Xavier Roberts Little people soft sculpture dolls

1983 Xavier Roberts Little people 24″ blond boy doll

Xavier Roberts produced the “Little People” from 1976 – 1983  in an old renovated medical clinic in Cleveland Georgia dubbed “Baby Land General”. The dolls were entirely soft sculpture-each was an original one-of-a-kind creation. Guests were greeted by employees dressed in full hospital garb. Rooms were filled with incubators and the wonderful “Mother Cabbage” cabbage patch of newborn babies just waiting for a little shot of ‘Imagicillin’. New ‘moms’ and ‘dads’ were given a lovingly swaddled “Little Person” to love, cherish, and adopt as their very own. Little People were not purchased, but adopted; not made, but delivered. Each doll came with adoption papers.

Then the CRAZE began! In 1982, Xavier Roberts sold mass-marketing rights to Coleco. Coleco kept the same style as the Xavier Roberts originals, except for using vinyl heads on their dolls and making the Cabbage dolls smaller, typically about 16″ versus 24″ for Little People. They renamed these dolls “Cabbage Patch Kids”.

Little People are more desirable than Cabbage Patch dolls, and some Little People dolls are worth more than others. There are a few key factors to look for when evaluating the value of a Little People doll.

1. Make sure the doll is entirely soft sculpture (no plastic parts)

2. The tag will say “Xavier Roberts The Little People” on one side and have bathing instructions on the other side.

   

   Little People tag 1975

3. They will not have original boxes as the dolls were carried out of Babyland general in their parents’ arms.
4. They will have a large thumb.
5. Little People have a signed tush that says ‘Xavier Roberts’ just like Cabbage Patch kids do. But the most desirable Little People have ‘Xavier Roberts signature hand signed with a large X rather than stamped.

6. They will measure between 18″ – 24″ tall.

   

   Little People tag 1983

Here are two examples of a Little People signed tush. One is stamped and the other is the highly desired hand written signature.

Stamped tush

Per the original tag instructions from 1983, Bathing instructions are as follows:Dilute small amount of mild liquid detergent in water. Gently scrub dirty area with medium bristle toothbrush dipped in this solution. Wipe using clean water. Blot with a clean terry towel and dry quickly in warm area or use a fan (not a hair dryer). For complete bath contact Babyland General.

To read more about Xavier Roberts, Little People, Cabbage Patch kids and Koosas click here:http://www.squidoo.com/cabbage-patch-furskins-koosas

I sold the doll featured in this article for $100 in May of 2011. He was in very good condition. His clothing was original and also in excellent condition. As you can see from the pictures, his tush tag was intact, and he had a stamped tush. His paperwork was unfortunately missing. He was a lovely doll and a part of the buyer’s treasured collection I am sure to this very day.

I do specialize in Xavier Roberts Little People dolls. I offer appraisals on them, and the Cabbage Patch dolls. Visit the appraisal tab at the top of the page for more information.

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