Bébé Bain's Discoveries Part 1 of 4

In September 2016, I was asked to write an article on black bathing babies.  The article incorporated information on both black and white dolls designed for water play using Corolle's Bébé Bain Graceful to explore past and present dolls of this type.  The abridged and otherwise edited article was published in the 2017 UFDC Convention Souvenir Journal, Une Journée de la Poupée.   Because of the extensive research involved on my part and my desire for the entire article to be published and read, the unabridged version, with a modified title and full credit to all who graciously submitted photos and information is published here in four parts.  Photo credits and references are included at the end of part four.

Bébé Bain Graceful Discovers Other Bathing Babies

by Debbie Behan Garrett

Bébé Bain Graceful by Corolle is eager to learn about other bathing babies.

Upon her arrival to become part of her adult’s extensive, vintage-to-modern black-doll collection, Bébé Bain Graceful (also known as, Bath Baby Graceful, shortened to Bébé by her adult), wanted to know how many other dolls designed for bathing preceded her to the collection.  Her adult regretfully informed her there were very few others like her in her new home but offered to provide information about other bathing dolls, past and present.  With the use of Internet searches, doll reference books, merchants’ catalogs, and vintage advertisements, Bébé’s knowledge about other bathing dolls was enriched.

How Bébé can be hung to dry after her bath is illustrated in this image.  The writing reads, Specifically designed for bathtime fun!  Its soft body is so light it floats in the tub and cries when bathtime is over.

Bebé, by Corolle of France, was designed for children 18 months and older as a 12-inch vinyl doll with cloth body.  Before she took her trip down bathing-doll memory lane, Bébé shared information about herself, “I was born in 2015.  My rubber duck and I are ideal for bath time play.  I can float and my sewn-in hanging tab allows me to dry quickly after each bath.  I am a favorite playtime mate out of the tub, too.”  (This description and the notation that Bébé was manufactured for and imported into the US by Mattel are actually from the doll’s box.) 

Before their research began, Bébé’s adult explained to her that little girls have always loved caring for their dolls and imagining how much their dolls love bathing.  The little learner’s excitement intensified.  She was happy to know how much children, many of whom have witnessed younger siblings being fed, dressed, diapered, and bathed, enjoy performing these tasks with their dolls. 

The little doll student’s introduction to bathing dolls began with dolls from the 1920s to contemporary dolls manufactured specifically for bathing and others made of water-safe mediums.  She learned that many of the earliest “bathing” dolls, or dolls that were described as washable, were made of mediums that today are known for their inability to withstand moisture, such as composition and bisque.  Bébé was delighted to learn that rubber and vinyl dolls were better suited for water immersion in bathinettes and tubs with their included accessories of soaps, sponges, washcloths, and bath toys. 

Manufacturers of bath soaps such as Ivory, Johnson’s, Lifebuoy, Palmolive, and Pearl, along with makers of other skin care products, for example, Kleenex and Q-tips, often teamed up with doll manufacturers to produce mini versions of their products to include with bathing dolls.   In addition to bathing dolls, Bébé learned about bath toys and accessories that promoted good grooming habits in children.  With her excitement escalated further, she prepared herself for a wealth of learning. 

The next three paragraphs outline additional facts Bébé’s adult explained to her, which should be noted by readers of this article as well. 

White dolls of any kind have always been more plentiful than dolls that represent other ethnic groups. It was not until the 1970s that doll companies became more inclusive in their product lines.  Exclusion created a scarcity of black dolls of all types including bathing dolls. When a black version was available, this article notes it.  No mention of a doll’s ethnicity in the absence of an associated photograph indicates the doll was white.

With a couple of exceptions, the chronological order of manufacture is followed.  When a doll’s years of production lapse over the next featured doll’s market introduction, and when bathing dolls by Horsman are explored, the chronology is interrupted.

1920s

 In 1923, Dolly and Outfit of 23 Pieces provided imaginative doll play.

Many dolls were available by mail order through catalogs from Sears, Roebuck and Company (SR&C); J. C. Penney, and Montgomery Ward among others.  Some dolls were store exclusives.  In many cases, these merchants omitted the names of the dolls’ actual manufacturers and frequently replaced the dolls’ original names with similar names or adjectives to describe the dolls.  This was done in the SR&C catalog for 1923 with a doll described as Dolly and Outfit of 23 Pieces, a repeat from their 1922 catalog where the doll was described as 23 Pieces in Her Outfit. This 7-inch composition doll with bisque head came with everything for imaginative doll play along with a cardboard box for storage.  Pretend bathing could be done with the towel and imitation soap that were included in its 23 pieces.  This doll was reoffered in the company’s 1924 and 1925 catalogs. 

After making note of the doll from 1923, Bébé’s introduction to other bathing dolls continued with dolls from the 1930s through 1940s and there were several.

1931

Ideal’s new Tickle-Toes of 1931 was more loveable than prior versions.

“The wonder baby that looks and feels so real,” the “new Tickle-Toes” was described in the 1931 SR&C Catalog as being “more lovable than before!”  Made by Ideal, which was not mentioned in the catalog, her soft rubber arms and legs added to her realism.   While her body was made of cloth, the catalog illustrates the child’s ability to wash Tickle-Toes’ head, arms, and legs.  Available in five sizes:  14-1/2, 16-1/2, 19-1/2, 21-1/2, and 23-1/2 inches, Tickle-Toes dolls were priced from $3.95 up to $6.95.  Tickle-Toes was also available in 1929 and 1930 and reappeared in this merchant’s 1932 catalog, again available in five different sizes.  In the 1934 catalog, the only available sizes were 15-1/2, 18, and 20 inches. 

 Babs, Sue, Jane, and Nan had washable bodies.

In 1931, Horsman’s Latest Big Doll Success (although made of composition) included four dolls: 12-inch Babs, 14-inch Sue, 17-inch Jane, and 20-inch Nan.  Described in the SR&C catalog of 1931 as having washable bodies, which was written on their gift boxes, the dolls could sit alone, hold many poses, tilt and turn their heads, and move their arms and legs.  Babs’ and Sue’s catalog descriptions do not mention bathing, but Jane’s description indicates her “body can be washed.”  “Nan can be bathed,” is part of the largest doll’s description.  How well their composition held up after their little mommies washed and bathed them is unknown, but their popularity continued through 1932 when they reappeared in the catalog for that year. 

Baby Darling (1931), Just Loads of Fun doll, and a soft unbreakable doll (1932) were available through Sears, Roebuck & Company by mail order.

Baby Darling, a nude 8-inch rubber doll with a one-piece body, was advertised for fifty-nine cents in the 1931 SR&C Catalog without accessories.  The description (“Made of flesh colored rubber.  As soft to touch as a baby’s arm—unbreakable and light.  Will stand, wash and float…”) is a testament to the doll’s ability to be bathed by a child and/or its usefulness as a bath toy. 

1932

In 1932, offered by SR&C by mail order, described as “Just Loads of Fun,” an 11-1/2-inch composition baby doll priced at one dollar, was presented in an oval-shaped cardboard box with cover and handle.  Accessories included everything a child needed to dress, feed, and bathe the doll:   “pillow, blanket, lace-trimmed dress, bonnet, rubber pants, stomacher, sponge, soap, and nursery bottle.” 

Under the description, “Soft Unbreakable Dolls,” a 10-inch baby doll with all rubber body made of “newly developed sanitary ‘Health-Gard’ rubber” was advertised in the 1932 SR&C Catalog.  Its rubber construct gave it the ability to be “ducked in tub without injury.”  Parents had few worries about water damaging these dolls as their children derived many hours of delightful play bathing them.

Honeysuckle, Ducky, Dusky, and Dolly and Her Bath were perfect 1930s bathing babies.

Ideal’s Honeysuckle with “Truflesh rubber body, arms and legs” was advertised in the 1932 SR&C Catalog. Available in four sizes:  10-1/2-, 12-, 14-, and 16-inches tall, the ad touts, “Children love to wash her soft, smooth and rosy rubber body, arms and legs that feel like a baby’s own.”   Squeezing her legs activated her squeaking sound.  The doll’s composition head probably prevented complete submersion.   Honeysuckle returned in the 1933 SR&C Catalog along with Ideal’s Ducky. 

Available in the same sizes as Honeysuckle, Ducky had rubber body, arms, and legs, and as the 1932 ad illustrates, could be bathed like a baby.  Reappearing in the 1934 catalog, Honeysuckle was advertised with new “rolling eyes” and was all rubber.  Ducky was all rubber by this year, too, available along with “A Colored Baby,” Dusky.  Offered only in the 11-inch size, Dusky’s price was only one dollar.  “Dressed in a diaper, she’s all rubber, head to toe, so you can bathe her as often as you please,” read Dusky’s description.  It is possible that Dusky is one of the first black dolls advertised as a bathing doll that could be fully submerged in water.

Advertised in the 1934 SR&C Catalog on the same page with Honeysuckle, Ducky, and Dusky was a “Dolly and her Bath Outfit!  She brings her own bathinette with her and a sponge, tiny washcloth and soap!  Just fill it with water and put her in; she’s rubber up to her hard-to-break composition head.”  This doll was 10-1/2 inches tall.  Included were a vest, slip, lace-trimmed dress, and bonnet.

Honeysuckle and Ducky remained popular for several years.  A variety of versions appeared in the 1935-1938 SR&C catalogs.  In Collector’s Guide to Ideal Dolls Identification and Value Guide (Collector Books, 1994) Judith Izen describes Honeysuckle Baby, a 12-inch drink and wet doll with hard plastic head, rubber body, arms, and legs, which was made from 1949-1950.  A “Negro” version was also available.   Bathing accessories were not mentioned, but because of Honeysuckle Baby’s rubber body, arms, and legs, little mamas certainly enjoyed bathing this doll, too.  

Continued here.

Bébé Bain's Discoveries Part 2 of 4

Continued from Part 1

A doll with a dressing stand and a 6-inch “Dolly Outfit” doll were available in 1932 and 1933, respectively.

Described as one of the “Extra Good Dolls at Sears…” in the 1932 catalog, was a nameless doll and dressing stand.  The stand folded and had pockets for storing sponge, soap, and washcloth.  This 12-1/2-inch composition doll had “tilting head and painted features.”

1933

“Dolly Outfit” was the 1933 SR&C Catalog’s description of a 6-inch all-rubber doll that cost only thirty-nine cents.  Available by mail order only, accessories of a hot water bottle, real nursing bottle, soap, dish, sponge, washcloth, mat, and rattle were included. 

This unnamed baby from 1933 could be bathed in her bathinette.

For only a dollar, an 11-inch rubber doll with composition head and painted eyes included a bathinette and layette.  “You can Actually Bathe Her in Her Bathinette!” read the caption.  For sixty-seven extra cents, a version with moving eyes could be ordered from the 1933 SR&C Catalog.  A sponge, tiny washcloth, and soap were included.

Dy-Dee Louise is shown in her own bathinette.

Effanbee’s Dy-Dee Baby was one of the most popular bathing dolls with drink-wet feature in the U. S.  Introduced in 1933, the doll’s hard rubber head and rubber body made it perfect for bathing.   The rubber parts were made in Akron, Ohio by the Miller Rubber Company, Inc.  In 1933, Dy-Dee family members included Dy-Dee Wee at only 9 inches, Dy-Dee-Ette at 11 inches, Dy-Dee-Kin at 13 inches, Dy-Dee Baby at 15 inches, and Dy-Dee Lou at 20 inches.   A variety of Dy-Dee dolls remained on the market throughout the 1930s and several decades that followed.  Bathinettes were available and their layettes included extra clothes, soap, washcloths, cotton swabs, and other baby care items.  Dy-Dee Baby Paper Doll Book, 1938, by Queen Holden included the Dy-Dee Baby paper doll, bathinette, and layette. 

 Dy Dee Educational Doll was used as a baby care teaching aid during the 1970s.

From 1971-1976, Effanbee manufactured both white and black versions of Dy Dee Educational Doll, which was used in prenatal education, child care centers, and by the Red Cross.  This 21-inch, water-tight all-vinyl baby with molded hair and lifelike ears with ear canal openings, could drink from a bottle and be spoon fed.  In addition to ear canal openings, a hole with plug in the left buttocks was used in training healthcare personnel in the administration of immunizations and other infant injections.  The ear canal openings aided in simulating ear examinations.  In the hands of little mommies, these dolls could be bathed and cared for like a real baby. 

Among other things, thus far, Bébé learned bathinettes, like Dy-Dee’s were an important part of pretend-mommy role play for little girls.  Dy-Dee’s bathinette with its ability to hold water for bathing the doll and a scale for weighing it afforded children a fun experience of mimicking the bath care their mothers’ provided younger siblings as they cultivated their own nurturing skills. 

1935

 American Character’s Wee-Wee was a 1935 Sears Roebuck & Company Catalog exclusive.

In 1935, “the new ‘Wee-Wee’ rubber baby” by American Character was a 1935 SR&C Catalog exclusive.  For the price of ninety-eight cents, this all-rubber drink and wet baby arrived through mail order wearing only a diaper.  Because the ad read, “water won’t hurt her,” using their own accessories, little girls were able to bathe, towel dry, and re-diaper her as often as they liked.  Wee-Wee was American Character’s answer to Effanbee’s Dy-Dee, which led to a court case between the two companies that Effanbee won.  American Character later renamed their doll Bottletot. 

1937-1938

 Water would not harm a “Big Values” doll or American Character’s Bottletot.

A caption from 1937 SR&C Catalog reads, “Bathe, powder, and dress… water won’t harm them. They are so lifelike, made of washable, pure rubber.”   This described American Character’s Bottletot and a “big values,” forty-nine cent, unnamed 10-1/2-inch rubber baby that could “have a bath,” turn its head, and cry.  Priced higher at ninety-five cents, Bottletot could “wet [her] diapers” and cry for a bottle.  Both dolls’ rubber exteriors were “washable, soft, pink flesh-like.”

In 1938, a Roll-o-Bath was made for Bottletot.

In the 1938 SR&C Catalog, 11-inch Bottletot reappeared, sold alone for ninety-five cents, and Bottletot with Roll-o-Bath was available to order for $2.49.  “She loves her bath so much, we built her own bathinette.”  Described as “wood frame with rubberized cloth tub that could be drained off,” the bathinette had two pockets and a fold-over canvas top.  The layette included lacy dress, bonnet, bootees, stomach band, diaper, bottle, nipple, and safety pins.

 Ideal’s popular 1937 Betsy Wetsy came with a wooden trunk, bathinette, and layette.  

The 1937 Betsy Wetsy, first introduced in 1934, is described in Izen’s first Ideal reference book as composed of hard rubber for the head and soft rubber for the body. This drink-wet baby came with a wooden trunk, bathinette, and layette.  In 1938 Betsy Wetsy was manufactured with layette and suitcase for storing doll and layette.  Layettes included soap and other bathing accessories.  According to Toys and American Culture:  an Encyclopedia by Sharon M. Scott (Greenwood, 2009), “Betsy Wetsy was one of the first dolls produced with both light and dark skin.”   While illustrations from merchants’ catalogs of light-skinned versions are readily available from the 1930s, none are available of dolls with dark skin from that decade or the next.  

Black Betsy Wetsy (1956) appears on page 56 of Black Dolls a Comprehensive Guide to Celebrating, Collecting, and Experiencing the Passion. 

It is unclear when the first dark-skinned Betsy Wetsy was manufactured; however,  Bébé’s adult showed her a photo of a 1956 black Betsy Wetsy on page 56 in the book  Black Dolls a Comprehensive Guide to Celebrating, Collecting, and Experiencing the Passion.  She also viewed online photos of other 1950s black Betsy Wetsy dolls that are currently part of adult collections.

Additional Betsy Wetsy Dolls

Sears offered four sizes of Betsy Wetsy in their 1961 catalog.

The 1961 Sears Wishbook advertised four vinyl Betsy Wetsy dolls in three different sizes, three of which came with bathing accessories of Ivory soap, tissues, washcloths, and powder puffs.  Three versions had rooted Saran hair, blonde or brunette; two sizes had molded hair.  Sizes were 13, 17, and 23 inches.  All three sizes could be ordered with layette and plastic molded tub or with layette only. 
 

A pixie-size Betsy Wetsy came with a bathtub for bathing in 1968.

In 1968, a 9-inch Betsy Wetsy, available through the Sears Wishbook, was described as a “pixie size doll as cute as a button… drinks and wets and cries real tears.”  Made of huggable, soft vinyl, this Betsy Wetsy came with a bathtub for bathing.  Her rooted hair could be washed and combed.  A high chair and playpen were included.   Soap and other bathing accessories were not.  Other sizes with bathing accessories were also available in the 1968 Sears Wishbook.  Betsy Wetsy dolls remained popular through the 1980s, providing over 50 years of bathing doll fun!

1947

 Happi-Time baby dolls by Ideal could drink and wet and take a sponge bath.

Happi-Time baby by Ideal, advertised on the opposite page of dolls by Madame Alexander, was offered in the 1947 Sears catalog in 11-1/2-, 13-, and 15-inch sizes dressed in a diaper with a nursing bottle accessory; or as a 14- 15-, or 16-inch doll dressed in a rayon sun suit of assorted colors, advertised as, “Drinks and wets… can be sponged.”  Also available that year was an 11-1/2-inch Happi-Time doll with personalized, functional folding bath and layette that included everything for baby care.  Various sizes and versions of Happi-Time appeared in Sears Christmas Wishbooks for the years 1950, 1952-1954, and 1961.

1949

 Circa 1949, Amosandra ad from Wards catalog features the doll with a separately-sold layette.

Bébé sat quietly on her adult’s lap as an online article was read to her about Sun Rubber Company’s doll, Amosandra. Excerpts from the article (written by her adult in 2005 for The Black Doll-E-Zine) note that the Sunday, February 20, 1949, radio broadcast of the Amos ‘n’ Andy show sponsored by Rinso White and Lifebuoy soap, announced the birth of Amos and wife, Ruby’s, second daughter, Amosandra.   Of the many commercial items created as a result of this show, a 9-inch rubber doll, licensed by Columbia Broadcasting System, named after the new baby, was manufactured by Sun Rubber Company of Barberton, California.   The doll was designed by Ruth E. Newton, who was well known for her children’s books and illustrations.  Introduced at Toy Fair, Amosandra could be purchased boxed alone or in a gift set that included the doll wearing a white flannel diaper, nursing bottle, soap and soap dish, teething ring, hot water bottle, bell rattle, and birth certificate.  Both versions of the doll were advertised in a circa 1949-1950 Montgomery Ward catalog.

Bébé enjoyed learning about bathing dolls made during the 1920s through 1940s and was eager to know about more contemporary dolls from the 1950s through the present.

Continued here. 

Bébé Bain's Discoveries Part 4 of 4

Continued from Part 3

1967

Available from 1967-1968, Ideal’s Tubsy and her bathtub was a battery-operated doll that could be bathed.  

On the market in 1967-1968, Ideal’s Tubsy came with a bathtub.  The battery-operated doll splashed when placed in water up to her tummy, which certainly caused loads of giggles to erupt from the little bathing mommies.  Before they could giggle at her splashing action, two D batteries had to be placed in the doll’s battery compartment.  Tubsy was available to order through the 1968 Sears Wishbook as Playtime Tubsy.  This time she splashed in her bath or hit at her jingling mobile when she was placed supine underneath it.  Her plastic bathtub converted to a bassinet by adding a plastic top and a cotton skirt.  Accessories included a kimono and diaper.  Two D batteries were also required for the bathtub.

1968

In 1968, Bath Tub Baby had her own tub and layette while Baby Posie had her own nursery carrying case.

The 18-inch all-vinyl Bath Tub Baby in the 1968 Sears Wishbook had her own tub, several-piece layette, soap, hooded bath towel, and sponge.  This baby could be bathed squeaky clean and her rooted blonde hair shampooed.

Baby Posie (seen in the above image) with nursery carrying case was a Sears exclusive through the 1968 Wishbook.  This 9-inch doll with rooted hair had a completely posable and washable soft vinyl body.  Dressed in flower shift and matching panties, her portable nursery included a plastic playpen, bathtub, and shower cap.

1970s

 Rub-A-Dub Dolly and her tugboat shower provided loads of bathing-doll fun from 1974-1978. 

Described as being completely watertight with the ability to float, Rub-A-Dub Dolly came in a tugboat shower (1974-1978) as an all-vinyl doll with jointed arms and legs.  Available in white and black versions, she certainly must have been a fun bathing doll.  In 1979, the tugboat shower was sold separately.  Both versions (without the tugboat) are featured in a 1974 Montgomery Ward catalog along with separately-sold diaper bag and toilety sets for complete pretend baby care.

 A different Bath Tub Baby offered by Sears in 1976 was perfect for bathing and pampering.

Advertised in a 1976 Sears catalog, a 17-inch doll described as Bath Tub Baby, which differs from the doll of the same name in the 1968 catalog, was perfect for bathing and pampering.   Dressed in a white terry cloth towel, accessories included a yellow plastic bathtub with layette of robe, dress, sunsuit, booties, diaper, soap, sponge, and powder puff.

A Woolworth-exclusive doll made by Uneeda, circa 1970s, Little Sweetums, was the perfect size for the youngest little mamas to bathe.

Little Sweetums and Her Layette was a Woolworth-exclusive doll, circa 1970s.  Presented in a pink blanket, this approximately 7-inch all-vinyl doll’s layette included two yellow heart-shaped sponges and a yellow washcloth, marking her suitable for bathing.

MORE BATHING DOLLS BY HORSMAN DOLLS 1950s-1980s

From the 1950s well into the 1980s, the Horsman Doll Company manufactured several vinyl dolls in a variety of sizes designed for bathing and many that were suitable for bathing.  Several of these are featured in Horsman Dolls 1950 through 1970 by Patikii Gibbs as well as in Sears and other merchants’ catalogs.  

In 1955, Perma Nurser Bottle Baby, available in three different sizes, 13, 15 and 21 inches, came with unbreakable Perma Bottle with a nipple, large baby blanket, and/or washcloth, soap, safety pins, and sponge.  Horsman also offered Perma Nurser Bottle Baby with layette in 1955 with bathing accessories of washcloth and soap. 

In 1956, the 15-inch Pram Baby was ready for bathing and later storing in a snap-lock suitcase with a handle.  Soap, sponge, safety pins, clothes pins, wire hangers, diapers, and changes of clothing were included.

Cry Baby, available in 13- and 15-inch sizes, featured in Horsman’s 1957-1958 catalogs, came with wardrobe, nursing bottle with nipple, pacifier, clothespins, soap, sponge, safety pins, and washcloth.     

Also in 1957-1958, Pajama Baby with wardrobe, a 13-inch doll, included soap, sponge, washcloth, three clothespins, three safety pins, three wire hangers, and a snap-lock suitcase with handle available in two different sizes.  That same year, Baby-Bath Ruthie with a nursing bottle, polyethylene tub, washcloth, soap, sponge, three clothespins, and three safety pins, was ready for a nice warm bath.

Bébé enjoyed “leafing” through the pages of a Horsman doll reference book where she discovered several Softee bathing dolls and other bath-suitable dolls by Horsman.

In 1959, Ivory soap was included with Softee with wardrobe, Softee Baby with wardrobe, Softee Baby with layette, Softee Baby with molded hair, and Softee Tears.  Softee Baby was offered with molded hair or rooted hair.  A snap-lock suitcase was included with Softee with wardrobe, Softee Baby with rooted hair, and Softee Tears.  For this year, as Bébé and her adult noted, a black Softee Baby as a dressed doll with a bottle without bathing accessories was available.

From the 1961 catalog, Horsman’s Tynie Baby with layette included Ivory soap and washcloths.  Baby Buttercup, a doll available in black or white in 12-, 15-, 18- and 22-inch sizes had accessories that included three powder puffs with bowl and sponge for bathing. 

Drinkee Baby, available in black or white, was among the company’s 1967 bathing doll-offerings.  A rubber ducky, sponge, brush, and mirror attached to a gold heart-shaped card along with extra clothes and a bottle provided little ones with a baby to care for and keep clean.  Both versions had rooted hair. 

Lil Softee with wardrobe as a white doll with layette and sponge for bathing, and in black, as a dressed doll only, were offered in 1968.  Also in 1968, little caregivers could provide Teensie Baby and Mini Thirstee Baby with a full bath with the sponge these dolls’ accessories included.   In this same year, Mini Thirstee Baby, available in black or white, came with layette, nursing bottle, blanket, sponge, comb, and brush.  In 1968, Thirstee Baby, Mini Thirstee Baby and Mini Thirstee Strutter with layette were drink-wet babies available in black or white with layettes that included sponges for bathing and other baby-care accessories. 

The 6-inch Mini Thirstee Baby with and without layette and Mini Thirstee Strutter were reissued in 1969 and 1970 without an indication that black versions were available. 

In 1970, a 9-inch Teensie Baby was available as a black or white dressed doll with accessories of rattle, sponge for bathing, and nursing bottle for the doll’s drink-wet feature. 

Tub ‘n Shower Baby was an ultimate bath baby in 1975 and 1976.

The 12-inch doll with tub and shower advertised in a 1975 and 1976 Sears catalog as Tub ‘n Shower Baby appears to be a Horsman Softee.  Accessories, according to the catalog, included “pink plastic tub and shower, spray nozzle, water pump, soap, sponge, and bottle.”

Baby Softskin with layette was offered in a 1979 Montgomery Ward catalog.

Advertised by Montgomery Ward in 1979, Baby Sofskin with layette appears to be a Horsman doll.  Layette for this 14-inch dimpled-knee doll included “pajamas, jacket, diaper, nursery tray, soap, bib, washcloth, sponge, and bottle.”

1990s

La Newborn Moments by Berenguer (1998), a 17-inch baby with For-Keeps Shampoo and For-Keeps Baby Powder was ready for bathing.

Berenguer’s La Newborn is another life-size baby from 1998 that little ones could bathe.

Before her exploration of bathing dolls concluded, Bébé learned about two additional contemporary dolls.  During the late 1990s through early 2000s, doll manufacturers such as Berenguer produced anatomically correct dolls.  These dolls, with lifelike facial features and soft vinyl exteriors, were advertised by the manufacturer as water resistant.  La Newborn Moments is a 17-inch baby by Berenguer/J. C. Toys Group, Inc. from 1998.  The doll’s box illustrates a real baby being bathed.   La Newborn, another 17-inch all-vinyl baby from 1998 by the same company, was another lifelike doll ready for bathing.  Both dolls included bottles labeled For-Keeps Shampoo and For-Keeps Baby powder.  Manufactured to encourage little ones to actually bathe or pretend to bathe, powder, and shampoo the dolls’ molded hair, these dolls and others like them were also used by reborn doll artists to refashion into more lifelike dolls for adult collectors.  The addition of facial screening, blushing, rooted hair, manicures and pedicures, weighted bodies, and other enhancements provided the desired realism. 

DOLL BATHING ACCESSORIES, BATH TOYS, AND ITEMS PAST AND PRESENT

 A doll layette for 10-1/2 to 20-inch dolls could be ordered through a 1932 Sears catalog.

In the 1932 SR&C Catalog, for baby dolls 10-1/2 to 20-inches, a doll layette only cost forty-nine cents and included “a dainty lace-trimmed dress, underwear, diaper, shirt, washcloth, soap, and sponge.”

Girls could pamper themselves with Miss Merry’s Beauty Bath Make Believe Cosmetics, circa 1960s.

 Dolly’s Guest Closet, 1960s, encouraged a child’s personal hygiene.  

Miss Merry’s Beauty Bath Make Believe Cosmetics, especially developed and tested for young children, circa 1960 by Merry Manufacturing Company, included shampoo, soap, bubble bath, cologne, sponge, play bath powder, and a powder muff.  Dolly’s Guest Closet (same manufacturer, circa 1960s, encouraged a child’s personal hygiene.  This set included a hot water bottle, pillow, brush, cup (to rinse mouth after brushing teeth) and a mini plastic Samsonite suitcase.  Other sets by this manufacturer included Miss Merry’s Powder ‘N Perfume and Mister Merry’s Slick Shave.

In 1961, Sears offered a battery-operated spray bath for bathing dolls and shampooing their hair.

The 1961 Sears Wishbook advertised a battery-operated spray bath that could be used to bathe dolls and shampoo their hair.  It had a battery-driven motor.  Its water recirculation feature eliminated the need for a faucet attachment.  Three D batteries were required to operate. 

 Bathing doll accessories through catalogs of Wards (1973) and J. C. Penney (1974), respectively, included a folding doll bath and baby care set.

A folding doll bath and a baby care set were advertised in a 1973 Montgomery Ward and a 1974 J. C. Penney catalog, respectively.  The folding doll bath, which could be used for bathing dolls or as a nursing table, could hold water and had a storage pocket for sponge, soap, and washcloth.  The bathing accessories in the baby care set included a doll-size bar of Ivory soap, bath toy, talc, brush, and washcloths.

The traditional rubber duck inspired these individually-sold rubber ducks dressed as professionals and the 10-piece set of colorful floating bath toys.

Found on the website, Aliexpress, a choice of individually-sold rubber ducks with painted-on clothes, representing a variety of professions, adds a new twist to this old-time favorite bath toy.  Choices include police officer, fireman, doctor, cowboy, sheriff, among others.  Children can aspire to become any one of these professions as they bathe.  Also found on Aliexpress, a 10-piece set of colorful floating bath toys is a modern staple for children’s bathing fun.  Made of PVC, these are molded after different aquatic creatures.

Today’s girls can enjoy giving their American Girl dolls a pretend bath with the American Girl Bubble Bathtub.

Owners of American Girl’s popular 18-inch dolls can enjoy pretend bathing and allowing the dolls to unwind in the Bubble Bathtub for Dolls.  The website description indicates the set includes a “claw-foot bathtub with turning faucet knobs and an adjustable showerhead, pink plastic bubbles to fill the tub, pretend soap that fits in the soap dish, a bottle of faux shampoo to ‘wash’ [the doll’s] hair, a terry bath mat for the bathroom floor, and an embroidered washcloth and hand towel” for ‘drying’ off.

Bébé experienced great pleasure throughout her discovery of other bathing dolls and bath toys.  She remains thrilled to be among past and present dolls fashioned as a fun way to develop a child’s ability to care for and nurture others.  She better understands her role in developing and promoting a young child’s personal, social and emotional development through teaching both boys and girls the importance of hygienic habits and dressing practices for themselves and others.  Her only wishes are that more dolls like her were available today and that more children were interested in playing with them.  Bébé’s adult made one final note:  When a child learns to care for and tend to the needs of others, such mannerisms follow them into adulthood, resulting in lifelong empathy and acceptance of others. 

Photo Credits:

• Aliexpress seller, Jackson Yuan (modern floating bath toys)
• American Girl Customer Service and Susan Jevens, Associate Manager, Public Relations American Girl (American Girl Doll and bathtub)
• Doll enthusiast, Dawn Spears (Woolworth-exclusive Little Sweetums and Her Layette by Uneeda)
• eBay seller, Ddranerustysworkshop (J. C. Penny, Sears, and Ward catalog ads)
• eBay seller,  Gdawg (Sears ad for Bathtub Baby and Horsman Tub 'n Shower Dolly ad)
• Etsy.com seller, Missy Scordino of Vintage Nona (Miss Merry's children's bath and hygiene accessories)
• Mattel Customer Service and Corolle Dolls (graciously supplied Bébé Bain Graceful's stock images and the actual doll).
• RubyLane.com shop owner, Kate Eaton of Dollyology Vintage Dolls & Antiques/Collectibles (Dy-Dee Louise and black versions of American Character Tiny Tears)

Book and Website References:

Adams, Margaret (edited by).  Collectible Dolls and Accessories of the Twenties and Thirties from
     Sears, Roebuck and Co. Catalogs.  (New York:  Dover Publications, Inc., 1986).

Axe, John.  Effanbee a Collector's Encyclopedia 1949-Present.  (Cumberland, MD:  Hobby House
     Press, Inc. 1983)

Gibbs, Patikii.  Horsman Dolls 1950 through 1970.  (Paducah, Kentucky:  Collector Books, 1985).

Holland, Thomas W. (edited by).  Doll and Teddy Bear Catalog Pages from the Legendary Sears
     Christmas Wishbooks of the 1950’s and 1960’s.  (Sherman Oaks, California:  Windmill Press,
     1997).

Izen, Judith.  Collectors Guide to Ideal Dolls Identification & Value Guide.  (Paducah, Kentucky:
      Collector Books, 1994).

Ranson, Anna.  “Baby Doll Washing and Caring Activity.” The Imagination Tree, June 15, 2015.

     [http://theimaginationtree.com/2015/06/baby-doll-washing-and-caring-toddler-activity.html]

Scott, Sharon M.  Toys and American Culture:  an Encyclopedia. (Santa Barbara, California:
     Greenwood, 2010).

Smith, Patricia R.  Effanbee Dolls That Touch Your Heart.  (Paducah, Kentucky:  Collector Books,
     1983.)