Madame Alexander's Pocahontas Redressed

A former Madame Alexander mystery doll

In 2009, I found a 14-inch all-vinyl mystery doll by Madame Alexander on eBay for $20 + shipping. Neither the seller nor I knew the doll's identity. The seller made the doll's red and white striped dress, white satin panties, added vintage-style white socks, and Mary-Jane-style dark red shoes. 

I was writing my second book when the mystery doll arrived. Because that book allowed dolls in my collection to tell their stories of provenance and share their experiences as chosen dolls in my collection, the mystery doll was allowed to blog her experience as follows in a few entries:

Sunday, April 26, 2009

For Debbie, I am a mystery doll.  I am one of the 3 or 4 dolls she won on eBay last week.  The seller described me as having been redressed and probably being a more recently made doll by Madame Alexander.  Debbie watched the auction until the final day and placed the winning bid.  I arrived yesterday, but Debbie did not know I was here until today.  I sat outside on her front porch until this afternoon after Debbie and her husband returned from an outing.  After she opened my box, she examined me and discovered the marks, Alexander 19©72 [1973], on my head and, Alexander, on my back.  Surprisingly, my body is the soft rubbery vinyl the company used for the 1970s Leslie doll.  I, however, am 3 inches (7.62cm) shorter than Leslie.  All this information—my height of 14 inches (35.56cm), my back marks, and the fact that I was redressed was included in the eBay description. 

Debbie used several doll reference books to try to identify me today.  She could not find a doll like me in any of her books.  The only thing she determined is that my face mold is called “Louisa.”  Madame Alexander used my face on dolls in the “First Ladies” series of dolls that were made in the 1970s.  Of course, none of the first ladies back then were African American, and because of my hairstyle of two Pocahontas-style braids, I must have been fashioned as a little girl doll.  Debbie sent the following email to the eBay seller:

  Hi Sharon,

My mystery doll arrived yesterday. The poor baby had to sleep outside all night on the porch. I thought my husband brought the mail in yesterday. Therefore, I didn't check the box or my porch for packages. We returned from an outing this afternoon and I discovered the box on the porch in a basket I keep there. I love her. She is a really nice doll. Can you tell me where you acquired her? Was she part of your collection or did you purchase her elsewhere? Was she nude when purchased? I apologize for so many questions, but I like to know as much information/history about my dolls as possible. Thanks, Sharon!

Debbie wonders whether or not I am a prototype of a doll intended for manufacture that never was manufactured.  Hmmm…

Until further information surfaces, I remain,

Debbie’s Mystery Madame Alexander Doll

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Pocahontas from the Storyland series #24613 by Madame Alexander (photo courtesy of eBay seller chuckdav)

Sunday, April 26, 2009

I did not think I would have another entry so soon, but the second that Debbie typed the name, “Pocahontas,” she thought maybe that’s who I am.  She conducted an Internet search and found a page with a thumbnail picture that looks like me dressed in Native American garb.  The description and Debbie’s picture of the picture are below:

14" Storyland “POCAHONTAS” Original issue #24613 with labeled box and wrist tag. She is so pretty in her original long skirt, suede fringe jacket and turquoise belt and tan lace-up boots. Her value is $90.00

This information was dated 04/17/2007.  The described doll sold in an eBay auction. Debbie thinks she may have solved the mystery. She hopes to hear from the seller soon. Either way, Pocahontas, or mystery doll, I will remain African American in Debbie's Collection. 

Pensively,  

Debbie's Mystery Madame Alexander Doll

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Sunday, April 26, 2009

Debbie received the following reply from my eBay seller:

Hi Debbie, I'm so glad you like the doll. I thought she was a really nice quality made doll. I did find her at a resale shop and she was nude. I used to collect dolls and I surely would have kept this one, but I am selling most of my collection now, since we are in retirement and downsizing. I just don't have the room for my doll collection… Sharon

 

Debbie concludes that I was probably manufactured as Pocahontas by Madame Alexander.  She has named me Louisa Pocahontas or Louisa P, for short.  She plans to allow me to continue wearing the dress she believes the eBay seller lovingly sewed for me.

Fondly,

Louisa P.

******

eBay seller, chuckdav's pristine Pocahontas is seen in a closeup of the face.

Some 14 years after Louisa P. arrived, I continue to believe she is Pocahontas from the Storyland series, stock #24613. I also still believe she was a great find.

Recently, a member of my doll group shared a picture of a similar-looking doll and wanted to know her doll's ID. I shared that I believe that her doll, too, is a redressed Pocahontas. 

The group member thanked me and wrote, 

Since you collect for the history of dolls, I would love to donate her... Let me know if you’re interested.

Of course, I was interested, and Louisa P. #2 arrived swiftly. The girls took the following photographs alone, together, and with other Madame Alexander dolls.

Louisa P. #2

Close-up of Louisa P. #2

The two girls posed together for a full view and...

... for a close-up headshot. The headshot illustrates their different eye colors. Either Alexander used two brands of eyes for the Pocahontas dolls or some of the dolls' eyes turned amber. I have seen online images of Pocahontas with both dark brown and amber eyes.

The two Louisa P. dolls are joined by Madame Alexander Stilettos Sami (dark hair) and Keke (the redhead), and an FAO Schwarz Doll Factory doll. The Doll Factory doll wears the original fashion of Madame Alexander's 10-inch Hannah Pepper.

Thank you again Patricia L. for sending Louisa P. #2 to me. 

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Below is another reminder about Lee-Lee (a Leo Moss-inspired doll by TUTU.

If you're a US resident, your chance to win Lee-Lee is here (through the end of February).

View a short video of Lee-Lee shared by the artist, TUTU, below.

©Black Doll Collecting/dbg
There are countless items to collect and write about. Black dolls chose me.

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