Dolls, Nancy Ann Storybook, Christening Baby #70, in Original Box, Commencement Series, Vintage

• Vintage Doll, Nancy Ann Storybook Christening #70 in Original Box, Painted Eyes, Clay Doll, Original Wrist Tag, Never Used, Complete Unit Collectible Dolls, (Discontinued)
• Made in USA
• Vintage:  1936 - 1942
• Details:  An absolutely wonderful vintage doll!  From the Nancy Ann Storybook collection, part of the Commencement Series, this is the Christening baby doll #70.  It retains the original wrist gold foil sticker which helped us date it, (has torn off the hand, but included in box).  For further identification please consider the following:  The gown is held in place with a safety pin, also the muslin diaper is held in place with a safety pin.  Doll is clay with painted eyes, and painted white boots, Jointed legs at hip (Dolls with hip joints were made until 1942).  It's in the original box, white with blue polka dots, marked "Nancy Ann Storybook Dolls".  Crib in picture is a prop, NOT included.  Never been played with, from a doll collector's estate sale.   
• Material:  Clay, Fabric, Cardboard (box)
• Dimensions: Approx 5.5 inches Long (measured from top of head to bottom of gown).  Doll only is approx. 3.5 inches Long.  Box: 6" x 4.25" x 2"
• Condition:  Vintage - Pre-Owned, Never Used.  Very Good Vintage Condition.  The only issues noted are all due to long term storage: Fabric has yellowed, wrinkled in back.  Retains original wrist tag but it's broken off, included, and original box.  The box is in average condition, some yellowing, signs of wear and a couple of tears on one side.  Crib in picture is a prop, NOT included.  Please review all pictures and make sure you love this item before purchasing, we cannot accept returns.  Please remember these are VINTAGE and ANTIQUE items, they are NOT new, every effort has been made to show any scratches, wear and tear and imperfections.

Nancy Ann Abbott founded her company in 1936 from her San Francisco apartment. In 1937 she was joined in partnership by Allan "Les" Rowland.  That same year the company was incorporated as "Nancy Ann Dressed Dolls".  Initially buying bisque dolls from Japan and hand painting them, by 1939 the company was making their own dolls from clay imported from England.  The dolls with hip joints were made until 1942, then stiff-legged dolls were the norm.  The company name was changed to Nancy Ann Storybook Dolls, Inc. in 1945.  Unfortunately Nancy was having health problems in the early 1960's and died in 1964.  As Rowland's health also began declining they tried selling the company without success, and filed for bankruptcy in 1965.  That's pretty much the year "True" Nancy Ann dolls ended.  A group of stockholders purchased the company in 1967 but had them made of plastic in Hong Kong.  Jesco continued to make the dolls under a license granted by Bourla.  In 1973 Bourla wanted to compete with the Barbie dolls and introduced the Arlene doll.  From there we lose track as many other dolls, possibly 50+, were introduced.  Please be aware, in 1998 many dolls were reissued, packaged in red leatherette boxes, but if the box is missing, it may be hard to tell.  In 2016, Phym & Aero, a venture of Robert Tonner, purchased the Nancy Ann Storybook trademark.  In 2019, they sold the rights to Lynn Leatherman and Rebecca Lowell, they started "Nancy Ann Co.".