1930s 21" Effanbee "Little Lady" Composition Doll
Vintage 1930s Large-Scale Effanbee "Little Lady" Composition Doll with Heart Wrist Tag
Manufacturer: Effanbee Doll Company
Era / Circa: Mid-to-Late 1930s (c. 1936–1939)
Model Line / Face Mold: Little Lady (Slim, adult-proportioned fashion body framework)
Medium: All-composition, fully jointed five-piece structural fashion body layout
Doll Height: Rare Large-Scale 21” Sizing Tier
Included Elements: 21” Effanbee Little Lady doll, vintage pink floral-print cotton hostess gown/negligee robe, matching pink cotton undergarment romper with lace trim and blue satin ribbon accents, original pink satin hair bow ribbon, original grey fabric open-toe cross-strap sandals, an authentic vintage brass-toned metal Effanbee “Durable Dolls” heart-shaped wrist tag charm on a beaded chain bracelet, and a polished dark wood base circular stand
ITEM DESCRIPTION
Up for auction is a highly elegant, historically significant 21-inch vintage composition fashion doll from the celebrated "Little Lady" series, masterfully produced by the Effanbee Doll Company during the mid-to-late 1930s. Standing as a rare and commanding large-scale survivor from the pre-war period, this beautiful figure perfectly captures the glamorous, romantic lounge apparel trends of Hollywood's golden era, predating the modern vinyl fashion doll phenomenon by more than two decades.
Standing an impressive and highly coveted 21 inches tall, this figure departs from traditional Depression-era toddler shapes in favor of Effanbee's slim, elongated fashion mold. Her sophisticated facial features are hand-detailed with high, thinly feathered brows, softly blushed cheeks, and a stylized crimson-red bow lip accent. Her brilliant amber sleep eyes retain their operational weighted movement mechanisms and are framed by fine painted upper and lower eyelash details. She features her native blonde human hair or premium mohair wig, styled in a soft, shoulder-length vintage coiffure held neatly by a pink satin bow.
The Little Lady arrives beautifully attired in an original, period-correct two-piece boudoir lounge ensemble. The romantic presentation gown is fashioned from a soft pink cotton textile embellished with a delicate repeating pattern of red, blue, and purple floral sprigs. The robe features short puffed sleeves, an open-front drape, and a lace-trimmed sweetheart neckline with an integrated cream center bow. Beneath the sweeping gown, she wears her matching pink cotton undergarment romper, finished with matching lace borders and a contrasting pastel-blue satin ribbon tie-bow sash. On her feet is an exceptional, highly elusive set of original grey cloth cross-strap open-toe sandals featuring sturdy structural soles.
MANUFACTURER HISTORY
Founded in 1912 by Fleischaker and Baum, the Effanbee Doll Company built an unyielding legacy as a premier pioneer of high-quality American composition dolls. While universally famous for their durable child models like Patsy and Dy-Dee Baby, Effanbee revolutionized the industry in the mid-1930s by introducing the **Little Lady** line. Designed specifically to model high-fashion couture evening gowns, cruise wear, and formal society lounge apparel, this highly sophisticated series provided young girls with an elegant, adult-proportioned fashion figure, securing a vital position in the evolution of American play history.
AUTHENTICITY LABEL PROVENANCE
An extraordinary, high-value asset confirming the undisputed pre-war corporate lineage of this estate lot is the inclusion of its original, authentic vintage brass-toned metal **Effanbee heart wrist tag**. Fastened securely to her right wrist via a matching metal ball-chain link loop, the raised-letter heart charm reads in bold block typography: “EFFANBEE / DURABLE / DOLLS”. Furthermore, the lower rear boundary of her head framework carries the crisp, factory-debossed original stamp reading in clear raised lettering: “EFFANBEE / U.S.A.”, providing total authentication for brand purists and investment-minded collectors.
NOTE FOR BIDDERS
This magnificent pre-war estate lot features the large-scale 21" composition Effanbee Little Lady doll, her floral-print cotton hostess robe, her matching lace-trimmed undergarment romper, her original open-toe sandals, the exceptionally rare authentic brass-toned “Durable Dolls” heart wrist tag, and the dark wood circular display stand exactly as shown in the catalog images. This piece is offered loose without its original 1930s cardboard retail packaging. Bidders are encouraged to closely review all high-resolution macro imagery to appreciate the beautiful face-up painting, clear embossed neck stamps, intact branded metal wrist charms, and sensational historical display presence of this pre-war fashion classic.
Condition
Light crackling to face, moderate crackling to torso, light paint rubs to neck, retains original wrist tag, light crackling to legs. This is an old doll and may show signs of wear consistent with age and use. See photos. Absence of specific condition description does not denote there is no damage, especially when considering a vintage or antique doll. Please read description carefully and ask questions before bidding. Dolls are available to preview in person. Call or email for preview details. I do my best to point out the major damage but this condition report is not exhaustive and other minor flaws may be found.
Dimensions
21 in
Vintage 1930s Large-Scale Effanbee "Little Lady" Composition Doll with Heart Wrist Tag
Manufacturer: Effanbee Doll Company
Era / Circa: Mid-to-Late 1930s (c. 1936–1939)
Model Line / Face Mold: Little Lady (Slim, adult-proportioned fashion body framework)
Medium: All-composition, fully jointed five-piece structural fashion body layout
Doll Height: Rare Large-Scale 21” Sizing Tier
Included Elements: 21” Effanbee Little Lady doll, vintage pink floral-print cotton hostess gown/negligee robe, matching pink cotton undergarment romper with lace trim and blue satin ribbon accents, original pink satin hair bow ribbon, original grey fabric open-toe cross-strap sandals, an authentic vintage brass-toned metal Effanbee “Durable Dolls” heart-shaped wrist tag charm on a beaded chain bracelet, and a polished dark wood base circular stand
ITEM DESCRIPTION
Up for auction is a highly elegant, historically significant 21-inch vintage composition fashion doll from the celebrated "Little Lady" series, masterfully produced by the Effanbee Doll Company during the mid-to-late 1930s. Standing as a rare and commanding large-scale survivor from the pre-war period, this beautiful figure perfectly captures the glamorous, romantic lounge apparel trends of Hollywood's golden era, predating the modern vinyl fashion doll phenomenon by more than two decades.
Standing an impressive and highly coveted 21 inches tall, this figure departs from traditional Depression-era toddler shapes in favor of Effanbee's slim, elongated fashion mold. Her sophisticated facial features are hand-detailed with high, thinly feathered brows, softly blushed cheeks, and a stylized crimson-red bow lip accent. Her brilliant amber sleep eyes retain their operational weighted movement mechanisms and are framed by fine painted upper and lower eyelash details. She features her native blonde human hair or premium mohair wig, styled in a soft, shoulder-length vintage coiffure held neatly by a pink satin bow.
The Little Lady arrives beautifully attired in an original, period-correct two-piece boudoir lounge ensemble. The romantic presentation gown is fashioned from a soft pink cotton textile embellished with a delicate repeating pattern of red, blue, and purple floral sprigs. The robe features short puffed sleeves, an open-front drape, and a lace-trimmed sweetheart neckline with an integrated cream center bow. Beneath the sweeping gown, she wears her matching pink cotton undergarment romper, finished with matching lace borders and a contrasting pastel-blue satin ribbon tie-bow sash. On her feet is an exceptional, highly elusive set of original grey cloth cross-strap open-toe sandals featuring sturdy structural soles.
MANUFACTURER HISTORY
Founded in 1912 by Fleischaker and Baum, the Effanbee Doll Company built an unyielding legacy as a premier pioneer of high-quality American composition dolls. While universally famous for their durable child models like Patsy and Dy-Dee Baby, Effanbee revolutionized the industry in the mid-1930s by introducing the **Little Lady** line. Designed specifically to model high-fashion couture evening gowns, cruise wear, and formal society lounge apparel, this highly sophisticated series provided young girls with an elegant, adult-proportioned fashion figure, securing a vital position in the evolution of American play history.
AUTHENTICITY LABEL PROVENANCE
An extraordinary, high-value asset confirming the undisputed pre-war corporate lineage of this estate lot is the inclusion of its original, authentic vintage brass-toned metal **Effanbee heart wrist tag**. Fastened securely to her right wrist via a matching metal ball-chain link loop, the raised-letter heart charm reads in bold block typography: “EFFANBEE / DURABLE / DOLLS”. Furthermore, the lower rear boundary of her head framework carries the crisp, factory-debossed original stamp reading in clear raised lettering: “EFFANBEE / U.S.A.”, providing total authentication for brand purists and investment-minded collectors.
NOTE FOR BIDDERS
This magnificent pre-war estate lot features the large-scale 21" composition Effanbee Little Lady doll, her floral-print cotton hostess robe, her matching lace-trimmed undergarment romper, her original open-toe sandals, the exceptionally rare authentic brass-toned “Durable Dolls” heart wrist tag, and the dark wood circular display stand exactly as shown in the catalog images. This piece is offered loose without its original 1930s cardboard retail packaging. Bidders are encouraged to closely review all high-resolution macro imagery to appreciate the beautiful face-up painting, clear embossed neck stamps, intact branded metal wrist charms, and sensational historical display presence of this pre-war fashion classic.
Condition
Light crackling to face, moderate crackling to torso, light paint rubs to neck, retains original wrist tag, light crackling to legs. This is an old doll and may show signs of wear consistent with age and use. See photos. Absence of specific condition description does not denote there is no damage, especially when considering a vintage or antique doll. Please read description carefully and ask questions before bidding. Dolls are available to preview in person. Call or email for preview details. I do my best to point out the major damage but this condition report is not exhaustive and other minor flaws may be found.
Dimensions
21 in
