Ideal Toni Dolls

My first stab at organizing and inventorying this collection was finding a few that had marks at the base of their heads and mid-backs.  Most of the following dolls are marked P-90 IDEAL DOLL MADE IN U.S.A. on the head and IDEAL DOLL P-90 on the back unless described differently.

Ideal was in business from 1906 through the 1980s based in Brooklyn, New York.  Dolls were made of composition in the early years and later were made of rubber, hard plastic, vinyl and cloth.  They were affordable and of good quality and widely known by children in their time. 

According to Vintage Doll Collector.com, Toni was one of the best selling dolls of the 1940s and 1950s; and it was an advertising tie-in with Gillette home permanent company.  The Toni doll had a nylon wig that could be styled and set with the Play Wave kit that included a sugar water solution, shampoo, curlers, end papers and a comb. 

These are my best guesses at what the dolls are made of; I'm sure as time goes on, I will need to revise as I learn more.

This Toni P-90 (14") is made of hard plastic, has a blond nylon wig, blue sleep eyes, a Genuine Toni Doll tagged blue and white dress and blue and white crocheted or knit cap, underwear, socks and black shoes marked Ideal Toy Corp, Made in U.S.A. 

This ca. 1954-1956 Toni walker P-90 W (14") is made of hard plastic, has a strawberry blond nylon wig, green eyes, a blue dress with white sheer overlay with red polka dots and blue ribbon and rick-rack and lace accents.  There are fabric flowers tucked into the ribbon.  She also has underwear, white socks and shoes.  The marking on the base of the head is P-90 W IDEAL DOLL.  On the back, the mark is IDEAL DOLL 90 W.

 

Toni walkers have a pin through the hips and a mechanism that makes one lego forward and other back and the head turns from side to side as the legs move.

This Toni P-90 (14") doll is made of hard plastic, has a blond nylon wig, blue sleep eyes with a blue and white checked dress and white dress overlay and cream shoes with ribbon ties.

This Toni P-90 (14") doll is made of hard plastic, has a strawberry blond nylon wig, blue sleep eyes with a sheer blue long dress with a blue and white striped wrap over the top portion with a butterfly and ribbon ties.  She has underwear, a long white slip, sheer blue socks and white paper? shoes.  She has pink flower barrettes with blue stones in them.

This 13" unmarked doll that had a note attached that said "1940's - Unmarked - All Composition - Toni."  The wig is strawberry blond possibly human hair with blue sleep eyes.  She wears a blue and white dress with lace and purple accents with purple flowers, underwear, white socks and black velvet shoes.

 

This Toni P-90 (14") doll is made of hard plastic, has a black nylon shorter style hair wig and green sleep eyes.  She wears a long white dress with dots studding it with matching long slip and underwear.  There are lace and yellow ribbon accents and a yellow flower decoration on the dress.  She has white socks and black shoes marked IDEAL TOY CORP 14.  She has a light blue bow in her hair and hair net.

This Toni P-90 (14") doll is made of hard plastic, has a blond nylon wig and blue sleep eyes.  She wears a beautiful wedding dress with lace flower bouquet on her right arm.  Matching veil, long slip, and lace long pants and underwear.  Wears knee high nylons and matching shoes with lace ties.

This Ideal P-19 (19") doll is made of hard plastic? Head not attached to body.  The wig is blond with nicely set hair and has blue sleep eyes.  The markings are partially obscured by the glue of the wig.  On the back of the head it says P __, IDEAL ____, MADE IN U.S.A.  The mark on the back is IDEAL DOLL P-19.  She wears a blue, green and red plaid dress with a green felt coat with matching hat with fur embellishment.  Has a fur muff accessory.  Also wears underwear, white socks and black shoes marked FAIRYLAND TOY PROD., NO. 3, MADE IN USA.