Member Kenneth Reeves did the program on Ginny and other Vogue dolls. He explained that in 1922 Jennie Adler Graves opened the Ye Olde Vogue Doll Shoppe. She began by dressing dolls imported from Europe and by 1925, Graves had to hire an additional seamstress, as well as home workers. In 1937, she purchased composition Toddles dolls from from Arranbee Doll Company. Her daughter, Virginia, joined the company in 1942 (she would take over the company from her mother in the 1960s) and in 1945 Vogue Dolls was incorporated. The company moved to hard plastic in 1946. In 1948, Graves introduced an 8-inch hard plastic doll. The doll was so popular that Graves designed her own version, christening her creation "Ginny," after her daughter, Virginia. Ginny originally had painted side-glancing eyes with sleeping eyes introduced in 1950. The early dolls had painted lashes, with molded lashes introduced in 1955. In 1954, "walking" dolls became popular, with the head turning from side to side as the dolls legs were moved. Kenneth said that Vogue focused on doll fashions.
Kenneth shared these two early Vogue dolls with painted side-glancing eyes. The girl in the bonnet is Little Bo Peep.
The doll in the striped dress is a bent-knee walker, introduced in 1957.
Kenneth said that in 1957, Vogue began creating a family for Ginny. Jill (floral gown) was Ginny's big sister. Jan (doll in polka dot dress), was Jill's best friend and made for one year in 1959.
Jeff was Ginny's big brother.
Vogue brought back Jill in 1962 in vinyl and reintroduced her again in 1965, dressing her in historic eras. The doll in the floral bonnet and blouse and blue skirt is Jill as "Frontier Days."
Kenneth explained that Vogue acquired Arranbee (R & B) and used used the R & B molds for Littlest Angel until Vogue redesigned the doll in 1964. He stated that the girl in the white dress with tiny pink flowers was made by R & B in the mid 1950s. The chubby-cheeked cutie in the pink dress was made by Vogue in 1963, the last year Vogue used the R & B mold. The redhead at the end of the front row is Li'l Imp made by Vogue in 1959 and 1960, using the R&B Littlest Angel mold. The charming child in bright yellow in the center is the Vogue version of Littlest Angel and the doll in the blue and white print dress and big pink bow is Vogue's Lil' Lovable Imp. Kenneth stated that Vogue reintroduced Littlest Angel in 11-inch and 15-inch sizes (the brunette in the back row in the red and white outfit is 15-inch example). The smaller size was discontinued in 1975 and the 15-inch version in 1980. The curly-headed blond with the character face in the back row is Brikette
Kenneth explained that in 1972 Vogue was sold to Tonka Toy Company and in 1977 Lesney took over the Vogue Ginny name. In the 1980s, R. Dakin & Company bought out the Ginny and Vogue names.
He told the club that Ginny was introduced in the 1970s as an international doll. The doll in green represents Ireland. The baby doll in pink is Ginnette
In 1970s, Kenneth said that Miss Ginny was introduced. This example is pretty in purple.
Members shared their Ginny and Vogue dolls as well. The cowgirl belongs to Elaine Jackson. She was made as a souvenir for a United Federation of Doll Clubs convention. The Ginny in the blue dress with the blond "pixie cut" belongs to member Myrna Loesch.
Myrna also displayed these two hard plastic Jill dolls from 1957-1960 in detailed "mommy-made" outfits.
This little Ginny on roller skates belongs to member Bette Birdsong. . . .
as does the darling doll in the colorful felt dress.
This is a childhood doll of member Elaine McNally. The photograph shows a young Elaine with her doll.
Member Jenell Howell brought several examples of vintage Vogue dolls. The twins in the front row garbed in blue and white gingham are Toddles.
A Jill babysits two of Jenell's Ginny dolls.
This is Jennie Southern Belle from 1943 to 1944.
This curly haired cutie from the 1950s is from Vogue's Crib Crowd. The Crib Crowd dolls use the standard Ginny head, but have curved baby legs.
Graves began by creating outfits and trousseaus for imported dolls, like this "Just Me," a googly-eyed character doll by the German maker Armand Marseille. This 9-inch tall example belongs to member Sharon Weintraub. Although the doll has her original dress, shoes, and socks, they do not carry the "Vogue" tag.
