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Kathryn Kay launched Ginger in 1954. Ginger,an 8" hard plastic doll
with painted eyelashes and tight rolled wig. She had large eyes and
she was a walker.She also was created in 1954 -55 with small eyes, molded
eyelashes and had a tight rolled wig or braids. Carol J Stover's new book "Small dolls of the 40s & 50s." Carol explains that Ginger was well documented, however her characteristics changed so much over the years making it difficult to identify her. Cosmopolitan sold unmarked Gingers bodies to their '1950s competitors making it difficult to know which doll is which without the original box. This book features many wonderful pictures of Ginger. I have found information in "Hard Plastic Dolls I and II" by Judd
and in Dian Ziller book "Dolls and Accessories of the 1950's" also shares Cosmpolitan Ginger information. Another book, called "The Fabulous Dolls of Maureen Fukushima"
features a wide selection of pictures of Ginger's that were sold in the Frasher's Doll Auction in May of 2001. Around 1955, Ginger marked by Cosmopolitan had an extensive
wardrobe which most were tagged and still later this doll had jointed legs and elbows.
In 1957 a company catalog offered consumers a choice of either an all hard plastic walking Ginger or same doll with vinyl head and rooted hair. A customer could also enroll in the doll
Dress-of-the-Month Club. Ginger are also known for their Disneyland outfits. ( I have some of the originial Mousketeers pictures below from 1955-57. The Cosmoplitan factory had been in three places during the Ginger era: Jackson Heights, Richmond Hill and Jamaica. Jackson Heights in 1954/55 through 1958. Richmond Hill came after for a shorter period. Probably a year or so later came Jamaica. It still such a mystery as many outfits did not appear in the 4 bookles made in the US for Ginger plus one on Baby Ginger. It is still difficult to identify many of the outfits and their period. My friend Gunnel from Sweden has a wonderful Ginger doll collection. She is a wonderful friend and I invite you to visit her page on my home page. She sends me pictures of her dolls. I will update as she sends them to me. I have learn so much from her and I'm so thankful to have met her.
In addition PLEASE visit my friend Lil from Sweden to see her lovely Ginger's too. She is listed on my home page. Scroll all the way down towards the bottom of the page.
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