In 1936 Nancy Ann Abbott started her company of dolls with $125.00 in her pocket. She worked in her studio 16 to 18 hours a day.
In 1937 her dolls were incorporated and by 1942 the company claimed a million dollar gross yearly. Nancy is also well known for "Muffie" a very popular doll of her time and who commands high prices today.
By 1950 the production of dolls reached 12,000 per day. Nancy Ann was re known for her portrayal of nursery rhyme and jingle dolls. The first series were bisque at a height of 3 and a quarter inches to 5'' and were produced in late 1936. During the war the company also made bisque cups, platters and dishes for the Navy hospitals.
In 1950 production reached 12,000 dolls per day, and 125 different characters, later reduced to 77 personalities.
"Little Miss Blue," which is my name for her, was purchased at a flea market in late 1997, she is marked Storybook Dolls on her back and is a classic Nancy Ann doll. When I bought her she was bald and naked! She was my first experiment in doing any recovery with any doll. Poor little thing.
In 1964 Nancy Ann passed away, she had been in declining health for sometime.
In 1965 her company filed for bankruptcy, and was purchased by Albert Bourla in 1967. He presented a plastic version at the New York toy Fair where newest playthings are unveiled each year. By 1970 inventory of the company was auctioned off. Shortly thereafter Jesso began making a imitation, packaging it in pink with white polka dots, they continued until Mr. Bourla reminded them he held the rights.
"Little Miss Pink" is my second Storybook Doll and she is all original. Not to far from mine, don't you think? I also bought her at a flea market. Both are 5'' and date to 1949 because of the sleep eyes that began in the production of that year. 
I also have a Jesso version but I'll be talking about Nancy Ann in the future because I have a restore able Muffie. I want to do alot of research on her before I begin, Muffie has many different dates and features.
Claudette Budhler and Diane Budd acquired the company in 2003, they began a commemorative issue of dolls out in 2005. #1 is Alice through the Looking glass, #2 being Little Bo Peep, and finally # 3, Forget me Knot. They want to re-introduce Muffie. Mrs. Budler and Mrs. Budd met with Albert Bourla who interviewed the two ladies. He wanted to sell the company to someone who really cared about the dolls.
The two sisters made the purchase off EBay. C & G Design
