Search For Black Playpal Leads to Another Find

Earlier this month I received an email from an Argentine ventriloquist in need of a black Patti Playpal or Playpal-type doll that he apparently wants to use in his act.  His request was for me to sell him one of my dolls.  Not willing to part with any of mine, I offered to help him locate one here in the US. 

Playpals and Playpal types used to be rather plentiful (the black versions, I mean) on eBay.  This is no longer the case.  When they do show up, the amount the seller desires is usually far more than most are willing to pay. 

Willie Talk by Horsman, a 23-inch pull-string ventriloquist doll, circa 1972

In "helper mode," I searched eBay for "black ventriloquist doll" (thinking maybe the Argentine might be able to use one in place of the desired Playpal).  I located an auction for a black Willie Talk by Horsman, circa 1970s-mid 1980s.  He was nude and the beginning bid was under $15.  I asked the gentleman if Willie Talk interested him.  He insisted that he needed a 35-inch black Playpal.  "Okay," I thought.  I revisited Willie's auction and decided to watch it until the end.  "Yippee, yay," I thought, as the adrenaline rush began to subside when my lone bid sealed my win.

Horsman's 23-inch Willie Talk, redressed

Willie Talk (WT) arrived last week in need of clothing.  I have temporarily dressed  him in an infant's preemie nautical-style romper and black infant's shoes.  The ankle portion of his painted-on black, cloth feet gives the illusion of socks.  If he could really talk, WT would probably voice his displeasure over my outfit selection.  But since he cannot, he has no say-so in the matter.  I think he would agree with me that he fits in well with my other ventriloquist and pull-string, ventriloquist-type dolls.

Ventriloquist and pull-string talking dolls, L-R:  1960s Lester by Juro holds Lester, a pull string talker, circa 1980s by EEGEE/Goldberger; Willie Talk by Horsman, circa 1972-80s; and Lester ventriloquist by EEGEE 1970s.  With the exception of Lester in yellow shirt, all mouths are designed to move. 

WT's mouth mechanism, a string in the back of his neck, is designed to close and open his mouth.  It is no longer operational.  This may be something my husband can repair after I remove the head.  Repaired or not, he has lots of character especially with the gold-rim glasses I added.

With an eBay saved search in place, hopefully I can help the gentleman locate the desired Playpal without finding something else for myself in the process. 

For more information on ventriloquist dolls and dummies, visit Ventriloquist Central. 

To see one of the few African American ventriloquists and his side kick, Lester perform, click the play arrow below:




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EIH © 1910

The following descriptions were used for this 12-inch baby whose faint neck marks read EIH © 1910:

1930s Baby Bumps
All Original
Velvet stuffed body
Hard to Find

The initials, E-I-H, are the early doll marks used by the E. I. Horsman Company.  I knew the doll was made by Horsman and that it was not Baby Bumps as indicated by the seller.  His true ID remained a mystery for weeks.

Last week I solicited the help of fellow doll collector, Lisa Ferguson, who scanned photos from five different doll reference books and emailed those to me.  Unfortunately, none of Lisa's images disclosed my doll's ID.  I was, therefore, prompted to open up books from my own doll reference library in an attempt to ID this little brown chocolate drop, a task I had delayed completing for weeks.

"Mystery solved!" I thought, after seeing what I assumed was the white version of my doll in one of my bound references.

Horsman's Candy Kid is shown to the left of my mystery doll.

Candy Kid, as illustrated on page 77 of Compo Dolls Volume II 1909-1928 Identification and Price Guide by Polly and Pam Judd looks almost identical to my doll (as illustrated above), but no mention of a black version is made in the book. This is not an unusual occurrence, as many doll reference books that focus on white dolls often exclude information about black counterparts.

On page 78, the Judd's describe Candy Kid as follows:

12in (31cm) tall; composition head and hands; straw-filled cloth body; highly sculptured face with high cheekbones; deeply indented closed mouth; smiling face; molded painted hair; shoulders and hips jointed with disks; all original red and white checked romper suit; red yoke and belt; red felt shoes; all original; 1912-1913. 

Other than the clothes and complexion, the description fits my doll, but I needed to do additional checking. 

Don Jensen's book, Collector's Guide to Horsman Dolls Identification and  Values 1865-1950 helped me determine that my doll is not Candy Kid.  On the page opposite Jensen's Candy Kid description is an illustration of three dark skinned dolls:  Two versions of Cotton Joe -- a baby and a standing version.  The third doll is another baby, Bingo, and bingo is what I thought when I recognized the baby with the #6 near his head as being my doll!

Page 73 of Collector's Guide to Horsman Dolls... by Don Jensen describes and illustrates three early Horsman dolls:  Cotton Joe, Bingo and a standing version of Cotton Joe.  My doll is Bingo! (Click any of the images to enlarge.)

Jensen describes Bingo as one of Horsman's 1910 American Kids in Toyland.
B-I-N-G-O!
B-I-N-G-O!
B-I-N-G-O!
and Bingo is his name-o!

Bingo close up

Like Candy Kid and my recently acquired Baby Bumps, Bingo is one of Horsman's Can't Break 'Em composition dolls.  But unlike my Baby Bumps, Bingo's composition exterior has fared far better over the past 102 years. 

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Black Patti Playpal and Playpal-Types

Patti Playpal and Playpal-Types, a photo by Black Doll Enthusiast on Flickr.


In 1981, Ideal Toys released the first-ever, 35-inch doll given the name Patti Playpal.  A life-size doll that can wear child-size clothing and "walk with you," Patti Playpal was quite popular in her 1959-60s heyday.  Children enjoyed dressing the doll, combing her closely rooted hair, and using her as an inanimate companion.  I secretly longed for one as a child, but for some odd reason, according to my mother, I never asked for one.

As an adult collector, I have made up for this childhood void.  I own more than 10 Playpals today.  Three are authentic Patti Playpals.  The others were manufactured during the 1960s and 1970s by other companies and are considered Playpal types.

Prior to Ideal's black Patti Playpal, other companies such as Allied Eastern, Horsman, Uneeda, among others made Patti Playpal types, inspired by Ideal's 1959-released doll.  Due to licensing and trademarks, none of the others were named Patti.

In approximately 2003, Ashton Drake began reproducing the Caucasian version of Ideal's Patti Playpal dolls.   Several members of the Playpal family were included in their reproduced dolls.  Frustrated over the absence of a black version, I emailed Ashton-Drake requesting its manufacture.  Others joined me in the "We need an AA Patti Playpal" email campaign.  Finally, in 2006, Ashton-Drake (CollectiblesToday.com) used the original head and body sculpts of Ideal's 1959 Patti Playpal and created the first-ever African American version to use these molds.  My AD doll is shown in a solo image below along with an additional comparison head shot of Ideal's version with the Ashton Drake doll. 

Ashton Drake's 2006 African American Patti Playpal uses the 1959 head and body molds.  Her complexion is lighter than the 1981 Ideal doll; their bodies and head sculpts are different, too.  This doll is made of very heavy weight vinyl. 

Ideal's Patti Playpal has a Hersey-brown complexion while Ashton Drake's version has caramel coloring.  The ideal doll has stationary eyes.  The AD doll has sleep eyes. 

dbg

Washington and Snipes, Dressed

Dressed playscale figures described as Denzel Washington-like and Snipes-like

It took a few days for "us" (as in me and my husband) to exchange "Denzel's" formerly gloved hands for his new "real" hands, but he's all fixed and dressed now.  Snipes is, too.

Now that he is dressed,  I think "Denzel" looks more like the actor, especially with the stingy brim straw hat as a perfect camouflage for his dated high-top fade hairstyle.  Click to enlarge the images and please let me know what you think.  Does he look more like Denzel now or not?

Full length picture of the guys dressed; do you recognize Snipes' fashion?

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First a Hat, Now Shoes; She's Ready to Go!

After making Debbie's dome-style hat, we both decided she needed shoes for her bare feet.  I searched the doll room high and low but was unsuccessful in finding a pair of flats to match Debbie's purple and white dress made by Chynadoll Creations. 

As I was about to end my shoe search and call it a doll-playing day, I recalled viewing the Limbe Dolls shoe tutorials.  I reviewed these for a refresher course in playscale doll shoe making.

Since I did not have sticky-back foam on hand, I used regular foam in contrasting colors.  Double-sided tape was used to position the pieces of foam and ribbon followed by Aleene's Clear Gel Tacky Glue to permanently affix the pieces.  The end result is Debbie's purple and white, ribbon-toe sandals with ribbon ankle straps.  These are  a modification of a combination of the Limbe Dolls shoe tutorials.

Foam and ribbon ankle-strap sandals

~*~*~*~*~*

Initially none of my dolls planned to attend Rod and Danielle's wedding in Morristown.  At the last minute, independent Debbie, who doesn't mind traveling solo, has decided to attend.  She wants to join the others who are traveling to Morristown and those who are already there to experience first hand the doll wedding of the year.   Her current thoughts are, "Even if I'm late for the ceremony, I'll get there in time for the reception."

With gift in hand, Debbie is Morristown bound!

Morristown, here she comes!


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I Made a Hat!

This past Friday evening I participated in an online chat/hat making session with the So In Style  Yahoo Group.  Our gracious chat host, Steph-a-nie (of Fantastic Favors and Invitations) led us in step-by-step instructions with images to make a felt dome hat or felt flat hat to fit So In Style Barbie dolls or other similar sized, 11-1/2-inch fashion dolls.  I chose to make the dome-style hat.

I do not have the step-by-step instructions.  Those will be added to the SIS group later (one of the benefits of being a group member).  I can, however, share images of the hat I made, which is modeled by my Chynadoll Creations original doll, Debbie.

Debbie models a dome-style felt hat, which is embellished with a felt rose.  She holds the first rose I made, which was too flat.

My first "flat" rose.

Debbie is profiling and styling her new felt hat.

The hat is secured to Debbie's head with a straight stick pin through the crown.  The head of the pin was colored with white gel ink.

The second rose, still a little flat, is better than my first one; it is also held on with a straight pin.  I left the head of this pin uncolored. 

Somewhat better view of the 2nd rose

I used a straight pin as a temporary means of securing the rose to the hat to add versatility.  The rose can be removed and the hat embellished with a contrasting ribbon, such as purple, to match Debbie's dress.

Thanks again, Steph-a-nie, for your wonderful instructions!

dbg

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Is That Washington and Snipes?

11-1/2-inch action figures by Blue Box and Dragon Models Ltd. 

These two were described as Denzel-like and Wesley Snipes-like by Old Joe Infirmary.  I saw them at their website when picking up some extra separate clothing items for my Head Play Michael Jordan. 

If you look at these two really close and use your imagination, a slight resemblance to the two aforementioned celebrities might formulate. I can almost see a Mo' Better Blues Denzel, but I haven't figured out which Wesley character this figure might possibly represent.  If I were a Snipes fan, I would probably know, but fan of his, I am not.

It's unfortunate that "Denzel's" high-top fade dates him back to the 1990s, but it coincides with his Blue Box copyright year of 1999.   Also unfortunate are Denzel's gloved hands (see next image).  Replacements are definitely in order as my first option.  My next option is to go for brown acrylic paint coverage.

"Wesley" is by Dragon Models Ltd. and also has a copyright date of 1999.   His black hair is spray-painted on.  A clicking motion is audible when his arms are repositioned.

These guys are practicing control over mind and body while assuming the lotus position.

Short in stature, they are both only 11-1/2 inches in actual height.  Both have multiple, flexible, yet tight joints and can easily assume the lotus position as shown above.

Snipes and Washington height comparison

Above is a comparison photo of the guys standing alongside some of my other men.  In bare feet, they range in size from 11 inches ("Ernesto," far left--GI Joe) to 13-3/8 inches (Remi, far right by Integrity Toys). 

Since neither has his own clothing line or brand, they won't mind wearing anything I decide to dress them in and are even comfortable in their birthday suits.

Revelation:  Integrity's Remi can wear Ken's boots from the Barbie Basics Look No. 04 Collection 002 accessory pack.

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Is That Michael Jordan?

Michael Jordan by Head Play

After seeing his head successfully attached to his TTL Toys T2.0C dark brown body, fully dressed, and standing on my desk, my husband asked, "Is that Michael Jordan?"

"Yes."  I replied. 

"Michael doesn't wear jeans."  He said.  "He wears slacks and T-shirts... Hanes." 

"Well, he does now."  I replied. 

I had already ordered his separates from Old Joe Infirmary (OJI) before I saw Roxanne's Head Play Michael Jordan, which prompted the purchase of mine.  He bears a remarkable resemblance to the real Michael Jordan as evidenced by my husband's ability to immediate recognize who he represents. 

For 24-hours, Michael remained on my desk donning the royal blue turtleneck*, plaid shirt, blue denim jeans, and black boots.  The more I looked at him, however, I realized the lumbar jack-looking outfit was just not working.  This prompted the following fashion swap.

After switching clothes with Tyr Anasazi, Michael now wears a gray dress shirt, black denim jeans, and black oxfords.  I think he looks much better and the other ensemble works well for Tyr.  BB 2.5 (Model 8) agrees. 

Husband, however, after doing a double-take at Michael's new attire commented,

"Mike needs some slacks and a T-shirt.  He doesn't wear jeans."

I ended the discussion by saying, "He does now." 

*The turtleneck was actually made for female playscale figures, but Michael and Tyr do not know this.

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Anticipating Rod and Danielle's Wedding

I have been enjoying the blog posts and videos by Fashion Dolls at Van's Doll Treasures, which share the events (thus far) of Rod and Danielle's actual (doll) wedding day in Morristown, USA.  Links to most of these are below:

The Morning of the Wedding
Danielle and Leslie at the Hair Salon
Headed to the Church
Getting Dressed (it's getting closer)
The Husbands Have Arrived
Guests Arriving to the Church

Equally as enjoyable have been the following posts by bloggers whose dolls will be in attendance at the wedding as additional guests. 

Pink Obsession Attendees
Brooklyn Stars Forever Attendees
Doll Affinity Attendees
Chynadoll Creation Attendees

I can tell this is going to be a fabulous wedding, reception, and I'm sure honeymoon! 

Congratulations Rod and Danielle!

~~~~~~~~~~

Become a follower of  Fashion Dolls at Van's Doll Treasures and keep up with additional Morristown wedding day and post-wedding day events. 

dbg

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McFarlane's Military: Army Ranger Artic Operations

ArmyRangerArticOperationsfull, a photo by Black Doll Enthusiast on Flickr.

Does anyone collect 6-inch military figures like this one? If so, I have five different McFarlane's figures currently on eBay.

dbg

Loose DAFs

A variety of dolls and action figures

Loose dolls and action figures (DAFs) as displayed on one shelf of a three-tiered bookcase.  DAFs are by Hasbro (GI Joe), Hot Toys, Ideal, Integrity Toys, Lanard Toys, Madame Alexander, Mattel, M & C Toy Limited (World Peacekeepers), MGA, Mixis, Only Hearts Club, and an unknown manufacturer.  The guy on the far right with the weapon, constantly polices their actions. 

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Received in Bad Condition x2

Minus the weapon, which I knew was not included,  I ordered the two action figures shown above from a US eBay seller.

Minus the weapon, that I didn't want even if it had been included, this is what I received: a tan/light brown action figure body, the hands of which and extra head connectors are inside a small zip lock bag; and a brown action figure body with hands attached.  What's the problem you ask?  BOTH ARE MISSING THEIR LEFT FEET and I am screaming.  (Go ahead, click the image to enlarge it.)  What looks like an action figure brochure is actually the collapsed and folded boxes for each figure that the seller could have used to ship the figures in instead of a bubble wrap envelope.

The Back Story:
The Head Play Michael Jordan head that I ordered and received last week needed a body.  None of the bodies I have on hand fit.  So I immediately went to eBay in search of a body for Michael and another head that I plan to purchase later.  I emailed a couple of sellers to be sure that I ordered bodies that would fit Michael and the other head.  I was told that 1:6 TTL bodies would fit both.

Next, I narrowed down the best price/shipping combination.  One seller in Hong Kong had the bodies for $18.99 each with free shipping.  The selected US seller had them for $19.99 each with free shipping.  "What's a dollar?" I thought.  "I'll support the US seller and probably receive the bodies quicker than I would if I order from the HK seller."  So that's what I did.

The bodies arrived today as shown in a bubble wrap envelope, which was damaged in transit and re-taped by the PO after the left feet, which were probably loose in the package (if ever in there at all), fell out.  Stamped twice in red letters on the front of the re-sealed envelope is my exact description of these two figures:  RECEIVED IN BAD CONDITION.

I didn't realize the seller's free shipping meant the use of a bubble wrap mailer. 

I am awaiting the seller's reply to the notification I sent regarding this situation. 


dbg

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Baby Mine or Black Baby Bumps

I immediately recognized this doll as Horsman's Baby Bumps, circa 1910, after seeing it identified for sale as Baby Mine by Ideal.  In spite of the severe head and facial imperfections, I wanted this doll for its historical significance.  A non-stereotypical black doll manufactured by one of America's oldest toy manufacturers during a time when black doll manufacture was usually an afterthought, if a thought at all, is always appealing to me.

The waist of my doll's romper is tagged "Ideal/Baby Mine/Trade Mark," but Baby Mine and Baby Bumps are clearly two different dolls, manufactured some 40 years apart by different companies.

Baby Mine was made by Ideal Toys during the 1950s as an all-composition doll with straight legs.   Black versions of Ideal's1950s Baby Mine are not documented in any of my doll references.  This is not to say that black versions made during the 1950s or prior (using different head sculpts and perhaps a head sculpt like Horsman's Baby Bumps) do not exist.   The doll sold to me as Baby Mine, dressed in Baby Mine's original romper, is either Horsman's Black Baby Bumps (originally named Colored Baby Bumps).  It could be a Baby Bumps lookalike, adding to its historical significance, or Ideal quite possibly made a doll using the same head sculpt*.

Other than their original clothing, which bore the outer waist tag, "Genuine/Baby Bumps/Trade Mark," Baby Bumps dolls were physically unmarked by Horsman.  Without original clothing, Baby Bumps' distinct "art doll" character face, sculpted after Kammer and Reinhardt's No. 100 Baby, aka the Kaiser baby, readily distinguishes it from other dolls.

According to Collector's Guide to Horsman Dolls Identification and Values 1865-1950 by Don Jensen,

In the dog-eat-dog toy industry, successful companies such as Horsman continually were fighting off competition, some of it fair, some of it not so fair, from smaller "copycat" firms.

As early as 1910, the Horsman company published "warnings to the trade" in Playthings magazine. 

One such warning regarding copyright infringement of Horsman's Baby Bumps line of dolls is shown on page 105 of Jensen's book, as illustrated below:

Horsman warns other doll makers of their Baby Bumps trade mark.

200 Years of Dolls: Identification and Price Guide  by Dawn Herlocher, confirms that Horsman manufactured black versions of Baby Bumps in 9-, 10-, 12-, and 18-inch heights.  The 18-inch version is probably the most elusive.

My doll, if an authentic Horsman, is the 12-inch version.  Below are additional images of the doll before I restored him using glue to fill in the cracks and crevices followed by an application of paint and sealer.

With a head made of "Can't  Break 'Em composition," that could "take all kinds of bumps," Horsman's chosen name for their doll, Baby Bumps, seems quite appropriate.  Throughout the past 102 years, however, as evidenced above, this Baby Bumps or a knockoff of the same, has not aged gracefully.

He looks much better now, as illustrated in the images below:

Baby Bumps now

Along with Baby Bumps (or his lookalike) the seller included a circa 1930s glass doll baby bottle, as shown in the background of the above image.

Baby Bumps, restored, is now ready for another 102 years.

Whether or not he is an authentic 1910 Horsman doll or a Baby Bumps lookalike remains a mystery.  There are two things I know for sure:  Baby Bumps is now mine and he looks so-much-better!

To learn more about Horsman's Baby Bumps, read a previous post here.

*Update 11/08/2018
After reading Black Dolls From the Collection of Deborah Neff (Radius Books, 2015) and viewing the scanned image below, I have concluded that my doll quite possibly was made by Ideal and is one of their early 1900s composition dolls named Baby Mine.  In addition to the photo of the doll in Neff's book, someone else shared photos of a doll that is identical to my doll, including the tagged Baby Mine blue and white romper that my doll wears.  Our dolls bear the same marks, shown in the next image of the nape of my doll's neck.

The incised marks on the baby's head appear to be "WAP" or PAW written backward.

It would be too close of a coincidence for two people to have the same circa 1911 doll dressed identically.  Ideal's doll might have been sold wearing other tagged rompers in different colors as documented in this Pinterest pin. Because the photo in Neff's book is in black and white, the color of that doll's romper is unknown; however, the style of it is identical to my doll's romper.

What a lucky little girl to have owned not one but two black dolls.  What I now believe to be Ideal's Baby Mine is the doll on the far left.

dbg

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Precious Little Pieces

The reader is referred to my July 24, 2011, post "Why I No Longer Collect Porcelain Dolls." 

For a brief recap, a porcelain doll was broken by my husband, who was very remorseful and immediately began a staged repair.

Because he is extremely meticulous, anything he does is never rushed.  I knew it would take close to forever for the doll to be completed, so I exercised the necessary patience required to see the repair through to the end.  I did capture images of the repair process as follows:

Repaired hand, photographed July 26, 2011, (two days prior it looked like this.)

Repaired arm, photographed July 26, 2011, (it looked like this two days before.)

Repaired arm and hand, August 4, 2011

Another view of the repaired arm and hand, August 4, 2011

During the repair (waiting) process, Precious had occupied a bed that no one uses.  There, Husband felt she would be safe from additional harm.  She was out of sight and out of mind, so I had no worries about her there either.

During last Tuesday's storm in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, my daughter's home was one of the thousands affected by a power outage.  She and her family camped-in at our house.  The bed Precious had occupied was, therefore, needed by breathers.  Husband moved Precious to the dining room table, complete with the vintage Ninja Turtle sleeping bag that had been used to cushion her for the past nine months 

Because she was no longer out of sight, out of mind, with all pieces securely glued in place, this past weekend, I used toffee acrylic paint, a makeup sponge, and acrylic sealer to cover up her bruises.  Months ago, husband had unsuccessfully attempted to cover the bruises with paint that did not match her complexion; this was the last stage of his repair.  I did not take photos of the color imperfections, but trust me, it was not a pretty sight.

Toffee paint worked well to achieve even coloring.  Husband (the master surgeon) was very impressed with my work, and said, "So you found some paint that matched."  "Yes," I replied.  "It was here all along." 

April 8, 2012, Precious' repaired, painted, varnished arm

As illustrated below, Precious is now, as good as new, ready to occupy her own doll bed, where she had been prior to her near devastating dilemma. 

Precious, April 8, 2012, whole once again

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Happy Easter from Lizette Dionne and Me

Wilde Imagination's Lizette Dionne looks lovely in her peach and white knit ensemble

Lizette wanted to share Happy Easter/Happy Resurrection Day greetings to the readers of this blog. She also wanted to share her lovely peach and white knit dress with matching hat and scarf.  These were lovingly well made by eBay seller  Maggie and Kate Create.  Seller sent Lizette's pearl bracelet, too.  To complete her new look, she wears peach and white faux snake skin open-toe pumps, purchased from Facets by Marcia.  Lizette has her eyes on a pair of brown knee-high lace-up boots to pair with another Maggie and Kate Fashion for the winter. 

Lizette looking the only way she can, lovely.

Wearing the current ensemble, Lizette feels fabulous.  I think she looks as fabulous as she feels, so spring-like.  She'll be the grandest lady in the Easter parade.

~~~~~~~~~~

One of my most memorable Bible verses memorized as a young child for the  Easter Sunday service is the New King James version of John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."  It seemed simple then and it seems simple now to believe in a power greater than yourself.  I knew I did not want to perish and everlasting life sounded wonderful.  I also knew that man could not have possibly made the wondrous heavens and earth, so there had to be something greater.  I believed then and my faith today is even greater.

I believe... typing these two words caused me to "sing in my head" the Sounds of Blackness inspirational song, I Believe...

Lizette and I wish for you a Happy Easter/Resurrection Day.

Be blessed; be inspired; be a blessing; be an inspiration... always.

dbg

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Doll Buying in the Midst of a Storm

Flavas Concert Awards Tre, accessories include an Afro wig

I marked Flavas Choice Awards Tre off my doll wish list this past Tuesday during the tornadic storms that occurred in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.  By the grace of God, neither I nor anyone I know was affected by the high winds, torrential rains, or even worse, the tornadoes that struck that day.  Reportedly, there were 13.

At around 2 p.m., however, after the emergency response system sirens had been blaring like Gabriel's trumpet throughout the morning and well into the afternoon, the rains came pouring down in my area coupled with extremely high winds.  I was just about to power down my computer when I realized the auction in my eBay watch for Flavas Choice Awards Tre was scheduled to end in minutes. 

I discovered Tre on February 18, 2010, in a blog post written by the playscale and action figure queen, D7ana, author of the blog, A Philly Collector of Playscale Dolls and Action Figures*.  It was right then and there that I named and claimed Tre!

Shortly after that post, D7ana began selling some of her dolls.  I knew it was doubtful, but I asked if her selling plans included Concert Tre.  Disappointed by her, "No" answer, Tre remained on my wish list and included in my eBay alerts.  It took a while, but he finally showed up in an eBay listing last week, "finally," I thought.  I added him to my eBay watch and hoped to be his high bidder.

This past Tuesday afternoon, in the midst of the previously mentioned storm, after remembering I needed to win Tre's auction that would be ending in minutes, I immediately went to the bid page before powering down my computer.  There was only one bidder.   I hurriedly placed my maximum bid and hit the "place bid button" after counting down the minutes to the last few seconds of the auction. 

Those wondrous four words:  You won this auction, gave me a a few seconds of relief, but worry resumed over the severe weather situation I still faced.  I powered down my computer and continued to watch and wait on the storm to blow over as I prayed and chanted, "peace, be still."   Eventually, thank God, it blew over and there was peace.

*Read D7ana's wonderful post and see the other accessories included with Concert Tre here. 

dbg

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