Hard Plastic Dolls

Hard Plastic Dolls -An Introduction:

Until the 20th century, most dolls were quite breakable and fragile, made of bisque, papier mache and composition. The advent of plastics changed all that--first, celluloid dolls (which were less smashable, but easily crushed and flammable), and then, finally, hard plastic. Hard plastic was a miracle substance for dolls--it could be molded, painted and colored beautifully and it was very sturdy. However, vinyl dolls, with their durability and soft, cuddliness soon overtook the doll market.

What Is Hard Plastic?:

According to the United Federation of Doll Clubs, hard plastics are "various types of synthetic materials developed for dolls after World War II. The hard material gives a sharp delineation to the features."

Dates of Production of Hard Plastic Dolls:

Hard plastic dolls were produced from approximately the late 1940s through the 1950s when softer vinyl plastics became the plastics of choice for dolls. However, dolls made of a hard vinyl plastic have become quite popular with collectors of dolls again today (see below).

Sizes and Characteristics of Hard Plastic Dolls:

You can find miniature hard plastic dolls of only a few inches tall all the way up to larger 30 inch dolls.

Companies That Produced Hard Plastic Dolls:

Nearly every company producing composition dolls in the United States switched to hard plastic dolls as soon as the technology became available. Companies that produced hard plastic dolls are a virtual who's who of the doll industry of the early 1950s--Ideal Dolls, Madame Alexander Dolls, American Character Dolls, Vogue, Effanbee, and many others.

Why Was The Peak Of Hard Plastic Dolls So Short Lived?:

Unlike china, bisque or composition dolls that were produced for decades, the great technology that created hard plastic dolls simply got overtaken by a newer technology--the technology that produced softer (and cheaper) vinyl plastic.

Are There Modern Hard Plastic Dolls?:

Yes! Although hard plastic dolls are not ideal as a play thing since they are hard and not soft and huggable, collectors love hard vinyl plastic dolls today. The reason I am calling these dolls hard vinyl plastic is that they are made of a very different chemical formulation than the early hard plastic dolls--the formulation is much closer to vinyl than to the early hard plastics. Companies that produce hard vinyl plastic dolls today include Barbie (Silkstone), Tonner Dolls and Madame Alexander.

Secondary Market Prices For Vintage Hard Plastic Dolls:

Secondary market prices for vintage hard plastic dolls are all over the map. For instance, the dolls pictured above were commonly given away as premiums from gas stations and grocery stores, and can be purchased for as little as $5 or $10 today. There are many, many unmarked hard plastic dolls that in played with condition also bring under $100. However, some of the most sought-after collectible hard plastic dolls including Toni by Ideal and Ginny by Vogue can cost many hundreds of dollars if in mint condition and in a rare outfit.