Dewees Cochran Dolls 1934-1970s

Ella Dewees Cochran (1892-1991) began making portrait dolls of real children ca. 1934, which were popular with wealthy clients, shortly afterward Dewees moved to New York to create a more affordable, but quality doll.  She then created six basic dolls in 1936, each with a different face shape and by changing the hair or eyes, could produce a portrait doll of most children.  These were her Look- A-like dolls.  Dewees also designed dolls for the Effanbee Doll Company in 1936, which are called American Children dolls.  

During World War II doll production ceased, but after the war she formed the Dewees Cochran Doll, Inc. company.  She contracted with the Molded Latex Company and produced the Cindy doll in 1947-1948.  The final series of dolls were the Grow-Up dolls and small Baby dolls sized 5-9" tall in the 1950s.  Ms. Dewees retired in the 1960s and the company ceased doll production by the 1970s.

Dewees Cochran Look-A-like Portrait Dolls 1936+  (six dolls)

Dewees Cochran American Children Portrait Dolls made for Effanbee 1936-1939

1936-1939 American Children Portrait dolls, six dolls were contracted by Effanbee to be produced for the 1936 Toy Show that were designed by Dewees Cochran, they are 17 or 20" tall, all composition socket head with jointed body, human hair wig, tin painted eyes or sleep eyes, closed or open mouth.  Usually marked: Effanbee American Children or Effanbee Anne Shirley (when they used the Anne Shirley body) or unmarked.   See our related Effanbee Little lady doll - Anne Shirley doll clothes page.  

Dewees Cochran American Children Portrait dolls for Effanbee not shown

1936-1939 Effanbee American Portrait Dolls; Barbara Joan doll, 15" tall, also used to make the 1939 Ice Queen doll, Barbara Ann doll 17" tall, Barbara Lou doll 21" tall, all composition socket heads with jointed body, human hair wig, tin painted or sleep eyes, open mouth, dolls marked: Effanbee American Children or Effanbee Anne Shirley or unmarked.  Also, Betty Jane doll and Peggy Lou doll, size and details unknown at this time.

Dewees Cochran Cindy Doll 1947-1948 (produced by Molded Latex Company)

Fewer than 1,000 of the Cindy dolls were produced when Cochran felt the company did not meet her high standards so she backed

out of production, however the Molded Latex Company continued to produce the few dolls unmarked anyway.

1947-1948 Cindy doll, 15" tall, all latex jointed body, human hair wig, painted eyes, real lashes or painted, closed slightly smiling mouth, marked: a production number, Dewees Cochran in an oval.  Reproduction doll is 14" tall.

Dewees Cochran Grow-Up Doll Series 1952-1960

These series of doll progressed in age (and height) from 5, 7, 11, 16 and 20 over a five year period, so a child could "grow-up" with their doll.  Dolls are signed with DC + the dolls initials and production number. *Robert Tonner reproduced the three girl dolls in the late 1990's

Items pictured are for reference

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Dewees Cochran Dolls 1934-1970s 

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