Nancy Ann Storybook Dolls, Inc.

The history of Nancy Ann Dolls began in 1936 when Nancy Ann Abbott started her doll-making venture. She is said to have started her company with $125, working from her apartment 16-18 hours per day. In 1937, she took a partner named Allan "Les" Rowland to handle the promotion and financial matters. Nancy Ann Dressed Dolls was incorporated on February 23, 1937 in San Francisco, California. By 1942, the company claimed a million dollar gross yearly income, and, in the 1950s, top production of dolls reached 12,000 per day. In late 1945, the company's name was changed to Nancy Ann Storybook Dolls Inc..

One of Nancy Ann's main line of dolls was "storybook dolls" which were named after nursery rhymes and jingles. The dolls were marketed to little girls, but, it is obvious that they had appeal to the mothers as well! The bisque Storybook dolls were produced from 1936 to 1948. By 1943, Nancy Ann had created 125 different characters, but the number was reduced to 77 when certain costume materials became unavailable or too costly. Nancy Ann changed her characters' outfits from year to year, and often used different materials so that identifying a Storybook doll that does not have her original wrist tag and labeled box with her name can be a challenge. Also, many times dolls are found in the incorrect boxes.

Subject ID: 12650

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The history of Nancy Ann Dolls began in 1936 when Nancy Ann Abbott started her doll-making venture. She is said to have started her company with $125, working from her apartment 16-18 hours per day. In 1937, she took a partner named Allan "Les" Rowland to handle the promotion and financial matters. Nancy Ann Dressed Dolls was incorporated on February 23, 1937 in San Francisco, California. By 1942, the company claimed a million dollar gross yearly income, and, in the 1950s, top production of dolls reached 12,000 per day. In late 1945, the company's name was changed to Nancy Ann Storybook Dolls Inc..

One of Nancy Ann's main line of dolls was "storybook dolls" which were named after nursery rhymes and jingles. The dolls were marketed to little girls, but, it is obvious that they had appeal to the mothers as well! The bisque Storybook dolls were produced from 1936 to 1948. By 1943, Nancy Ann had created 125 different characters, but the number was reduced to 77 when certain costume materials became unavailable or too costly. Nancy Ann changed her characters' outfits from year to year, and often used different materials so that identifying a Storybook doll that does not have her original wrist tag and labeled box with her name can be a challenge. Also, many times dolls are found in the incorrect boxes.

Subject ID: 12650

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