Walking Dolls, The Beauty "Walkers" Of The 1950's

The Artisan Raving Beauty Walking Dolls...

...Walking Dolls, The Beauty "Walkers" Of The 1950s

Near the bottom of this page - there is a form you can fill out to share your doll interests with others, along with pictures.

A California company, Artisan Doll (Artisan Novelty Co.), introduced a beautiful and collectible all hard plastic doll, a "walker" named "Raving Beauty" circa 1950. There is also a Miss Gadabout which I find hard to distinguish from the Raving Beauty. The hard plastic is of superior quality, sturdy and durable.

A gorgeous doll with a sweet rounded childlike face and an open mouth exposing teeth and a tongue. Her hair is advertised as "Ravon" which can be shampooed and set. 20" tall, she commands admiration.

Raving Beauty walking doll had a wardrobe that was to be envied. Some of her fashions were advertised as "California Originals by Michele." 

This walking doll had Wedding gowns, nightgowns, square dance dresses, cowgirl outfits, skating costumes, party, and school dresses are just some of the clothing that could be acquired. 

Referred to as a "walker," Raving Beauty is easily recognized because of her unusual wide spread legs with a well-concealed walking mechanism. Unlike the other walking dolls of this era, the legs on Raving Beauty fit close to her torso which does not hinder the dressing and undressing of the doll in any way. 

eBay has a rather large set of listings of vintage Walking dolls for sale, if you are interested in a purchase, or to find values if looking for costs, it is necessary to register with eBay.

If you are searching for original clothing for Raving Beauty or any other walking dolls of this type...do not despair!

"California Fashions by Michele" are listed quite frequently on eBay! As well as similar and appropriate era doll clothing. eBay...dolls & bears...clothing, accessories...antique, vintage clothing.  

Additional information about Raving Beauty and more beautiful hard plastic dolls of the 1950s can be obtained in many of the following reference books.

Hard Plastic Dolls by Polly & Pam Judd

Hard Plastic Dolls II by Polly & Pam Judd

Modern Collectible Dolls: Identification & Value Guide by Patsy Moyer

Doll Values: Antique to Modern (Value Guide 7th Edition) by Patsy Moyer

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eBay is an excellent website for "value" information about dolls, or most anything else for that matter--however, to see what something has sold for, registration is required, so if you are looking for past sales of any particular doll, please register.

Welcome to "Show and Tell" for Artisan Walking Dolls!

We all love to share. If you have photos and information pertaining to these lovely Artisan Raving Beauty Walking Dolls, please fill in the form below to "Show and Tell" your favorite early Walking Doll. We all have interest in how they were located, the use of materials in their clothing and anything else you would like to share with other avid collectors.

What Other Visitors Have Said

Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...

Raving Beauty doll odd ball 
I have four Raving Beauty dolls all of which have lovely amber-colored eyes except one that has green eyes. Does that make her a Gadabout? Some of …

Walking mechinism 
I recently bought two Raving Beautys(or Miss Gadabouts) and found neither one can walk. I have done a very little research into repairing them and found …

I was a Lucky Little Girl 
I was given my Raving Beauty by the man that designed her. Howard Black and his family were our neighbors in Los Angeles, in the 50s. He sold some of …

Raving Beauty - Walking Doll by Artisan Novelty Co 
In answer to Elizabeth, I still have my Raving Beauty Walking Doll and have the paperwork with name and company. Her legs swing independently from the …

raving beauty by artisan 
I've heard that Raving beauty dolls were the strung dolls and that Miss Gadabout were the walking dolls, swinging their heads in sync with their leg movements.Can …

She was mistaken for a Shirley Temple Doll... Not rated yet
I saw my first Raving Beauty doll about 3 years ago, while searching on line for vintage hard plastic dolls. Well, I knew I had seen them before, and …

skacz17 Not rated yet
My grandma had recieved a Raven doll when she was seven around 1955-57. When I was younger it was my favorite doll to play with. My grandma is …

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