In 1951, when housewives dressed to the nines to dust their porcelain bibelots and the nuclear family had reached its apotheosis, McCall’s Magazine featured a small treat for kids of all ages: the Betsy McCall paper doll. The detailed drawings came to life with a pair of scissors and bit of patience and gave many children the chance to play with this fashionable tyke.

Soon thereafter, in 1952, Ideal Toys created a 14-inch (36-cm) Betsy McCall doll, and later in 1957, American Character followed with an 8-inch (20-cm) doll. In 1958, a 14-inch (36-cm) beauty appeared with a superb sculpt, lively sleep eyes, and a cute Mamie Eisenhower-inspired hairstyle. The family continued to grow in 1959 with the introduction of a playful 20-inch (51-cm) flirty-eyed Betsy, and in 1961, 22- to 36-inch (56- to 91-cm) versions made of hard plastic with vinyl heads were introduced.

Unlike the 8-inch (20-cm) Betsy issued to be a play and fashion doll, the larger-sized Betsy doll aimed to be a child's companion, one that would go from sandbox to bedroom. The vintage 29-inch (74-cm) Betsy is a beautiful doll, her sculpt melding realism and stylization. Her rich caramel or ocean blue sleep eyes are playful and serene and give the doll a magical expression. Her patented Magic Flex body featured enhanced articulation at the shoulders, hips, wrists, ankles, upper thighs, and waist, allowing Betsy to pose like a real child. Interestingly, her knees were not jointed, so although she could assume ballet-like positions of the feet, she could only sit at the tea table with legs stretched out. Still, 29-inch Betsy is a beautiful example of early 60's doll making and face sculpting. In 1964, Uneeda Doll Co. created an all-vinyl 11½-inch (29-cm) Betsy with sleep eyes and a placid expression.

In 1996, Robert Tonner produced his first vinyl doll: a 14-inch Betsy. In classic Tonner Doll Co. style, the family grew to include all members of her family and friends, an absolute delight for hardcore Betsy collectors. Not only could Betsy play now with best friend Dru, she could also enjoy the day with cousins Linda and Sandy. Even Nosey, Betsy’s dachshund came to join in her adventures. In 2000, Tonner brought back the 8-inch version, much to the delight of those who had played with the vintage doll as well as of a new and adoring worldwide audience. In 2004, the Tonner Doll Co. expanded its successful Betsy McCall line by reintroducing an updated version the 29-inch doll. And finally in 2008, Betsy became a ball-jointed resin doll, thanks again to the Tonner Doll Co.

This month, we celebrate a little girl who continues to be loved for more than half a century. Betsy McCall, regardless of her size or vintage, is the perfect example of a doll with enduring charm. And delightful characters live forever, for they adapt to changing trends while retaining their unique style. For this exclusive portfolio and accompanying 2012 calendar, Betsy models a wardrobe put together from diverse sources: vintage originals, Tonner Doll Co. designs, and superbly crafted re-creations of the paper doll fashions by the talented Little Red Hen.