1965 UK Soft Plastic Rosebud Beatles Doll Paul McCartney - Like Remco & Gonk
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:34108199 | Genre: Pop/ Rock |
| Artists/ Groups: The Beatles | Country/Region of Manufacture: United Kingdom |
| Type: Doll Figure | Original/Reproduction: Original |
| Brand: Rosebud |
This mascot doll was made by Rosebud in the UK, and was on sale from July 1965.
Back story:
Rosebud secured the original official UK licence for a Beatles doll in early 1964, but at the last minute decided the advance and royalty they would have to pay to use the Beatles name was too expensive so did not continue with the planned line.
Meanwhile, in America the Beatles merchandising agency Seltaeb Inc granted rights for an official Beatles doll to a... companycalled Remco. Remco hired a puppet and doll designer to create four different dolls, one based on each individual Beatle. The results were a huge hit in the USA, and Remco then arranged for them to be sold worldwide.
Also meanwhile, both the UK and USA saw crazes for Troll dolls, ugly-mug naked plastic figures with crazy-colour hair, and for Gonks, stuffed cloth toys that looked a bit like Humpty Dumpty. Two of the original Gonks Ltd range looked very much like the Beatles: Beat Gonk (see my other items) and Gone Gonk.
Realising they'd missed out an opportunity, Rosebud finally decided to make a triple killing by producing this soft plastic figure that combined elements of the Remco Beatles dolls, the two Beatle-esque Gonk designs, and the naked Troll dolls.To avoid legal repercussions, they avoided giving it a name, even in trade advertisements (see pic 8 included herefor information only and not part of this auction).
This unofficial Rosebud Beatles doll is around 7.5 inches tall and 4 inches wide, hand to hand.
Some light blotching to plastic on head. Otherwise very good condition - a particularly fine head of hair on this one. As is often the case, the original fragile plastic red guitar missing.
Please see my other items: I usually list items 1960s Beatles memorabilia / merchandise every week, so it's worth checking back in from time to time.
I DO COMBINE POSTAGE.
Back story:
Rosebud secured the original official UK licence for a Beatles doll in early 1964, but at the last minute decided the advance and royalty they would have to pay to use the Beatles name was too expensive so did not continue with the planned line.
Meanwhile, in America the Beatles merchandising agency Seltaeb Inc granted rights for an official Beatles doll to a... companycalled Remco. Remco hired a puppet and doll designer to create four different dolls, one based on each individual Beatle. The results were a huge hit in the USA, and Remco then arranged for them to be sold worldwide.
Also meanwhile, both the UK and USA saw crazes for Troll dolls, ugly-mug naked plastic figures with crazy-colour hair, and for Gonks, stuffed cloth toys that looked a bit like Humpty Dumpty. Two of the original Gonks Ltd range looked very much like the Beatles: Beat Gonk (see my other items) and Gone Gonk.
Realising they'd missed out an opportunity, Rosebud finally decided to make a triple killing by producing this soft plastic figure that combined elements of the Remco Beatles dolls, the two Beatle-esque Gonk designs, and the naked Troll dolls.To avoid legal repercussions, they avoided giving it a name, even in trade advertisements (see pic 8 included herefor information only and not part of this auction).
This unofficial Rosebud Beatles doll is around 7.5 inches tall and 4 inches wide, hand to hand.
Some light blotching to plastic on head. Otherwise very good condition - a particularly fine head of hair on this one. As is often the case, the original fragile plastic red guitar missing.
Please see my other items: I usually list items 1960s Beatles memorabilia / merchandise every week, so it's worth checking back in from time to time.
I DO COMBINE POSTAGE.
