How to Know If You Have a Real Cabbage Patch Doll

Since Cabbage Patch Kids came into being at BabyLand General Hospital in 1978, they were an instant hit with parents and children alike. These dolls, made by Xavier Roberts, began with the name "Little People" and were sold with individualized birth certificates. Since then, the dolls have been in high demand, and so, along with new models of the dolls, copies have infiltrated the market. If you want to make sure that your Cabbage Patch Kid is authentic, you can look for a few telltale signs.

Identify the doll's make. Over the years, a number of companies have manufactured Cabbage Patch Kids; Xavier Roberts himself handmade the first ones. However, in 1982, Coleco took over production and began creating 16-inch dolls with vinyl heads and soft bodies. In 1988, Hasbro purchased the rights to the Cabbage Patch Kids and began making gimmicky versions of the dolls, such as the "Birthday Kids" and baby dolls. When Mattel took over the next year, they created all-vinyl dolls 2 inches smaller than the originals. The last two companies to take over Cabbage Patch Kids' production, Toys R Us and Play Along Kids, reverted to the soft-bodied, vinyl-headed dolls. Also available, although not as prominent, were porcelain Cabbage Patch Kids, available directly through the Danbury Mint.

Look for Xavier's signature. True Cabbage Patch Kids have his trademark signature on their left butt cheek. The color of the ink used depends on the year, but the most common colors were blue and green.

Ascertain the materials used to make up your Cabbage Patch Kid's hair. Hair was traditionally made out of yarn, though some models with softer cornsilk hair were also available.

Identify the materials that comprise your doll's head. The earliest handmade Cabbage Patch Kids had soft, sculpted features. However, when Coleco took over manufacturing and thereafter, the vinyl heads sported decal eyes and airbrushed rosy cheeks.

Ensure that your doll's features correspond with those of the manufacturer. For instance, if your doll is completely made of vinyl and sports a Coleco brand name, then you can be sure that your doll is a fake, as Coleco created cloth-bodied dolls. However, if your doll sports the appropriate brand for its body type, then you can be assured that your Cabbage Patch Kid is authentic. For further confirmation, locate your doll's birth certificate, as this will provide the year of your doll's creation and help you define its features based on that year's manufacturer.