doll: Dale

In 1970, Topper Toys introduced Dawn dolls, a line of 6.5-inch-tall fashion dolls. The series included Dawn (the owner of a top modeling agency) and her friends, Gloria, Angie, and Dale. Topper Toys sold 44 separate outfits packaged similarly to Barbie outfits of the 1960s—sewn to a card with each piece of the outfit displayed. Fashions ranged from gowns to mini dresses, and playsets included cars, fashion stages, sofa and phone sets, apartment furniture, and beauty parlors. Topper Toys effectively marketed their pint-sized dolls on television. Retailers found Dawn dolls easy to display and parents liked the inexpensive prices. Sales of Dawn dolls topped Barbies sales for a brief time. In 1973, Topper Toys went out of business. However, collectors still seek out the original dolls.