Black Doll Collecting: 2022

Sunday, December 25, 2022

Merry Christmas 2022

Merry Christmas from our home to yours!

©Black Doll Collecting/dbg

There are countless items to collect and write about. Black dolls chose me.

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Saturday, December 17, 2022

Minneapolis congregation mobilizes to give kids of color dolls that look like them

An Internet-captured photo illustrates dolls and toys to be donated by Greater Mount Vernon Missionary Baptist Church in Minneapolis.

The congregation of Greater Mount Vernon Missionary Baptist Church is collecting Black dolls — baby dolls, princess dolls, doctor dolls — this Christmas so little ones can see themselves in the presents they unwrap this year. Read the full article here.

©Black Doll Collecting/dbg

There are countless items to collect and write about. Black dolls chose me.

__________

Thursday, November 17, 2022

Cameron by Barbara J. Larsen

Recently, a member of my doll group gave me the privilege and honor of looking at photos of dolls she planned to sell at a doll show. Cameron, by Barbara J. Larsen, is one of three dolls I purchased from her (Nini).

Nini knew I owned Calley, another doll by Barbara J. Larsen, and offered Cameron to me for a price I could not refuse. (Follow the link at the end of this post to view Calley's virtual museum installation.)

Cameron's description is recorded in my Excel doll inventory workbook as follows:

22-inch doll with painted and gessoed cloth face has black gessoed-ribbon hair, painted facial features, brown painted eyes, smiling mouth. Wears original one-piece shirt/pants of light-blue, white, and dark red plaid at the top with a Peter Pan collar, light-blue pants with two buttons on the sides of each pant leg, spats that match the plaid top, black knit socks, and replaced shoes (brown penny loafers). Has a replaced burgundy ribbon necktie. Missing is a light blue wooden rocking horse on wheels.

This close-up photo of Cameron's face provides a better view of his curly "hair."

Another look at Cameron's hair

I love the unique way Larsen fashioned the hair from gessoed fabric that looks like folded ribbons.

The nape of Cameron's neck is signed by the artist: ©Barbara / Jane Larsen / 1989 #

Larsen, who made dolls during the 1980s and 1990s (and possibly before and after) usually made girl and boy pairs in limited editions that were dressed similarly. Cameron's girl counterpart, Cammie, wore a dress that matches his clothes.

My dolls, Calley and Cameron, are not displayed together because there is no room for Cameron to be displayed near Calley. I might place them together after rearranging a few dolls.

Calley is in this photo. Can you find her?

Cameron should be easy to find.

This is the link to Calley's Virtual Black Doll Museum installation. View the slideshow where photos of another Cameron and his counterpart Cammie are included.

©Black Doll Collecting/dbg

There are countless items to collect and write about. Black dolls chose me.

__________

Saturday, November 12, 2022

Barbie Fashionista #166

Barbie Fashionista #166 arrived from Amazon in a plastic envelope which undoubtedly contributed to the damaged cellophane of the doll's package. Because of this, I will debox her. I purchased this doll because of the head sculpt which Mattel has rarely used on a doll with this complexion and because the body is articulated. (The only other doll with a deep complexion that uses this head sculpt that I am aware of is Fashionista #93.)

I didn't realize her lip color would be as bright (orange) as it is. This can be easily corrected. Otherwise, I love her!

In this close-up photo of her lovely face, the bright orange lip color is apparent. The torn left corner of the package is also visible. The top of the package has several dings as well.

The copyright year of the package is 2020. Other Fashionistas released with this doll are illustrated on the back of the box.

With the addition of #166, all the deep-complexioned Fashionistas from this wave are now part of my collection.

Representing a differently abled person, Fashionista #166 joins Barbie Fashionista #146 (a Barbie with a prosthetic leg), and Fashionista #133, another wheelchair-bound Barbie.

The price on Amazon for Fashionista #166 was $12.99 at the time of my purchase. On my last check, the price had increased by $2, which is still 35% less than the original price of $22.99.

Deboxed and Posed with #193

Still attached to the wheelchair with clear rubber bands, Fashionista #166 has been deboxed.

She poses with (redressed) Fashionista #93 where their shared head sculpt is apparent.

Related Posts

Fashionista #93

Fashionista #133 and #146

Fashionista #161

Fashionista #156

Fashionista #156 once again

Fashionista #162

#ad

©Black Doll Collecting/dbg

There are countless items to collect and write about. Black dolls chose me.

__________

Thursday, November 10, 2022

1st Pictures of Bessie Coleman Barbie

Elizabeth "Bessie" Coleman (January 26, 1892 – April 30, 1926) was the first Black woman in the world to earn an international pilot's license.

The photos of the Barbie Signature Bessie Coleman doll are not the best, but you'll get an idea of what the doll will look like at the following link where the photo of the back of the box is clearer:

https://www.youloveit.com/dolls/2773-barbie-signature-bessie-coleman-doll.html

©Black Doll Collecting/dbg

There are countless items to collect and write about. Black dolls chose me.

__________

Monday, October 31, 2022

Barbie Fashionistas Doll #166

Barbie Fashionista #166

With the current reduced price on Amazon of Barbie Fashionistas #166 buy multiples if you frequently rebody non-articulated dolls.

The doll is also great as is. I particularly like the head sculpt used on #166 (the 2010 Skipper Dreamhouse sculpt), which Mattel has not overused to date on African American/Black dolls.

©Black Doll Collecting/dbg

There are countless items to collect and write about. Black dolls chose me.

__________

Thursday, October 27, 2022

Fresh Squad Kahlil and his Doppelganger

Fresh Squad Kahlil

I had seen Kahlil at Walmart on one occasion before I purchased my doll. I visited Walmart's website where I saw him first. Since his hair is so much like Malik's, the only original Fresh Squad doll that remains in my Fresh dolls collection, I had initially decided against adding Kahlil to my collection. But I relented the second time I saw him at Walmart because he was hidden in the back of about six Fresh fashion dolls and was the only male there. The top of his box was dinged up, so I brought him home, knowing that I would immediately debox him after taking the above photograph and the next with him still boxed.

Dr. Lisa, creator and founder of Fresh Dolls and CEO of World of EPI, is featured on the back of Kahlil's box.

The description from my Excel spreadsheet is copied below.

A new member of the Fresh Squad, Kahlil is an articulated 12-inch articulated male with a medium complexion, black microbraids, dark brown painted eyes, and a black painted mustache and goatee. Dressed in a white hoodie with turquoise, purple, and yellow long sleeves with the initials FS on the front right of the hoodie in the same colors as the sleeves; turquoise knee-length pants, and white high-top sneakers. Part of the Fresh Squad male fashion dolls, Kahlil uses the same head sculpt as the original Fresh Squad. His hair is styled similarly to Malik from Wave 1.

The $12.99 price and articulation helped in my decision to purchase Kahlil.

Kahlil is seen in a close-up photo.

He's a handsome doll. I'm glad I didn't leave him behind.

Kahlil and Colin Kaepernick

Kahlil favors Colin Kaepernick to me. Do you agree?

***

Rock the Bells Ebony and Anthony

Not part of my collection at this time, but just to inform readers, The World of EPI has collaborated with LL COOL J's fashion brand, Rock the Bells. Priced the same as Kahlil, Anthony and Ebony were available to order from Walmart at the time this post was published.

©Black Doll Collecting/dbg

There are countless items to collect and write about. Black dolls chose me.

__________

Tuesday, October 25, 2022

Ruby Red Fashion Friends James

A headshot of Ruby Red Fashion Friends James is on the front of his box.

James had been here for at least two weeks before I opened the box. I ordered him from his exclusive seller, Happily.com (see the link below the video). This blog post contains James' Excel entry, his initial photos and captions, and a video that provides more details about this handsome boy. Enjoy!

This is a full view of James' box.

Excel spreadsheet entry

Ruby Red Fashion Friends James is a 14-inch vinyl doll with 9-joints, a curly brown removable wig, a silicone wig cap, inset light brown glass eyes with upper eyelashes, and a closed mouth. Arrived wearing only underpants with clothing separately packaged for the owner to dress. Clothing includes a dapper pin-striped blue and white button-down shirt, matching tan waistcoat and trousers, and beige slip-on shoes that the manufacturer describes as gray. His accessories include a rich brown tie, a black leather-look belt, and a gray felt trilby hat ringed with a brown ribbon. Includes a certificate of authenticity that is numbered 003.

Initial Photos In and Out of the Box

James arrived wearing his white underpants. All clothing items were individually packaged.

He has such an adorable face.

He wears all clothing items except his gray hat in this photo and the next.

James is a perfect model.

The gray felt hat adds the final touch to his dapper look.

Before the following video was recorded, James posed for the camera.

Video Review

Happily.com

©Black Doll Collecting/dbg

There are countless items to collect and write about. Black dolls chose me.

__________

Thursday, October 20, 2022

They're Back!

White and Black versions of Effanbee's 1968 Twinkie were part of New-York Historical Society's Black Dolls exhibition as seen in this photo courtesy of Romona Jennings.

My two 1968 Twinkies by Effanbee traveled to New York on December 28, 2021, for their inclusion in New-York Historical Society's Black Dolls exhibition. The exhibition ran from February 25, 2022, through June 5, 2022. The dolls' departure was documented in a separate post.

Black and White versions of Effanbee's 1968 Twinkie dolls are the last known dolls used by psychologists, Drs. Mamie and Kenneth Clark, in their famous Dolls Test which commenced during the late 1940s and extended into the early 1980s. The Clarks used identical dolls except for race to study the psychological effects of segregation and racial inequities on African American children.

It was an honor and pleasure to loan the dolls to the New-York Historical Society. Their return delivery occurred on October 13, 2022. The unpacking process was captured in the following photos.

The dolls traveled securely to and from the N-Y Historical Society in a shipping carton that was well-cushioned with black foam padding. An art handler cut cavities in the foam into which the dolls were placed and then covered with a foam top layer. The dolls were returned in the same well-cushioned carton.

During their return, the dolls were inside plastic bags inside their respective cavities.

The plastic bags were removed before this final photo of the dolls was taken prior to placing them back on display.

My historically-significant babies are back!

Related Post

Last Known Dolls Test Dolls

Dolls' Travel Preparation and Arrival (to the N-YHS)

©Black Doll Collecting/dbg

There are countless items to collect and write about. Black dolls chose me.

__________

Tuesday, October 18, 2022

Ken #203 in Real Life

Ken #203

Ken #203 arrived the day after I ordered him from Amazon. His Excel spreadsheet description entry is copied below followed by additional photos.

12-inch ebony-complexioned Ken has sculpted twisted hair, light-brown painted eyes, a broad nose, and full closed-mouth, dark-painted lips. Dressed in an orange jersey with an orange, white, and royal blue Chevron design on the front and the letter K on the left front with blue denim-patterned knee-length pants, and white low-top sneakers. Presented in a plastic pink zippered package.

Ken #203 is featured on the back of the package insert along with the other dolls in this release.

He is a very handsome doll.

I was asked if the sculpted hair can be removed. It appears that it’s just a “hair hat,” which isn’t attached to his face. So, yes, I believe it can be removed.

Unfortunately, the articulation is limited to the usual five areas (the neck, shoulders, and where the legs join the body).

Ken #203 has a deeper complexion than Looks Ken #4.

A full-length complexion comparison between #203 and Looks Ken #4 (Jon) better illustrates their complexion difference.

Kendrick and Robyn are complexion matches.

In this collection, they are siblings.

If he were articulated with synthetic hair, Kendrick would be perfect!

©Black Doll Collecting/dbg

There are countless items to collect and write about. Black dolls chose me.

__________

Saturday, October 15, 2022

Barbie Fashionista Ken #203

Barbie Fashionista Ken #203 has a new head sculpt. This guy is available on Amazon.com. I love the hair (wish it were fibers and not sculpted, but sculpted hair will do). Shipping is free for Amazon Prime members. Also, check your local stores where Fashionistas are sold if you're not a Prime customer. He was a must-have x2 for me.

Take a close-up look and use the Shop Now link above to order. #ad #fashionista203

There are countless items to collect and write about. Black dolls chose me.

__________

Thursday, October 13, 2022

Tina Turner Barbie

There is no mistaking that this Barbie Signature Collection doll represents Tina Turner.

The Tina Turner Barbie is available on Amazon now. Navigate to the buy page here.

Target also has the Tina Turner Barbie with $10 off through 10/14/22 if you activate the $10 off $50 offer. Spend $100 at Target and get $25 off your order when you activate that offer. If you're a Rakutan, member, navigate to Target through Rakutan to receive 1% cashback on your purchase. Register with Rakutan here or go directly to

Target's buy page here.

There are countless items to collect and write about. Black dolls chose me.

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Tuesday, October 4, 2022

Fresh Fierce Black Panther Collection

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever dolls Okoye, Nakia, and Shuri by World of EPI

Okoye, Nakia, and Shuri are the first in the Fresh Fierce line of vinyl articulated dolls representing Marvel Studios' Black Panther: Wakanda Forever characters. Dr. Lisa of World of EPI partnered with Marvel to bring the characters to three-dimensional 11-1/2-inch inanimate life. She is to be commended on this partnership and for producing dolls that bear a strong resemblance to actors Leticia Wright (Shuri), Danai Gurira (Okoye), and Lupita Nyong'o (Nakia). (Please do not confuse the 11-1/2 inch World of EPI dolls with the 6-inch action figures.)

Geared toward children ages 6 and up, many adult collectors scrambled to purchase the Target-exclusive dolls when they became available for sale at most Target stores and online on October 1, 2022. I attempted to order on October 1st but only one of the three was available online. After checking Target's website again in the early morning hours on October 2, 2022, all three were available to order. The dolls were delivered to my doorstep the next morning. (See the ordering links at the end of this post.)

An online description and my actual photos follow.

Each doll "features intricate costume designs and custom-blended skin tones. Kids can use each dolls’ various points of articulation to pose them for action and recreate scenes from the film. Every doll also comes with its own signature battle accessory, including Shuri with her helmet, Okoye with her vibranium spear, and Nakia with her ring blades (Toy Insider).

Shuri

Shuri wears a two-piece top and shirt costume of contrasting blues with white boots, and a silver beaded bracelet. She holds her silver helmet.

Shuri's eyes are painted brown. The brown rooted hair is short and curly on the top and painted brown around the sides and in the back.

This photo captures a closer look at the white ankle boots.

An illustration of Shuri along with her bio is on the back of the back.

Shuri and bio

Shuri's bio reads:

The princess of Wakanda and lead scientist of the Wakandan Design Group, Shuri will be forced to overcome the grief of losing her brother T'Challa when Wakanda's borders are breached by an unexpected threat.

Okoye

Okoye wears the Dora Milaje costume and holds a vibranium spear.

The entirety of Okoye's bald head has a patterned orange and brown tattoo. Her painted eyes are also brown.

She boldly holds a vibranium spear.

An illustration of Okoye and her bio are on the back of the box.

The bio

Okoye's bio reads:

The General of the Dora Milaje and leader of Wakanda's armies, Okoye is the nation's fiercest warrior. However, she will be challenged like never before when she battles both a foe beyond her strength and the very traditions of Wakanda itself.

Nakia

Nakia's lime green, blue, and gold patterned one-piece costume is worn with knee-high royal blue boots with attached knee pads. She holds two ring blades.

Nakia also has brown painted eyes (one, unfortunately, looks smaller than the other) as illustrated in the close-up photos.

The "droopiness" of one eye is more apparent in this photo.

Nakia's brown rooted locs extend below the waist.

The knee-high boots have built-in knee pads.

Nakia is also illustrated on the back of the box where her bio is included.

The bio

Nakia's bio reads:

The former War Dog has stayed true to her word after the events of Black Panther by helping those in need outside of Wakanda. Nakia will have to put her political differences aside and return to Wakanda when a new threat arises.

A recent @thefreshdolls Instagram post (seen below) is captioned, "We are very excited to announce that yesterday we were announced winners in the TOTYs awards in the Doll of the Year category!" (TOTY=Toys of the Year.)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Fresh Dolls - Authentic Diverse Dolls (@thefreshdolls)

On November 11, 2022, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever will be in theaters. Watch the trailer below.

Ordering Links

Shuri

Okoye

Nakia

There are countless items to collect and write about. Black dolls chose me.

__________

Pages

Sunday, December 25, 2022

Saturday, December 17, 2022

Thursday, November 17, 2022

Saturday, November 12, 2022

Thursday, November 10, 2022

Monday, October 31, 2022

Thursday, October 27, 2022

Tuesday, October 25, 2022

Thursday, October 20, 2022

Tuesday, October 18, 2022

Saturday, October 15, 2022

Thursday, October 13, 2022

Tuesday, October 4, 2022