Pillsbury Doughboy Collectibles and Values

The Pillsbury Doughboy balloon rides in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
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The Pillsbury Doughboy is one of the most recognizable corporate mascots in the U.S., and there's a thriving market for collectibles. The fun thing about collecting Pillsbury Doughboy items, enthusiasts say, is the wide range of items available and their affordability. Few items cost more than $100 on the resale collectible market.

Pillsbury Doughboy History

Poppin' Fresh, as the Pillsbury Company mascot is known, made his debut in 1965. He was created by Rudy Perz, who worked for the Leo Burnett advertising agency in Chicago. Working with animator Milt Schaffer, Perz refined his idea and then took it to the Cascade Studios in Los Angeles, where the first stop-motion animated commercials were created. The Pillsbury Doughboy was born and quickly became a star in his own right. 

Collectibles and Values

The market for Pillsbury Doughboy collectibles got a big boost in 1972 when a 7-inch vinyl doll became one of the year's hot toys. Today, you can find these dolls, plus cookie jars, coin banks, figurines, and other items on sites like eBay and at collector conventions.

  • 7-inch Poppin' Fresh vinyl doll (circa 1972): Ranges from $10 to $20, depending on condition.
  • 11- and 15-inch plush Doughboy dolls (circa 1997): $10 to 20, depending on condition and whether the product is in original plastic wrapping.
  • Ceramic cookie jar (circa 1973): $40 to $60. These jars are 10.5 inches tall and have the word "cookies" emblazoned across the Doughboy's belly. No logo is present.
  • Ceramic cookie jar (circa 1988): $20 to $40. These jars are 12 inches tall and have the Pillsbury logo printed on the hat.
  • Corelle dinner plates, 4-piece setting (circa 1988): $20 to $50, depending on whether set is intact and overall condition.
  • Danbury Mint international figures (circa 2000): $20 to $100. This series of 5.75-inch figurines portray the Doughboy in a variety of national costumes from countries such as Italy and Germany. Prices vary depending on the model.
  • Danbury Mint collectible canister set (circa 2000): $100 to $200. Prices vary for this eight-piece set, depending on whether they're sealed or unsealed, and general condition.
  • Holiday ornaments: $5 to $50. Value depends on year, style, and overall condition.
  • Porcelain coin bank (circa 1988): $10 to $30. 
  • Salt and pepper shakers: $5 to $25. Values vary depending on the set. Some shakers only feature the Doughboy, while others feature Poppin' Fresh, his wife Poppie, and their children.

Prices are as of November 2017. As with any collectible, prices will fluctuate over time, as will product availability. Do your research before purchasing items of questionable provenance; collectors say there are fakes and reproductions in the marketplace.

Pillsbury Doughboy Fun Facts

  • The first claymation model of Poppin' Fresh cost $16,000 to create in 1965.
  • Paul Frees, who did the voice of Boris Badenov on "The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show" was the first actor to do the Doughboy's voice.
  • According to General Mills, Pillsbury's parent company, Poppin' Fresh stands 8.75 inches tall and weighs 14 ounces.
  • The Doughboy's first TV commercial debuted on Nov. 7, 1965.
  • At his peak popularity, Poppin' Fresh received more than 200 fan letters a week. Today, he has a thriving presence online.
  • In 2009, the Doughboy joined the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade for the first time.