Despite the fact that no one ever played with it, Grandma kept it anyway. After she died twenty years ago, I felt strangely drawn to ask for it. Before she left us, Grandma made it a new cloth body, but she couldn’t do anything about the rubbery, discoloring face. Oh well. It’s not like it’s going to get any uglier…
I found it a new blue outfit at a rummage sale this morning, so I dug it out and cleaned it up a little, and then got curious about where this doll originally came from, and if it had any ugly twins out there in the world. A quick Google search turned up this:
Yes, I ruthlessly swiped this from a blog post of the World’s Strongest Librarian, but judging by the eBay icon in the bottom corner, it may not be his photo either. Manners and ethics aside, I know there’s at least one more Ugly Baby out there somewhere, and its body didn’t hold up well either. There are no markings on the head, arms or legs that I could find, so at this point, I’m out of luck. If anyone knows anything about these dolls, or has any suggestions for finding out more, please let me know. As ugly as my doll is, it’s about as dear to my heart as anything I own. Grandma would be pleased.
After I stop laughing, hard, tears rolling down my cheeks, I will tell you that I have not a clue in the world, but, this has to be one of the UGLIEST babies I have ever seen. UGLY, UGLY, to quote, mmm, YOU!! Really, there cannot be more than two of them in this world, can there??
ReplyDeleteJust curious - what words did you use on your Google search? "Ugly baby"? Who knew it had a twin...
ReplyDelete@Shrew, I used Ugly Baby Doll on Google Image search. Who knew? I also checked the completed listings on eBay hoping to find the original image and listing, but no. With my luck, this doll's probably worth $1,000,000 and I wouldn't have the heart to part with it!
ReplyDeleteHorrifying! I'm not a big fan of dolls anyway, but I bet this one turns it's head to follow you when you walk by, ;) but I'm glad that it found a home!
ReplyDeleteOh, Heather, try Google Image search for "Ugly Doll" and uffda! Believe it or not, I saw worse! Enough to give a poor kid nightmares!
ReplyDeleteThose dolls are what we used to call Yoogly, as in, really ugly! You gotta wonder: What were they thinking when they made those dolls?
ReplyDeleteWow, that is one ugly baby. I can't say that I've ever seen a newborn who looked quite like that, thank goodness!
ReplyDeleteCan you imagine snuggling up to 'it' every night and hoping for sweet dreams????
ReplyDeleteOh my! That is one ugly baby doll.
ReplyDeleteI got one of those babies for Christmas in 1950 when I was 4 years old. It was all I wanted and I loved that thing for years and years, then let my neices "love" her for years. I still have her though the rubber head is really getting yucky. I think mine had writing on the back of the neck. I will have to look that up later as she is packed away.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment! The rubber head on mine is a bit yucky as well, but I love it nonetheless! :)
DeleteDid you ever find the information you were looking for? I HAVE this baby doll! :)
ReplyDeleteKaren, Did you ever find what you were looking for? I have this babydoll!! I just discovered that she's a Horsman Squalling Baby, and from the looks of it, she's not worth anything money-wise but I still love mine. I've had her since I was about 1, picked her up in the church nursery where my mom worked, she had been donated. :)
ReplyDeleteHi! I did indeed find a little more info, posted here: http://ancestorsoup.blogspot.com/2011/08/ugly-in-eyes-of-beholder.html
DeleteI'm surprised that my sister or I ever had children after being told "that's what real babies look like."
I feel lile ive seen this doll before. Is there anything on the back of the neck? I really wish i could help
ReplyDeleteI feel lile ive seen this doll before. Is there anything on the back of the neck? I really wish i could help
ReplyDelete