Name: Playpal-Type Companion Doll by Uneeda
Made by and When: Uneeda, 1960s
Material: Soft vinyl head, rigid plastic body with a metal walking mechanism within.
Marks: (Head) U5
Height: 35 inches
Hair, Eyes, Mouth: Short bubble-cut-style black-rooted hair, dark brown sleep eyes with attached upper eyelashes and painted lower eyelashes, closed mouth with painted-pink lips
Clothes: Original pink checkered dress with pink voile overlay has white lace-trim; white mesh pinned-on half-slip, white socks, original pink vinyl shoes with molded bow at the toe of each.
Other: Based on the head mark, this doll is attributed to the Uneeda doll company. Uneeda made Playpal-type dolls that date back to the 1960s to compete with Ideal Toys’ more popular Patti Playpal, which was introduced in 1959. Ideal Toys did not manufacture a black version of Patti Playpal until 1980, which was released to the market in 1981; however, other 1960s doll companies, such as Allied Eastern, Horsman*, and Uneeda offered black companion dolls. The 35-inch Playpal doll type (often referred to as a 36-inch walker) continues to be produced; however, thinner bodies and legs, and thinner plastic materials are used for dolls manufactured more recently.
How It Walks: Face the doll, hold its hands, and guide it to walk by pulling it forward and tilting it slightly from side to side. One of the doll’s arms can also be held to guide the doll to walk alongside you.
*One of Horsman’s most elusive black dolls from the modern era is Princess Peggy, a 35-inch Patti Playpal lookalike that uses a similar head mold as the doll in this installation. Princess Peggy was featured in Horsman’s 1960 catalog with short curly black hair. It appeared in other Horsman catalogs during the 1960s, usually with long black hair with bangs, dressed in a variety of outfits. A two-ponytail version with bangs is in the 1962 catalog. Princess Peggy will bear the Horsman hallmark. Cindy, another Horsman-marked 35-inch walker is featured in the company’s 1967 catalog. Cindy has painted side-glancing eyes whereas Princess Peggy has glassine sleep eyes.
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