Q Can help me with the year and value of a Shirley Temple doll. She has been in the family for awhile. Marked on the back of her head is ”IDEAL DOLL, ST – 12”. Is there interest in Shirley Temple dolls anymore? I seldom see information on them.

A Shirley Temple dolls were a hit when Shirley was in movies. They were first licensed and made by the Ideal Novelty and Toy Co. of New York in 1934, and they are still popular. Artist Bernard Lipfert created the earliest Shirley Temple sculptures. Early dolls were made of ”composition,” a mixture of glue, sawdust and other materials. Vinyl dolls were made after 1957 until Ideal went out of business in the early 1970s. Collectors love all Shirley Temple dolls but the 1950’s vinyl dolls sell for more than early 1970’s vinyl examples. Price is also determined by the doll’s size, costume, condition and whether it has its original tags, box and script Shirley Temple pin. Your 12-inch doll’s price would start at about $40. It will be higher if the outfit and accessories are original or if you have the original tag or box.

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