Golliwog

Golliwog Golly dolls history

Golly is a little character especially popular in the U.K. He was the advertising logo for the James Robertson preserve company from the 1920s until 2002. Badges and pins are especially popular, but Golly can also be found as dolls, on books, dinnerware, etc.

The earliest Golliwog is the hero in books of verse written by Bertha Upton in the 1890's, and illustrated by her daughter Florence.

Sales of Golliwogs are booming again after years of being ostracised from the toy box.

Golliwogs bore the brunt of political correctness in the 1980s and 90s. Toy shops thought it non-PC to even sell one in the 1980s.

But now the toy is making a surprise comeback with a rebranding for the 21st century.

Toy manufacturers are working flat-out to meet demand for the doll as his popularity soars.

He fell foul of the censors in the 1980s for bullying Noddy. He was named and shamed as a "legacy of slavery" and his character dropped by publishers.

The Working Group Against Racism in Children's Resources added: "He embodies the mythical qualities often attributed to black people - superstition, large appetites, primitive simplicity and savagery."

Oliver Holmes, managing director of manufacturer Merry Thought, said: "We make 10,000 gollies a year and are currently working to full capacity. British orders now have to be placed months in advance and gollies are also a tremendous export winner in the States.