by Eva Pasco  Beauty is certainly in the eye of the beholder when it comes to those Dam Trolls! Originally known as Leprocauns, and also called Wishniks, Thomas Dam’s creation became one of America’s most lovable dolls for the short duration of 1963-65 and through surges of popularity thereafter. Though some Trolls were short in stature—mere miniatures-- others were over a foot tall! An invasion of ogres!
As necessity is often the mother of invention, purportedly the folk lore behind the Dam doll is that Thomas Dam, a poor Danish fisherman and woodcutter could not afford a birthday gift for his daughter Lila, so using his imagination, carved his version of a troll. As trolls frequent Scandinavian fairy tales, it might explain Dam’s creative outlet. Certainly no Barbie doll wannabe, storybook trolls are fictitious, humanoid, forest/mountain dwellers which can be huge as giants or small as dwarves. Generally portrayed as dim-witted and having crude mannerisms, bulbous noses, long arms, and excessive hair, it goes without saying they’re not considered easy on the eyes, except for certain females. Lila loved the feature creature, showed it to her friends, and a fad was born in 1959. By the early Sixties, three factories produced Dam’s trolls, and one of them was in Florida. Nearly all trolls are manufactured in hard vinyl, though some have been made out of ceramics, rubber, porcelain, and even hemp. The originals, which featured sheep wool hair and glass eyes, are marked with Dam, Dam Things, Scandia House, or Royalty Designs. As the trolls rolled, gathering moss throughout the land, there grew breeds of imitations without markings to avoid copyright infringement lawsuits even though Dam Things Establishment sued over this and lost. Hence, other companies sprung like mushrooms on a forest floor: Russ Berrie, Jakks Pacific, Hasbro, Mattel, Nyform, Trollkins, and Ace Novelty. In 2003, the Toy Industry Association added Troll dolls to its “Century of Toys List,” commemorating the 100 most memorable and most creative toys of the 20th century. Perpetuating the lore that capturing a troll would bring good luck to any human who could catch one of them, their mischief might be marketable. Common trolls can fetch prices ranging from a few dollars to fifty. Certain vintage Nyform trolls from Norway can earn you over $500. Produced in the hundreds of millions, a marvel to look at and precious to hold, some aren’t worth a Dam. | FAQs
The original Dam Trolls had glass eyes and mohair (authentic sheep wool hair). These are the two most distinguishing features to look for when collecting trolls — along with the DAM Things trademark on the feet and the year.
What were troll dolls called in the 60s? ›
They became one of the United States' biggest toy fads from the autumn of 1963 to 1965. The originals were of the highest quality, also called Dam dolls and featuring sheep wool hair and glass eyes.
Are troll dolls worth anything? ›
The collectibles subsequently became a popular choice in the world of toys - and some are now worth a lot of money. Not all Trolls are going to make one rich, of course, with vintage Trolls bringing in the most cash.
Are troll dolls still being made? ›
Due to licensing agreements between Dam Things and DreamWorks, the Dam Things company is allowed to continue to produce its dolls.
Why did trolls get Cancelled? ›
Cancellation and legacy
In March 1998, three months after the test footage, Paramount announced that the production of Trolls was ultimately shut down, due to having problems with the script. Mitchell, who was unhappy about this, said about the film's cancellation, "The story wasn't working that right.
Where were trolls found? ›
Trolls can be found all over Norway. Mysterious rock formations and mountains with troll-like-shapes have mesmerized people all over Norway for thousands of years. Get to know them a little bit better!
What is the oldest troll? ›
Longevity: Trolls possess supernatural longevity, meaning they can live for hundreds of years (the oldest known troll was 5,352 years old as mentioned by an Elix-Lore-induced Toby in "Party Monster"), but are still capable of being killed, like when they turn to stone.
Where were the original trolls made? ›
They originated all the way over in Denmark in the 1950s. The Danish company was started by a man named Thomas Dam after his wife encouraged him to try selling the wooden dolls he had been carving for his children. He called them Good Luck Trolls and they quickly became popular.
What was the most popular doll in the 60s? ›
Chatty Cathy
On the market for six years, Cathy was Mattel's second most successful doll of the 1960s after Barbie, spawning spinoffs like Chatty Baby, Tiny Chatty Brother and Singin' Chatty.
What is a gonk doll? ›
Gonks are novelty toys and collectibles originating from the United Kingdom in the 1960s. Created by English inventor Robert Benson, the toys gained popularity and were owned by celebrities including Ringo Starr and Peter Sellers.
Using a google or ebay search online, you're likely to discover a doll that has been sold (or is selling) that's quite similar to yours. Check the price and there you have it– the value of your doll.
What is the rarest my child doll? ›
The African-American dolls have black hair; Hispanics have dark brown hair, and the others had platinum blonde, ash-blonde (two tone), brunette, red, and (in the last year of production) strawberry-blonde. Strawberry-blonde therefore being the rarest and most valuable, followed by red heads and brunettes.
What dolls are worth the most money? ›
Quick Reference Value Chart for Vintage Dolls
| Vintage Doll | Approximate Value |
|---|
| Pre-1982 Cabbage Patch Kid | up to $5,300 |
| 1972 Kenner Blythe | up to $4,500 |
| 1940s Ideal Toy Superman Doll | up to $2,700 |
| 1950s and 1960s Troll Dolls | up to $2,100 |
5 more rowsMay 23, 2024
Hasbro says it is pulling a Trolls doll from store shelves after a petition with over 150,000 signatures accused the toymaker of promoting child abuse by placing a button on the doll's “private area under her skirt.”
Why are trolls considered evil? ›
Trolls were often described as strong, evil and dangerous giants. They were ugly, with large noses and eyes "the size of plates", and often had several heads or just one eye. Gods and humans were their enemies, and they were angered by the “smell of Christian blood”.
What is the controversy with trolls movie? ›
If the film was content to be about restoring family bonds to rescue a brother, it would be a light, fun, easy-to-digest family film. But it also includes a problematic message about cutting family ties. “Trolls Band Together” is far from the first children's film to explore the theme of family bonds.
Does the troll doll have a button on its privates? ›
The doll had been designed to giggle when placed in a sitting position, but some parents complain the sound activation button is inappropriately placed under the doll's skirt and between her legs. In a video posted to Twitter, one mother shows the location of the button and demonstrates the noises made by the doll.
Beauty is certainly in the eye of the beholder when it comes to those Dam Trolls! Originally known as Leprocauns, and also called Wishniks, Thomas Dam’s creation became one of America’s most lovable dolls for the short duration of 1963-65 and through surges of popularity thereafter. Though some Trolls were short in stature—mere miniatures-- others were over a foot tall! An invasion of ogres!