Madame Alexander made the transition from composition to hard plastic dolls in 1948. The earlier dolls were flesh-toned painted hard plastic. Subsequently, the dolls were manufactured in rose-colored plastic that was "craze-proof" and indestructible.

Maggie

The Maggie face was one of the first new dolls created. She has round "owlish" sleep eyes and round cheeks. She is either a strung (non-walking) or walker doll. She came in many sizes from 14 to 23 inches. Her wigs were made first of floss and then "dynel". She is marked on the back of her head "ALEXANDER".

Characters portrayed by Maggie can be seen here.

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Margaret

The Margaret face was a carryover from the late composition era. She was modeled after child actress, Margaret O'Brien. She was first introduced in 1946. The composition "Margaret O'Brien" came in sizes from 14 to 21 inches. She wore a variety of "school girl" type and semi-formal dresses. Her hair was styled in looped braids over each ear with bangs (mohair). Hair color varies from auburn to brown. She was most often marked ALEXANDER on the back of her head. Madame Alexander continued to manufacture this doll until 1956. Margaret face compared to the Maggie face is more slender with almond shaped sleep eyes. She also came as a strung or walker doll. The wigs of the hard plastic Margaret came in a variety of fibers: floss, mohair and dynel. The Wendy Ann (Margaret) was one of the few hard plastic dolls with a human hair wig. In 1952 and 1953, "Cynthia", an African-American doll, was issued in the 15-inch, 18-inch and 22-inch size.

Characters portrayed by Margaret can be seen here.

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Alexanderkins

Characters portrayed by Wendy-Ann can be seen here.

The Wendy Ann "Alexander-Kins" were first introduced in 1953. The Madame Alexander Doll Company continues to produce these wonderful 8-inch dolls today. However, the are no longer called "Alexander-Kins". The name ALEXANDER-KINS, refers to all the 71/2"-8" all hard plastic dolls, such as Little Women, Quiz-kins, Maggie Mix-up and Wendy Ann, later called Wendy/Wendy-kins.

Wendy Ann had the most beautiful and varied wardrobe. In 1953 and 1954 a doll called "Quiz-kin", with push buttons on the back to make the head move from side to side or up and down, also came with an extensive wardrobe.

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Chronology Of The Alexander-Kins

1953: 7 1/2". Straight-leg non-walker, solid, heavy hard plastic. Shorter looking face, excellent face color, skin tones slightly tan color. MARKS: "Alex." on back. TAGS: Alexander-kins, Madame Alexander, etc, or Quiz-kin. 1954: 7 1/2" and 8". Most straight-leg non-walkers, but some straight-leg walkers. Lighter in weight, more hollow and not as solid. Softer color flesh tones, head design slightly altered. MARKS: "Alex." on back. TAGS: Alexanderkins, Madame Alexander, etc., Quiz-kin. 1955: 8". All are straight-leg walkers. MARKS: same as 1954 1956: Most bend-knee walkers, but some straight-leg walkers. MARKS: "Alex." on back. TAGS: Alexander-kin, name of character, or Madame Alexander, etc. 1957: Bend-knee walkers. MARKS: same as 1956. 1962: Bend-knee walkers. MARKS: same as 1957. 1963: Bend-knee walkers. MARKS: "Alex." on back. TAGS: Wendy-kins, Madame Alexander, etc., or name of character. 1964: Bend-knee walkers. MARKS: same as 1963. 1965: Bend-knee walkers with a few bend-knee non-walkers. Last year of Wendy-kin clothes. MARKS: same as 1964. 1966: Bend-knee non-walkers. Dolls used for Storyland, Internationals and Americana dolls. Ballerina and Bride.

1967 to 1969: Bend-knee walkers. Used for Storyland, Internationals and Americana dolls, Ballerinas and Brides. 1970: Bend-knee walkers. Dolls used for Storyland,Internationals, Ballerina and Bride. 1971: Same as 1970. 1972: Bend-knee non-walkers. Dolls used for Storyland, Internationals, Disney's Snow White and Alice in Wonderland. 1973: Most are straight-leg non-walkers, but few are bend-knee non-walkers. Eyes are much wider in this mold change,eyebrows painted darker and the whites of the eyes show at bottom of pupil. The cheeks are rosy and skin tones are flesh-toned. Dolls used for Storyland, Internationals, Ballerina and Bride. MARKS: "Alex." on back. TAGS: Alexanderkin or Madame Alexander, etc. name of character. 1974: Straight-leg non-walkers. Dolls used for Storyland and Internationals, Ballerina and Bride. MARKS: same as 1973. 1975: Straight-leg non-walkers. Dolls used for Storyland, Internationals, Ballerina and Bride MARKS: Same as 1974. 1976: Straight-leg non-walkers. Dolls used for Storyland and Internationals, Ballerina and Bride. 1977-1981: Straight-leg non-walkers. MARKS: ALEXANDER. These dolls have very chalky skin tones and high cheek color. 1982: Straight-leg non-walker. Mold change of face created an indentation over the top lip. It appears as though the doll has a mustache. Same chalky-skin tone but more white in color. MARKS: Alexander on back.

(Chronology of Alexander-kins excerpted from World of Alexander-kins by Patricia Smith)

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Cissy

"A high fashion doll with class." The new Cissy was first introduced in 1955. However, her face was used on several dolls prior to her transformation to 20-21-inches. Cissy is all hard plastic with bendable knees and vinyl-like jointed arms. She has a long torso with molded breasts. Her feet are arched to wear high-heeled shoes.

Madame Alexander designed a complete wardrobe for Cissy, which included lingerie, street and evening clothes and many accessories. Each year, special dolls were issued wearing complete ensembles. Cissy was manufactured until 1959. From 1959 to 1961, her face was used for portrait dolls. The Madame Alexander Doll Company has re-issued Cissy. However, both the face and body molds have been changed.

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Cissette

Just 10-inches, the Cissette was introduced in 1957. She has molded breasts, slim waist, and bendable legs with high-heeled feet. Unlike Cissy, she does not have vinyl-like bendable arms. Like her "older sister", Cissette had an extensive wardrobe designed by Madame Alexander to reflect the fashions of the day.

The "basic" Cissette did not have eye make-up. She was produced from 1957 to 1973 in a variety of different names.

Margot: Made in 1961 only. This doll has a special upswept hairdo. Her eyes are accented with eyeshadow and eyeliner. She also wore earrings and a ring.

Jacqueline: Made in 1962 only. Same as Margot. However, this Cissette doll had a dark brunette wig styled with a side part and a curl on the forehead.

Portrettes: This series was made from 1968 to 1973. Described as 11-inches with many hair colors and styles. Similar make-up as "Margot" and "Jacqueline". No earrings.

Cissette was re-issued and is still manufactured today.

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Elise

Elise was first introduced in 1957. She was produced in the hard plastic version until 1964. She was 16 1/2 inches tall with molded breasts, jointed legs with high-heeled feet and vinyl jointed arms.

She has a heart-shaped face with sleep eyes and small "pug" nose. She was available dressed in many special outfits. In 1957 and 1958, a basic doll was available with separate dresses, lingerie, coats and accessories.

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Lissy

Lissy, Cissy's younger sister, was first introduced in 1956.

She was produced in the hard plastic version until 1964. She was 11 1/2 inches tall with jointed legs and arms. Her feet are slightly arched. However, from 1959 to 1967, her feet are flat. She has a heart-shaped face with very round sleep eyes and cheeks. She was available dressed in many special outfits. In 1957 and 1958, a basic Lissy doll was available with separate dresses, lingerie, coats and accessories.

In 1959, the Lissy was used for the 12-inch Kelly doll. This doll did not have jointed knees or elbows.

In 1962 to 1965, Lissy was also used for the "Pamela" doll. Pamela had a bald head with a "velcro-type" strip for attaching her wigs.

In 1993, Lissy was reintroduced with the 1959-1967 construction. She was only manufactured for one year and then discontinued.

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