Rolly Dollys

The earliest Schoenhut patent for their Rolly Dolly line of toys is Dec 2, 1902. At least 70 designs were made over many years of production. These toys were made from composition material and had a weight imbedded in their bottoms so they would right themselves, in a rolling motion, when tipped over - thus their name. Click here to view some catalog pages of these Rolly Dolly toys.
Photos courtesy of Nancy McGlamery and Ed Pelton of Lancaster, Pa Schoenhut Happy Hooligan Schoenhut produced a number of Happy Hooligan - like figures
Photo by Jim Sneed from the Strong National Museum of Play collection Happy Hooligan - maker unknown	Photo by Jim Sneed from the Strong National Museum of Play collection Happy Hooligan - maker unknown
Photo by Jim Sneed from the Strong National Museum of Play collection Schoenhut Foxy Grandpa 500/60	Photo by Jim Sneed from the Strong National Museum of Play collection Schoenhut Girl in a Sailor Suit
Photo by Jim Sneed from the Strong National Museum of Play collection Schoenhut Dutch Girl	Photo by Jim Sneed from the Strong National Museum of Play collection Schoenhut Dutch Boy
Photo by Jim Sneed from the Strong National Museum of Play collection Schoenhut Rolly Dollys Schoenhut made Rolly Dollys in as many as five sizes. The smallest here is about 4 inches tall; the largest about 8.5 inches tall.
Photo by Jim Sneed from the Strong National Museum of Play collection Schoenhut Santa	Photo by Jim Sneed from the Strong National Museum of Play collection Schoenhut Rabbit
Photo by Jim Sneed from the Strong National Museum of Play collection Policeman	Photo by Jim Sneed from the Strong National Museum of Play collection Schoenhut Little Red Riding Hood Half Rolly
Schoenhut Drummer Girl	Schoenhut Baby
Schoenhut Hombre	Schoenhut Indian
Schoenhut Soldier Girl	On the bottom of all of Schoenhut's Rolly Dollys is a label. These look like they are printed on a cloth material - probably to increase durability.
Clown This may not be a Schoenhut. Their style was often copied.	The composition head on this one looks similar to the composition head version of the Lady Rider.
The Schoenhut Chicken Rolly Dolly is very unusual for Schoenhut. No. 525/21	Schoenhut Clown
The Chicken Rolly Dolly label.	Schoenhhut Pouting Baby The pouting baby and the Indian look like they are from the same molds.
Schoenhut Girl in a Jester Costume	Photo courtesy of Sellabay, Louisville, KY Schoenhut Girl in a Jester Costume, Larger Version This Rolly is similar to the one to the left except that the girl's face is more mature and the details are different.
Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Andy Yaffee The No. 700/70 Cat Rolly Dolly	Clown
Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Norman Cole Maker unknown. Similar to Schoenhut designs.	Photo by Jim Sneed from a private collection. The Schoenhut wooden clown on a full Rolly Dolly. Only two of these are known.
Clown This clown is shown in the ad above.	Santa Claus This style is shown in the ad above.
Photo courtesy of Maureen Lepak Girl posing with her clown Rolly Dolly	Photo by Jim Sneed from a private collection. Buster Brown and Tige This is a very rare Schoenhut half Rolly Dolly. Buster Brown is also found on a full ball Rolly.
Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Jim Sneed Schoenhut Clown Rolly - 500/44	Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Jim Sneed Schoenhut Clown Rolly - 500/44
Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Andy Yaffee The Schoenhut Dude Rolly Dolly	Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Andy Yaffee His hat appears to be the same as the Humpty Dumpty Ringmaster's hat.
Photo by Jim Sneed from a private collection.	Photo by Judith Lile Santa This is a simpler style Santa Claus from the one above.
Photo courtesy of Betty O'Sullivan Buster Brown Full Rolly	Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Norm Bowers The Schoenhut Sheep Half Rolly Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Barry Smoler A Contemporary Version of the Sheep Rolly