Ideal Doll (Possibly Type P-90)

This is a vintage Ideal doll, likely dating from the mid-20th century, possibly a P-90 type given its facial characteristics and hair styling. The doll has a hard plastic head, arms, and legs, with a composition or hard plastic torso. Her skin tone is a light peach or flesh color, with rouged cheeks displaying a vibrant pink hue. Her mouth is open with painted red lips and what appear to be molded teeth visible. She has sleep eyes that are in a fixed open position, with visible painted eyelashes and defined brows. Her hair is styled in two brown braids, one visible on the right side of her head. The hair appears to be saran or synthetic, characteristic of dolls from the 1950s or 60s. The doll is wearing a simple white short-sleeved dress with eyelet or embroidered detailing on the skirt, which appears to be a basic, possibly original or period-accurate, undergarment or play dress. There are visible signs of wear, particularly on the face where there's some loss of blush and potentially scuffs, though the image quality makes precise assessment difficult. The doll's shoes are not visible, but her feet are showing, resting on what appear to be small, light-colored blocks or parts of a stand. The craftsmanship suggests mass production typical of a major American doll manufacturer like Ideal, known for durable and popular play dolls. The overall condition indicates moderate playwear and age.

This vintage Ideal doll, likely a P-90 type due to her distinctive facial characteristics and braided hair, appears to be an authentic example of Ideal's mid-20th century production. The hard plastic head, limbs, and composition/hard plastic torso are consistent with dolls from the 1950s-early 1960s. The peach skin tone, rouged cheeks, open mouth with red painted lips showing molded teeth, and fixed sleep eyes with painted lashes are all characteristic features. The brown synthetic hair in two braids further supports this era. Condition-wise, she exhibits moderate playwear. There is noticeable loss of cheek blush and potential scuffs on her face. The simple white eyelet dress appears period-appropriate but could be an undergarment or replacement. Originality of clothing heavily influences value; without clear identification of the specific dress or its original tags, it's difficult to confirm. The absence of shoes also impacts value. Market demand for Ideal P-90 dolls in this condition tends to be stable but not exceptionally high. Comparables in similar play-worn, unboxed condition, and without complete original ensembles, typically sell in the $60-$120 range. Dolls in excellent to mint condition with original outfits and boxes can fetch significantly more, often $250+. The primary factor limiting value here is the moderate playwear and uncertainty regarding the originality and completeness of her attire. To fully authenticate and assess this doll, I would require in-person examination to inspect for Ideal markings (often on the neck or back), assess the hair quality for originality vs. re-rooting, examine the body for cracks or repairs, and confirm the material composition. Provenance regarding her history would also be beneficial.