Liddle Kiddles

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Liddle Kiddles were dolls produced by Mattel Inc. Toymakers, and they were manufactured in 1965. In 1966 they were introduced at the New York Toy Fair, and were quickly on toy store shelves. At around 3 inches tall, these dolls were tiny by toy or doll standards. The sensation they created in the toy world caused other toy companies to try to produce their own versions of small fit-in-your-palm sized dolls. Mattel founder Elliot Handler oversaw the project, and he told engineers and sculptors that he wanted them to be made to resemble little children in neighborhoods across America. Martha Armstong-Hand, the famous doll sculptor at Mattel did the first Kiddles in 1965. She explained that the first set of 10 dolls had only 3 different versions of head molds, but with different hairstyles and face paint. Mrs. Armstrong-Hand was responsible for sculpting other fantastic Mattel dolls such as Drowsy (1965), Baby First Step (1965) & Cheerful Tearful (1966).

The Kiddle doll was made of a soft vinyl with painted facial features and rooted hair that could be combed.The first, second, and thired series (bigger bodies as collectors call them) range from 2 3/4" to 3 1/2" while the Skediddle Kiddles are 4" tall and have a special mechanism inside the body which allows the to walk, wave and ride vehicles with the push of the hand. The Kola and Kologne Kiddles along with many others are 2" and the mini Jewelry Kiddles are a wee 7/8" to 1 1/16" in size. All the dolls have Mattel or MI, a date, and either Japan, Hong Kong, or Taiwan markings on the back of the shoulders or on the back of the head near hairline. markings on the smaller dolls are often hard to find as they are hidden under non-removable clothing. Most Kiddle accessories are marked, even the tiniest. Some are marked with the Mattel Toymakers Seal,, and some are only marked with a number.

The bigger bodies ( first 10 dolls) are designed to resemble typical neighborhood children at play. The name Liddle Kiddles was actually taken from the words little kid. Each of the first 24 dolls had detailed clothing and accessories that perfectly matched their theme and size. Wire skeletons inside the vinyl bodies enable the dolls to be posed and reposed realistically. The small 2" dolls however had no wires inside for posing and they had non removable clothing unlike the first 24.
Kiddles came packaged in many ways. On cardboard blister/bubble cards, in cello window boxes and some only with paper hang tags. Heat and humidity during the long storage period are detrimental to the condition that Kiddles are found in today. Also excessive play can break the posing wires rendering the limbs unable to hold a pose. The hairstyles, painted facial features and clothing have held up remarkably well.
Prototype Kiddles are a rare find for collectors. These are one of a kind artist samples that were used by the company to develop Kiddles, introduce Kiddles to prospective buyers at toy fairs and for advertising purposes. Prototypes usually have experimental bodies, unusual hairstyles in unusual colors,hand painted facial features and are sometimes just heads. Some are nude and some wear prototype clothing made from bits of existing Mattel fabrics, many that can be seen in the Barbie line.

Liddle Kiddles: