The Arranbee Doll Company (aka as R&B) was established in the 1920′s and enjoyed many years of creating high quality dressed dolls. Dolls included baby dolls, toddler type dolls and little girl dolls. The dolls of the 1930′s and 1940′s were mostly made of composition, which was an improvement over the early bisque dolls. Both materials could crack and break easily if not handled with care. In the late 1940′s, hard plastic was introduced and improved the doll industry greatly. All competitive doll companies now manufactured dolls with this new material that increased the durablility of the “play” doll. Arranbee manufactured the girl dolls Nanette and Nancy Lee for about ten years starting in 1947. They were similar to Ideal’s Toni and American Character’s Sweet Sue to name a few. They wore outstanding quality outfits ranging from girl dresses to beautiful gowns and ballerina tutus. Often outfits had real fur trim. Wigs were mohair, human hair, floss and saran. Dolls were strung and later walkers. My 14″ doll has been partially redressed and was a ballerina. She has a wonderful floss wig which has not been restyled. These dolls are a true treasure!
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I had a doll like this, but dressed as a nurse, sometime in the 1950s.
I’ve been trying to locate one to purchase.
Any information regarding this?
Carol, I would you suggest that you search on eBay for “Miss Curity”. She was a nurse doll manufactured by Ideal in the 1950′s. There is one on eBay right now…you can see if this is the doll that you had. Other options might be local doll shows. I hope this helps. Good Luck!
Thanks so much to Janie. I found her (Miss Curity)after 56 years on ebay as you said. What memories!