Toy Forum
Website Toy Boards => CURRENT Toy Sections => Topic started by: Ghost Of The Doll on Saturday 25 June 2011, 02:00 pm
-
I'm currently putting together some pages for Dolly Surprise. There were thirty main dolls produced, twenty nine of which I have names for and most of which I have images for too. There were four, possibly five dolls produced at first (Holly, Lolly, Molly and Polly). Was there also one called Dolly, as this would account for the 30th doll?
Does anyone have any packaging backs with images of the six dolls listed below (or can describe their clothing so I can ID them in the images I've gathered)?
Best Wishes
Cat's Meow
Pillow Talk
Slumber Times
Sweet S_? (not Sweet Dreams, that one's identified)
Tiny Dancer
---
There were also at least three Little Miss Dolly Surprise dolls (Country Darling, Free Wheelin' and Make A Wish). Were there any more? What made them different from the original Dolly Surprise line?
---
There was also a doll called Head-to-Toe Dolly Surprise. I have a small boxed image but don't know anything more about her. Can anyone shed any light on the Head-to-Toe aspect?!
---
Lastly, there was a Baby Dolly Surprise. I've found an image of the white doll but does anyone have an image of the black version?
---
Just for completeness, there were six sets of fashions, but were there any other accessories or related items produced?
-
I have this Fashion backcard :
(http://i23.servimg.com/u/f23/15/53/76/59/img_0075.jpg) (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=1896&u=15537659)
-
You can use all the photos I uploaded way back when... I have the photo of slumber times in my file and other dolls with names: http://s22.photobucket.com/albums/b315/pixietulip/Dolly%20Surprise/ If you want me to try and get clearer scans or something LMK.
-
http://cgi.ebay.com/300580186811
(http://i.ebayimg.com/t/LITTLE-MISS-SURPRISE-DOLLY-SPRING-FLING-GROW-HAIR-AA-/00/$(KGrHqQOKo0E33DU1bRuBOKLfqqz0g~~_12.JPG)
(http://i.ebayimg.com/t/LITTLE-MISS-SURPRISE-DOLLY-SPRING-FLING-GROW-HAIR-AA-/00/$(KGrHqUOKpIE4jH5TCg8BOKLfuJEdg~~_12.JPG)
http://cgi.ebay.com/300580186780
(http://i.ebayimg.com/t/LITTLE-MISS-DOLLY-SURPRISE-FUNTIME-GROW-HAIR-NRFB-AA-/00/$(KGrHqUOKkME4mZZv,)gBOKLfgr0s!~~_12.JPG)
(http://i.ebayimg.com/t/LITTLE-MISS-DOLLY-SURPRISE-FUNTIME-GROW-HAIR-NRFB-AA-/00/$(KGrHqQOKkIE4g61Hy-vBOKLfjYuww~~_12.JPG)
http://cgi.ebay.com/290589950509
(http://i.ebayimg.com/t/LITTLE-MISS-DOLLY-SURPRISE-FREE-WHEELIN-GROW-HAIR-AA-/00/$(KGrHqYOKkIE4hZTFGkQBOKLfWYNu!~~_12.JPG)
(http://i.ebayimg.com/t/LITTLE-MISS-DOLLY-SURPRISE-FREE-WHEELIN-GROW-HAIR-AA-/00/$(KGrHqEOKpQE4iIUqDPFBOKLf,CgFw~~_12.JPG)
http://cgi.ebay.com/290589950467
(http://i.ebayimg.com/t/LITTLE-MISS-DOLLY-SURPRISE-COUNTRY-DARLING-NRFB-AA-/00/$(KGrHqUOKisE33!77PUwBOKLfMt9ug~~_12.JPG)
(http://i.ebayimg.com/t/LITTLE-MISS-DOLLY-SURPRISE-COUNTRY-DARLING-NRFB-AA-/00/$(KGrHqMOKiEE4n35LtG-BOKLfPoMcg~~_12.JPG)
http://cgi.ebay.com/200634519433
(http://i.ebayimg.com/t/VINTAGE-NEW-BOX-DOLLY-SURPRISE-SWEET-SCOTTIES-DOLL-/00/$(KGrHqN,!lME4lstSprsBOLtzHOls!~~0_12.JPG)
-
Thanks for the extra images guys!
-
http://cgi.ebay.com/230657049476
(http://img8.sellersourcebook.com/users/78445/img_0243_1312664994.jpg)
(http://img8.sellersourcebook.com/users/78445/img_0257.jpg)
(http://img8.sellersourcebook.com/users/78445/img_0247_1312665013.jpg)
(http://img8.sellersourcebook.com/users/78445/img_0244_1312664999.jpg)
(http://img8.sellersourcebook.com/users/78445/img_0245_1312665004.jpg)
(http://img8.sellersourcebook.com/users/78445/img_0246_1312665009.jpg)
(http://img8.sellersourcebook.com/users/78445/img_0248_1312665018.jpg)
(http://img8.sellersourcebook.com/users/78445/img_0252_1312665036.jpg)
(http://img8.sellersourcebook.com/users/78445/img_0256_1312665709.jpg)
-
This is the one that I had as a kid: "Pigtail Dolly Surprise"
http://www.ebay.com/itm/150660157801
(http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Playskool-Pigtail-Dolly-Surprise-Doll-/00/s/MTYwMFgxMjA3/$(KGrHqIOKnUE49LN)CCsBO,!706hpw~~60_12.JPG)
Box for the baby one:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/290607438128
(http://i.ebayimg.com/t/1988-BABY-DOLLY-SURPRISE-DOLL-/00/$(KGrHqIOKjoE5YtT6vl9BO((2ZEWr!~~60_12.JPG)
-
It looks like the Pigtail Dolly Surprise had "Daisy Surprise" and "Laurel Surprise" (at least that's what the name of the second one looks like).
(http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Playskool-Pigtail-Dolly-Surprise-Daisy-1988-Doll-CUTE-/00/$(KGrHqIOKnUE52l-OTySBOdsS(Me0g~~_12.JPG)
-
Hi! I'm one of the designers of Dolly Surprise. I was not involved with the first year dolls, but the second year I designed about half the dolls, and the third or last year, I designed the entire line, including Little Miss Dolly Surprise and Head to Toe Dolly Surprise.
I'll have to do a little research through my archives, but I'll try to answer any questions you may have about DS. I loved working on the line, and felt it was a highlight of my still active toy/ doll design career.
-
Just for fun, here's a photo of my office at Hasbro in 1988, showing some of the dolls 'in progress', including my original color renderings for Baby Dolly Surprise and the pigtail Dolly Surprise dolls.
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6163/6169435879_00e44e8fb1_b.jpg)
-
Wow! That's so cool you found the forum! Google search, I assume?
I recognize a lot of the toys and dolls on your shelves. ;)
-
Stefanie- Thanks so much for sharing!! What a great thing to be involved with and I love the picture of your desk-so much fun!! I had baby DS as a kid and I am pretty sure she is still around here somewhere!
-
Yep, I found this website when I was Googling Dolly Surprise! I've designed many many dolls in my nearly 30 year career, maybe I'll find some others on this site! I have a garage full of dolls, and a cupboard full of toy company catalogs, and boxes full of original sketches & tear sheets.
One of the highlights of my career was one day, shortly after I left Hasbro in late '89 or early '90, I was being relocated from Rhode Island to Minnesota. On one of my trips home, I was in the ladies room of the TF Green Airport in Rhode Island, and I noticed a little girl holding a well-loved Baby Dolly Surprise. I casually mentioned to her Mom that I had designed her, and her mom just gushed on how that was her favorite doll, and she wouldn't let it out of her sight, etc. That was the first time that I personally experienced such a positive and heart-warming response to my work. I've never forgotten it!
-
That is so cool that you have kept all of that!!and what a great story and wonderful experience!
-
You'll have to post a list of all the toys you've worked on. We will all faun around you like groupies and demand your autograph (and your address, so we can pretend so swim in a sea of prototypes and design sketches!)
I loved my dolly surprise! My sister chucked mine out but I managed to get another one the same from ebay (the red haired one in romper pyjamas with pom poms on the feet) I love th pyjama outfit - it's so cute :)
-
Quick list:
Mattel 1985, 1986: Lady Lovely Locks, Rainbow Brite, Popples, My Child
Hasbro/ Playskool 1986- 1990 Jem, Maxie, Moondreamers, Real Baby, My Beautiful Doll, Dolly Surprise, Sweetie Pops. Love-A-Bye-Baby
Tonka 1990-1991: Cupcakes, WWF Wrestling Buddies, Hush Little Baby
Fisher-Price: 1992-1995: Dress and Dream, My Dream Dollhouse, Puzzle Place
Mattel: 1995-1997: Cabbage Patch Kids, Little Miss (various), Chatty Cathy (re-issue), Polly Pocket
I also invented Cuddle-Bye Baby, which was sold by Fisher-Price before I went to work there in 1992.
Freelance 1997-2009: Barbie accessories & playsets, Winnie the Pooh 's Friendly Places playsets, Cabbage Patch Kids, Hollie Hobbie (relaunch) Strawberry Shortcake (relaunch) Sky Dancers (relaunch) My Dream Baby, Bratz (fabric design), Little Mommy, My Little Pony.... sorry there are so many, this is only a partial list
Spin Master: 2009-present: Liv Fashion Dolls playsets & accessories, Victorious.
Please don't get the impression that I designed all dolls and playsets for these lines. I was part of a team of designers, whether full-time or freelance, and each of us had particular items we worked on, but rarely all. There were some lines that I entirely designed, like 2nd year Cupcakes dolls (not playsets), 3rd year Dolly Surprise, 2nd year Moondreamers (except playsets & Sun Finders). These dolls were never released.
Also know that there are many many more toys that I designed, invented, or contributed that never saw the light of day. Most of my time at Fisher-Price was coming up with new products, most of which were never produced. Also, during the 12 years I was freelancing, there were many toys I worked on that I have no idea if they were released or not. Sometimes a couple of years would go by, then I'd go to Toys R Us and see something familiar... gee, did I work on that? LOL!
-
Dang - you helped on some winners! Sounds like a job that could be a lot of fun (the story of the little girl and her doll sounds so sweet!) But I think somewhere along the line I convinced myself it would be unexciting like in the movie "Big" so I wouldn't have to live with the disappointment of not being a toy designer. ::)
Now I really want a look at your cabinet of all the toy catalogs. ;D
Be careful on the internet (don't know how much you explore!)... there's pretty much a cult of all the MLP fans... O.o
-
Trust me, my contribution to MLP was minimal. I've been discovered by fans of My Child, Rainbow Brite, and Jem.... they are pretty crazy too.
Ok, being a toy designer is a HORRIBLE JOB! They tie us up at our desks all day long, with these incredibly long, rusty chains. They only unlock us on Christmas, and only if our toys are the #1 selling toy of that year. It's a really nasty business. ;D ;D ;D
-
Ok, being a toy designer is a HORRIBLE JOB! They tie us up at our desks all day long, with these incredibly long, rusty chains. They only unlock us on Christmas, and only if our toys are the #1 selling toy of that year. It's a really nasty business. ;D ;D ;D
(http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm296/macrosgalore/roflbot-IVeB.jpg)
;D
-
Stefanie, what an amazing, impressive list!! Zuse you are too funny- you are both amusing me :-)
-
Ok, being a toy designer is a HORRIBLE JOB! They tie us up at our desks all day long, with these incredibly long, rusty chains. They only unlock us on Christmas, and only if our toys are the #1 selling toy of that year. It's a really nasty business. ;D ;D ;D
(http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm296/macrosgalore/roflbot-IVeB.jpg)
;D
LOL, I play that one all the time for my kids! Staying chained up all those years has made me very emaciated and tiny.
-
Impressive!! Jealous
When are you writing an identification book for any or all of it? ;) ;D
-
I just found a couple of boxes of some of my dolls that I designed, and in the box was a Pigtail Dolly Surprise (Daisy Surprise), and a Head to Toe Dolly Surprise. I'm pretty sure there's another box in the garage with a bunch of the Little Dolly Surprise dolls. When I find that, maybe I can post some photos.
-
looking forward to it!!
-
My dream is to be a toy designer too. I am currently going to college to get a degree in Graphic Design. My University has internship partnerships with many area companies including Hasbro so maybe I'll be lucky and get a foot into the door. Imagine if I could relaunch some forgotten toy lines with a modern twist.
-
What school are you going to?
FIT in NYC has a toy design program (certificate) that's sponsored by Hasbro. On the west coast, Otis College of Art & Design also has a toy design program (degree) that's sponsored by Mattel, and many of their students intern at my company (Spin Master), plus the other local Southern California companies: Jakks Pacific, MGA, Playmates, Takara, etc.
Today, it's really a great way to get into the toy industry. I wish they'd had a program like that when I was in college!
-
http://www.ebay.com/itm/120807070502
(http://i.ebayimg.com/t/1989-Little-Miss-Dolly-Surprise-Team-Spirit-Playskool-NIB-6-1-2-Doll-/00/s/MTAyNFg3Njg=/$(KGrHqJ,!hQE6,HENk-9BOty0UMpmw~~60_3.JPG)
(http://i.ebayimg.com/t/1989-Little-Miss-Dolly-Surprise-Team-Spirit-Playskool-NIB-6-1-2-Doll-/00/s/MTAyNFg3Njg=/$(KGrHqR,!m!E6JkJ)R8HBOty0bd,+!~~60_3.JPG)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/120807051515
(http://i.ebayimg.com/t/1987-Dolly-Surprise-Molly-Surprise-Playskool-NIB-10-1-2-Doll-Christmas-/00/s/MTAyNFg3Njg=/$(KGrHqZ,!joE6KLRjq!KBOtyOHh5Hg~~60_3.JPG)
(http://i.ebayimg.com/t/1987-Dolly-Surprise-Molly-Surprise-Playskool-NIB-10-1-2-Doll-Christmas-/00/s/MTAyNFg3Njg=/$(KGrHqJ,!jgE6mDoy!InBOtyOPod4Q~~60_3.JPG)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/390356772175
(http://i.ebayimg.com/t/1989-PLAYSKOOL-TEA-2-DOLLY-SURPRISE-GROW-HAIR-DOLL-NEVER-REMOVED-BOX-D4-/00/s/NjAwWDQ1MA==/$(KGrHqF,!iUE6O-cSjWyBOmiE+6J8g~~60_3.JPG)
(http://i.ebayimg.com/t/1989-PLAYSKOOL-TEA-2-DOLLY-SURPRISE-GROW-HAIR-DOLL-NEVER-REMOVED-BOX-D4-/00/s/NDUwWDYwMA==/$(KGrHqF,!hME6ZwtGRq!BOmiFHTR)!~~60_3.JPG)
-
Just for fun, here's a photo of my office at Hasbro in 1988, showing some of the dolls 'in progress', including my original color renderings for Baby Dolly Surprise and the pigtail Dolly Surprise dolls.
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6163/6169435879_00e44e8fb1_b.jpg)
So cool, sorry to take the thread off topic but I love seeing this picture of your desk! Love how you have the inprogress dolls there.
-
Thanks! You're sweet! Wish I still had all that stuff!
-
This is the one I had. :)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/390393083522
(http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Playskool-1987-Polly-Dolly-Dolly-Surprise-Grow-Hair-New-Box-/00/s/MTYwMFgxMjAw/$(KGrHqF,!oUE8Vws2sK!BPQYqbV2jg~~60_12.JPG)
-
Pigtail Dolly Surprise - Daisy Surprise and Laurel Surprise
(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTU1MFgxMTc5/z/ydMAAOxy3zNSn8FI/$_57.JPG)
(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTU3MlgxMTc2/z/FmMAAOxyXDhSn8Ff/$_57.JPG)
(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTUwNlgxMTM4/z/An4AAMXQWzNSn8F6/$_57.JPG)
Molly Surprise:
(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTYwMFgxMjAw/z/6lQAAMXQWzNSmTFZ/$_57.JPG)
(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTYwMFgxMjAw/z/~mkAAOxyRNJSmTFq/$_57.JPG)
Jungle Safari:
(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTUxMlgxMTU4/z/Oy0AAOxy2CZTYo2K/$_57.JPG)
Go Team Go:
(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTYwMFgxMjAw/z/t~0AAOxyc2pTYpZO/$_57.JPG)
Little Miss Dolly Surprise - Funtime:
(http://i736.photobucket.com/albums/xx6/rickydees51/DSCN0044_zpsed982aff.jpg)
(http://i736.photobucket.com/albums/xx6/rickydees51/DSCN0052_zps1b3bfcd9.jpg)
Head-to-Toe Dolly Surprise (1991)
(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTYwMFgxMjAw/z/QlMAAOSwq7JUH40-/$_57.JPG)
(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTYwMFgxMjAw/z/dMAAAOSw7NNUH41S/$_57.JPG)
Lolly Surprise:
(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTA2Mlg3MTA=/z/JZYAAOSwF1dUR8io/$_57.JPG)
(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTAzMVg3NDc=/z/lYcAAOSwDN1UR8jZ/$_57.JPG)
Tea for Two:
(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTAyNFg3MDg=/$(KGrHqJHJC4E7zDosBgVBO-I7m,6dw~~60_57.JPG)
(http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/5/0/1/2/8/2/webimg/524262611_o.jpg?nc=371)
Prima Ballerina:
(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTYwMFgxMjAw/z/bvAAAOxygj5SfZ1z/$T2eC16RHJHMFH!!f8J7yBSfZ1y3Gcg~~60_57.JPG)
(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTYwMFgxMjAw/z/tVQAAOxyXDhSfZ2J/$T2eC16dHJIQFHHTr)cLEBSfZ2JRew!~~60_57.JPG)
(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTU5MFgxMTc1/z/v-EAAOSw8lBTmeG0/$_57.JPG)
Pillow Talk:
(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTYwMFgxNDE5/z/v2MAAOxyMZ5RmtsI/$(KGrHqN,!lcFGZJq2DwBBRmtsH6i+w~~60_57.JPG)
-
Dolly Surprise Pretty Princess:
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/71x1n%2B0HgfL.jpg)
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/71Q%2BLIuuI-L.jpg)