Doll News Summer 2015 - (Page 138)
Who Dressed
Betsy McCall?
by AnneLise Wilhelmsen
A
s a child I knew one thing for certain. Betsy
McCall's life was way cooler than mine. I had
never met anyone famous, done important work
for international charities, or visited distant lands. And I
In the spirit of Helen Lee,
Betsy's dress features a
sophisticated color palette
and built in petticoat with
rick-rack trim.
138
SUMMER 2015
to think a life like hers was possible, even for an ordinary
girl. Most of all, Betsy McCall was fun! Every month I
looked forward to finding out what pretty new clothes she
had gotten, and what adventures she had worn them for.
That's what Betsy was to me.
What Betsy was to McCall's was a marketing bonanza.
They had almost always had paper doll pages. But nothing
had ever been more popular than Betsy. Her first set of
dresses was created by the firm Cinderella, who advertised
in newspapers across the country that their frocks could
be seen on Betsy (Figure 1). It was the beginning of an
incredibly lucrative promotional scheme. By the summer
of 1952 Betsy McCall had visited over 4 million homes,
wearing the clothing of a different manufacturer each
month. The results were staggering. After less than a year
and a half it was estimated that she had been personally
responsible for $1.5 million in children's wear sales.
That's more than $13 million in today's dollars, a pretty
impressive feat for a six year old.
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Doll News Summer 2015
From the Editor
UFDC Offi cers and Regional Directors
President’s Message
Conference Calendar
A Warm Welcome to Our Newest Members / Getting to Know You – The UFDC Club President’s Survey
Fundraising Committee Report
The Marvelous Magical Betsy McCall
Betsy Original Paper Doll
The Story behind UFDC’s Emblem – Miss Unity
Steiff ’s Timeless and Beloved “Teddy Baby” Bears
Native Alaskan Dolls
Russian Stockinette Dolls
The Mark Farmer Company Story
Dress Up Fun with Betsy McCall, a Game
Tammy – The Doll You Love To Dress
The Care of An American Icon
A Study in Aesthetics: Considering the Uncanny Doll
Maternal Love – The Dolls of Anne Myatt
Patti Playpal – A Big Doll for a Little Girl
Who Dressed Betsy McCall
Heavens to Betsy!
UFDC Region 14 Conference – Golden Memories
Club Notes
Reviewing Resources
In Our Memories
Donations
UFDC Nominating Process – 2016 Election Information for Regional Directors
MAL Form
News & Notes
Doll News Summer 2015
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/doln/70-04
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/doln/70-03
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/doln/70-02
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/doln/70-01
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/doln/69-04
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/doln/69-03
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/doln/69-02
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/doln/69-01
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/doln/68-04
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/doln/68-03
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/doln/68-02
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/doln/68-01
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/doln/67-4
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/doln/67-3
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/doln/67-2
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/doln/67-1
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/doln/66-4
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/doln/66-3
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/doln/66-2
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/doln/66-1
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/doln/65-4
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/doln/65-3
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/doln/65-2
http://www.brightcopy.net/allen/doln/65-1
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/doln/64-4
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/doln/64-3
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/doln/64-2
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/doln/64-1
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/doln/63-4
https://www.nxtbook.com/allen/doln/63-3
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com