~ Nerlich &. Co., Toronto, Canada; General Catalogue, Season 1938-1939
via Library and Archives Canada
(click to enlarge)

“Negress Dolls. Smart Pickaninny Models”

~ Sears catalog, 1964
via wishbookweb

“Little gals love it because there’s so much to do.”

~ Fashion Doll Discoteque (with working radio & light show!) Sears Christmas Catalog, 1976
via Vintage Ads LiveJournal

“Radio Discoteque…where fashion dolls come to rock-out to real disco sounds.”

~ Topper Toys, 1968
via Duke University Library
(click to enlarge)

“She doesn’t wear love beads. She wears shoes. She even washes regularly. She gets more fun out of being a cook than a kook.”

~ Ever Ready Dustette, 1952
via History World

“The Ever Ready Dustette is a present that will give any girl or boy a lot of fun. It really picks up cigarette ash, crumbs and dust like the real thing.”

~ Thompson’s Coney Island Guide, Being A Complete Description of This Famous and Popular Watering Place, Showing All Points of Interest, and How to Find Them, and Other Information of an Interesting Character, Thomas L. Russell, 1885
via Internet Archive

~ Charles S. Day; A New Illustrated and Descriptive Catalogue, Illustrating and Describing Many Attractive Novelties, Electrical Goods, Useful Articles, Fancy Goods, Fine Jewelry, &c. ca. 1890 ca
via internet archive
(click to enlarge)

“We presume all of our readers have either seen or read about the wonderful automobile, or horseless carriage…”

~ Effanbee doll ad, 1950
via Flickr
(click to enlarge)

“…she can say her prayers just like a little girl should.”

~ Nerlich &. Co., Toronto, Canada; General Catalogue, Season 1938-1939
via Library and Archives Canada
(click to enlarge)

“The Sleigh Santa Would Be Proud To Bring”

~ The American Eagle Christmas Gifts, November 1918 (American Hardware Stores, Inc.)
via Harvard University Library
(click to enlarge)

Transparent baby not included.

~ December 1934
via Grace’s Guide
(click to enlarge)

“A broom! It’s what’s for Xmas!”

~ Nerlich &. Co., Toronto, Canada; General Catalogue, Season 1938-1939
via Library and Archives Canada

~ Sears catalog, 1916
via Flickr
(click to enlarge)

“20-Inch Electric Eyed Bear. You press a button and his eyes light up”

I wonder how many Edwardian-era children had nightmares because of these “electric eyed bears”…

~ Nerlich &. Co., Toronto, Canada; General Catalogue, Season 1938-1939
via Library and Archives Canada
(click to enlarge)