Sun Rubber Company
44 years in operation (1930–1974)
About Sun Rubber Company
Sun Rubber produced soft rubber toys designed for young children — squeezable, floatable, and safe. Their rubber toy cars, Sunbabe dolls, and floating bath toys were popular throughout the 1930s–1960s. Walt Disney licensed Sun Rubber to produce rubber versions of Disney characters.
History of Sun Rubber Company
Sun Rubber of Barberton, Ohio made toys from moulded rubber and later vinyl, and its output covers two quite different fields. The first is squeeze toys: soft rubber character figures with a squeaker, produced under Disney and other licences, and floating bath toys — the material's natural application.
The second is dolls, and this is where Sun Rubber matters historically. The Sunbabe and So-Wee dolls, designed by Ruth E. Newton, were moulded rubber drink-and-wet baby dolls, and the company was among the first to make a soft, washable, one-piece baby doll that a small child could handle safely. Sun Rubber also produced early Black baby dolls at a time when almost no American manufacturer did, and those are historically significant and now well collected.
The company also made rubber and later vinyl vehicles and squeeze cars. Rubber's fundamental problem — that it degrades, hardens, cracks and off-gasses over decades — is the central issue in collecting this maker. Sun Rubber ended in 1974.
Timeline
- 1930The Sun Rubber Company begins producing moulded rubber toys in Barberton, Ohio
- 1935Disney-licensed rubber squeeze toys are a major line
- 1950Ruth E. Newton's Sunbabe and So-Wee rubber dolls are commercial successes
- 1955Vinyl progressively replaces natural rubber
- 1974The company closes
Notable & Best-Selling Toys
- Sun Rubber Sunbabe doll
- Sun Rubber Disney character squeaky toys
- Sun Rubber floating bath toys
- Sun Rubber squeeze cars
- Sun Rubber So-Wee doll
Identifying & Dating Sun Rubber Company Toys
- Look for "The Sun Rubber Co." with "Barberton, Ohio" moulded into the back, foot or underside, often with a designer credit and patent numbers.
- Ruth E. Newton's name appears moulded on the dolls she designed, which is a useful attribution.
- Disney licence text is moulded into character squeeze toys and dates them.
Collector's Notes
- Material condition is the whole question. Old rubber hardens, cracks, collapses and develops a persistent odour, and none of it is reversible. Buy the best-preserved example you can find rather than the rarest.
- Dolls should be checked for collapsed limbs, split seams at the neck and hips, and staining. Original clothing adds but the body condition dominates.
- Store away from heat and light, unstacked, and do not attempt to clean with solvents — old rubber and vinyl react badly.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When was Sun Rubber Company founded?
Sun Rubber Company was founded in 1930, based in Barberton, OH.
Is Sun Rubber Company still in business?
No. Sun Rubber Company ceased operations in 1974, after 44 years in business.
What is Sun Rubber Company best known for?
Sun Rubber Company is best known for Sun Rubber Sunbabe doll, Sun Rubber Disney character squeaky toys, Sun Rubber floating bath toys, among other toys.
Where was Sun Rubber Company located?
Sun Rubber Company was based in Barberton, OH.
What kinds of toys did Sun Rubber Company make?
Sun Rubber Company is categorized under rubber toys, vehicles, dolls.
How can you identify genuine Sun Rubber Company toys?
Look for "The Sun Rubber Co." with "Barberton, Ohio" moulded into the back, foot or underside, often with a designer credit and patent numbers. Ruth E. Newton's name appears moulded on the dolls she designed, which is a useful attribution. Disney licence text is moulded into character squeeze toys and dates them.
Are Sun Rubber Company toys valuable?
Material condition is the whole question. Old rubber hardens, cracks, collapses and develops a persistent odour, and none of it is reversible. Buy the best-preserved example you can find rather than the rarest. Dolls should be checked for collapsed limbs, split seams at the neck and hips, and staining. Original clothing adds but the body condition dominates. Store away from heat and light, unstacked, and do not attempt to clean with solvents — old rubber and vinyl react badly.