Mini Dolls (Part Ten) 1940s - Nancy Ann Storybook

5" Storybook Dolls - "Wee Dolls for Wee Collectors"

The history of Nancy Ann Dolls began in 1936 when Nancy Ann Abbot started her doll-making venture. One of Nancy Ann's main line of dolls was "storybook dolls" which were named after nursery rhymes and jingles.  The bisque Storybook dolls were produced from 1936 to 1948.  By 1943, Nancy Ann had created 125 different characters, but the number was reduced to 77 when certain costume materials became unavailable or too costly.

 One of Nancy Ann's main line of dolls was "storybook dolls" which were named after nursery rhymes and jingles.  The bisque Storybook dolls were produced from 1936 to 1948.  By 1943, Nancy Ann had created 125 different characters, but the number was reduced to 77 when certain costume materials became unavailable or too costly.

Nancy Ann also produced several other types of dolls.  These dolls included plastic Storybook dolls with painted eyes (1948-1950), plastic Storybook dolls with "sleepy eyes" (1950+), plastic 8" Muffie dolls (1950+), plastic 18" Nancy Ann Style Show dolls (1950+), plastic 10-1/2" Miss Nancy Ann with a teenage body, plastic 9" Little Miss Nancy Ann, plastic 10" Debbie with a toddler body, and vinyl 9" Sue Sue which is a baby doll.  Aline (introduced in 1973 to compete with Barbie) and Missie (Aline's little sister) were produced during the Bourla period.