Thrift Store Doll Finds

A couple of weeks ago I made an impromptu visit to a local thrift store where I discovered several racks of fashion dolls.  Many were in very preloved condition, but there were a few that were near mint, perhaps missing their shoes or another accessory or two.  I didn't buy anything that day, but I spied a doll that appeared to be a knock off of the original Black Barbie (minus her Afro hairstyle).  Her red shimmery gown gave me that impression.  I left her there.

This past Thursday after a trip to the post office, then to Marshall's to see if they had anything I "needed," and finally to the grocery store to pick up some natural peanut butter and fresh fruit, I decided to swing back by the thrift store to see what the racks of fashion dolls had to offer.  As I made my way to the wall racks, I noticed several Barbie and other fashion doll styling heads that were in very, very played-with condition.  I quickly scooted past these, continuing my course to the fashion doll racks. 

There were some new additions.  A rooted-hair, AA Ken with the smiling Jamal (maybe) face would have come home with me, but his black pleather space suit-looking costume was in the process of deterioration with several tiny flecks of it scattered inside the plastic bag and on him.  

I looked for the Black Barbie knock off and didn't find her.  I kept looking and finally found her along with Artsy Fashionista who had been there two weeks ago, too.  A third doll that I don't remember being there last time came home with me along with the other two.  Debut Alexis is missing her boots and wigs, but I decided her body could be a future donor for another doll's head.

Here they are in their baggies:  Black Barbie knock off, Artsy #1, and Alexis #1.

Freed from their baggies

Finally, here they are with heads combed, shoed/accessorized, and one quick fashion change (the red shimmery gown wasn't working for me).

I also applied a cream conditioner to the knock off's hair after wetting it, but first I trimmed the ends.  After applying the Infusium cream conditioner that I left in, I brushed it, and created a flip with my fingers.  Artsy's locks just needed brushing.  Amazingly, the quality of her hair is much better than the one I purchased new.

Did I "need" this trio?  No, because I already had Artsy and Alexis, but for $9 and some change, I purchased them anyway. 

Duplicates and their originals:  Artsy and Artsy are seated up front.  The redressed doll is the one I purchased new.  The thrift store doll wears the boots and holds the purse that came with the other.  Thrift store Alexis has borrowed the boots and original purse that came with the Alexis I purchased new. The new-purchased doll was redressed in the Liv'n Hip fashion last October and wears a red wig that I just had to have when I saw it at Wal-Mart last year.  Thrift store Alexis has also borrowed one of her sister's wig. 

If you have thrift stores in your area, you might want to stop in and check out their doll offerings from time to time.  If they are like the ones here, each week items with the tag color of the week receive 50% off.  Artsy's white tag qualified her for this week's discount.  Instead of paying $2.99 for her, she was only $1.49. 

dbg

Nitey-Nite Baby Finds New US Home...

... without even trying.

Nitey-Nite Baby was made in Spain by Famosa during the  late 1980s.  I added this 21-inch vinyl doll that has a soft cloth body to my collection during the mid 1990s after responding to an advertisement in Collectors United (CU), a monthly periodical of doll ads. 

Oh how I used to wait with bated breath for each monthly Collectors United to arrive.  After it arrived, I would stop, drop, and read each ad in hopes of locating a coveted Black doll to add to my collection.  My monthly long-distance phone bill was enormous after calling several American households in response to their Black-doll ads.  As my fingers did the dialing, I hoped the doll I desired was still available.  Often it was.  Nitey-Nite Baby is one such doll.  I first saw her in Myla Perkins' book, Black Dolls:  An Identification and Value Guide 1820-1991.  Like so many of the others in Perkins' book, I wanted her.

My monthly activity of scouring doll periodicals took place prior to my Internet access.  At that time, there was no eBay, no doll web sites to browse, or other instantaneous doll-buying access.  For doll buying, I relied on periodicals like CU, Master Collector, doll magazine ads, doll dealers with whom I had established a buyer's relationship, the now defunct HSN doll shows, and QVC's doll shows.

After recently deciding to sell some of my early doll acquisitions, beginning with large baby dolls, Nitey-Nite Baby was on a mental list of possible dolls to sell.  I had not yet decided to list her on eBay or use any other source to immediately sell this doll until I received an email from an eBay doll forum member requesting doll ID assistance.  It is still a mystery how the forum member found me. 

She wrote:

Hi Debbie,

A young woman posted to the eBay Doll Board yesterday about her search for her beloved childhood doll. So far we have been unable to identify the doll for her. It is indeed presumptuous to contact you, but I would very much like to see this girl find her doll again. Perhaps you could take a peek at her photo. I have attached her picture, but if you are as afraid as attachments as I am, her link is on her post.

Thank you,

JL

This is the image JL shared .  I immediately knew the doll was Famosa's Nitey-Nite Baby and sent JL a reply with the doll's ID.  She agreed to post this information to the forum in hopes that the person seeking this doll would read the updated post.  I as well posted a followup with a link to a past blog that features my Nitey-Nitey Baby and other dolls from Spain.  

Within a few days, I received an email from the young woman, Alina, thanking me for providing the doll's name.  She asked me to let her know if I ever decided to sell my doll.  She reassured me she would provide a good home for her and would not trust anyone with her like she did when she was 10.  Alina did not go into specifics about what happened to her long lost doll, but I can only imagine.  I promised her I would offer my doll to her if I decided to sell it.

A few days after our email communication, I stumbled upon another forum that contained a post with Alina's plea for help identifying her doll.  This post was made one day prior to JL's email to me.  It included pictures of Alina with her doll, and a screen shot of the same doll featured in "The Getaway" episode of the Cosby Show.  The plea along with the additional pictures melted my heart.  It was then that I knew my Nitey-Nite Baby needed to be the one to replace Alina's childhood doll.  

Nitey-Nite Baby and Alina have been reunited for several days now.  After the doll arrived to her new home, Alina addressed the following email to me:

Hi,

I received Nitey-Nite Baby today. She is beautiful and exactly the way I remember her. Thank you so much for letting me purchase her. I am so excited to enjoy her for many years to come.

Wishing you all the best,

Alina T.

---

I have since watched this Cosby Show episode. The doll is only shown for a split second. I wondered how in the world Alina recognized it as the doll she owned as a child, but then I realized, a "mother" knows her "child."

Alina, who often watches syndicated episodes of The Cosby Show, didn't realize her doll was featured on the show until recently.  As she watched "The Getaway," she shared, "I looked up at the TV and there she was in the box Olivia was carrying. I think I about broke down in tears. I have been searching for my childhood doll for years so I was extremely excited to see her on one of my favorite shows. Thank God for DVR cause I quickly paused and recorded the episode to show my mom. That is the first time in 15 years that I had seen my doll."

If you would like to watch the episode of The Cosby Show that fueled Alina's doll search and find, it is available in two parts on Youtube.  Nitey-Nite Baby is in Part 1 at 0:55 seconds, but don't blink because you might miss her.  Amazingly, Alina didn't.

Dear Adèle, I Apologize

2002 Fashion Royalty Adèle Makéda by Integrity Toys, photo courtesy of Adèle MakédaDollWiki

Dear Adèle,

When you made your debut into Doll World, I shied away from adding you to my collection based on your appearance alone. Your expression was similar to that of the mean girls I encountered back in the days of my youth who were mean to others to conceal their own insecurities. Your stern gaze through almond-shaped eyes seemed to pierce like a knife.  I sensed a defensive aura and believed you might cause serious bodily harm if anyone looked at you too hard or made the slightest move to disturb your sense of well-being. Even your name sounded fierce to me: Adèle Makéda. Girl, I just knew you carried a fully-loaded "piece" at all times and were not afraid to use it. Your temper could escalate from 0 to 60 without provocation, I thought. You were just too mean and I did not want you near me.  These preconceived irrational assumptions existed in my mind for nearly a decade and are the reasons I neglected to add you to my collection.

Things changed last year. I gave you a second glance. I noticed how throughout the years your "disposition" gradually softened. What I had originally perceived as ruthlessness was actually self-confidence and total autonomy. I realize now that you are your own woman, not defined by the standards of others. You are a leader. The others follow and want to emulate you. Many are often envious of your style, your class, your intelligence, your grace. Your unapologetic confidence frightens them. They want to be you.  I wanted you in my collection.

Urban Antoinette Adèle Makéda, 2006 (my first Adèle) designed by Jason Wu for Integrity Toys



Because your secondary market price is often high, it took a full year for me to find you at a price I was willing to pay.  Shortly afterward, I found another. 


Something Sexy Adèle, 2005, was purchased from D7Ana at a price I could not refuse.

Now that I own two, I am delighted I gave you a second chance and took the time to recognize the depth of your total doll being. Adèle, I am very sorry for dismissing you for so many years.

I hope, if you care, that you will find it in your “heart” to forgive my brash oversight. 

Sincerely,


dbg

PS  I must also apologize on behalf of the man God created for me.  When he first noticed your Urban Antoinette version, he asked, "Who's the Cher doll?"  "Cher doll? I don't have a Cher doll."  I asked/stated.   He pointed you out as you stood gracefully on my desk.  I replied, "That's not Cher. Her name's Adèle."  Finally, he said, "Well, she's dressed like Cher." 

Please forgive him, too. 

See also:

Dolls of Color Adèle Makéda 

Adèle Makéda DollWiki
Adèle's Story

Why I No Longer Collect Porcelain Dolls

If you've been following this blog, you know I am in the process of finding new homes for some of my larger dolls through eBay.  I have not shared the reason, but it may be obvious.

Over the past 20 years, my doll collection has grown by leaps and bounds.  My doll enthusiasm has shifted from artist to manufactured play line dolls, to vintage, back to artist, back to play line, to fashion, to a combination of all genres that pull at my heartstrings at any given time.  I am admittedly an unfocused, incurable black-doll collector. 

In the process of creating space in my doll room using strategically placed book shelves in the center of the 18 x 20 feet space, my "helpful" husband removed doll beds (still occupied by dolls) from the doll room into the adjacent room.  He then brought in three book shelves he constructed and placed them in the center of the room with enough space left for me to navigate around the shelves.  Next, in his "helpful" manner, he retrieved the first of the four doll beds from the den to return them to the doll room.  Just as he was about to retrieve the final bed, a double-decker (that still contained dolls), I shouted, "The doll on the lower bed is porcelain!"  Too late, the big 22-inch baby that I named Precious fell to the floor and I heard the unpleasant sound of shattering porcelain! 

I was too outdone.  To prevent myself from going straight off like an extremely agitated, black-female doll collector whose doll had just been broken due to the carelessness of another (okay, I'm counting to 10 and taking deep breaths as I type this), I didn't say anything... then.  In his way of never admitting to a mistake, he tried to make excuses for his blunder, the weakest of which was, "I see why people don't buy porcelain dolls."  (I won't write what I was thinking.)  But just picture Florida Evans (played by the late actress, Esther Rolle) preparing to drop that crystal punch bowl  in the episode of Good Times after the loss of her beloved husband, James Evans (John Amos) finally sets in.  

Instead, I'll just write, "Man!" 

I couldn't even bring myself to look at Precious... made from the Dianna Effner "Sleepy Head" mold by a then-novice doll artist who did a fabulous job creating her first African American doll at my request in 1998. Here's a scan of Precious from my first black-doll reference, which may be the only picture I have of her in her original state.

Scan from page 106, The Definitive Guide to Collecting Black Dolls (Hobby House Press, 2003)

For countless years and particularly when I was heavily into baby dolls, Precious was one of my favorites.

"Helpful" swiftly picked up the pieces, removed Precious from the doorway, and I vacuumed the spot of what I considered her demise.  (She's useless now, I thought... I'll just throw her away.)  He returned to the room and said, "It was just her hand.  I can fix it." 

Silence from me. 

Finally after a couple of hours, I built up enough courage to examine the damage.  I gently lifted her other extremities and was happy to discover they are indeed okay.  Her body is cloth, so no damage there.  Gingerly,  I lifted up her beautiful head and heard rattling underneath her wig.  In addition to the lower arm and hand fractures, her head is fractured, too.  Big sigh.  I wrapped her arms and legs with wash cloths and secured those with rubber bands to protect the porcelain from banging together when "helpful" husband decides to repair Precious. 

Damage proof:

Precious with fractured arm and cloth-wrapped extremities

Remaining pieces of fractured forearm and hand

I know it was an accident, but I'm still grieving her loss. 

dbg

PS  When I photographed Precious for this blog, which was written prior to taking the photographs, I was happy to discover that the repair process has already begun.  As I photographed her, Helpful asked, then cautioned, "What are you doing???  Be careful; don't you see I've already started repairing her arm?"  Upon closer inspection, I noticed he has glued a portion of her forearm back and you can barely see the break.   He has already begun the repair on her head, too.  

Precious, still sleeping peacefully throughout this traumatic event.

After taking the pictures, I said, "Look at her, she doesn't even know what's going on."  He replied, "She's under anesthesia."

Can I tell you my disappointment has lifted by 1000%?   Well it has.

:-)

Swappin' Styles Swappable Head #2 for Artsy

Swappable head #1, Barbie Fashionistas Swappin' Styles Artsy, and swappable head #2

Found at Target, the second swappable head for Barbie Swappin' Styles Fashionistas Artsy has curly hair that is darker than swappable head #1.   Head #2 also differs distinctly from the original head in color and texture. 

Head swapping, illustrated:

Artsy has a button on her back which releases her head and the entire breast plate.

Artsy's original head has been popped off.

Head #2 (on the right) is on her body.  The original head is placed nearby for comparison.  Swappable head #1 is still in the box... it's too much like the original head.

Artsy with darker, textured hair

Different is definitely better. 

dbg

More Images of McBride-Irby's Prettie Girls! OWP

Lena (African American), Valencia (Hispanic) Dahlia (India), Kimani (Africa)

are scheduled to arrive fall 2011

Sophia the 2012 Obama doll is scheduled to ship December 1, 2011 and can be preordered here.

(Images downloaded from Facebook)

dbg

Video and Links to Images of Actual Prettie Girls! OWP

Update!

Images of the actual Prettie Girls! OWP dolls are, in fact, on their website (Lena, Valencia, Dahlia, Kimani AND the 2012 Obama Doll, Sophia!)  Click each girl's name to view the actual doll and read her bio.  Okay, here's the link!

I'm looking forward to seeing the Prettie Girls! OWP sketches transformed into vinyl.

dbg

For the Love of Dolls and Family

I received a call from my 5, soon-to-be, 6-year-old niece this past Sunday.  After answering, "Hello."  Niece, over the speaker phone, enthusiastically said, "Aunt Debbie, I love your book!"   Confused, I tried to recall which children's book I might have possibly sent her that she could be reporting she loved.  Then I heard my sister say, "She's talking about your doll book."  Oh, I thought.

My sister went on to explain that Niece saw the book on her bedroom bookshelf where it had been placed  after I sent Niece's autographed copy in 2008.  With Niece being 3 at the time, after their initial review of the book, my sister placed it on a top shelf for safekeeping.   Sunday, Niece asked if she could see it and commented how much she loved it.  My sister suggested she call to let me know.

I thanked my niece for the compliment, told her I hope she continues to enjoy the book, and asked if she saw a doll in it that she liked.  "Oh, yes!" she said.  "She's in a wheelchair."

Confused once again, I told her, "I don't have a doll that's in a wheelchair."  To further describe the doll, Niece said, "She has lots of pretty hair."  Sister thumbed through the pages of the book and located My Twinn Cuddy Sister Jasmine and said, "She's on page 195!" 

After chuckling, I said, "She's not in a wheelchair.  That's a rocking chair."  I shared with Sister that I had recently listed items on eBay and had seriously considered listing Jasmine.  


My Twinn Cuddly Sister Jasmine



Purchased several months ago as birthday gifts for my Niece, Bree and Fancy Nancy pose before departure.

 Because she loves her, this week My Twinn Cuddly Sisters Jasmine (minus her chair) will accompany Bree and Fancy Nancy to a Mid-Atlantic state to live with my niece. 

Since Sunday, Niece has viewed my book several times, even falling asleep in the process.  Most little girls love looking at dolls in person and even in doll books.  They love doll surprises, too.

dbg

Vanessa is going to Russia!

The first of my eBay free listings has sold:  Vanessa, the first 40-inch AA ball-jointed doll manufactured for the US market.  I have mixed emotions.  Yes, I need the space that Vanessa occupied.  She is an extremely heavy doll, which makes her difficult for me to manipulate (my back hurts when I lift her).  But to send a child... I mean a doll to a new home makes me a little sad.  I wonder how Vanessa "feels." 

Based on pictures I took of her when she arrived last year, I think she has enjoyed her time here, but she may be a little nervous, too, not knowing what's in store for her at her new home.

Vanessa (far left) playing mommy in the doll room as others look on

The easy part is over (the listing, the sale). Now the hard part of really letting go and actually lugging her to the PO (after payment is received) to send her on her way is not as easy.  But I know I will live through it.

With one down and several more listings to go, I hope they sell and I hope I will be able to let go a lot easier than it appears I will be able to let Vanessa go. 

dbg

Colorado Mandating Diversity Training Through Doll Play

Model of the Moment Nichelle, Hispanic Candi, and Emerald

While half asleep and half listening to a news story on CNN this morning, I heard TJ Holmes mention the requirement for dolls in day care facilities to represent at least three ethnicities.  After fully waking up, and remembering that I heard a doll-related story, I Googled:  daycare doll diversity. 

The mandates, which are multiple and included on a 98-page document, affect day care facilities in Colorado.  Creating a doll population that reflects a minimum of three ethnicities is just one of the mandates.  Gaining permission from a child's doctor to provide whole milk for the child is another (huh?).  Limiting computer time to 20 minutes per day and regulating day care providers' attire are other proposed mandates.  Additional rules for Colorado child care providers are included in this story.

What are your thoughts?

dbg

I Could Not Refuse These eBay Offerings

Offering 1: After nearly 20 years of waiting a particular doll that had an original retail of approximately $400 when released in approximately 1991, I recently won an eBay auction for Jasmine by Rotraut Schrott.

Jasmine (with strands of hair in face); I love her fat plaits!

Jasmine was distributed by the now defunct Great American Doll Company (a.k.a. GADCO).  I first saw her lovely face in doll magazine and immediately fell in love with it and her two fat braids, which reminded me of the way I wore my hair as a child.  I wanted her, but at the time I could not justify paying her original retail.  As a novice collector, I had never spent $400 on a doll. 

Several years passed and my interest in dolls reverted from less-costly-than Jasmine artist dolls, to play line dolls (mostly babies and dolls made during my childhood to recapture that era in black),  to fashion dolls,  and then to purchasing a variety of doll genres.  I eventually forgot about Jasmine until the past year or so when I noticed eBay auctions for her that varied in asking/selling price from $125 to $350. 

Last week, I finally found my girl... she will arrive soon, nude.  I plan to dress her in a replacement ballerina fashion.  I was the only bidder and her total cost was less than $100.  This was definitely an offering I could not refuse, but "Where in the world will I put her?" (I thought.)

I scanned the doll room and eyed the first of several dolls that have been and will eventually be placed on eBay.  After listing the auction for the first 40-inch ball-jointed African American doll made for the American market, I discovered the listing was free!  I will only incur the cost of the final auction value if the auction sells (and it should; bids have already been placed). The free listing is the second eBay offering I could not refuse, described in full below.

Offering 2:  Until August 1, eBay is offering me (and probably other sellers... not sure what the stipulations are to be eligible) up to 50 "List Auction-style FREE [auctions] with any start price. Plus [I can] add a Buy It Now for FREE. I only have to pay final auction value fees if the items sell.  What???? (That's an excited, what.)

Hmmm... with the need to find new homes for several dolls that are no longer near and dear to my heart, specifically baby dolls and large dolls like the 40-inch BJD that take up sooooooo much space and are too heavy for me to manipulate, I scanned the doll room and selected several other dolls to place on eBay between now and August 1. 

I may not list 50 items, but if I place a doll a day on eBay (or close to it) I could potentially find new homes for several and create much needed space (that should remain free)!   

---

If you have dolls that need new homes and you are a registered eBay user, check out eBay's List Auction-style* FREE with any start price. Plus add a Buy It Now for FREE offer.  While you are there, check out my current listings and bookmark the link for my future listings planned between now and August 1.

*If you choose to list for free on eBay, be sure the auction style is a List Auction that does not use a template or any other special "effects" offered by eBay, because these are not free.  Also, any extras like multiple categories, photo packs, gallery, subtitles, and themes are extra. 

To keep the auction listings free, prior to beginning an auction, I upload images of the items to a free image hosting service, like Flickr.com.  I use the List Auction feature along with eBay's free, one picture upload for each auction.  Then I switch the description field from standard to HTML and copy the uploaded Flickr image codes into the description field to add additional photos.   Good luck if you choose to take eBay up on their free listings offer, too.

dbg

Dollie and Me Zulily.com Event Ends 07/16 @ 6 a.m. PDT



Screen-captured Dollie and Me fashions on sale through 07/16/11 to registered Zulily.com users

These too-cute Dollie and Me matching girl-doll fashions fit girls sizes 4 to 10 (size availability may vary) and 18-inch American Girl, Madame Alexander and similar 18-inch dolls.  The above-illustrated fashions are currently offered at Zulily.com to registered Zulily customers, priced from $13.99 to $17.99 with regular retail up to $42.00.  The event ends on 07/16/11 at 6 a.m. PDT.

 
dbg

1st African American 40-inch BJD

Vanessa, the first 40-inch African American ball-jointed doll by Monika Levenig

As I am in the process of finding new homes for some of my larger dolls, Vanessa -- the first 40in/101.6cm African American, ball-jointed doll, by German artist, Monika Levenig, is the first to be placed up for adoption via eBay. 

A Youtube video of the artist demonstrates Vanessa's pose-ability.

The auction includes a full description with a link to a slideshow of images.

To access the auction, click here. Vanessa sold immediately after being listed on eBay and now resides in Russia.

dbg

Ultra Basic Esme Caught Cross-Dressing

Ultra Basic Esme by Robert Tonner

Ultra Basic Esme arrived in December 2009 wearing only a white body suit, ready to be dressed by me.  She has worn several different fashions during her time here but only one was by her artist, Robert Tonner.

Esme's last two outfits were Franklin Mint's Vive Jacqui that she swapped out for the black sheath worn by Franklin Mint's Michelle Obama.  Because Michelle's sheath and shoes were a little loose on Esme, I could no longer ignore her request for me to find something more suitable for her to wear.  I did that earlier this week. 

Ultra Basic Esme in Somers and Field fashion

Esme is now dressed in the National Gallery fashion made for Somers and Field Daisy and Willow dolls.   Daisy and Willow are not as well-endowed as Esme, which causes the dress to fit a little snug across the bust area.  Other than that, the chartreuse and navy blue, mini-length dress looks tailor made for Esme.  The navy blue thigh-high tights and faux suede shoes with gold-encircled pearl accents on the vamp are also a perfect fit.  Esme holds a pyramid-shaped navy blue handbag with gold chain strap and navy blue gloves.  Unfortunately, the gloves are too small. 

I pierced Esme's ears because she insisted on wearing the gold-encircled pearl earrings from the Jackie Bear ensemble that I mentioned in a recent blog.  I agree with her; the earrings are a nice touch.

Esme took another photograph to illustrate her new mod look from the back.

She and I are quite pleased with the new look. 

---

Doll Cross-Dressing:  Dressing a doll made by one artist or manufacturer in another artist's or manufacturer's fashion.   Did you think I meant gender cross-dressing?

dbg

Hearts for Hearts Girls, Rahel

Hearts For Hearts Girls Rahel

Having arrived during the last week of June, Rahel is no longer on my wish list thanks to my BDFF (best doll friend forever).  I just love her too-cute face and her big brown eyes.  Even more than that, I adore her huge Afro. 

Representing Ethiopia, Rahel is dressed in a gold bodysuit, burnt orange full-length wrap skirt, tan faux leather sandals, yellow gemstone dangle earrings, and multiple strands of colorful beads and bracelets.  Her accessories include a book that tells her story, a girl-sized Hearts for Hearts necklace, a wide-toothed comb, and a special code that unlocks the owners membership in the Hearts for Hearts Girls online community.

Rahel received the customary photo shoot and also found a BFF in Nora, the doll I incorrectly thought shared the same face mold.   Photos follow.

The back of box illustrates the other Hearts for Hearts Girls that represent girls from other lands.

Deboxed and free; Rahel is all vinyl and stands 14 inches tall.

Rahel and BFF Nora by Paolo Reina of Spain could be sisters as well as BFFs.  Nora is a little over an inch shorter.

Thanks again, DR.

dbg

Radiant Child Remi Towers Above the Rest



Radiant Child Remi with other male dolls and action figures for height comparison

After repairing and photographing Integrity's Remi, I realized he stands much taller than the other guys here, but I wanted to know just how much taller. 

At 13-1/2 inches, Remi is 2 inches taller than the shortest figures shown in the above image (Hot Toys TrueType AA a.k.a. "Terrence Howard" and Hasbro's GI Joe).  Remi is at least three fourths of an inch taller than the tallest in the group (Triad's ebony-complexioned Omega).

The images below provide a better visual of just how tall Remi towers above the rest of the guys.



Remi and Omega (13-1/2 vs 12-1/4 inches)




Remi and Tyr (13-1/2 vs 12 inches)




Remi and World Peacekeepers action figure (13-1/2 vs 11-3/4 inches)





Remi and Darren (13-1/2 vs 11-3/4 inches)



Remi and Integrity's Tariq (13-1/2 vs 12 inches)




Remi and Hot Toys "Obama" (13-1/2 vs 12 inches)





Remi and Mattel's Dre (13-1/2 vs 11-1/2 inches)





Remi and "Terrence" (13-1/2 vs 11-1/2 inches)





Remi and GI Joe (13-1/2 vs 11-1/2 inches)

 dbg

Remi's Relief



Remi upon arrival; this is not an optical illusion.

 

Late afternoon this past Friday, preordered Remi by Integrity Toys from their Dynamite Girls Plastic Inevitable Collection, arrived damaged!  Needless to say I was very disappointed, not sure if a replacement could be issued for this now sold out edition doll, or if I would have to settle for a credit to my credit card.  I immediately contacted the merchant via email and received a prompt reply that the matter would be handled as expeditiously as possible considering the upcoming July 4th holiday.

The merchant telephoned me this afternoon with my options:

A.  Return the doll to Integrity Toys for repair/replacement by following the instructions provided on their website for "patient care." 
B.  Repair the doll myself by using a blow dryer to soften the vinyl of the neck area of the doll's head enough to reposition it on the knob.  Caution: An over mitt or other protective covering is required for the hand that holds the head!
C.  Send the doll to the merchant to repair for me.

I chose B.     

It took all of two minutes max to reconnect the head with the body.  Relieved, I took pictures and recorded Remi in my Excel doll inventory workbook as the first doll purchase for July 2011.



Remi, still in the box after his quick fix

 

Asserting his confidence and good looks



Close up proof of good looks



Remi did not waste time connecting with Something Sexy Adele Makeda, who arrived this past March in perfect condition from A Philly Collector of Playscale and Action Figures.





 The repair, box freedom, and connection with Something Sexy has Remi relieved and quite satisfied.   Adele is pleased, too.

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