The Sara Ann Doll is a "Toni" doll with a saran wig.  Basically, Ideal knocked off their own doll! The Toni doll had a licensed "nylon" wig with a playwave kit, which was revolutionary for the doll industry. This nylon wig was made by Dupont, and licensed from the Gillette Safety Razor Company. The nylon wig could withstand the perm solution and this wig went through many experiments before the final wig and Toni was launched in 1948.  Toni was a wonderful, sturdy, and successful - and expensive doll.

Ideal decided to market "Sara Ann" using a "saran" wig, and used the Toni head and body. Ideal could sell Sara Ann at a lesser price, because they did not have to pay "royalties" to the Toni Company.  Sara Ann has a saran wig, and in my opinion -- the plastic is a bit lighter and not as high-quality as the Tonis.  Sara was introduced in 1951.  If Sara is "played with" the saran hair has a tendency to "frizz".......it is not as manageable as the Toni nylon wig.  An unplayed with Sara, is a fabulous doll - and she tends to have wonderful facial coloring.  Some clothing is typically "Sara Ann" and she will have her own unique wrist tag, and unique box.

Sara Ann is a beautiful doll, I find her to be quite lovely especially in unplayed with condition.  If you purchase one with a messy wig, it can be reset and restyled to suit you.  Setting the hair while wet should tame down a played-with wig.

The main thing to look for with a Sara Ann, is the wig and the clothing. Her wardrobe was not as extensive as Toni's.  An unplayed-with example is particularly a good-find, I see the mint in box Sara Anns less than her sister, Toni.