Another favorite childhood doll that I collect is the line of "pullstring" Newborn and Toddler Thumbelina dolls by Ideal Toy Corporation from the late 1960s and early 1970s. Below is my synopsis of these dolls, followed by several photographs of the "pullstring" dolls in my collection:

In the early 1960s Ideal Toy Corporation introduced one of its most popular and beloved line of mechanical dolls: "Thumbelina." The earlier versions were 15" or larger in length and had a metal key (and later, a wooden or plastic knob) on their back. When wound, these dolls would wiggle like a newborn baby.

In 1967, Ideal introduced a smaller 9" version named "Newborn Thumbelina." Like her predecessors, Newborn Thumbelina had a foam-stuffed cloth body with vinyl head and limbs, rooted saran hair, and hand-painted eyes and facial coloring. However, this doll was designed with a pullstring (rather than a key or a knob) on its back. When pulled, the string would recoil inside the doll prompting the head and body to wiggle. Newborn Thumbelina dolls were manufactured in Hong Kong, Japan, and Taiwan. They were sold either in a window-display box decorated with mod graphics, or in a mail-order box decorated with pink and gold diamonds. These dolls were dressed in a white waffle-weave top (adorned with a yellow bow and flower appliqué) and either light-blue, lime-green, orange, hot-pink, light-pink, red, or yellow "footsie" pants. A rarer version, dressed in a yellow one-piece terry-cloth sleeper, was also available in a boxed set with a plastic cradle. Each Newborn came with a name bracelet made of three pink beads and 10 lettered beads that spell "Thumbelina". The Newborn Thumbelina dolls were available in two skin tones. The Caucasian version was mass-produced with varying shades of light-blonde hair and blue eyes. [NOTE: strawberry blondes and an auburn "Christening Newborn Thumbelina" were also produced but in very limited quantities.] The African-American version is much harder to find and has brown hair and brown eyes. All Newborn Thumbelina dolls have these manufacturer's markings stamped into the back of their neck:

© 1967, IDEAL (in an oval)
TT-9-H108
Hong Kong (or Japan).
[NOTE: some Newborn Thumbelina dolls (namely those made in Taiwan) DO NOT list a country of origin on their neck.]

In 1968, Ideal introduced "Toddler" Thumbelina dolls to the pull string line. These dolls were advertised as "Sister" to the 1967 Newborn, and were sold either with an accessory (in a window-display box with mod graphics) or separately (in a plain mail-order box that resembles a white shoe box). What differentiates the Toddler from the Newborn is its slightly larger size, molded white baby boots, and adorable face with dimpled chin and impish grin. When the string on its back is pulled, each leg swings back and forth in tandem simulating a toddle (or walking) motion. Most Toddlers sport a pixie hairdo and have either platinum-blonde hair ("Toddler with Rocking Horse" and "Jingle Thumbelina"); dirty-blonde hair ("Toddler with Walker" and "Sister Toddler Thumbelina"); reddish-brown hair in pigtails ("Car Toddler Thumbelina"); or platinum-blonde hair in pigtails ("Bye Bye Thumbelina"). As far as I know, the Toddlers were manufactured only in Hong Kong, and only Caucasian versions were produced. All Toddler Thumbelina dolls have these manufacturer’s markings imprinted on the back of their neck:

© 1968, IDEAL TOY CORP.
BTT9-H-124
Hong Kong.

In 1970, Ideal Toy Corporation expanded its pull-string Thumbelina line to include the following:

two brunette baby dolls with a built-in kissing mechanism (also used in "Bye Bye Thumbelina") named "Kissin’ Thumbelina" -- the first with open-shut eyes and rooted eyelashes dressed in a two-piece hooded "bunting" outfit (released in 1970), and the second with hand-painted blue eyes dressed in a pink two-piece outfit (released in 1971). [Manufacturer’s markings: © 1970, IDEAL TOY CORP., KT-9P-H-174, Hong Kong].
[NOTE: all pullstring Thumbelina dolls with the kissing mechanism have a stiff right arm that bends at the shoulder, so that the right hand can be positioned in front of the doll's mouth. When the doll's pullstring recoils completely, the right arm swings out to simulate throwing a kiss];

a pig-tailed cutie named "In a Minute Thumbelina". When you place her plastic cup in her hand and pull her string, her arms swing up and down banging the cup against the highchair tray as if demanding attention.
[Manufacturer’s markings:© 1970, IDEAL TOY CORP, IT-9-H-175, Hong Kong]; and

a doll which some collectors incorrectly regard as a "male" Newborn Thumbelina. This doll's body is the same as Newborn Thumbelina's; however, its face is more elongated; its hair is molded and painted brown; and its mouth is molded open. [Manufacturer’s markings: © 1970, IDEAL TOY CORP., STT-9-H-180, Hong [S2] Kong].

All Newborn and Toddler Thumbelina dolls have tagged bodies and outfits. These tags are made of white cloth with embroidered or black-printed manufacturer markings. The outfit tag is sewn inside the outfit and identifies the doll's name, manufacturer, and the country where the doll was made. The body tag is sewn to the side of the doll's cloth body and identifies the:
- doll's name and "T.M.";
- manufacturer (dolls made in Hong Kong read "Ideal Toy Corp."; dolls made in Japan read "Ideal Toy Corp. Hollis, New York, N. Y."; dolls made in Taiwan read "Ideal (in a diamond)");
- material used for the doll's head and limbs (either "ALL NEW MATERIAL POLYURETHANE" or "ALL NEW MATERIAL POLY-URETHANE FOAM");
- country where the doll was made (either "Made in Hong Kong," "Made in Japan," or "Made in Taiwan").

[The dolls pictured below are from my private
collection and are not for sale.]

*~*~* Click on each picture below to enlarge it *~*~*

Above: Newborn Thumbelina (Caucasian version)
A Newborn Thumbelina in its original packaging is hard to find
in today's secondary market. This doll was extremely popular in the early 70s;
as a result, few boxed dolls survived (Catalog no. 0411-9).

Above: Newborn Thumbelina (African-American version)
This is a rare doll (especially boxed) since fewer dolls of color
were produced in the early 1970s.

Above: Boxed Newborn Thumbelinas
Note the differences between the box dated 1968 (pictured far left),
1969 (center), and 1971 (pictured far right). In addition to variations in
the graphics, the earlier 1968 and 1969 boxes read "Pull my string I move..."
with arrows pointing to an opening on the back where one could test the doll
by pulling her string. The box dated 1971 reads, "Pull my string I move and
wiggle" but does not have an opening on the back to test the doll. Also, the dolls
released in the earlier boxes wear their name bracelet on their ankle,
and the dolls in later boxes wear their name bracelet on their wrist.

Above: Newborn Thumbelina in Diamond Box
The cardboard box this Newborn Thumbelina was sold in is the size of a child's
shoebox, and it is decorated with pink and gold diamonds. The original price
tag on the box reveals that this doll was sold at SEARS for $7.59.
The label adhered to the box's panel (pictured above, right) reads:

"she's a wonderful doll... she's... IDEAL"
0421-8
9" NEWBORN THUMBELINA
1 PC 30756 DEPT 49

Above: Newborn Thumbelina With Her Cradle
When you pull her string she wiggles, prompting her
cradle to rock from side to side (Catalog no. 49-30757).

Above: Newborn "Christening Thumbelina"
The elusive Montgomery Ward department store exclusive complete
with her tagged gown, bonnet, and receiving blanket.

Above: (Male) Newborn Thumbelina, 1970
Some collectors refer to this doll as the "male" Newborn
Thumbelina. However, this doll was sold wearing a yellow
bow on its head, suggesting otherwise.

Above: 1967 Newborn Thumbelina from Canada
The box for this Canadian release differs greatly from the
American box, and the phrases are in English and in French.
A wonderful and uncommon foreign variation.

Above: Toddler Thumbelina
This doll was often advertised as "sister" to Newborn Thumbelina.
This is the only toddler released without an accessory.

Above: "Toddler Thumbelina With Her Car"
Wind her pull-string around the wheel on the car's
trunk and watch this pig-tailed cutie zoom away in
her very own Volkswagen beetle! (Catalog no. 0432-5)

Above: Toddler Thumbelina with Her Hobby Horse.
This Toddler (also known as the "Indian Princess Toddler")
rocks back and forth on her horse when you pull her string.
[NOTE: This doll was released either with (or without) a hair bow
or a cardboard feather head piece. The version with the feather head
piece (pictured above) is harder to find.] (Catalog no. 0431-7)

Above: Toddler Thumbelina with Her Hobby Horse (in variation box)
This is the harder-to-find larger-boxed variation of the aforementioned
doll. In the photo above, I removed the box's lid to reveal how the
doll and horse are stored inside (Catalog no. 0431-7).

Above: Toddler Thumbelina With Her Walker
Pull her string and watch her toddle away in her walker (Catalog no. 0430-9).

Above: Toddler Thumbelina with Her Walker (in variation box)
This is the harder-to-find larger boxed set.

Above: Jingle Thumbelina
Attach a silver bell to each boot and hear them jingle while
she "moves and walks with you" (Catalog no. 0445-7).

Above: "Shoebox" Toddlers
Each Toddler Thumbelina doll was also released individually in a plain
white cardboard box with a lid that resembles a shoebox. Presumably,
these were catalog "mail-order" dolls. Note how each doll is packaged
in green tissue paper and without her respective accessory.
Also note the differences between the two "Indian Princess" toddlers
pictured on the left. The doll (pictured far left) came with the rare
cardboard feather head piece, and the doll (pictured second from left)
wears an orange bow on her head instead. The following manufacturer's
markings are printed in red on the box's top (head) and bottom (foot) panels:

THUMBELINA DOLL
1 PCP.
0400-2

Above: Bye Bye Thumbelina

Pull her string and watch this Toddler blow you a kiss
as she zooms past you in her little beetle buggy.

One of three dolls in the Thumbelina line with a built-in kissing mechanism.
This doll was only available as a Montgomery Ward Department Store
exclusive, and was shipped in the mail-order cardboard box pictured above.
The 1970 and 1971 Montgomery Ward catalogs advertise this doll with a
pink rather than a blue car (see copy of store ad at the bottom of this page).
I have only seen this doll paired with the blue car (which is also
"Car Toddler Thumbelina's" accessory). This leads me to believe that the pink car
was used for promotional purposes and never mass-marketed (Catalog no. 48-10157).

[Note: The notice affixed to the box (see bottom right photo) reveals that
Montgomery Ward took the liberty to subsitute this "Bye Bye Thumbelina" doll
for the "Jingle Toddler w/Accessories" set that the customer ordered but was not in stock.]

Above: Kissin' Thumbelina with Carriage
Another of three kissing Thumbelina dolls released by Ideal Toy
Corporation. This version was marketed in 1970. She has blue
open-shut eyes with rooted eyelashes, wears a two-piece "bunting"
outfit, and came packaged with a blue carriage. When her pull string
is latched to the back of the carriage and recoils completely, this
doll sits up and throws you a kiss (Catalog no. 0408-5).

Above: Kissin' Thumbelina (with painted eyes).
The last of three kissing dolls in the pullstring line.
This doll was released in 1971. She has hand-painted blue eyes,
wears a two-piece "footsie" outfit, and was marketed without a
carriage or accessory (Catalog no. 0456-4).

Above: In a Minute! Thumbelina
When she's hungry she bangs her cup and spoon on her tray!
(Catalog no. 0460-6)

Above: In a Minute! Thumbelina from Canada
This is a Canadian variation that was sold without
her accessories. The box is almost identical to the boxed
"Canadian Newborn Thumbelina (pictured above); however,
the phrases on this box are only in English.

Above: Newborn Thumbelina with Crib
An uncommon catalog "mail-order" set from JC Penney & Co.:
Newborn Thumbelina with cradle & bracelet in
original shipping box. Label on box reads:

0418-4
Negro Newborn Thumbelina with crib
921-6094

Above: Montgomery Ward's Jingle Toddler w/Accessories
This set is a Montgomery Ward Department Store exclusive (see item
pictured in store catalog ad below). Notice the plain mail-order shipping
box and that the accessories belong to two other Toddler Thumbelina dolls?
This mismatched set includes Jingle Toddler Thumbelina; a pair of
Jingle Thumbelina shoe bells; a yellow rocking horse and instruction sheet
for "Toddler Thumbelina with Hobby Horse"; a white and pink walker and
instruction sheet for "Toddler Thumbelina with Walker"; and a note
to "Dear Mother" (Catalog no. 48-101-81).
The original mail-order box is marked:

0448-1
Jingle Thumbelina
w/Walker - Horse
ONE PIECE
48-101-81

Above: Montgomery Ward's Nursery Furniture for Thumbelina
This 3-piece set is a Montgomery Ward Department Store exclusive
(see item pictured in store catalog ad below).
This set includes a crib, a highchair, a dresser, and
instruction sheets on how to assemble each piece.

Above: Toddler Thumbelina Wardrobe
This adorable fashion ensemble was released for Toddler Thumbelina. It
includes baby-related items such as a bib and a bar of Ivory soap.

Above: Newborn Thumbelina's Crib
A hard-to-find accessory. The above item is unique in that
it was sold, without the doll, in a plain cardboard mailer box.
An instruction sheet on how to assemble the crib is included.
The markings on the box read:

0451-5
Thumbelina
Crib
One Piece
49-30989

Above: Newborn Thumbelina Carrying Case
An adorable accessory for Newborn Thumbelina.

Above: Newborn Thumbelina's Name Bracelet
Each Newborn Thumbelina doll was packaged wearing this adorable
ID bracelet that spells her name.

Above: Wardrobe for Newborn Thumbelina
This ensemble consists of a flannel floral-print robe and receiving blanket. The first photo shows two robes (one with bows, the other without). Each piece is tagged "Newborn Thumbelina."

Above: Montgomery Ward Catalog Ad
A page from an early 1970's Montgomery Ward department
store catalog. Advertised for sale are:
"Christening Thumbelina"; "Kissin' Thumbelina with
Carriage"; "Bye Bye Thumbelina";
Jingle Toddler with Rocking Horse and Walker; Jingle
Toddler with Nursery Furniture; and a wardrobe set for
pullstring Thumbelina dolls. Montgomery Ward was licensed
by Ideal Toy Corporation to release variation sets which
they sold exclusively. With the exception of "Kissin'
Thumbelina with Carriage," all items pictured on this catalog
page are Montgomery Ward department store exclusives.

In an effort to keep the information on this page as comprehensive and as accurate as possible, please let me know whether you noticed any errors or whether there are any Newborn or Toddler pullstring Thumbelina dolls and related items that I have not accounted for.

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This Web Site and all photographs are copyrighted and cannot
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Copyright © 1999-2011 Aida T.

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This site is not affiliated with either
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All items pictured above are for reference only, not for sale.
The information presented and opinions expressed on this and subsequent pages are mine, and are based on personal experience and information believed but not warranted to be true. I do not assume and will not be held responsible for any liability whatsoever resulting from the interpretation or use of the content, information, comments, or opinions expressed on this or any linked website.

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