This sweet little doll has its picture on the front of the mid-1950s American Character Tiny Tears retail box she is sitting in front of here. She was widely advertised on the “Miss Frances” television show as the “STAR PUPIL OF THE DING DONG SCHOOL.”
 
 
Only problem is… She is not Tiny Tears but instead she is LUCY’S BABY !
 
 
Look closely at the photo of “Tiny Tears” with Miss Frances and you will quickly discover as I did, that the baby advertised is an Imposter.
Here is a Super Rare I Love Lucy Baby produced by American Character in 1952 — only in production for a few months!! All of them are unmarked, so unless you are a collector and know how to identify her, she’s largely lost in the world of doll collecting.
 
She is 16″ high and was produced while Lucy was pregnant and was also used on the show in place of the real infant.
 
In 1953 when her baby, Little Ricky was born, American Character came out with the Ricky, Jr. doll and production of this baby doll was discontinued. An ad stated: “You will see Lucy and Desi play Poppy and Mommy with this wonderfully lifelike doll on the “I Love Lucy” TV Show – you will see Lucy feed it, diaper it, watch it cry real tears and pacify it…your little girl can do all these things with the “I Love Lucy Baby.” And this baby does indeed do all these things! This Lucy Baby has a hard plastic head and reddish molded hair (came in a caracul wig version as well); and an identical hands down rubber body – just like the Tiny Tears doll that was in production then too.
 
This little Lucy's Baby doll comes in her original birds eye weave diaper, pink silk romper; and matching long robe and bonnet.; and pink-and-white knit booties. The romper originally had a blue felt giraffe applique glued to the lower left front; as it was missing I have added a darling replacement; the ribbons on the romper are replaced with silk ones. The robe, bonnet and romper are in nice, played with condition. The sets came in baby pink and this creamy white shade, with the cotton embroidered ribbon placket.
 
Look at the photo of "Tiny/a.k.a. Lucy's Baby" on the front of the earlyTiny Tears box, (follow this link to my original article and photos -- https://everythingaboutdolls.com/2019/08/13/when-tiny-tears-isnt-tiny-tears/ --
 
You will note she is wearing the Tiny Tears dimity dress and bonnet. I have included the SUPER RARE blue dotted Swiss dimity dress set, along with a nice pair of blue rayon socks, and blue oilcloth shoes to complete her layette.
 
She is absolutely STUNNING ~ Her face is near flawless, and her pretty molded curls have only a modicum of light, tiny rubs to hint to her almost 75 years of age.
 
Her rubber body is the NICEST I HAVE EVER SEEN on a 15" Lucy's Baby or Tiny Tears doll -- still SOFT, PINKISH and still SQUEAKS when her tummy is pressed. SHE IS ALL ORIGINAL with no repairs, no crazing, no cracks or creasing... simply superb!