1950s Babydolls

Tiny Tears

• Manufactured by the American Character Doll Company, Tiny Tears was probably one of most popular baby dolls of the 1950s. As the name implies, Tiny Tears had the ability to "cry," thanks to tiny holes on both sides of the bridge of the nose. After drinking from a bottle, if you squeezed her tummy, Tiny Tears would shed tears. Oddly, besides the bottle, she came with a small pipe that allowed her to blow bubbles. Tiny Tears was usually adorned in a pink and white dress with a white bodice. Like many dolls of the '50s, Tiny Tears was made of rubber, which did not hold up well over time.

Betsy Wetsy

• The Betsy Wetsy doll was made by the Novelty and Toy Company, which began by making teddy bears in the 1930s. While Novelty was to first company to make plastic dolls post-World War II, Betsy Wetsy was a rubber doll, typical of the 1950s. She was manufactured from 1954 to 1956 and again from 1959 to 1962. She came in three different heights: 11 inches, 13 1/2 inches and 15 inches. She was a "drink-and-wet" doll with rooted hair and blue eyes that could close to emulate sleep.

Dy-dee Baby

• Dy-dee Baby was produced by the Effanbee Doll Company. It began production in the 1930s and continued it throughout the '50s with several changes to the doll along the way. Originally made from hard rubber, by the 1950s the doll's head was being made with hard plastic. Like other '50s baby dolls, Dy-dee Baby became a drink-and-wet doll with holes near the eyes for tears. She was designed by doll sculptor Bernard Lipfert and came in 11-inch, 13-inch, 15-inch, and 20-inch sizes. Dy-dee was available in a variety of outfits and came with bottles, rattles, pacifiers, furniture and carriages. It was marketed in the '50s as the "Almost Human Doll."

Sweet Sue Doll

• The Sweet Sue Doll by American Character was produced between the late '40s and mid-'60s. The Sue Sweet Sue Sophisticates series are considered highly collectible and mint-condition dolls in their original boxes can fetch high prices. Unlike many baby dolls of the '50s, Sweet Sue was made from hard plastic and vinyl. She came in 15-inch and 30-inch sizes and had a vast wardrobe at her disposal, including school girl outfits, Sunday best ensembles and luxurious gowns. Sweet Sue was noted for her pale complexion and blush cheeks. By the 1960s, she became a walking doll.