Cameo Kewpie Doll
The classic Vintage Kewpie doll the Cameo Kewpie Doll
The Cameo Kewpie doll is one of the classics of the Antique Kewpie types. Since the first pictures of these dolls, seen in the 1900’s the Kewpies, as they are more lovingly called, have become one of the most popular dolls that have ever been sold in the market. Now on its 101st anniversary, as people go back to trace the history of the Kewpie they will find behind it a man, whose whole life has practically revolved around the Kewpie doll – Joseph Kallus.
Although Joseph Kallus is the man behind the Kewpies, he is not the one who first came up with the idea. It was in fact a woman, by the name of Rose Cecil O’Neill who first thought up of the endearing characters. The very first illustrations of these characters were published in the Ladies’ Home Journal in 1909. The Kewpies then burst into popularity and there was such a potential for it to become profitable, Rose O’Neill decided to venture into creating Kewpie merchandises primary of which is the Kewpie doll. Here is where Joseph Kallus enters the picture and for most of his life will be linked to these dolls. O’Neill made negotiations with the Borgfeldt Co. to produce the dolls, but first they needed an artist who could render the illustrations of the Kewpies which were to be used for the dolls. Advertisements were sent out and young Joseph Kallus who was then only 17 years old got the job. He worked closely with O’Neill on the design of the dolls and in 1912 the Kewpie doll was born.
In time, Kallus formed his own company and in 1922, his Cameo Doll Products Company was given license to produce the Kewpies. The company had its operations in Port Allegheny, Pennsylvania a good place to transfer productions due to the war that was then raging on in Germany. The Cameo Kewpie doll was made of different materials such as composition, hard plastic, and vinyl. It also came in different sizes from 2’’ to 12 ‘’ tall and was made in different poses. There were sitting Kewpie dolls and Kewpies that were in the act of giving a hug. The Cameo Kewpie doll is touted as the Cameo Doll Company’s finest made product and also it’s most popular. Early Cameo Kewpies were unmarked, but later on bore the name Cameo on the head, back, or feet.
Rose O’Neill’s death in 1944 led to Kallus’s ownership of the rights to produce Kewpies and this he did with much fervor until his last days, making sure that he will only give the best quality which you can see in any Antique Kewpie today. If you come across a Vintage Kewpie Doll in mint condition that was manufactured by Kallus’s company, you will find that the quality of the product was made to last for years.
Today you can find the Vintage Cameo Kewpies in online auctions. Look for ones that were made in the 1950 to 60’s. Some of these dolls may have a day a month marked on them as well.
