Kewpie Dolls

Q: My mother left me a collection of Kewpie dolls, all in good condition. Please tell me something about them. I’m in my 70s now and will probably give them to my granddaughters rather than sell them. But I’d like to know if they’re valuable.

A: Artist Rose O’Neill (1874-1944) drew the first Kewpies, little naked winged cupid-like characters, for a Ladies’ Home Journal story that ran in 1909. Within two years, O’Neill’s drawings were turned into 3-D designs for Kewpie dolls and figurines. They were made with small blue wings and a red heart as a mark. The dolls were an immediate success, and several companies made Kewpies and Kewpie-related products. Kewpie dolls are still being made. They can be found in bisque, celluloid, composition or hard plastic. Collectors love Kewpies and will pay hundreds or even thousands for rare old figurines and dolls.