20" COMPOSITION UNEEDA DOLL IN DARLING 40s REPRO OUTFIT! CUTE!!

Description

This charming 20” composition 1940s doll is believed to be Uneeda’s “The Cutest Little Red Headed Doll” named after a popular song in 1947. She is fully jointed with open mouth with teeth showing and a dimple on her chin and sleep eyes that work. Her body has been gently restored, and her original red mohair wig was replaced with new mohair the same color. She is marked *20 on her back, a mark used by companies that did not make their own dolls including Uneeda.
The doll’s delightful, 2-piece, green gingham pinafore is a faithful reproduction  by professional doll costume designer Toni Ferry
of the doll’s original costume
. The acetate socks are correct for the ‘40s and the oil cloth shoes are new but a vintage style almost identical to the doll’s original shoes. The cute doll’s sleep eyes work, her limbs and head move freely and are well strung. The composition face has some light crazing that looks to be beneath the glaze surface, as the glaze itself does not look like it’s cracked or peeling (see third photo). In any case, it's minimal and does not detract from display. I find a few spots on the restored body to note: A pale spot on her right cheek ¼” long (see close up photo) that may rub off. Likewise, a spot on one wrist and a spot on her back where her green check costume stuck to the glaze may also rub off if properly treated. I’ll leave that decision to the new owner. I find one spot where the glaze has chipped, but it is inside joint on the back of the neck and does not show on display (see photo). It could be treated or left alone. I find only one craze mark on the body located inside of the upper arm, but it is not peeling (see photo) and does not show on display. Her legs are in great shape with no noticeable crazing. There's possibly one small craze mark the bottom of one foot, but it's not serious with no peeling.
The wig color is darker in some photos due to camera lighting. It's actual color is what appears in the first photo of the doll standing.
Also, h
er wig has gone flat from storage in the back, and the bangs are drooping on one side but not a difficult fix. This is a vintage doll that will display great as-is, but with just a few spots restored, she'll be a spectacular addition to your collection and one not seen too often
Here is the fascinating history of the doll's creation: She was named "The Cutest Little Red Headed Doll”
by Uneeda
based on the popular tune written by Jack Wolf and Carl Sigman and sung by Bob Houston, "The Cutest Little Red Headed Doll.” She was sold by Uneeda in two sizes that I know of, 20” and 17” in this same green gingham frock, and with a pretty face, bright eyes and a dimpled chin. She is a wonderful example of composition dolls in the ‘40s era and of the the doll world’s fascination with popular songs of the era. Please ask questions and look at my photos that are part of the description.
Thanks for taking a look!