What is the history of the Troll dolls?
Troll dolls actually came a long way to become popular. They originated all the way over in Denmark in the 1950s. The Danish company was started by a man named Thomas Dam after his wife encouraged him to try selling the wooden dolls he had been carving for his children. He called them Good Luck Trolls and they quickly became popular.
What are the best vintage dolls from the 1950s and 60s?
9 Vintage Dolls From The '50s And '60s That Will Truly Take You Back. 1 1. Chatty Cathy. Chatty Cathy was first made in 1959, and was the second best selling doll for the early '60s, right behind Barbie herself. 2 2. Tiny Tears. 3 3. Little Miss Echo. 4 4. Barbie. 5 5. G.I. Joe. More items
What was the 1990s troll doll fad?
The 1990s troll doll fad also included The Trollies Radio Show, which was a direct-to-video musical with trolls singing hits such as " Kokomo ", " Woolly Bully ", and " Doo Wah Diddy ", as well as some original songs.
How much is a 1960s troll worth?
Small 1960s trolls can be found for prices ranging from $15–$30. Certain rare, vintage Nyform trolls from Norway can bring more than $500 as can rarer large more than 12-inch Dam trolls from the 1960s.
What were the original Troll dolls called?
Dam DollsThey were originally called Dam Dolls and were made of wood, with woolen hair and glass eyes. Imitations made of plastic were released in North America and became popular. Dam fought this in court — to no avail until 2003, when the U.S. restored copyright privileges to the Dam family.Feb 16, 2011
What is a wishnick?
Wishnick/Troll Dolls...They became one of the United States' biggest toy fads in the early 1960s...I had several. Wishnick/Troll Dolls...They became one of the United States' biggest toy fads in the early 1960s...I had several.
What were trolls called in the 80's?
Trolls have gone under many names, including Good Luck Trolls, Treasure Trolls, Gonks, Wishniks and Dam Dolls, but it is the latter which can claim to be the original name for them.Jan 19, 2011
When did the first troll dolls come out?
Troll dolls were originally created in 1959 by Danish fisherman and woodcutter Thomas Dam. Dam could not afford a Christmas gift for his young daughter Lila and carved the doll from his imagination. Other children in the Danish town of Gjøl saw the troll doll and wanted one.
What is a poppy troll doll?
The doll has a button between her legs, under her skirt, that makes giggling noises when pushed. "This feature was designed to react when the doll was seated, but we recognize the placement of the sensor may be perceived as inappropriate," a spokesperson for Hasbro said.Aug 7, 2020
Do they still make troll dolls?
Although troll production started in 1959, trolls became wildly popular in the 1960s when they had their peak of popularity. Trolls have gone in and out of production ever since. Today they are produced as both playthings and as collectibles by such companies as Nyform and even Dam Things (only in Denmark).Nov 22, 2019
Are old troll dolls worth anything?
Troll Dolls Most trolls aren't worth more than a few dollars, but those that were made in the first few years of production do have a higher value. Dam Things animal trolls from that time period can command anywhere from $25 to $200 if they are in mint condition with tags still attached.Feb 5, 2019
Who was the first troll?
Although troll folklore has existed for centuries, Thomas Dam, a Danish woodcutter, is considered to be the father of the very first troll doll as we know them today. Dam dolls were created in 1959 and spread to the U.S. in the early '60s.May 13, 2019
Are toy trolls evil?
Unlike the innocence of our pink on-screen troll friend, Poppy, the trolls in this mythology were far more mischievous. They harassed and kidnapped women and sometimes possessed magical powers that they certainly used for evil rather than good! On occasion, trolls were even described as man-eaters.May 8, 2020
What is the most valuable troll doll?
The collectibles subsequently became a popular choice in the world of toys - and some are now worth a lot of money....The Most Valuable Troll Dolls Of All TimeDam Yellow-Haired Troll With Felt Attire - $382.77. ... Dam Vintage Naked Troll Doll - $321. ... Dam Female Monkey Troll - $300.More items...•Aug 19, 2019
What are the trolls called?
Poppy, Branch, Cooper, Cloud Guy, Smidge, Guy Diamond, Fuzzbert, Biggie (and of course Mr. Dinkles) invite you into the colorful world of Trolls Village for this interactive performance, jam-packed with all the music, glitter, humor and happiness that only the Trolls can create.
Where did trolls come from?
Trolls originated in Norse mythology and folklore, and the creatures are a cornerstone of Nordic legends. From the first written records pertaining to Nordic countries, the image of trolls was commonly that of a monstrous (and usually evil) being associated with magic.Oct 16, 2020
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How much are trolls in the 1960s?
Non-Dam troll animals can be much cheaper, especially if their tags are not attached. Small 1960s trolls can be found for prices ranging from $15–$30. Certain rare, vintage Nyform trolls from Norway can bring more than $500 as can rarer large more than 12-inch Dam trolls from the 1960s.
When did trolls start?
Years of Production. Although troll production started in 1959, trolls became wildly popular in the 1960s when they had their peak of popularity. Trolls have gone in and out of production ever since.
What are trolls made of?
Nearly all trolls are made out of hard vinyl, although they have been made out of nearly every other material you can imagine including ceramics, rubber, porcelain, and even hemp. Trolls generally have jointed arms and heads (although some have unjointed arms) and plastic or glass eyes, with a little sprout of hair on their heads. They have great big heads, hands, and feet.
How big are troll dolls?
Sizes. Troll dolls come in a range of sizes. You can find very tiny trolls at only 2 or 3 inches tall, up to very large trolls at 18 inches or so. Any troll at 12 inches or so is considered very large, with trolls over that considered gigantic.
Who made the trolls?
Companies That Produced Trolls. The company Dam Things was started by Thomas Dam, a Danish man who invented the original trolls. Dam, a woodcutter, made the first troll for his daughter out of wood when he was too poor to buy her a toy.
Is a troll valuable?
Remember, though, not all trolls are valuable today. They were produced in the hundreds of millions, and only mint and rare trolls bring high prices. A collection of trolls, however, can fit in nicely with either a collection of dolls or a collection of toys.
When were troll dolls invented?
Troll Doll. Invented in 1959 by a Danish woodworker, troll dolls became a North American toy craze in the early '60s and again in the '90s.
What was Thomas Dam's first troll doll made of?
They were originally called Dam Dolls and were made of wood, with woolen hair and glass eyes.
Where did Trolls come from?
Troll dolls actually came a long way to become popular. They originated all the way over in Denmark in the 1950s.
Why are trolls considered lucky?
The reason they are lucky is because Scandinavians once believed that nothing bad can happen to you when you are laughing.
Who is the voice of Trolls?
This time the rebranding went spectacularly, and the new animated movie voiced by Justin Timberlake and Anna Kendrick became a huge hit among kids all over.
Where did the troll dolls come from?
The story of troll dolls began in the small town of Gjøl, Denmark, during the economic precarity that followed World War II. According to board game designer Tim Walsh’s 2005 book Timeless Toys, Thomas Dam (1915-1989) was a baker whose livelihood vanished when the local flour factory shuttered.
What was the name of the trolls in the 1966 Sears advertisement?
A 1966 Sears advertisement tempted shoppers with exclusive releases, including a troll village playset and a “prehistoric model home furnished in true Troll decor.”. Dam’s original Good Luck Trolls—renamed Wishniks when sold by a U.S. distributor—encouraged children to rub their trolls’ colorful hair for good fortune.
How much did Americans spend on trolls?
Americans collectively spent more than $100,000 on trolls per month in the toy’s heyday. Although only one company, Uneeda, was licensed to sell official Dam trolls, competitors including Lucky Schnooks, Fauni Trolls and a host of unbranded mimics exploited a gap in U.S. copyright law, pumping out similar toys with cheaper materials. Although Dam obtained a U.S. copyright for his trolls in 1965, Uneeda had already sold countless troll dolls by then, miring them in the public domain. Children may have been indifferent to the branding, but for the Dam company, the competition stung.
What trolls are used in Berrie's wedding?
Trolls were such an important component of the company’s success that Berrie’s own wedding featured bride-and-groom troll cake toppers and 160 pink- and blue-haired trolls gifted to guests. Still, Dam trolls, as well as officially licensed trolls such as Norfin, tend to claim the highest prices among collectors.
How much did Dam's Trolls cost?
With prices ranging from roughly 65 cents up to $5.95 per doll, trolls were a vehicle for pricier add-ons, such as clothing and accessories.
Why are toys unusual?
This is, in part, because some toys invite nostalgia that translates into generational waves of sales. When troll doll enthusiasts grew up and started families, they naturally wanted to introduce their children to the toy.
Who played Branch in Trolls?
Set for on-demand release on April 10, the follow-up to 2016’s Trolls finds main characters Poppy (Anna Kendrick) and Branch (Justin Timberlake) in a race to save trolls’ diverse musical cultures from a band of rock-and-roll trolls determined to silence them. YouTube. Peacock Kids.
Who carved the first troll?
6. Trolls. In 1959, Danish woodworker Thomas Dam carved his first troll as a gift to his daughter. Little did he know he just started a craze that would last through the '60s, and have a resurgence in the '90s.
What is the most sentimental toy?
Dolls are some of the most sentimental toys out there. They are such a big part of childhood, going along on so many adventures with you.
When was Raggedy Ann made?
Raggedy Ann was first produced in 1915, but her popularity lasted decades. She remained a best-selling doll in the 1950s and 1960s.
When was Little Miss Echo made?
Manufactured between 1962 and 1964, Little Miss Echo is a lesser known talking doll, but was very popular during its time.
When was Tressy trademarked?
Tressy was trademarked in 1963 as the doll with the "hair that grows."
Overview
A Troll Doll (Danish: Gjøltrold) is a type of plastic doll with furry up-combed hair depicting a troll, also known as a Dam doll after their creator Danish woodcutter Thomas Dam. The toys are also known as good luck trolls, or gonk trolls in the United Kingdom.
The dolls were first created in 1959 and became one of the United States' bigg…
Toy history
Troll dolls were created in 1959 by Danish fisherman and woodcutter Thomas Dam. Dam could not afford a Christmas gift for his young daughter Lila and carved the doll from his imagination. Other children in the Danish town of Gjøl saw the doll and wanted one. Dam's company Dam Things began producing the dolls in plastic under the name Good Luck Trolls. It became popular in several …
Television, film and video games
The Magic Trolls And The Troll Warriors was a 1991 cartoon special made to promote the Troll doll toys, featuring Trolls battling against King Nolaf and his Troll Warriors. There was also a 30-minute DIC cartoon special in 1992 called Magical Super Trolls which featured an evil troll named Craven.
A platform video game simply titled Trolls was released in 1993 for Amiga, DOS, and C64. Other g…
See also
• Gonk
External links
• Media related to Troll doll at Wikimedia Commons
• Company website
Sizes
Companies That Produced Trolls
- The company Dam Things was started by Thomas Dam, a Danish man who invented the original trolls. Dam, a woodcutter, made the first troll for his daughter out of wood when he was too poor to buy her a toy. Other children in the town soon wanted one so Dam started a company to make them out of plastic. Dam had some trouble with his copyright, which allowed many other compa…
Years of Production
- Although troll production started in 1959, trolls became wildly popular in the 1960s when they had their peak of popularity. Trolls have gone in and out of production ever since. Today they are produced as both playthings and as collectibles by such companies as Nyform and even Dam Things (only in Denmark).
Materials and Characteristics
- Nearly all trolls are made out of hard vinyl, although they have been made out of nearly every other material you can imagine including ceramics, rubber, porcelain, and even hemp. Trolls generally have jointed arms and heads (although some have unjointed arms) and plastic or glass eyes, with a little sprout of hair on their heads. They have great big heads, hands, and feet.
Prices and Secondary Market
- The prices on trolls range from only a few dollars for late, common Russ trolls, to more than $200 for rare 1960s Dam Things animal trolls (such as giraffes and lions). Smaller, more common animals can be found for $25 to $50. Non-Dam troll animals can be much cheaper, especially if their tags are not attached. Small 1960s trolls can be found for prices ranging from $15–$30. Ce…
Trolls Nostalgia
- This article might make you decide to look for a box in your garage that has your old trolls from your college or childhood. Remember, though, not all trolls are valuable today. They were produced in the hundreds of millions, and only mint and rare trolls bring high prices. A collection of trolls, however, can fit in nicely with either a collection of dolls or a collection of toys. If so, yo…