y the early thirties, the Reliable Toy Company had the largest doll-making factory in the British Empire and was supplying most of Canada's dolls. It displayed its products at toy fairs throughout the world, and was soon shipping thousands of dolls to countries such as Australia, South Africa and Scotland.
During the Second World War, Reliable made the Eaton's Beauty dolls as well as many army, navy, air force and nurse dolls. The Maggie Muggins doll was very popular after the war. In 1948 the company made the first Barbara Ann Scott doll, which sold well for five years, becoming Canada's most famous doll.
The Dee an Cee Company, established in 1938, made fine-quality composition dolls that soon gained a reputation for being beautifully dressed. Mattel Inc. bought Dee an Cee in 1962. Earle Pullan of Toronto started a company bearing his name in 1945 and began making composition dolls in 1947. York Toy Specialty Ltd. and the Freeman Toy Co. also made composition dolls in the forties.
Composition dolls were manufactured until 1955, but their popularity decreased as new plastics were introduced.
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