This vintage (1940s) Nancy Ann Storybook doll (princess? bride?) has a painted face that is 975 +/- 35 ppm cadmium. Her hair was also positive for cadmium at 893 +/- 34 ppm. The amount of cadmium that is considered toxic/unsafe in an item made for children today is 40 ppm lead and higher. Read more about cadmium here. She was (surprisingly!) negative for lead.
Click here to see more Nancy Ann Storybook dolls.
In general you should keep vintage dolls (both plastic and ceramic) away from young children as they almost always have unsafe levels of lead and cadmium (and sometimes also have arsenic & mercury.)
This doll was tested with an XRF instrument. All components were tested. Exact year of this item is unknown as it is not marked, although my mother had these very same dolls from her childhood and she was born in 1942.
Thanks to Stephanie Hastings for donating (again!) and supporting my advocacy!
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Here’s a lead-free princess doll option on Amazon.*
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I would like to donate 12 Nancy Ann story book dolls. They are in good condition and from late 1940″s. We are downsizing. Would like them to have a good home.
Oh Sandra! That would be amazing. I will add them to the collection we are going to have for the touring museum exhibit. Thank you so much for the offer. I will also email this to you directly. My mailing address is:
Tamara Rubin
Lead Safe Mama
7933 SE 15th Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97202
Thanks again – I will post them all on the blog and I think a lot of families will benefit from the information.
Tamara