R. John Wright

Patsy

Item Number:  RJW-EFF01

The "Patsy" doll was first introduced in 1927 by the Effanbee Doll Company, New York. Founded in 1912, the name stands for Fleischaker & Baum who were the company founders. They became well known for being the first to produce a realistically-proportioned child doll which they named "Patsy®."

The original Patsy dolls were made of a material called composition. Hailed by American dollmaking companies as 'unbreakable' compared to bisque or porcelain dolls, this novel material for doll heads helped to bring down the once mighty German dollmaking industry making America the premier dollmaking country of the early to mid 20th century.

The Patsy dolls were enormously popular, not only surviving hard times but flourishing. With her serious expression and no-frills appearance, Patsy was meant to look like an ordinary child. Her bent right arm made her look less stilted and more life-like. Beautifully designed, she posed easily and could stand on her own. Continued below...

Patsy was produced by special permission from the Effanbee Doll Company in an extremely small edition of just 250 pieces worldwide. Each doll will come beautifully boxed with a signed certificate of authenticity and the forms for owner registration.

Size: 12.5"

Suggested Retail Price: $695.00

Samantha's Doll Price: $675.00

In Stock Now!

It was Bernard Lipfert (1886-1974), a German doll sculptor, who designed the Patsy doll for the Effanbee Doll Company. After emigrating from Germany to New York City, Mr. Lipfert worked as a freelance sculptor, selling his work to many doll companies during his long career. In the above photo, he is shown working in his home studio in Brooklyn. Highly prolific throughout his lifetime, Lipfert is responsible for many popular 20th century dolls, including Skippy, Toni, Shirley Temple, Betsy McCall, and dozens of other successful designs.

As Patsy celebrates her eighty-fifth birthday in 2012, it gives us great pleasure to present the first Patsy doll made entirely of felt! Closely based on the vintage Patsy design, she measures approximately 12 1/2 inches tall and is fully jointed with the RJW ball & socket system with internal wood mechanism. Patsy's hands have individually-sewn fingers and molded details. Her sweet, impish face is delicately hand painted and she has a completely handknotted wig of the finest mohair.

This darling child of the 30's comes costumed in an authentic outfit made of fine cotton piqué and embroidered dotted swiss fabric imported from Switzerland. Her one-piece teddy is sewn of delicate Swiss batiste trimmed in lace and her matching bonnet is trimmed with pure silk ribbon. She wears cotton anklets and period doll shoes made of the finest custom-made leather with dome snap closures and authentic reproduction buckles. On her wrist, Patsy sports a custom-made brass charm which reads: "RJWDOLLS ALL-FELT PATSY®."

 

 

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