Description
A whimsical piece of early 20th-century novelty, this Roosevelt “Two Button Undressed Kids” box with 2 bisque frozen charlotte dolls captures a charming slice of Americana. Produced by the Broadway Novelty Ties Company of New York, it is a delightful collectible for lovers of vintage dolls and toys, advertising curiosities, and nostalgic display pieces. The box would have also contained a pair of children’s gloves but no gloves present.
This original Roosevelt “Two Button Undressed Kids” box is an example of early 20th-century novelty marketing. Marked with the Roosevelt brand and produced by the Broadway Novelty Ties Company of Broadway, N.Y., the box still displays the two small figurines dolls designed for imaginative play. One doll is still tied to the red paper, the other doll is loose in box. Both are in good condition. The labeling “Two Button Undressed Kids” hints at the simple yet endearing design of the toys, reflecting a playful era when children’s amusements were both charming and collectible.
The box itself, with its bold typography and historic branding, provides a glimpse into early American marketing and advertising memorabilia or nostalgic curiosities.
Each doll is 1″ tall. Both are in good original condition.
Condition of the box does show damage . One end of the box lid is gone and the other end is bent. Still, the survival is remarkable as it was a mail order product as you note by the postage stamp and mailing address. Box size is 9-1/4″ long x 3-1/4″ wide x 1/2″ deep.
Collector’s Note:
The Broadway Novelty Ties Company was known for producing small-scale toys and novelty items during the early decades of the 20th century, often sold in department stores or as promotional items. Roosevelt’s branding, combined with the playful description of the “Two Button Undressed Kids,” makes this box a distinctive and collectible example of early toy marketing and design.
