take at the asking price. The collector noted that the figures are expensive even without a box, and saw the same bobbleheads at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame the following week, unboxed and in less pristine condition. Baby Bonnet Beans, which the collector may already own from a yard sale, raised a small wardrobe surprise: what looked like missing shirts may simply be how the dolls are meant to appear.

Madame Alexander’s Janie doll was a first for the collector and an immediate favorite. Other tables held clone dolls, including a pretty Barbie clone, a loose Momoko, a Brenda Starr doll dressed for rain and a green doll whose build brought Skinny Jinny or Metti dolls to mind. The collector also spotted a gathering of clones with mixed appeal, plus a doll she described as a thicker take on those slender figures.

A gift waiting for Christmas

The collector left without buying anything, but her sister found a gift: a damaged composition Shirley Temple clone. The doll had a $40 tag; after the dealer invited an offer, she offered it for $20. The collector dislikes making offers, but agreed. Her sister then stepped in and bought the doll as a Christmas present, so the two will be reunited when they next see each other.

The show’s appeal was the mix: recognizable characters, international variations, fragile materials, unusual clones and a few mysteries still waiting for names. Another doll and toy show had taken place the following weekend, leaving one question for the next visit: which show did the collector attend?