Dollikin (1957-62)

Uneeda's 19 inch Dollikin is perhaps the most fascinating of the glamour dolls. Her ultra-posable body, featuring no less than 16 separate joints, makes for a realism, both in play and display, that no other fashion doll of the late fifties can match. Click here for a photo of the rare 15" Dollikin sold in 1958.

The 19" doll was also available as Dollikin Ballerina or in a set with a baby doll as Mommy Dollikin and Her Lovable Baby.

Body Construction
Dollikin has a hard plastic, strung body and soft vinyl head with sleep eyes in various colors with brush lashes. She is jointed at neck, waist, hips, shoulders, wrists, elbows, knees, ankles and upper arms. Click here for a photo of a nude Dollikin showing her multiple joints. There were some molding changes with the doll throughout her period of manufacture. The size of the head was decreased toward the end of production, and at some point her hands became smaller and more dainty, and her eyes were made larger.

Dollikin's rooted hair, available in various shades, originally came styled in either a short or long wavy or curly bob with bangs, ponytail with bangs, or chignon with widow's peak or spit curl. The later issue dolls had short straight hair parted in the center. Her hair is not very high quality, so that it is difficult to restore a doll with played-with hair to original condition. Generally, dolls with the spit curl style had pierced ears and pearl drop earrings, while dolls with the other hair styles had unpierced ears.

The Dollikin Ballerina, and also Miss Twist, generally had black hair and black eyebrows, as well as black eyelashes painted on the outer corner of each eye.

Markings
She is marked "UNEEDA/2S" on the back of her neck.

Clothing
Dollikin's clothing is not tagged, but may be identified by the factory snaps with white "donut" outer half and the words "SK LIKITS RAU" inscribed on the inner silver half. While other manufacturers used these snaps as well, it is a fairly good bet that if your doll is wearing an outfit with these snaps, it is original.

Outfits the dolls were sold in include the following:

• Black velvet pants, white long sleeved shirt with lace trim down front and on cuffs, red necktie, black elastic-strap sandals (see doll in box above)
• Blue, green and white plaid pants, white blouse, red felt vest with lapels to match pants, black elastic-strap sandals. See photo above. This outfit was also available in a variation with a predominantly red plaid.
• Red, blue and green plaid pants, white long-sleeved blouse with matching plaid placket and cuffs.
• White blouse and pants, long vest with oriental fan print, white shoes (doll in this outfit was advertised in at least one catalog under the name "Lotus Blossom") See photo on the Miss Twist page. This outfit was copied by Valentine for their Mannikin doll - see that page for keys to telling them apart.

Packaging
In addition to the display box with gold lid pictured above, Dollikin was available later on in a blue box with a cellophane window. Click here to see that box. The doll was seated in the same position as in the first issue box, with drawings of outdoor scenes decorating the interior. Click here to see the doll inside the box.

To see more Dollikin photos, visit ValsWorld and view her collection.

Thanks to Laura Meisner and Valerie Myers for help with this page.

Additional sources for this page include:

• "Dollikin: An Unxplored Treasure" by Laura Meisner, Doll Reader magazine, September 1995
• "Glamour Dolls of the 1950s & 1960s" by Polly and Pam Judd

Dollikin and Miss Twist are registered trademarks of Uneeda Doll Co., Ltd.

to Uneeda page.

to Fashionable Ladies Home Page.

This page was last updated February 2, 2001.

Copyright 1997-2001 by Zendelle Bouchard.