The Greensboro Museum Of History:
These two childhood 1920's dolls were made by Trego Doll Mfg. Co. and Effanbee. They were well loved by Anita and her sister, Marietta. Like many childhood toys, they saw their share of wear and tear.
In 2017, these dolls were adopted and conserved by the museum. The composition surfaces and clothes were repaired. The eyes were set and arms and legs restrung.
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This U.S. company is said to have attempted to compete with German doll makers. Formerly located at 3267 Third Ave., New York, Trego made dolls under the Trego name for only three years from 1918-1921. they sought to fill a void for American-made toys during WWI by mimicking German ball-jointed styles. These rare, 19-inch dolls included composition heads and bodies. Occasionally, examples of Black Trego dolls from the early 1920s are found in specialized collections.
The January 1921 issue of Toys and Novelties documents "Indian" and "Negro" dolls made by Trego in various sizes including the 25-inch size

Source: Monday, January 27, 2020 - Black Doll Collecting by Debbie Behan Garrett - atblackdollcollectingdotblogspotdotcom
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The Effanbee Doll Company* was founded by two businessmen who were first neighbors and friends in Atlantic City, New Jersey--Bernard E. Fleischaker and Hugo Baum. After forming their doll company, its trademark name became EFF (for the "F" in Fleischaker) and BEE (for Baum)--Effanbee.

Their motto became, "Dolls that Touch Your Heart." Effanbee dolls incorporated dark skinned dolls into their lines shortly after the company's inception in 1912. The Effanbee Doll Company is now owned by Robert Tonner and maintains the original motto: "Dolls that Touch Your Heart."

Source: Posted by Black Doll Enthusiast Feb 2010 on Black Doll Collecting by Debbie Behan Garrett - atblackdollcollectingdotblogspotdotcom


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Anita Rivers Obituary
Published by Legacy Remembers on Mar. 19, 2010.

GREENSBORO — Anita Meares Rivers quietly passed away at the age of 98 on March 13, 2010, following an active life of service to the educational community in Greensboro.

The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 20, 2010 at St. James Presbyterian Church. Burial will follow in Piedmont Memorial Park. The family hour will be from 9:30 until 10:30 prior to the service.

Born on February 20, 1912, she was the third of four children born to the late William Joshua and Essie Meares, established business leaders in Greensboro at the early part of the 20th. Known for her wit, humor, and generosity, she and her husband, George Alexander Rivers, continued to make their home in Greensboro, raising three sons, Anthony, Michael, and Robert.

A graduate of Hampton University, with a degree in mathematics, she received her master's degree in mathematics from the University of Michigan. Later she was distinguished as being one of only four other women in the United States during the late 1950s working toward a doctorate in mathematics at New York University.

Her studies were discontinued following the death of her husband in 1957. Her tenure on the mathematics faculty at Bennett College was followed as professor of mathematics at North Carolina A & T State University, where she served for a time as chairperson of the Department of Mathematics. During her career as an educator, she touched and influenced the lives of many nationally and locally prominent graduates from NC A & T State University.

She was active in civic organizations, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, and Jack and Jill, Inc., in addition to professional academic organizations.

Following her retirement from NC A & T State University, she traveled extensively throughout the world. Among the places she visited were England, France, China, Russia, Denmark, and Egypt. She was a devoted member of St. James Presbyterian Church her entire life.

Along with her parents and husband, she is preceded in death by her son, Michael, grandson, Michael Jr., and brothers, Julian Meares and William Meares. She will live forever in the hearts of her loving sons, older sister, Marrietta Carrington, 8 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, sister-in-law and daughters-in-law, along with many other relatives and friends. The family wishes to express sincere appreciation for the loving support and kindness shown at this time.