In addition to collecting modern dolls, I also incorporate historically-significant dolls into my collection for a variety of reasons. These early dolls often illustrate how black people were perceived during the time in which they were made. One of my Valentine's gifts this year includes a doll that falls into the historically-significant category.
The doll is a 5-1/2-inch Nancy Ann Storybook (NASB) Doll, circa 1948-1950. Her name is Topsy, based on the young enslaved girl in Harriet Beecher Stowe's classic book, Uncle Tom's Cabin.
First published in 1852 as an antislavery text, Stowe, an abolitionist, is said to have intentionally created stereotypical characters to expose the evils of enslavement. Topsy is an incorrigible, young servant, purchased as a "gift" for a woman who despises her because she is black. Topsy's new owner refused to touch her for the same reason, the color of her skin; it is unnerving to her. Poor Topsy doesn't know how to love and believes, because of the mistreatment she has endured throughout her life, that it is impossible for a black person to be loved. She is eventually "delivered" from this belief the moment the young white mistress, Eva, "touches" her and tells Topsy she loves her. Eva's mere touch cures Topsy of her waywardness. When Eva dies, Topsy is heartbroken.
Topsy, the doll, arrived in a Valentine-shaped box (used only as a gift box; it is not original to the doll). The top of the box is painted to look like a men's vested suit. The doll wears her original rust and white, block-check taffeta dress, white pantaloons, and painted-on black shoes. Initially, I thought my doll was one of the original bisque, 1930s storybook dolls that the founder of the company, Nancy Ann Abbott, made.
Abbott's original, 1930s storybook dolls were bisque with painted eyes and were similar in appearance to my 1948 doll, which was fashioned to look like her original dolls.
Other hard plastic, dark skinned NASB versions from the late 1940s-1950s were made with sleep eyes like the one I referenced in Black Dolls A Comprehensive Guide to Celebrating, Collecting, and Experiencing the Passion.
In addition to their different eyes, my Valentine's doll and my first hard plastic Topsy (shown above), have different head sculpts. At the time of this writing, I do not own an original black bisque NASB doll, but would like to eventually.
Other dark skinned NASB dolls, circa 1930s through 1950s include, and are possibly limited to:
The Nigerian Nancy Ann doll, shown above, is made of plastic. This more recent dark-skinned Nancy Ann doll was manufactured by the Bourla Company and may be part of an international doll series.
Albert Bourla acquired the original NASB company during the 1960s following Ms. Abbott's death and the company's subsequent state of bankruptcy. I discovered the Nigerian doll while doing research for this post and purchased it in a buy it now auction the day prior to publishing. The Bourla dolls, made in Hong Kong, are said to be inferior in quality to the original dolls. I will know for myself within a few days.
Bourla sold his company in 2003 to sisters, Claudette Buehler and Darlene Budd. Their dolls are designed by Dianna Effner. The first ones were produced in 2005. I do not own any of the sisters' dolls. To date none are dark skinned.
Black Nancy Ann Storybook Dolls' Historical Significance:
For more NASB historical facts, visit the following sites:
Nancy Ann Storybook Doll History
An Insider's Guide to NASB Dolls
For more information on Topsy dolls that were manufactured by other companies click here and here.
The doll is a 5-1/2-inch Nancy Ann Storybook (NASB) Doll, circa 1948-1950. Her name is Topsy, based on the young enslaved girl in Harriet Beecher Stowe's classic book, Uncle Tom's Cabin.
First published in 1852 as an antislavery text, Stowe, an abolitionist, is said to have intentionally created stereotypical characters to expose the evils of enslavement. Topsy is an incorrigible, young servant, purchased as a "gift" for a woman who despises her because she is black. Topsy's new owner refused to touch her for the same reason, the color of her skin; it is unnerving to her. Poor Topsy doesn't know how to love and believes, because of the mistreatment she has endured throughout her life, that it is impossible for a black person to be loved. She is eventually "delivered" from this belief the moment the young white mistress, Eva, "touches" her and tells Topsy she loves her. Eva's mere touch cures Topsy of her waywardness. When Eva dies, Topsy is heartbroken.
Topsy, the doll, arrived in a Valentine-shaped box (used only as a gift box; it is not original to the doll). The top of the box is painted to look like a men's vested suit. The doll wears her original rust and white, block-check taffeta dress, white pantaloons, and painted-on black shoes. Initially, I thought my doll was one of the original bisque, 1930s storybook dolls that the founder of the company, Nancy Ann Abbott, made.
Abbott's original, 1930s storybook dolls were bisque with painted eyes and were similar in appearance to my 1948 doll, which was fashioned to look like her original dolls.
Other hard plastic, dark skinned NASB versions from the late 1940s-1950s were made with sleep eyes like the one I referenced in Black Dolls A Comprehensive Guide to Celebrating, Collecting, and Experiencing the Passion.
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| Two versions of late-1940s hard plastic NASB Topsy dolls, one with sleep eyes, one with painted eyes |
In addition to their different eyes, my Valentine's doll and my first hard plastic Topsy (shown above), have different head sculpts. At the time of this writing, I do not own an original black bisque NASB doll, but would like to eventually.
Other dark skinned NASB dolls, circa 1930s through 1950s include, and are possibly limited to:
- Several versions of Topsy (sold individually and with the white counterpart Eva)
- Several versions of Mammy and Mammy and Baby
 |
| Nancy Ann #208 Nigerian, from the Bourla years (1966 - 1973) |
The Nigerian Nancy Ann doll, shown above, is made of plastic. This more recent dark-skinned Nancy Ann doll was manufactured by the Bourla Company and may be part of an international doll series.
Albert Bourla acquired the original NASB company during the 1960s following Ms. Abbott's death and the company's subsequent state of bankruptcy. I discovered the Nigerian doll while doing research for this post and purchased it in a buy it now auction the day prior to publishing. The Bourla dolls, made in Hong Kong, are said to be inferior in quality to the original dolls. I will know for myself within a few days.
Bourla sold his company in 2003 to sisters, Claudette Buehler and Darlene Budd. Their dolls are designed by Dianna Effner. The first ones were produced in 2005. I do not own any of the sisters' dolls. To date none are dark skinned.
Black Nancy Ann Storybook Dolls' Historical Significance:
- Early 20th Century dolls manufactured by a female entrepreneur.
- Black and white dolls share the same molds.
- Black dolls' facial features are not stereotypical, unlike many early 20th Century black dolls that had exaggerated facial features.
- Black dolls are characteristically stereotypical, depicting blacks as subservient, which was the norm during the 1930s through 1950s.
Nancy Ann Storybook Doll History
An Insider's Guide to NASB Dolls
For more information on Topsy dolls that were manufactured by other companies click here and here.
Thank you for a very informative post.
ReplyDeleteThank you Limbe Dolls for reading it. I'm glad you found it informative. I learned/rediscovered a few things about the original NASB company, the dolls, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and her book Uncle Tom's Cabin, while writing this post.
DeleteI also realize why I love Topsy so -- she couldn't love herself because she was convinced she was worthless because of her skin color, but that is the very reason I love her and the countless other real Topsies who endured such painful and miserable lives who are responsible in part for my being here today.
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Thanks. That was great information. I didn't know of either doll prior to reading this. Love is such a powerful gift.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed, Vanessa. Topsy was a gift from my "bestest" doll friend. But you're right, love in any form is a powerful gift.
DeleteHusband gave me the usual -- a card, candy, and a dozen lavender roses.
dbg
Lavender roses from Husband are not the norm; they are usually red.
Deletedbg
I remember Topsy when I was little girl. A neighbor had her doll and she wouldn't let me touch it, she was her most prized possession. I remember being so mad and I went home and told my daddy and of course my father just laughed. I remember him saying, "Now you know how your sister feels, you won't even let her breath on your Barbies!" Thanks for the links.
ReplyDeleteJust found this post while looking up Nancy Ann dolls. Thank you for such an informative and interesting post.
ReplyDeleteHi Serenata,
ReplyDeleteI am glad you stumbled upon this post and found it informative and interesting. Thank you for taking the time to comment.
dbg
Randomly stumbled upon this blog....pretty informative! I'm pretty sure I found an original.....hard to tell but she has what appears to be original safety pins that hold her clothes on, bisque made, jointed together with old rubber bands similar to the photographs I've viewed online...her back has an imprint of Story Book Dolls USA 11.....anyone know if this could be a real Topsy?
ReplyDelete-Sarah
Hi Sarah,
DeleteBased on your doll's marks, she is a NASB doll. The black ones were either Topsy or Mammy. The clothing, if original, will determine which one you have.
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