Let's Play Dolls

Adventures of Paris Rita

2011-08-11T09:32:00.000-07:00

One day this summer, a person visiting our home, turned on the gas fireplace as high as it would go. We were not home at the time. Paris Rita was standing in front of the fireplace. Unfortunately, she got very hot, as did her stand. She experienced some melting issues on her arms and legs from the hot stand and her body melted and shrank. She is now on her way across the country to New York to be repaired.

Wow

2010-09-07T19:32:00.000-07:00

Where did this year go? I've had so much going on, not all pleasant, that I'm way behind in posting doll pictures.

Here's what I've added to the collection and will photograph soon: Uneeda Bob and Vogue Jeff, Vogue Jan, Effanbee Patsy and Patsy, Jr., Armand Marseille #1899, 2 French Reproduction Bleuettes, 2 unknown (but very cute) composition dolls, a Muffy, an unknown 14" hard plastic doll from the 1950's and one last Revlon with jointed arms(I think that will complete my Revlon collection). I also added a few of the Barbie Basics dressed in little black dresses and accessories.

Happy St. Patrick's Day from Shirley & Friends

2010-03-17T09:56:00.001-07:00

May your troubles be less and your

blessings be more and nothing but

happiness come through your door.

Irish Blessing

Vita Tosca Diva by Horsman

2010-02-17T10:14:00.000-08:00

Here is the lovely Vita Tosca Diva. She is a ball-jointed doll and likes to pose. I did find her very hard to dress. The little tights were tight (elastic at the waist would have helped). The sleeves of the long coat were also difficult. I'm not too impressed with her hair, it seems thin. She is very light in weight. All of the joints work very well and hold a pose. Her hip joints did make a noise when moved. She is not nearly as nice as the Goodreau doll, not quite as expensive either.

Happy Valentine's Day from Ginny

2010-02-14T07:15:00.000-08:00

We hope you have a wonderful Valentine's day filled with chocolates and flowers and whatever your heart desires.

One More Miss Revlon

2010-02-05T07:21:00.000-08:00

This is a 20" Miss Revlon in a lovely butterfly print dress sewn by "Sugar". The shoes are reproductions made by "Elfcrafters". Doesn't she look ready for a spring party?

Revlon Hair Colors

2010-02-04T08:32:00.000-08:00

Just for fun I'm posting this picture of a few different hair color variations of the Revlons. There are more than this including platinum blonde and very dark brunette. My brunette is posted earlier on the blog.

Revlon Wearing Cherries a la Mode Dress

2010-02-03T20:16:00.000-08:00

This is a 20" Revlon doll wearing a tagged original Cherries a la Mode dress with an original slip. The dress is navy with red cherries. The shoes are reproductions of original shoes worn with this dress. The slip is red. Her hair is auburn (red). Her bangs look a little short and may have been cut.

A Painted Revlon Doll

2010-02-02T09:00:00.000-08:00

This is an example of a Revlon doll with painted arms. There are rubs on the arms where the original pinkish vinyl shows through. Not all Revlons were painted (thank goodness!). This Revlon is 18" tall and is wearing an original dress (see pg. 53 of Kathy Barna's book, Revlon Dolls and Their Look-Alikes).

Revlon Doll Wearing Kissing Pink

2010-02-01T14:24:00.001-08:00

This is an 18" Revlon doll wearing the navy blue nylon version of Kissing Pink. Kissing Pink came in a variety of materials and colors. The name "Kissing Pink" comes from the line of Revlon cosmetics with that name. This doll has a new black replacement slip on beneath the dress. Her shoes are vintage, but not original. Don't you just love her hair!!

The Revlon Walker

2010-02-01T13:59:00.000-08:00

This is an 18" Revlon Walker. Please note the little round circle just below her waist on each side. That's the walking mechanism. These dolls are very hard to find. This one still walks when you hold her little hand. Check to make sure that any Revlon being sold as a walker has both these little circles.

Ann Estelle

2010-01-31T08:36:00.000-08:00

I have always loved Mary Englebreit things and this doll is just too cute. At the last doll show this little 10 inch Ann Estelle was for sale, along with her original outfit.

Another dolly rescued!

2010-01-30T08:32:00.000-08:00

This sweet baby is a Madame Alexander from 1965. I'm sorry but I do not know who she is, but thought she was very sweet. I think all of her clothing is original, including the binkie.

Uneeda Suzette models a bridal gown

2010-01-29T08:28:00.000-08:00

A dear friend made this bridal gown from a vintage Simplicity Pattern for Little Miss Revlon dolls. I think the dress is fabulous and it is beautifully sewn. I think Suzette makes a stunning bride.

Two Little Miss Revlons

2010-01-28T08:20:00.000-08:00

The Little Miss Revlon in the gold dress was my very first. The lady who sold her to me said the dress is an original Coty Girl dress. Recently I saw a Revlon wearing the same dress in silver and thought it was a "must have". Don't they look sweet together? Note the high-color cheeks on the doll on the left. Don't forget to click the pics.

Another Miss Revlon Original

2010-01-27T11:16:00.001-08:00

This is a high-color Little Miss Revlon in #9115, pink polka dot dress. She is the doll that came with additional dresses. All of her dresses are in excellent condition.

Little Miss Revlon gets an original dress

2010-01-27T11:05:00.000-08:00

This Little Miss Revlon is wearing #9056, Windmill print dress in blue. I recently purchased this dress with another Revlon doll that had additional dresses with it. This dress is pristine. I don't believe it was ever worn. It has never been washed, there is no fading and the material retains its original crispness. This Revlon came with blue earrings that match the dress. She is wearing vintage shoes.

Penny Brite

2010-01-26T08:10:00.000-08:00

Don't ask me why, but I thought I needed a couple of Penny Brites. They have been living in the computer room with me, but I thought they might look cute with the dollhouse in the living room. I have kept the dollhouse turned this way so that little hands could not get to the Renwal collection.

New Outfits

2010-01-25T08:03:00.000-08:00

The living room dolls got some new clothes for the new year. The Daisy Kingdom doll has a new yellow sweatsuit. Saucy Walker got a new skating dress and skates. The Zapf doll got some ski pants and a new jacket and turtleneck.

A Goodreau Doll

2010-01-24T09:48:00.000-08:00

This is a Goodreau Doll that was made for a doll convention in August 2009 (I think). She is a puppeteer. I am posting several pictures to show how posable she is. She is a ball-jointed doll, her wrists, ankles, knees, elbows, shoulders, hips, have movable joints. Her gorgeous hair is a wig and can be replaced.

A Gaggle of Shirleys

2010-01-23T09:23:00.000-08:00

Beginning from the left, a 1970's 16" Shirley, a 15" all original Shirley, a 17" flirty-eye Shirley in a repro Heidi dress, a 12" Shirley in an original dress, the 19" flirty-eye Shirley, the 15" Shirley and a 17" non-flirty Shirley. I'm getting pretty good at making "sausage" curls too. If you click on the pics they should enlarge.

Two Shirleys

2010-01-22T09:20:00.000-08:00

The little Shirley Temple is a 15" vinyl doll, also from the 1950's. She was a "rescue" doll from a local antique store.

Newest Shirley Temple

2010-01-21T11:12:00.000-08:00

This is a 19" vinyl Shirley Temple from the 1950's. She has flirty eyes, too. She has been helping me in the computer room.

A New Year and a Resolution

2010-01-02T16:51:00.000-08:00

I promise to post more dolls during 2010. The collection, which took a brief rest during the remodel, has begun to grow again. Several Revlons, including a rare Revlon walker, have been added to the collection. Revlons in original dresses also have been acquired. A dear friend has sewn a reproduction bridal gown for Little Miss Revlon (although Uneeda Suzette is currently modeling it). It is lovely. A couple vintage Shirley Temples have been added and two Penny Brites.
In the modern doll category, we have been fascinated by the BJD (ball jointed dolls). A lovely Goodreau doll created for a doll show convention has joined the collection and four Barbie Fashionistas line the shelves of the computer room. We are looking at adding Horsman's Urban Vita and perhaps Senson's Mistletoe (21 points of articulation). The Urban Vitas for 2010 sound very interesting with additional face plates and extra eyes and wigs, sort of build-it-yourself dolls.
Some new clothes have been ordered. A cute ice skating outfit with skates is coming for Saucy Walker. Shirley Temple will be getting some ruffle socks.

Remember if you buy dolls on-line (or in person) be sure the doll comes from a smoke-free environment. Even though the seller said "no odors", Shirley Temple arrived smelling like she had a 3 pack a day habit. The smoke smell is very difficult to remove from vinyl dolls. It is almost like it absorbs into the vinyl. After soaking and washing all her clothing, the smell still clings to them. I currently have her wrapped in fabric softener sheets to absorb the smell. She definitely will not be going into the doll cabinet anytime soon.

Happy Golden Birthday BARBIE!!

2009-03-09T08:13:00.000-07:00

When Barbie came out in 1959, my next-door neighbor, Colleen, got one. I still remember Barbie and her little black and white swimsuit that was just like one my mother wore. I was, according to my parents, too old to have a Barbie, but I sure enjoyed the one Colleen had. She had lots of clothes for her, too. We spent many hours playing with Barbie that summer before I entered junior high.

I've owned a number of newer Barbies, but have passed most of them on to one of my nieces who loves Barbie. Some of my Barbies I have donated to a lady who makes trips to Guatemala and gives them out to the young girls who live at the dumps as an incentive to get them to see the visiting doctors. The girls love the Barbies and other donated toys she brings. She makes a trip every November.

So to you dear BARBIE, who has filled many a childhood hour with fun, frivolity, and fashion, HAPPY 50th BIRTHDAY.

My dolly circa 1953

2009-02-04T15:17:00.000-08:00

This is one of my favorite dolls that I got for Christmas in 1953. Also in the picture is my brother and my dad. It looks like my brother is holding our cat, whose name I have now forgotten. This doll is at the bottom of the blog on the left sitting by Catalina. I had to give her compo arms and legs because her "magic skin" arms and legs deteriorated and fell off. I still have her original clothes but they have acquired a few wear spots in the past 56 years.
I was cleaning house today and came across this picture in a box of things that belonged to my dear mom (who was not a breast cancer survivor).

Ladies in Red

2009-01-28T08:31:00.000-08:00

Two of the Revlons got new dresses for Valentines Day. They decided to pose with the Queen of Diamonds.

Queen of Diamonds

2009-01-27T08:24:00.000-08:00

This is a Revlon Queen of Diamonds in the 22" size (VT22). The dress, slip, and underwear are original. The fur stole is not original, but the Q of D did wear a fur stole. This stole has been with this doll for a long time and fits her perfectly. The shoes are reproductions of her original shoes. Her hair is still in its original style. She is one gorgeous doll.

The 14R

2009-01-26T08:16:00.000-08:00

This doll is from one of our "dolly rescue" missions. She was really in sad shape, so she got a new curly wig and some fancy new clothes. Now she wants her picture on the dolly blog. Be aware that the 14R doll is NOT a Revlon fashion doll. Frequently these dolls are mistakenly listed as Revlons. Only Ideal dolls with the VT markings and 15N for the 15" Revlons are Revlon dolls.

A brunette pixie-face Revlon

2009-01-25T08:10:00.000-08:00

I like the brunette Revlons very much. This is a pixie-face, 17" VT18. Her hair is identical in style to one of my other pixies, although it's a little hard to tell in the picture.

The Ballerinas

2009-01-24T08:06:00.000-08:00

These are some of my ballerinas. The one to the left of the Revlon pink fairy is an all original Aida ballerina. (Note: I did add the little rose in her hair for a little color)

The Pink Fairy Princess

2009-01-23T15:56:00.000-08:00

This is the Revlon Pink Fairy Princess. This doll was made in 1957, marked VT18, but is a 17" doll like the other pixie-face Revlons. She originally had wings, a halo, and a wand...very hard to find these items, although I have seen some of these with wings for sale on eBay. I love her pink hair.

Uh Oh it's the Baby Faces

2008-12-22T13:39:00.000-08:00

We love the snow. We're ready to go outside and play. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Do you like our Santa hats?

Miss Nancy Ann

2008-12-20T12:56:00.000-08:00

These are two Miss Nancy Ann dolls, made by the Nancy Ann Storybook Company. They didn't want to be left out of the holiday pictures.

Toni and Uneeda Suzette

2008-12-19T12:40:00.000-08:00

These dollies are ready to shop! Toni is on the left and Suzette is on the right. Both are wearing dresses by "Sugar". See their cute little purses.

Jill and her friend

2008-12-18T12:30:00.000-08:00

This is Jill(on the right) and a "circle p" doll. I think they look very cute in their black and white outfits. Jill's outfit is an original, her friend's dress was made by "Sugar" my favorite eBay seamstress.

More Little Miss Revlons

2008-12-17T12:35:00.000-08:00

The Revlon on the left is wearing an original tagged Miss Coty dress. The other little Miss Revlon is high colored(see her rosy cheek) with very dark brown hair.

Cindys

2008-12-16T12:26:00.000-08:00

These are vintage Cindy dolls. The one in the pants outfit is from the 1960's. She has bendable knees.

Little Miss Revlon...

2008-12-16T12:20:00.000-08:00

Dressed in pretty white and red dresses, these little Miss Revlons look like they're ready for a Holiday party.

Happy Halloween..

2008-10-31T07:46:00.000-07:00

Don't be afraid my prettys...

A brunette Revlon

2008-10-25T16:42:00.000-07:00

Brunette Revlon dolls can be hard to find. Most Revlons were made with variations of a blondish-brown color hair or hair with a reddish tone. This is an 18" Revlon, although most of the sizes did include a brunette. I have a Little Miss Revlon 10 1/2" brunette and I have seen a 20" brunette at the doll show (the guy wanted $450 for her, it took him several years, but he eventually sold her, I don't know for how much) This doll is not in the best condition and has some major flaws, but she still has that gorgeous Revlon look and a nice head of hair.

One more Revlon...

2008-10-24T07:41:00.000-07:00

This is an 18" Revlon with an uncommon color of hair(titian) and it's done in a very nice flip.

A Kestner Doll

2008-10-23T07:36:00.000-07:00

This is a Kestner 154 that I bought at the doll show this month.

She is about 18" tall and she has adorable little hands.

Pixie Face Revlon in original dress

2008-10-22T15:48:00.001-07:00

Three little pixies all in a row.

This little pixie face has her hair in its original style too. Her hairbow matches the ribbon around her waist.

Baby Face meets the black cat

2008-10-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

I had to move the Baby Face dolls so the Revlon could pose on the dolly couch. When my back was turned, my photo assistant, Wild Thing, was checking out one of the BF's.

The bent-knee Revlon

2008-09-30T16:41:00.000-07:00

Here she is, my 1957 Revlon with knees that bend. I decided to put her in a slacks outfit (also made by Sugar) instead of a dress, because that's what she originally wore.

Revlon dolls in fall dresses

2008-09-20T08:16:00.000-07:00

I wish I was better at taking pictures, but at least you can see the Revlon "sisters" in their fall dresses. I like the way each dress is a little different. Click on the pics to see them better. These dolls are a 17", 15", and 22". Note the difference in the 17" pixie-face and the 22" square face.

The Baby Face dolls are ready for Halloween...

2008-09-18T16:06:00.001-07:00

The Baby Face dolls are always ready to celebrate, they couldn't wait for October!

Flirty Shirley

2008-09-10T11:28:00.000-07:00

Dolls with "flirty" eyes really appeal to me. I noticed the other day while reading descriptions of this type of eyes on eBay that some people are confused about the difference between flirty eyes and sleep eyes. Flirty eyes look from side to side and also close when the doll sleeps. Sleep eyes are eyes that close when the doll is lying down. Not all sleep eyes are flirty eyes, but all flirty eyes are sleep eyes. Confusing huh?

Zapf doll, another rescued cutie..

2008-08-20T11:06:00.000-07:00

This sweet doll was rescued from one of the local "antique" stores last year. She is a modern doll about the size of an American Girl. The adorable outfit she has on was hand knit by Georgia (Too Many Dolls) of eBay fame. She also makes beautiful crocheted clothes for Baby Face and other dolls. I have several of her creations and she is one of my favorite sellers. Don't forget to clic on the pic to see her in more detail.

Click here to visit Georgia's Store "The Changing Room" at the Marketplace!
http://www.thedollpage.com/marketplace/store.php?login=blooming

on EBAY
http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZtomany***dollsQQhtZ-1

Another Shirley Temple

2008-08-18T19:02:00.000-07:00

This is our newest Shirley Temple doll from the 1950's. She is 17 inches tall and we love her very rosy cheeks.

So Truly Real

2008-07-27T08:22:00.000-07:00

Ashton Drake makes some of the cutest tiny baby dolls. My cousin, Donna, gave this one to me for my birthday last year.

A childhood doll

2008-07-26T08:01:00.000-07:00

When I was a child, I had many dolls. Most of them were gifts from my Grandmother. I had Bonny Braids and Tiny Tears and big mama dolls, and drink & wet babies. When I was about 10, my parents decided my brother and I should give away some of our toys to a poor family. My brother, who was only 8 at the time, gave away his train set, and I gave away all my dear dolls, but two. This is one I kept. We didn't mind giving our toys to children who had less than we did. Unfortunately, we made the mistake of visiting this family about 2 weeks later. There were my beautiful dolls battered and broken, strewn about the floor. The train was ruined, too. It took some of the joy away from the giving, as I had loved those dolls because they were from my Grandma. My brother and I were both rather traumatized from this incident and we both still remember it very clearly. Neither of our parents recalled any of this.

A doll in a carrying case...

2008-07-25T14:42:00.000-07:00

This is EuroGirl. She is one of my favorite modern dolls. My two grandnieces each have one, so I always think of them when I look at her. She lives in the computer room with me. I love her sweet smile. She can wear Magic Attic clothes (slim 18" size doll).

It's Ginny in a box

2008-07-24T11:10:00.000-07:00

This doll is from the Vogue Doll Company's Vintage Classics Revisited Collection. Her name is Tiny Miss Cheryl. Can you guess why I like this doll? My dearest cousin, Donna, gave her to me.

A Lark in a box

2008-07-23T10:44:00.000-07:00

Here she is still in her box, NRFB as we say on eBay. This is the 14" Lark, Little Lady, ball-jointed doll by Helen Kish. I think she is gorgeous and I hope you do too. I haven't decided yet whether to remove her from the box or not.

White wire wicker...

2008-07-23T08:31:00.000-07:00

I like these little pieces, the screen is from the last doll show, the chairs and table came from eBay.

Something old, something new...

2008-07-22T10:18:00.001-07:00

Here is the new etagere that came yesterday. I think it has very nice detail and is the perfect display piece for my vintage brass set. This set is from the 1940's, there is one more piece that is not displayed, a tiny lamp about the size of the smaller vases. I have never seen another set like this one. It came with my dollhouse that I received as a gift when I was 10 years old. The pieces are heavy, so I believe it is real brass.

Now I have two vintage Shirley's..

2008-06-26T14:33:00.000-07:00

I love Shirley Temple and the dolls that were made to look like her. These two cuties are from the 1950's. One is a 15" and the other is a 12", both are wearing original outfits. The 12" has replaced socks and shoes, the 15" may be all original. Both were doll show finds.

A bit of nostalgia..

2008-06-25T14:28:00.000-07:00

When I was about 8 years old, I had a Wolverine stove and refrigerator. There was a set of plastic food that I played with that was just the right size for those little appliances. A lady at the doll show had some of those same plastic foods for sale. Of course I had to have them. I'm sure my brother will remember them too.

Another doll show find...

2008-06-24T14:25:00.000-07:00

I love miniatures and this little set was too cute to pass by.

Doll show finds...

2008-06-23T14:14:00.001-07:00

15" Shirley Temple from the 1950's.

Vogue Jill doll, 10" fashion doll circa 1950's.

A 10" German made antique doll, probably from the 1890's.

Gene by Mel Odom

2008-06-04T08:00:00.000-07:00

This is a modern fashion doll named Gene.

Another Group Photo

2008-06-03T08:00:00.000-07:00

This shot has an N15 in the front, VT18 to the left, VT20 to the right and a VT22 in the back. These dolls were often advertised as "sisters". The taller dolls were, of course, the big sisters.

The Square Faced Revlon

2008-06-02T08:00:00.000-07:00

This is a VT22 (22") Revlon doll. She is oftened referred to as the "square" faced Revlon. This size is a little harder to find, but is not as rare as the 26" version, which at auction recently sold for about $6000. One of those will probably not be in my collection. I have another VT22 dressed in a fall outfit, so I'll show her in October. This one is in a Christmas dress made by Sugar.

Which dress is the reproduction?

2008-06-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

This is a VT18 (18") and a VT20 (20"), one of these dresses is original from the late 1950's and the other is a reproduction. Can you tell which is which?

My Twinn

2008-04-22T20:04:00.000-07:00

Christmas, 2006, I received this beautiful My Twinn doll from my dear "daughters". She is modeling a dress we bought to put on another My Twinn for Christmas, 2007. I took this picture to send to the lady I bought it from, she really hated to part with the dress. I promised her it would have a good home and it does.

SWEET SUE

2008-04-20T19:01:00.000-07:00

This is an early American Character Sweet Sue. She has a floss wig and is made of hard plastic.

Little Miss Revlon in her negligee..

2008-04-18T13:14:00.001-07:00

This is one of my Little Miss Revlon dolls in her original negligee. She is just 10 1/2 inches tall and was made in the late 1950's (Before Barbie).

A Dolly Rescue

2008-04-16T10:51:00.000-07:00

My cousin, Donna, and I go on rescue missions to the local antique stores. When we see a doll that looks like she needs a new home, we do our patriotic duty (shopping keeps the economy going) and purchase her. This is one of those dolls. She is a 1991, Daisy Kingdom doll. She reminds me of a black Patsy doll.

Lovely Rita

2008-04-14T13:51:00.000-07:00

Rita is a 28" hard plastic walking doll from the 1950's. Originally, she was a bride doll, but I think she looks cute dressed in little girl's clothing. Made by the Paris Doll Company of New York, she is a relatively hard-to-find doll and there are many look-a-likes. She is unmarked.
As a bride, Rita wore her braids pinned to the sides of her head. These are her original braids and bangs. She still has her original bridal gown and veil and her white (now on the yellowish side) shoes.
I also have four marked Paris dolls made later in the 1950's than this Rita, with vinyl heads and rooted hair. Three have straight legs, one has knees that bend. They are about 31" tall. Two are brides with identical gowns in design, but made of different materials. I will post these dolls in the future, they are packed away now while we remodel.

Miss Revlon goes casual..

2008-04-12T19:01:00.000-07:00

This is a 20" Revlon doll, dressed in corduroy slacks and sweater. The necklace was made by my friend, Shirley, and the clothes, purse, and hat are from "Fashions by Sugar".

Primavera by Robert Tonner

2008-04-11T16:24:00.000-07:00

Today we had three very special visitors, Callie, Alexa, and Leah. They came to see and to play with the dolls. We had a very good time! One of the dolls they found very interesting was the big (22") fashion doll, Primavera by Tonner. They liked her jewelry, especially her earrings. Don't forget to click the pic and you'll be able to see her earrings too!

A new spring dress for Miss Revlon.

2008-04-10T15:41:00.000-07:00

One of my 15" Miss Revlon dolls needed a new dress for spring. My favorite doll dress maker on eBay just happened to have one listed in her size. You will be seeing more of my Revlons in the coming days, most of them wearing "fashions made by Sugar". Click on the picture to see a closeup of this lovely dress.

Dolls by Annette Himstedt

2008-04-08T08:33:00.001-07:00

Munira and Catalina

Nula and Neblina

These dolls are all about 28" tall. They can wear baby size clothing. Annette Himstedt, a German doll artist, likes to create dolls that look like real children. Made in Germany, these dolls have human hair and are made of vinyl. These are modern dolls from the 1990's through 2006 and are limited editions.

Muffie's sisters

2008-04-07T07:21:00.000-07:00

These are Muffie's bigger sister, Debbie. Debbie is about 10 inches tall and comes in a variety of hair colors. She was made in the 1950's by the Nancy Ann Storybook Company.

A new blog just for dolls!

2008-04-06T12:02:00.000-07:00

I decided today that Wild Thing shouldn't have to share his blog with the dolls, so I'm creating a new blog just for dolly pics, doll houses, doll furniture...you get the idea.

These dolls are Baby Face dolls by Galoob. I think they are getting ready to work in the garden.