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♥♥ This is a website about my Sindy dolls ♥♥
Who made Sindy ?
1996 hits
Pedigree Dolls & Toys, also known as Pedigree Toys, is a toy company located in England and is best known for launching the Sindy doll in 1963.
Pedigree was a subsidiary of Lines Bros. Limited (otherwise known as Tri-ang) and after their liquidation in 1971, Pedigree became a subsidiary of Dunbee-Combex-Marx. After Dunbee's collapse in 1980, Pedigree and several other Dunbee subsidiaries moved to the holding company Tamwade.
Hasbro bought the rights to the Sindy doll in 1986, but returned the rights to Pedigree in 1998 after a series of lawsuits with Mattel (the manufacturer of Barbie) and sales of the doll declined.
Sindy was licensed to Vivid Imaginations, who relaunched the doll in 1999.
Sindy's 40th anniversary in 2003 saw a new manufacturer, New Moons, and another relaunch and redesign.
Pedigree was a subsidiary of Lines Bros. Limited (otherwise known as Tri-ang) and after their liquidation in 1971, Pedigree became a subsidiary of Dunbee-Combex-Marx. After Dunbee's collapse in 1980, Pedigree and several other Dunbee subsidiaries moved to the holding company Tamwade.
Hasbro bought the rights to the Sindy doll in 1986, but returned the rights to Pedigree in 1998 after a series of lawsuits with Mattel (the manufacturer of Barbie) and sales of the doll declined.
Sindy was licensed to Vivid Imaginations, who relaunched the doll in 1999.
Sindy's 40th anniversary in 2003 saw a new manufacturer, New Moons, and another relaunch and redesign.
My Pages
History of Sindy
Sindy is a British fashion doll created by Pedigree Dolls & Toys in 1963.
After 20 years of producing dolls, Pedigree sought to expand its product range to include a trendy fashion doll. American toy manufacturer Mattel offered Pedigree a licence to produce Barbie, which Pedigree declined due to market research showing Barbie was unpopular with British buyers. Instead Pedigree manufactured its own doll based on another American doll, Tammy. With permission from Tammy's manufacturer, the Ideal Toy Company, Pedigree also borrowed Tammy's slogan, "The doll you love to dress".
The name "Sindy" was chosen after a street poll where young girls were shown a photo of the doll and asked to choose their favourite name from a list.
The Sindy doll was launched in September 1963, and London retailers were sent a promotional 45rpm gramophone record to introduce the doll, which included Pedigree's marketing text below:
"Sindy is the free, swinging girl that every little girl longs to be. Sindy has sports clothes, glamour clothes, everyday clothes - a dog, skates, a gramophone - everything... Every genuine Sindy outfit is a child's dream come true. Each one is designed for today's fashionable young women by today's leading women designers. They are authentic miniature replicas of the latest adult clothes"
Sindy's boyfriend Paul was released in 1965, and her younger sister Patch in 1966. Sindy's friends Vicki and Mitzi, and Patch's friends Poppet and Betsy debuted in 1968. A rival to Barbie, Sindy's wholesome look and range of fashions and accessories made it the best selling toy in the United Kingdom in 1968 and 1970.
In 1978, Sindy was introduced to the United States market by Marx Toys, however they went into receivership in 1980 and Sindy was withdrawn from the US market.
During the 1980s, Pedigree produced a number of evening dresses designed by The Emmanuels, famous for designing Princess Diana's wedding gown. An older-looking Sindy doll was released in 1985, with male and female companions Mark and Marie.
Hasbro bought the rights to the Sindy doll in 1986 and in 1987 and 1989 they redesigned Sindy. The January 1989 redesign made Sindy look more similar to her rival Barbie. In response, Mattel sought and won an injunction against Hasbro after claiming the new Sindy doll was easily confused with their product.
Hasbro introduced Sindy in France and continental Europe in 1994 after minor facial modifications to reduce her resemblance to Barbie. Hasbro withdrew its advertising support for the Sindy doll in 1997 and the next year saw the end of its involvement, with the return of the rights to Pedigree.
In 1999 Pedigree licensed the doll to Vivid Imaginations. The doll market in the United Kingdom had Barbie holding a share of over 75% of sales. Sindy and Barbie went head-to-head in August 1999, when both manufacturers created large advertising campaigns for the dolls and Sindy was relaunched.
In 2003, Sindy was relaunched for her 40th birthday by New Moons and redesigned again in 2006. The 2006 Sindy was aimed at three-to five year old pre-school girls.
After 20 years of producing dolls, Pedigree sought to expand its product range to include a trendy fashion doll. American toy manufacturer Mattel offered Pedigree a licence to produce Barbie, which Pedigree declined due to market research showing Barbie was unpopular with British buyers. Instead Pedigree manufactured its own doll based on another American doll, Tammy. With permission from Tammy's manufacturer, the Ideal Toy Company, Pedigree also borrowed Tammy's slogan, "The doll you love to dress".
The name "Sindy" was chosen after a street poll where young girls were shown a photo of the doll and asked to choose their favourite name from a list.
The Sindy doll was launched in September 1963, and London retailers were sent a promotional 45rpm gramophone record to introduce the doll, which included Pedigree's marketing text below:
"Sindy is the free, swinging girl that every little girl longs to be. Sindy has sports clothes, glamour clothes, everyday clothes - a dog, skates, a gramophone - everything... Every genuine Sindy outfit is a child's dream come true. Each one is designed for today's fashionable young women by today's leading women designers. They are authentic miniature replicas of the latest adult clothes"
Sindy's boyfriend Paul was released in 1965, and her younger sister Patch in 1966. Sindy's friends Vicki and Mitzi, and Patch's friends Poppet and Betsy debuted in 1968. A rival to Barbie, Sindy's wholesome look and range of fashions and accessories made it the best selling toy in the United Kingdom in 1968 and 1970.
In 1978, Sindy was introduced to the United States market by Marx Toys, however they went into receivership in 1980 and Sindy was withdrawn from the US market.
During the 1980s, Pedigree produced a number of evening dresses designed by The Emmanuels, famous for designing Princess Diana's wedding gown. An older-looking Sindy doll was released in 1985, with male and female companions Mark and Marie.
Hasbro bought the rights to the Sindy doll in 1986 and in 1987 and 1989 they redesigned Sindy. The January 1989 redesign made Sindy look more similar to her rival Barbie. In response, Mattel sought and won an injunction against Hasbro after claiming the new Sindy doll was easily confused with their product.
Hasbro introduced Sindy in France and continental Europe in 1994 after minor facial modifications to reduce her resemblance to Barbie. Hasbro withdrew its advertising support for the Sindy doll in 1997 and the next year saw the end of its involvement, with the return of the rights to Pedigree.
In 1999 Pedigree licensed the doll to Vivid Imaginations. The doll market in the United Kingdom had Barbie holding a share of over 75% of sales. Sindy and Barbie went head-to-head in August 1999, when both manufacturers created large advertising campaigns for the dolls and Sindy was relaunched.
In 2003, Sindy was relaunched for her 40th birthday by New Moons and redesigned again in 2006. The 2006 Sindy was aimed at three-to five year old pre-school girls.
Collecting Sindy
The Sindy doll is popular among collectors, and many websites provide advice on how to re-root her hair and replace parts.
Mint condition dolls are the most sought after and many collectors shunned the "American look" Sindy developed by Hasbro, which increased the value of the 1963 - 1986 Pedigree dolls.
Very recently on UK eBay a first-edition Sindy, complete with original Foale and Tuffin "Weekenders" outfit, box and fashion booklet reached approximately £190. Only the other day a 1968 "Miss Beautiful" with box reached over £400 !!
Sindy's rarer friends Gayle (a doll made for the American market in 1975 - pictured) was worth up to £400, and Mitzi (her French friend from 1968) up to £500.
Mint condition dolls are the most sought after and many collectors shunned the "American look" Sindy developed by Hasbro, which increased the value of the 1963 - 1986 Pedigree dolls.
Very recently on UK eBay a first-edition Sindy, complete with original Foale and Tuffin "Weekenders" outfit, box and fashion booklet reached approximately £190. Only the other day a 1968 "Miss Beautiful" with box reached over £400 !!
Sindy's rarer friends Gayle (a doll made for the American market in 1975 - pictured) was worth up to £400, and Mitzi (her French friend from 1968) up to £500.
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