Betsy McCalls Paperdolls in publication from 1951-1961
Betsy McCall was first seen in a McCall’s magazine in May 1951. The announcement of her impending arrival was heralded in McCall’s April 1951 issue. Betsy appeared in the form of a paper doll, which could be cut out and dressed in clothes that could be cut out with her. The cut-out clothes had tabs which should also be cut-out and folded over the paper doll to dress her. She also often had accessories that went along with her outfits. When Betsy was first introduced, she was five years old, almost six. She was just as cute as she could be and in the May 1951 monthly magazine, we met her six-month old dachshund puppy by the name of Nosy.

Betsy began as a marketing tool to introduce McCall’s sewing patterns. The advertising forerunner of Betsy was Peggy, a teen personality that McCall’s used to market sewing to the younger generation. Betsy was also supposed to promote “wash and wear” fabrics that made their appearance after WWII such as Dacron, nylon, and rayon. The housewife of the 1950s era was busy and “wash and wear” fabrics were meant to make life easier. The Ideal Toy Company saw an opportunity in Betsy McCall and, in 1952, created a “regular” Betsy McCall doll. Through the years, different doll manufacturers made different versions of Betsy and so her appearance changed from time to time.

A story line surrounded Betsy’s appearance that would continue for many years. Betsy’s escapades were recounted each month in the well-known magazine. In the June 1951 McCall’s magazine, we got to meet Betsy’s mother. The next month, we met Betsy’s father, James McCall, and the month after that, August 1951, we were introduced to her cousin, Barbara. Betsy and Barbara were the same age.

Each month, we read about what exciting things Betsy had done and saw the new fashions she and her family were sporting. For example, the June 1951 story line had Betsy and her mother going to the beach. Clothes were available for cut-out for both Betsy and her mother. However, in July, when we met Betsy’s father, he was dressed in a suit for a trip to the country and did not come with a change of clothes. In August 1951, Betsy went shopping with her cousin, Barbara, and they took their two dolls along with them. The September issue saw Betsy returning to school.

November 1951 had the first appearance of neighbor Jimmy Weeks and talked about what a nice Thanksgiving they had. In April 1952, a new character was introduced at an Easter Egg hunt, another cousin of Betsy’s, Linda McCall. Between July and August 1955, a new artist/illustrator took over at the magazine and Betsy’s appearance was modified slightly. August 1955 saw the introduction of another cousin, Sandy McCall. Magazine readers looked forward to the next issue to learn about Betsy’s newest adventure and seeing what she was going to wear.

Some story line interpreters believe Betsy lived near New York City as many activities seem to take place around that area. However, the October 1972 issue of McCalls had her living in a white house in Santa Barbara, California, surrounded by a white picket fence. Many things that happened to Betsy were emblematic of the culture in America as it was progressing. The ideas that were perceived to be in the minds of mainstream America were identified with Betsy, her family, and friends inside the pages of McCall’s magazine.

You can trace a path through American history and culture on a monthly basis by following the happenings in Betsy’s life. Collecting Betsy McCalls paper dolls is truly collecting a unique part of American history, magazine history, and American culture.

Alana Morgaine
Our Paperdolls
Betsy McCalls The First Ten Years

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