What is the oldest American doll?

Kaya'aton'my (or Kaya) is the oldest American Girl historical doll in terms of storyline, representing a Nez Perce girl from 1764, launched in 2002. Other early-era dolls include Felicity Merriman (1774, released 1991) and Caroline Abbott (1812, released 2012).

What is the oldest American Girl doll?

The oldest American Girl dolls are the first three released in 1986: Kirsten Larson (1854), a Swedish immigrant pioneer; Samantha Parkington (1904), an Edwardian orphan; and Molly McIntire (1944), a girl during WWII, with Kirsten representing the earliest historical period among them.
 

What was the first American doll?

The first American Girl dolls, launched by Pleasant Rowland in 1986, were Kirsten Larson (1854), Samantha Parkington (1904), and Molly McIntire (1944), representing different eras of American history through their unique stories, accessories, and detailed 18-inch figures, aimed at offering educational play and relatable childhood experiences.
 

Which American doll came out first, Kaya or Josefina?

Josefina Montoya was released after Addy in 1997 and is Latino. American Girl then created Kaya'aton'my who was released in 2002 and was the first Native American Girl doll. Rebecca Rubin's family came from Russia to New York.

What's the rarest American Girl doll?

The rarest American Girl dolls are often early, first-edition historical dolls like Kirsten, Samantha, or Molly, especially with original outfits and accessories, or specific early Truly Me/Just Like You dolls with unique features like the Asian face mold (#4) or early versions of #6, due to limited production or early retirement, fetching thousands in high demand. Early Kirsten dolls (red-checked dress) and the original #6 with bangs (pre-revision) are prime examples of extreme rarity and value for collectors.
 

THE HISTORY OF AMERICAN GIRL DOLLS

What is the best American Girl doll ever?

The "best" American Girl doll is subjective, but popular and highly-rated choices often include Kit Kittredge (Great Depression), Addy Walker (Civil War), Kaya (1764), Kirsten Larson (1850s), Josefina Montoya (1820s), and Claudie Wells (Harlem Renaissance) for their engaging stories, unique historical contexts, and well-designed accessories, with Kirsten being a valuable collector's item and Kit a great beginner doll due to her easy-to-style hair.
 

Why are people buying $8000 lifelike baby dolls?

What these critics misunderstand, collectors say, is the therapeutic potential of the dolls. Women who have lost babies or experienced miscarriages are comforted by reborns. The dolls can also soothe women with post-traumatic stress disorder, Alzheimer's, dementia and autism.

Which American Girl doll is discontinued?

Samantha, Kirsten and Molly, the first three dolls in the series, debuted in 1986 and were retired between 2008 and 2013. Felicity, Addy and Josefina were introduced in the 1990s and retired in the mid-2010s.

How much did an American Girl doll cost in 1986?

While the high price of owning a doll (the dolls cost $65 in 1986) put them out of reach for most, many girls connected to the brand by browsing catalogs, checking the books out of the library, and collecting cheaper items such as trading cards. Mattel purchased the Pleasant Company in 1998.

Which American Girl doll was homeless?

Meet Gwen Thompson, the 'Homeless' American Girl. Sept. 26, 2009— -- She might never live in Barbie's dream-house, but Gwen Thompson is the talk of toy town. She's the world's first "homeless" doll.

What are the six original American Girl dolls?

The original six American Girl dolls, reintroduced for the brand's 35th anniversary in 2021, are Samantha Parkington, Kirsten Larson, Molly McIntire, Felicity Merriman, Addy Walker, and Josefina Montoya. These iconic historical characters represent different eras in American history, featuring their original outfits, accessories, and first paperback books in retro-themed boxes.
 

What is the oldest doll ever made?

The oldest figurative doll-like objects are the Brno Doll, a 28,000-year-old mammoth ivory figurine from Czechia, and figures like the Venus of Willendorf (c. 25,000-30,000 BCE), though these are debated as toys versus shamanistic figures; however, the oldest classified dolls are often considered the wooden Egyptian paddle dolls from around 2000 BCE, found in tombs as burial goods. These ancient dolls served as toys, ritual objects, or afterlife provisions, predating written history and made from materials like wood, clay, bone, or ivory.
 

What to do with old American Girl dolls?

You can sell vintage or gently used American Girl dolls for cash on platforms like eBay or Facebook Marketplace, donate them to organizations like Girl Again (operated by Yes She Can Inc.) for job skills training, or give them to local children's hospitals or crisis centers for kids in need, while damaged dolls can sometimes be repaired at the American Girl Doll Care Center (formerly Doll Hospital) or by specialized shops for continued enjoyment or resale. 

Which American Girl doll is valuable?

Yes, American Girl dolls can be worth a significant amount, especially vintage/retired dolls from the original Pleasant Company era (pre-1998), signed dolls, or those in pristine condition with all original outfits and accessories, with some selling for hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Value hinges on rarity, condition (untouched hair, original clothes), completeness (with boxes, paperwork), and if they are retired characters like Samantha, Kirsten, or Molly.
 

What were the first three American Girl dolls?

The first dolls in the American Girl/Historical line (Samantha, Kirsten and Molly) shared the same face mold but had different hair and eye colors.

Is Kirsten American Girl doll retired?

In November 2024 a holiday limited edition version of Kirsten released for a cost of $230 as Kirsten's Surprise Holiday Collector Doll and Book Set. The set retired in March 2025.

What is the rarest American Girl doll?

The rarest American Girl dolls often include specific, short-run Truly Me dolls like #50, #48, or #4, plus limited edition historicals like Z Yang, Sonali, or Gwen, and especially the first-edition historicals (Kirsten, Samantha, Molly) if they're signed or in pristine condition. Dolls retired quickly, like Truly Me #50 (Addy mold) or #4 (unique Asian mold), and early historicals with white bodies become valuable due to limited availability and unique features, sometimes fetching hundreds to over a thousand dollars.
 

What year did the cricket doll come out?

Cricket is a talking doll that was first unveiled in February 1986 at the American International Toy Fair in New York.

How much did a Barbie doll cost in the 1960s?

A Barbie doll cost about $3 (three dollars) when introduced in 1959, with accessories adding $1-$5 more, meaning a 1960 Barbie would still be in that price range, which, adjusted for inflation (around $32 in 2024), was a significant toy purchase for the time.
 

What is the number one selling doll in the world?

Although exact sales figures are impossible to source, there is no doubt that the most successful doll of all time is Barbie, the "fashion" toy first debuted by Mattel (USA) at the New York Toy Fair on 9 March 1959.

Why is Felicity no longer an American Girl doll?

Felicity was cancelled primarily due to declining ratings, which were significantly impacted by the infamous Season 2 haircut incident where star Keri Russell cut her iconic curly hair, alienating some viewers, and a difficult move to a new Sunday timeslot. While beloved by critics, the show couldn't sustain viewership after these changes, with WB executives acknowledging the haircut diluted the main character's image and fans never fully returned, leading to its end in 2002 after four seasons.
 

What is the American Girl Doll controversy?

American Girl doll controversies range from historical story content (like the enslaved Addy or homeless Gwen) and issues with doll design (like "vacant" two-part eyes) to backlash over modern social themes, such as LGBTQ+ inclusion in books and supporting nonprofits like Girls Inc., sparking debates about cultural sensitivity, feminism, and shifting societal values. 

What is the Addy controversy?

Pleasant Company spent $3 million developing Addy, an enslaved African American girl, as the first Black doll. There was initially a ton of backlash around her introduction. According to the series author, Connie Porter, Addy's debut caused much debate in the Black community, due to her family being enslaved.

What is Target's version of American Girl?

Target's version of American Girl dolls is the Our Generation brand, which offers similarly sized 18-inch dolls, extensive accessories, playsets, and outfits at a lower price point, making them a popular, affordable alternative for kids who like the American Girl style.
 

Why do babies do the O face?

Babies make the "O face" (wide eyes, round mouth) to show they're alert, intrigued, or ready to play, signaling engagement with the world and wanting to interact, often in response to a parent's voice or face; it's a form of early communication indicating interest, curiosity, or excitement, sometimes accompanied by sounds like "oooh". This expression helps them learn and connect, showing they're taking something in, rather than being tired or fussy.