Kewpie dolls are collectible vintage dolls known for their unique and charming design. Kewpie cartoons are also collectible and can be valuable. “Kewpie” is derived from the word “cupid,” which reflects the dolls’ angelic or cherub-like appearance.
Kewpie dolls are characterized by their distinctive appearance, which includes a chubby, cherubic face with rosy cheeks, a small body, and typically, small wings on their back.
Kewpie dolls were created by an American cartoonist and illustrator Rose O’Neill who introduced the Kewpie characters in a comic strip in the December 1909 Christmas issue of Ladies’ Home Journal.
O’Neill produced a Sunday comic strip for newspapers starting December 2, 1917, syndicated by the McClure Syndicate. The strip ended nine months later, on July 28, 1918. She produced a second Sunday strip starting November 25, 1934 which ran until February 6, 1937.
Kewpie cartoons by Rosie O’Neill: The Kewpie Arrive, The Kewpie Kutouts, The Kewpie Doll
The cartoon Kewpies quickly became popular. These cherub-faced characters were often portrayed as mischievous but endearing, and their design made them instantly recognizable.
“Kewpie Kutouts” paper cut-out dolls appeared in magazines and newspapers across the USA beginning with the inaugural October 1912 edition. These paper dolls feature intricate cutouts of Kewpie dolls, accompanied by 13 full-page colorful outfits and their respective accompanying stories and the latest adventure of the Kewpie.
By 1914 O’Neill was the highest-paid female illustrator in America. O’Neill was a suffragist campaigning for the right of women to vote, and she produced illustrations for the suffrage movement featuring her Kewpie character.
Left: 1914 Postcard promoting women’s suffrage movement: Rosie O’Neill, artist; National Woman Suffrage Publishing Company, publisher; Campbell Art Co, printer.
Middle: Rose O’Neill in 1909, aged 33.
Right: 1915 Jell-O ad featuring Kewpie dolls. Evening star, Washington.
The Kewpie dolls were inspired by these cartoon characters and were first produced as porcelain bisque dolls in 1912 by the famous German doll making firm Kestner & Company. The first Kewpie dolls had “O’Neill” inscribed on a foot and a red heart on its chest. The dolls were produced in nine different sizes, and 21 factories in Germany were making Kewpies to meet the overwhelming demand.
J.D. Kestner, a German toy company set forth to manufacture small bisque dolls of the Kewpies
Kewpie dolls made in Germany by Kestner: left 1913, 12.5cm, right 1912 close up of red heart sticker.
When WWI broke out with Germany in 1914, production of the bisque Kewpie dolls moved to Belgium and France.
In the 1920s, composition Kewpie dolls made their debut. A composition doll is a doll made partially or wholly out of a composite material composed of sawdust, glue, cornstarch, resin and wood flour.
In the mid-1920s Kewpies appeared dressed as American and European soldiers, sailors, firemen, cowboys and bellhops. Cloth dolls were created with bisque heads, and one famous manufacturer was Margarete Steiff, the founder of the most popular teddy bear company, Steiff Bears.
Cuddle Kewpie by Krueger Company.
Kewpie doll Creative Commons Attribution 2.0
Vintage Celluoid Kewpie.
Richard G. Kruger produced soft “Cuddle Kewpies” from the late 1920s to 1930s to meet the continuing demand. Krueger Company was founded by Richard G. Krueger in New York City in 1917.
Effanbee, Cameo, Jesco, King, Milton-Bradley, and Strombecker all have created Kewpies at different times in history.
In 1949, Effanbee introduced the first hard plastic Kewpie dolls, while soft rubber and vinyl renditions emerged from Cameo Co. and Jesco between the 1960s and 1990s.
They were then mass-produced as celluloid dolls and eventually made from other materials like plastic.
Kewpie dolls were subsequently manufactured as dolls and other merchandise, including coloring books, poetry books, postcards, figurines, postcards, cups, plates, doorknockers, lamps, and jewelry.
They became highly sought-after collectibles and were produced in various sizes and materials, including porcelain, celluloid, bisque, and composition.
Over the years, Kewpie dolls have remained popular among collectors and enthusiasts of vintage dolls and pop culture memorabilia. They have also inspired various adaptations and spin-off products.
While Kewpie dolls may not be as widely known today as they were in the early 20th century, they continue to hold a special place in the world of collectibles and doll enthusiasts.
Kewpie dolls have been produced in various forms, materials, and sizes. The value and collectibility of Kewpie dolls can vary widely depending on factors like rarity, age, condition, and specific features.
O’Neill described the characters as “a sort of little round fairy whose one idea is to teach people to be merry and kind at the same time.”
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Here are some of the most collectible Kewpie dolls:
Bisque Kewpie Dolls: Early bisque Kewpie dolls, especially those produced in the early 1900s by the Gebrüder Heubach porcelain factory, are highly sought after by collectors. These dolls are usually small, with jointed arms, and have hand-painted details.
Rose O’Neill Designed Kewpies: Kewpie dolls designed by Rose O’Neill herself are considered especially collectible. These may include her original illustrations and designs, which are highly valued by collectors.
Composition Kewpie Dolls: Composition Kewpie dolls, made from a composite material, were produced in the 1920s and 1930s. Collectors often seek these dolls, particularly if they are in good condition with their original paint and clothing.
Celluloid Kewpie Dolls: Celluloid Kewpies, made from an early plastic material, are also collectible. These dolls may have movable arms and legs and can come in various sizes and designs.
Character Kewpies: Some Kewpie dolls were created in the likeness of popular characters, such as Kewpie Nurse, Kewpie Cowboy, or Kewpie Pilot. Collectors often seek out these character dolls.
Limited Edition Kewpies: Limited edition or special commemorative Kewpie dolls, released by companies like Jesco, Jesco/Applause, and Cameo, can also be collectible due to their limited availability.
Advertising Kewpie Dolls: Kewpie dolls used for advertising purposes, such as those featuring a brand logo or product, are of interest to collectors who appreciate vintage advertising memorabilia.
Rare Variations: Any rare variations or unique features, such as unusual clothing or accessories, can significantly increase the collectibility of a Kewpie doll.
When collecting Kewpie dolls, it’s essential to consider their condition, as well as any original packaging or documentation that may add to their value. Additionally, the market for collectible dolls can fluctuate over time, so it’s a good idea to research current trends and consult with experts or collectors’ communities for guidance on specific Kewpie dolls you are interested in acquiring.
Step up and win a Kewpie doll
The term “win a Kewpie doll” is often associated with carnival games and contests, where participants can win a Kewpie doll as a prize. Kewpie dolls are small, chubby, and cute-looking dolls with distinctive features, including a round face and a topknot of hair.
Carnivals and fairgrounds often featured games of skill and chance, and winning a Kewpie doll was a common prize because of their appeal and popularity. The dolls became synonymous with carnival games and the idea of winning a cute, desirable prize.
The phrase “win a Kewpie doll” has since become a symbol of winning something in a game of chance or skill, and it has entered the broader cultural lexicon as a representation of winning a small, often sentimental, prize.
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Appraising Kewpie Dolls
The value guide “200 Years of Dolls” 4th edition states the current market values for Kewpie dolls vary depending on their size and materials. A Kewpie doll measuring 10 inches, featuring a bisque head, composition body, and glass eyes, holds an estimated worth of $6,500. In contrast, a larger 20-inch (510 mm) Kewpie doll is valued at approximately $20,000.
Among collectors, the original small-sized German-produced bisque Kewpies dating from around 1912-1915 typically fetch prices ranging from $200 to $500.
Kewpie dolls made of composition materials generally fall within the price range of $100 to $300.
Celluloid versions, especially unlicensed Japanese reproductions, tend to have considerably lower values.
Kewpie dolls bearing the distinctive hand-signed markings of Rose O’Neill, often etched on their arms or feet, are exceptionally rare compared to unsigned ones, making them even more valuable to collectors.
Kewpie questions answered
I recently inherited a collection of Rose O’Neill Kewpie dolls — over 35 in all. In 1980, the collection was appraised for $6,000. They have remained in a dark room under glass since then. Would it be beneficial to get each doll appraised separately?
— H. T.
Updated version of the classic Kewpie dolls
Dear H.T.,
Kewpies have been around for over a century, but the angelic-faced dolls are really timeless. The most valuable dolls combine rareness, excellent condition, and appeal.
Kewpie dolls should be appraised individually in most cases, because typically, only one or two rare dolls bolster the entire collection’s value. That may be the case with your dolls.
It sounds like you’ve done a great job of preserving your dolls. Ideally a bisque (porcelain) Kewpie should be stored in tissue paper and bubble wrap, then kept in a cardboard or plastic box. If your Kewpies are made of composition, a combination of plastic, papier-mâchè, or plaster, we suggest they stay dry and out of temperature extremes.
We recommend
Insider’s Guide to Doll Buying & Selling: Antique to Modern, Insider’s Guide by Jan Foulke, Howard Foulke. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
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What is Kewpie mayonnaise?
Shokuhin Kogyo Co. Ltd. was established in Tokyo in 1919 by Toichiro Nakashima who had encountered both mayonnaise and the iconic Kewpie doll while he was in the United States. He started mayonnaise production in 1925, and today the Japanese company is known as Kewpie Corp.
In 1998, Kewpie Corp faced a $7 million trademark infringement lawsuit from an entrepreneur who had acquired the Japanese rights to the Kewpie doll. Kewpie Corp. defended itself by asserting that it held a 73-year-old trademark in Japan and that the Kewpie character was in the public domain. The courts ruled in favor of Kewpie Corp.
Kewpie mayonnaise, popular for its distinct taste and texture, is made with egg yolks (as opposed to whole eggs), vinegar, and vegetable oil. This creamy and rich mayonnaise is popular with dieters, especially keto diet due to its low calories, however its contains monosodium glutamate (MSG).
Kewpie doll effect
The term “Kewpie doll effect” in developmental psychology stems from ethological research and elucidates how a child’s physical traits, like an elongated forehead and rounded face, prompt their caregiver to nurture them. These features are likened to those of a Kewpie doll.
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