This page features dolls from my personal Ideal Flatsy collection. Please allow time for the page to load all photos.
Name: Flatsy
Year: 1969 to 1973
Manufacturer: Ideal
Accessories: Each Flatsy doll had a theme and unique accessories
Information and description: In 1969, Ideal introduced the Flatsy doll line. Their catch phrase was "She's Flat and That's That". And indeed, these dolls are flat! They are all made of rubber, molded flat and have wire inserts that allow them to pose, just like Gumby or Barbie's sister Tutti.
The Flatsy dolls are broken into three main groups: Fashion Flatsy, Flatsy and Mini Flatsy. There are also Flatsy clones known as "Linda" and more recently, JusToys had a line of mini Flatsy dolls in 1994. The main Flatsy line consisted of many different themed dolls that were 5" tall. Each one had unique clothes and accessories and came on a picture frame with a background that usually complemented the doll's name. Filly Flatsy, for example, came with a flat rocking horse and background that looked Southwestern (see below).
The Fashion Flatsy dolls were 8" tall and didn't look like little kids. They looked like older teen agers or young 20s. Each one has different colored hair and rooted lashes. There were only four of these: Gwen, Dale, Cory and Ali. I also have a paperdoll set in my collection of these Fashion Flatsy dolls.
The mini Flatsy dolls were 2" tall and did not have names. They belonged to miniature playsets and are referred to that way.
I have a handful of dolls in my collection, as well as the Flatsy townhouse, the Flatsy board game, Flatsy coloring book, Flatsy Fashion Paper Dolls, and one frame "house".
As a child, I was given a Susie Flatsy. I don't know what ever happened to her or her frame and bed, but I remember playing with it. I LOVED her bright turquoise hair! The Susie I have now was gotten online. I made her some replacement slippers because getting a Susie with her slippers isn't so easy. The price goes up a lot if she has her slippers.
Flatsy collecting is fun. The prices of the dolls varies not only on condition and what clothes and accessories they have, but also on how desirable a particular doll is. For instance, Susie Flatsy on her frame, with her bed and slippers will never go cheap, but a nude Susie can still go for around $10. Meanwhile, a complete Dewey Flatsy on the frame might go for less than the Susie. I've seen this on auctions a lot.
My collection is a mixture of different conditions and I do have the Flatsy game, coloring book, town house and lots of dolls. If my collection had to go up as a huge Flatsy lot, I would expect it to go for no less than $150.
For more information, check out the definitive website on Flatsy. Tons of info and photos, as well as an identification guide: http://flatsy.com
You can also join the Flatsy Yahoo group. Its free and specifically for Flatsy fans. I do not run either the Flatsy Yahoo group, nor the flatsy.com website. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/flatsy_doll/
I was sorry to have to let this go, but it was the most complete, mint item I had in my Flatsy collection and I needed to sell it. Sometimes I forget she's not still on the wall.
Meet the Fashion Flatsy dolls! Most of my collection feature dolls with only part of their original outfits and no shoes or boots or accessories. Fashion Flatsy dolls like the ones below sell for $10 or so like this, but much more as they are more complete.
This Dale was aquired nude in a lot. I found this nightee and added a big roller! I think she's cute!
Casey is the only 5" male Flatsy. I think he's very cute. This Candy is not so mint, though her dress is in very good condition. A friend gave me another Candy with better hair, so I can upgrade my collection just a bit.
These three are from the same set. I Love the blue haired Flatsy dolls most. These are in good condition but not mint.
One of the few Black Flatsy dolls. They never made a Black fashion Flatsy. Only two minis and one 5". The other doll in this picture is the "new" Flatsy. Not quite as charming as the originals but not too bad, either.
This white haired Flatsy below came nude in a doll lot. She could be a Dewey or a Bonnie or the older sister from Holiday Time. I dressed her in this dress I had laying around, and as luck would have it, I had yellow shoes to match. I added a baby clip in her hair to match and she looks pretty cute! Next to her, Rally Flatsy poses. She is not wearing her hat, but I do have it. Her hair was trimmed, otherwise, she is in fine shape.
The inside of the Flatsy townhouse is fun. Sadly, like most of these cardboard structures wrapped in vinyl, it takes a long time to get them to unfold if they've been folded for long periods of time. There is a bed on the top floor on the right side of the photo but it is hard to see when partially folded.
I've never had a chance to play the Flatsy game. I've never found anyone to play it with. People in the video/digital age just don't play board games anymore. How sad.
I don't have a Carrie Flatsy or her baby carraige, but these three look wonderful hanging on my wall.
