The Effanbee Doll Company first produced their famous Dy-dee Baby doll in the 1930′s. The doll continued to be produced into the 1950′s with various changes. The first doll (Mold 1) had molded ears, hair and almond-shaped sleep eyes with human hair or mohair eyelashes. The head was made of very hard rubber which almost looked like composition or hard plastic and the body was a softer rubber. She was one of the many dolls designed by the famous New York doll sculpter Bernard Lipfert. In the 1940′s the company added rubber applied ears and some dolls came with caracul wigs. (Mold 2). The eyes were rounder and larger. Later they became drink and wet dolls with two holes near the eyes for tears. (Mold 3 pictured). There was a unique system (a rubber plug in her backside) that kept her dry for many minutes after she was fed. Hard plastic heads replaced the hard rubber in the 1950′s. The doll was marketed as “The Almost Human Doll”. Dy-Dee had numerous outfits and came with many accessories (bottles, pacifier, rattles, furniture and carriages). These dolls came in different sizes: 11″, 13″, 15″ and the very lifelike 20″ and were marked “Effanbee Dy-Dee Baby” with patent numbers on the back. There were also many sewing patterns for their little mothers or “grandmothers” to make their own wonderful clothes. The Dy-Dee Baby doll was the first doll of its kind to be joined later by Ideal’s Betsy Wetsy, American Character’s Tiny Tears and many other generic drink and wet dolls. I think Dy-Dee Baby is truly an exquisite doll!
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hello, I have an effanbee doll must be mold 3 because I see a plug in her back. She is not in good shape. Wondering what to do with her and decided if someone wanted her I will ship it to them. I can send you photos if interested. She does have a #1 on her back. her us pat # is 1.829-485
Hello, I have, what sounds like your doll. She has pat# on her back for England, France, Germany and U.S. For years, I have been trying to find someone to repair my doll, my daughter when small broke her head and wrote, in magic marker on her body. This was my favorite doll as a child. Do you know of anyone who would repair? I don’t want to sell her, I just would like to fix her. Thank you
Yes, it sounds like the same doll. My doll has all those countries listed on the back. Very sorry to hear of her condition and am not sure of an answer for you. A doll hospital would be the best bet for a repair. If you are in NH or MA, I know of a reputable doll clinic. Otherwise, you might check doll shows or local antique shops for doll contacts. Good Luck.
I have a doll that was mine in the early 1950′s. She has the molded hair and jointed arms and legs. A place for a bottle in her mouth. A air thingie on her back. I looked on the net and I am sure that she is a Effenbee’s baby. She is a little greasy, but no cracks or damage that I can tell. How do I sell her. Is it a good idea to just list her on e-bay. Also, How do I clean her face and body. Just sponge her off a little? I am not a collector as you can tell. Just a old lady with a couple of dolls. I still have my blonde ponytail barbie too.
Hi Debby, I would suggest eBay as a selling option. Taking good pictures and writing a thorough description of your doll would be advised. To clean your doll, I would suggest a mild detergent (dish washing liquid) at first. If this doesn’t work, I use Soft Scrub (the one without bleach) on the body and very carefully on the head and face. You don’t want to remove any painted features. Maybe a reader will have some other ideas. Thanks so much for your comment.
Dear Janie,
I am trying to find a Dy-Dee doll to give to my mother for her 84th birthday to replace the one she once had as a child. Obviously, I want to find one that was around back in the mid 1930s. The problem is that I am finding a lot of conflicting info regarding which dolls were made at what time. For example, I found a Life magazine dated 1937 which shows girls playing with their dy-dee dolls with caracul wigs — but all the info on the web states that caracul wigs did not appear until the 40′s… Also, the doll in Life is clearly a mold 2 doll and may even have the rubber applied ears — although the ears are hard to see in the photo. I guess I would be safest to find a mold 1 doll without the caracul wig and hope for the best. Any thoughts you may have would be most appreciated.
Thanks very much,
Don
im looking for doll for my mother-in-law(she is from louisiana). she was born in the 1940′s.she has always wanted one of these baby dolls. the doll is rubber or vinal, and it turns black with age over the years. the name of the doll is a two word female name. please can anyone help?
Teri,
The baby dolls of the 1940′s and early 1950′s that turned black when they aged are made with a rubbery vinyl material called “magic skin”. Ideal Toy co. used this material as did many other doll companies. Try searching on the net or eBay for “magic skin” dolls and see if you can find what you want. Maybe someone out there can help!
Don,
It sounds like you have done a lot of research!! Your solution sounds right to me. Good luck finding a Mold #1 in nice shape and Happy Birthday to your mom!! What a nice gift you are planning to give her
Interesting to see MY Dy-Dee doll pictured. Mine was in excellent condition with original coat and hat. The ears had started to get hard and I put her away when my 2 yr. old granddaughter arrived. She FOUND her and suddenly held two crumbled ears. Where can I get her repaired? I live in ME in summer (June 3-Aug 25). Can you help me?
Hi: I have a Dy-Dee baby doll with wooden chest which holds the bedding and a dress and bottle, both are in great condition. The doll is 15″ moving eyes and redish hair and completely dressed in orginal clothing. I would like to sell these items but don’t have any idea what they are worth. If you can help that would be great. Thank you
Hi – I have a 10 lb. Eff-an-bee dy-dee-baby that I received in the mid 1940′s. One of her legs has rotted and I would liike to find a replacement for it. There is no doll hospital in my area. Do you know of any any place that I could contact? Thanks for your help.
I have an eff-an-bee dy-dee-baby that weighs 10 pounds, has a wig, and wets. I received her in the mid 1940′s. One of her legs has rotten and I would like to get a replacement. I do not know of a reputable doll hospital. Can you help me? thanks, pat
I have a 1955 Tiny Tears Doll the body is crack. What kind of glue do you use on the doll? The side is crack some of the back is?
I received the Dy-Dee Baby for my 1st birthday in 1948. She has the hair wig as shown in the picture. I gave her away to my god-daughter thinking I would never have children. As happened I did finally have a beautiful daughter. I would love to purchase a Dy-Dee in the wonderful condition as pictured here. Can anyone help me?
I purchased a DY-DEE baby a tiny tears I thinks is from the late 50′s or early60′s. I had one as a child and am looking for info on her. Her hair is seprate from her face. She is in extremely great condition.with no crackes in her body. Her eyes open and close easily. She had her original romper on when I purchased her. she brings back alot of memories from my childhood. If any one has anymore information I could get I would love to here from you.