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RARE ANTIQUE 23" walking doll PERFECT COND - $195 (NW 39th Ave Gainesville near SFC G'ville, FL)
NW 39th Ave near NW 69th St
condition:
like new
make / manufacturer:
American Character Doll Co.???
model name / number:
Sweet Sue Series?
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This rare 23” tall doll may be unique and ONE-OF-A-KIND! Google ID can’t find it, Doll ID books don’t show or describe it. I ‘believe’ it is an “American Character” (Later to become “Ideal Toys”) doll from the 1952-1954 Sweet Sue Walking Doll series. On the back of the neck are the markings 4577 K9. No other identification is present.
The doll is what I consider to be in near “PERFECT” condition, especially for a 74-year-old Doll. It has always been in our family in air-conditioned smoke-free homes. This doll doesn’t have ANY cracks or marring and is wearing the complete set of clothes she was wearing when purchased to include the dress, an undergarment slip, panties, booties and a ribbon in her hair (none of which have ever been washed or cleaned – they are in original condition with no fabric tears. Her realistic, rooted Saran hair can be washed, combed and curled. Her eyes are a brilliant blue and her eyelids open and close when she is moved from lying down to standing. Her arms and head all move independently for posing her as you prefer. Her legs have some sort of internal linking mechanism that moves one leg in the opposite direction of the one you move – as in walking. There is also some sort of ‘ratchet’ assembly in the leg joints: you can move both legs forward to a sitting pose as in one of my pictures – a feature NOT described as part of the Sweet Sue Walking Doll series. The only imperfection I can find are two small purple marks on the top of her right hand - they look like a bruise. I'm afraid to try to clean them to see if they come off - for fear of damaging the otherwise perfect doll. All that said, here is a generic description of the doll family I believe her to be part-of:
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The 23-inch Sweet Sue walker doll is a vintage hard plastic doll manufactured by the American Character Doll Company during the 1950s. These dolls are highly collectible, often featuring realistic hair, moving sleep eyes, and a walking mechanism where moving their legs causes their head to turn. They were frequently sold in elaborate outfits or as bride dolls.
Key Features and Details:
Manufacturer: Primarily produced by the American Character Doll Company.
• Era: Popular during the 1950s. This series was probably made 1952-1954.
• Features: Hard plastic construction, walking mechanism, movable arms and head, moving-sleeping eyes, and rooted Saran hair that can be washed, combed and curled. (Note: This model has a turning, posable head not linked to leg movement.)
• Size: 23 inches to 24 inches.
• Collector Value: Condition, original clothing, and working mechanisms (like the walker) significantly impact value.