My Childhood American Character Tiny Tears Replacement

1950s American Character Tiny Tears

I recently began reminiscing about one of my first childhood dolls, a 16-inch Tiny Tears by American Character. My version was on the market from 1956-1958 and had a hard plastic head, a rubber body, blue sleep eyes, and rooted honey-blonde saran hair. I have several fond memories of nurturing the doll whose clothes eventually separated from its body, which forced me to devise a pair of panties for it using a sock, scissors, a needle, and thread. She came with a plastic doll baby bottle, and a bubble-blowing pipe. The doll's design is described in the online article, "Treasures: 1950s Tiny Tears doll is collectible," by Helaine Fendelman and Joe Rosson, Tribune News Service, Jul 28, 2015.

Tiny Tears by American Character, introduced in the 1950s, was designed to cry by using a mechanism that involved a small reservoir of water and a squeezable belly. When the doll was fed water from her bottle and her belly was squeezed, the water would flow through two small holes near her eyes, simulating tears.

According to the Doll Reference site, a 13-1/2 inch black* Tiny Tears was made from 1956-1958, but my childhood doll was white, which is the doll I chose to replace. I was about 3 when I received it and played with it for a few years, or at least until I was 5. I remember being fascinated by the release of tears from the tiny holes in the inner corners of the doll's eyes after the doll was bottle-fed water and her tummy was squeezed. I made clothes for her with socks (as described above).

One Sunday, I faked not feeling well so I could stay home from Sunday school and church. Late in the afternoon, after Mama returned from church, I sat on the front porch with a sock on my thigh, attempting to sew something for my doll, and I accidentally drove the needle through my thigh. I ran inside the house and told Mama (who knew I wasn't really sick that morning, probably didn't want to be stressed out by my earlier theatrics, and allowed me to stay home with my daddy). Before she attended to my accidental self-inflicted puncture wound, she said, "That's what you get for not going to church!" Expecting to be immediately comforted, I was shocked.

It would be a long time before I pulled a fake sickness stunt again, and the few other times I did, if it involved not going to church, I was always extra careful about the activities of that day for fear of getting paid back with an injury for not going.

The replaced doll arrived in very good condition, wearing a period-appropriate dress.

Tiny Tears gets new clothes

While the replaced doll is not "the" doll I owned as a child. She is a suitable stand-in. She arrived wearing a period-appropriate dress that I later replaced with a beautifully made pink and white polka dot dress, bonnet, and panties sewn by a professional -- no needle thigh stabbing was involved for the replacement doll to witness.

She looks adorable in her new clothes.

Tiny Tears wears pink lacy ankle socks.

I ordered a pair of pink knit doll booties for Tiny Tears. These will replace the ankle socks or will be worn with the socks after the booties arrive.

*Often referred to as the Black tax, in today's market, 1950s black Tiny Tears dolls by American Character are priced multiple times more than white versions.

References

American Character Dolls 1950s USA

Treasures: 1950s Tiny Tears doll is collectible

1956 Black Tiny Tears

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©Black Doll Collecting/dbg

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

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A Quick Redress or Three

Deluxe Style Barbie Doll 3

I purchased Deluxe Style Barbie 3 for the fashion that I wanted one of my dolls to wear. The pink baby-doll dress appeals to me because it reminds me of a dress I wore during my youth.

 Deluxe Style Barbie Doll 4 wears her original clothes.

I had envisioned redressing Deluxe Style Barbie 4 in the baby-doll fashion, but after considering her petite height, I opted to redress a taller doll.

Fashionista #239 originally wore a silver lamé dress with side cutouts with cowboy boots and a too-small cowboy hat.

I chose Taya (Fashionista #239) to wear the new fashion, and she wears it well as illustrated above.

Barbie Style Fashion Signature Doll #2 (Goddess) wears Taya's clothes.

Since the fashions remain unopened in Barbie Style Fashion Signature Doll #2's package, Taya's silver lamé dress, cowboy boots, and hat are worn by that doll. 

Taya and Goddess pose together in their new clothes.

After returning Goddess to her package, I gathered all the dolls I redressed in pink last year and took the following group photo.

Taya is added to the group of dolls that I redressed in pink in October 2024.

This was indeed a quick redress or three. They all display well together on the corner of my desk.

Related Posts

Perfect in Pink

Deluxe Style Barbie #4 Unboxed

 

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All photos and text are copyrighted and cannot be used elsewhere unless permission is granted by the author.

©Black Doll Collecting/dbg

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

__________

Thank you for reading. Comments that are not spam are appreciated. Spam comments will not be published, so don't waste your time. To contact me directly regarding dolls or any of my posts, please use the contact form on the right of the home page, which is visible in "web view." A link to web viewing should be visible at the bottom of this page.

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Mattel's 80th Anniversary Barbie

Stock photos of Mattel's 80th Anniversary Barbie

This lovely doll, which features the closed-mouth Brooklyn sculpt, celebrates Mattel's 80th Anniversary, not Barbie's 80th anniversary (Barbie has only been around since 1959). She's available at the Mattel Creations website and on Amazon.com (where you can enjoy free shipping with or without Amazon Prime). 

Mattel's description is copied below:

Eight decades of iconic toymaking warrants a special design to mark the occasion. Behold our Mattel 80th Anniversary Barbie doll, a stunning keepsake that honors the legacy of a company that has inspired generations. She looks red carpet-ready in a glittery gown accentuated by bow-like sleeves and a dramatic tulle bustle. Ruby pumps complement her dazzling look, while red nails and drop earrings with a golden “M” pay stylish homage to the old-school Matty Mattel logo. Mattel 80th Anniversary Barbie® Doll

• Doll Designer: Carlyle Nuera
• Packaging Designer: Jennifer Cretacci
• Label: Black
• Face Sculpt: Closed-mouth Brooklyn
• Body Type: Model Muse Curvy
• Includes Certificate of Authenticity

Happy shopping!

__________

All photos and text are copyrighted and cannot be used elsewhere unless permission is granted by the author.

©Black Doll Collecting/dbg

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

__________

Thank you for reading. Comments that are not spam are appreciated. Spam comments will not be published, so don't waste your time. To contact me directly regarding dolls or any of my posts, please use the contact form on the right of the home page, which is visible in "web view." A link to web viewing should be visible at the bottom of this page.

If you're not already a subscriber, visit, "like" and follow the Black Doll Collecting Facebook page or bookmark the Black Doll Collecting home page and visit on Tuesdays and Thursdays when typically new posts are published.

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An OOAK Doll by Lorna Miller Sands

A one-of-a-kind cloth-bodied polymer clay doll made in 1990 by Toridan (Lorna Miller Sands) is a new arrival.

I purchased this one-of-a-kind doll by Lorna Miller Sands earlier this month (June 2025). On Friday the 13th, after several days of non-delivery, the seller checked on the doll's whereabouts and was told the post office sent the doll to the incorrect USPS distribution center! I contacted the post office to get clarification. I was assured by the very nice USPS customer service representative, Amber, that the package would be transferred to the correct distribution center and delivered to me within a few days. The transfer occurred after 48 hours, and I received shipping notifications from the post office and the seller that the package would be delivered on Monday, June 16, 2025, by 9 p.m. It arrived with the doll intact much sooner at 1:48 p.m.

Whew! This was a pins and needles experience! 

Also made in the 1990s by Lorna Miller Sands, Rashahn is my first OOAK doll in polymer clay by this artist.

After purchasing Rashahn, a 1990s Lorna Miller Sands one-of-a-kind baby boy, from another collector several years ago, I subconsciously wanted to add an OOAK girl with straight legs to my collection. Without actively looking for one, this one "found me!" Standing 18 inches tall, her name is Carly, which is incised by the artist in the back of her neck above "Toridan." Lorna's dolls were branded, Toridan, during the 1990s.

Carly can sit or stand (with the aid of a doll stand).

In this picture, Carly stands on a straddle doll stand.

Immediately above and below, she is with her baby brother (they are scaled differently, but display well together).

I have to wash her dress and find the same textured dark-brown hair to cover the exposed glue at Carly's the hairline. Lorna is known to have used human hair (from her children) when she worked under the Toridan brand.

After I spruce her up and take better pictures, Carly will be a DeeBeeGee's Virtual Black Doll Museum installation. I'll the installation link to this post after it has been published. 

 

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All photos and text are copyrighted and cannot be used elsewhere unless permission is granted by the author.

©Black Doll Collecting/dbg

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

__________

Thank you for reading. Comments that are not spam are appreciated. Spam comments will not be published, so don't waste your time. To contact me directly regarding dolls or any of my posts, please use the contact form on the right of the home page, which is visible in "web view." A link to web viewing should be visible at the bottom of this page.

If you're not already a subscriber, visit, "like" and follow the Black Doll Collecting Facebook page or bookmark the Black Doll Collecting home page and visit on Tuesdays and Thursdays when typically new posts are published.

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Early 1900s Composition Doll Discovery

Legs and feet of two very rare early 1900s black composition dolls

On May 18, 2025, I was contacted by a textile conservator seeking information about two quite rare antique black dolls. I offered what little information I knew about one of the dolls' makers, but I had no idea the other doll existed. Giddy about my newfound knowledge of both dolls and eager to share it with the doll community, I gained permission from the organization that owns the dolls to document them in separate installations within DeeBeeGee's Virtual Black Doll Museum. 

Which dolls are these? Discover more by following the links below for the June 9, 2025, and June 11, 2025, museum installations, and let me know your thoughts on these two gems!

June 9, 2025, VBDM installation

June 11, 2025, VBDM installation

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All photos and text are copyrighted and cannot be used elsewhere unless permission is granted by the author.

©Black Doll Collecting/dbg

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

__________

Thank you for reading. Comments that are not spam are appreciated. Spam comments will not be published, so don't waste your time. To contact me directly regarding dolls or any of my posts, please use the contact form on the right of the home page, which is visible in "web view." A link to web viewing should be visible at the bottom of this page.

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World Doll Day 2025

World Doll Day - Give a girl a doll.

"Every year on the second Saturday in June, World Doll Day celebrates the idea of a doll delivering a universal message of love and happiness. The day also encourages you to give someone a doll, especially to a child who does not have one" (National Day Calendar). 

 World Doll Day falls on June 14, 2025. Do you have any special plans?

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All photos and text are copyrighted and cannot be used elsewhere unless permission is granted by the author.

©Black Doll Collecting/dbg

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

__________

Thank you for reading. Comments that are not spam are appreciated. Spam comments will not be published, so don't waste your time. To contact me directly regarding dolls or any of my posts, please use the contact form on the right of the home page, which is visible in "web view." A link to web viewing should be visible at the bottom of this page.

If you're not already a subscriber, visit, "like" and follow the Black Doll Collecting Facebook page or bookmark the Black Doll Collecting home page and visit on Tuesdays and Thursdays when typically new posts are published.

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Making a Doily Romper for an Early 1900s AGD Composition Doll

This is a 9-inch AGD-marked composition doll attributed to Allied Grand Dolls who specialized in black dolls beginning in 1915.

I acquired my first 9-inch AGD-marked early 1900s composition doll in June 2017. It arrived wearing a dingy pair of oversized pants, and the composition was crazed (lifted) in a few areas. I restored it and made a papier-mache romper using tissue paper. 

An identical AGD-marked doll (shown in the leading photo and in the next two) arrived in March 2025. The second doll with the same dimpled cheeks is in much better condition, but it also needed clothes. 

The bent-knee AGD-marked baby doll is shown from the back.

A close-up of the doll's back illustrates the doll's AGD mark.

Making the doily romper was simple. 

The things I used.

I used an 8-inch white (pre-crocheted) doily, a piece of white felt, scissors, Glue Dots, and white grosgrain ribbon to make a no-sew romper for the second AGD doll.

Two cut pieces of white felt cover the doll's body and pelvic area as illustrated. The felt is held in the back with Glue Dots.

Next, the doll's body is laid on the doily and centered to allow enough room for the doily to cover the body. Then, each arm is placed through a loop in the upper sides of the doily.

In this picture, both arms are in a loop hole on both sides of the doily.

Next, a pointed area at the bottom of the doily is brought up between the doll's legs, and a measured and cut grosgrain ribbon is threaded horizontally through two side-by-side loop holes in the flap. The ribbon is long enough to bring the loose ends up to thread through the upper sides of the doily as illustrated next.

The ribbon is threaded through the lower flap of the doily and both loose ends are threaded through the upper sides of the doily in this picture.

The ribbon is pulled tight and tied into a bow to create a closure. The excess doily near the doll's neck is turned down to make a collar, and the no-sew romper is completed.

Later, I might dip the romper and ribbon into a cup of coffee to give it an aged appearance. 

I made a 3-tiered doily dress in April 2024 for a German reproduction character doll that I did not share here. View the video of how that dress was made here. 

Related Link:

Clothing a Circa 1915 Composition Doll

Museum Installation of an AGD-Marked Composition Baby Doll 

__________

All photos and text are copyrighted and cannot be used elsewhere unless permission is granted by the author.

©Black Doll Collecting/dbg

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

__________

Thank you for reading. Comments that are not spam are appreciated. Spam comments will not be published, so don't waste your time. To contact me directly regarding dolls or any of my posts, please use the contact form on the right of the home page, which is visible in "web view." A link to web viewing should be visible at the bottom of this page.

If you're not already a subscriber, visit, "like" and follow the Black Doll Collecting Facebook page or bookmark the Black Doll Collecting home page and visit on Tuesdays and Thursdays when typically new posts are published.

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The Melanie Dolls Breonna

The Melanie Dolls Breonna

I intended to order this doll months ago and finally did last week. It arrived quickly, and shipping (at the time) was free!

She's still attached to her unopened blister card, and she apparently kicked one of her shoes off during travel, but from what I can see, Breonna is a nicely made doll that only costs $25 + applicable taxes. 

Breonna has sculpted and rooted hair.

The hair (half-molded and half-rooted) was of concern and is the reason I hesitated to order this doll. I was afraid that the braided cornrows would not look realistic. Surprisingly, they are better than expected. 

 

Another Closeup

Description: The Melanie Dolls Breonna is a 12-inch fashion doll designed by Datreese Thomas to inspire girls to appreciate their beauty, confidence, and purpose. Molded black cornrows are on the top and sides of the head; with rooted curly, loose black hair in the back. Breonna has brown-painted eyes and a closed mouth with dark red lip color. 

Dressed in a crisscross black knit halter top and pants, and platform-soled black high-heeled shoes, silver drop earrings, and a cuff bracelet on each wrist complete her look. Extra articulation is at the elbows and knees; however, I have not tested the range of the articulated joints. The feet are much larger than traditional Barbie dolls'. I'm not sure which other dolls' clothes and shoes will fit Breonna.

Several affirming "Black Girl Mantras" to boost self-esteem are on the back of the box.

A quote on the back of the box and the accompanying information card are the main reasons I wanted to support the young woman who created this doll.

"Representation is essential for young black girls. Collectively, we must be seen. Individually, we must see ourselves. To associate ourselves with beauty, we must see ourselves being represented as beautiful."

Click, tap, or stretch to read about the creator of The Melanie Dolls, Datreese Thomas.

"In my personal journey of self-discovery, stemming from moments of doubt and lack of self-belief, I've learned that genuine self-love is my expression of God's love for me. By creating this doll, I aim to offer young black girls the same gifts I received from God—Self Love, Identity, and Confidence..."—Datreese Thomas, Founder and CEO of The Melanie Dolls. 
 

__________

All photos and text are copyrighted and cannot be used elsewhere unless permission is granted by the author.

©Black Doll Collecting/dbg

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

__________

Thank you for reading. Comments that are not spam are appreciated. Spam comments will not be published, so don't waste your time. To contact me directly regarding dolls or any of my posts, please use the contact form on the right of the home page, which is visible in "web view." A link to web viewing should be visible at the bottom of this page.

If you're not already a subscriber, visit, "like" and follow the Black Doll Collecting Facebook page or bookmark the Black Doll Collecting home page and visit on Tuesdays and Thursdays when typically new posts are published.

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Doll News

Recognition of the 2024 Annual UFDC Awards recipients is in the Spring 2025 issue of UFDC's Doll News.

The 2024 Annual UFDC Awards recipients are recognized in the Spring 2025 issue of The Official Journal of the United Federation of Doll Clubs Doll News. Scans from the page and a close-up of the Educational Endeavors Through Dolls recipient are shown above and below. 

I remain deeply honored to be the recipient of this prestigious award and grateful to the Motor City Doll Club of Detroit for nominating me.

__________

All photos and text are copyrighted and cannot be used elsewhere unless permission is granted by the author.

©Black Doll Collecting/dbg

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

__________

Thank you for reading. Comments that are not spam are appreciated. Spam comments will not be published, so don't waste your time. To contact me directly regarding dolls or any of my posts, please use the contact form on the right of the home page, which is visible in "web view." A link to web viewing should be visible at the bottom of this page.

If you're not already a subscriber, visit, "like" and follow the Black Doll Collecting Facebook page or bookmark the Black Doll Collecting home page and visit on Tuesdays and Thursdays when typically new posts are published.

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2025 Birthday Dolls

This shipping box contained birthday gifts from my friend, Debra R.

In addition to the LeBron James Kenbassador doll that was an early, very much appreciated birthday gift this year from a doll friend, I received the doll-related items featured in this post from another close doll friend, Debra R. 

The well-packed gifts

A beautiful birthday card was placed on top.

Debra used Barbie gift wrapping paper this year.

This is a group photo of the dolls and doll-related items.

Barbie Style Fashion Signature Doll #2 (box front)

The back of the box illustrates the contents.

The box flaps are open to show what's inside.

Released in 2020 and designed by Linda Kyaw-Merschon, the Barbie Style Fashion Signature Doll #2 gift set includes 1 doll, 5 fashions, 2 pairs of shoes, 6 accessories, a doll stand, and a certificate of authenticity.

This lovely doll uses the Goddess sculpt, has a petite Made to Move body, black rooted microbraids, and is dressed in gray knit two-piece underwear.

Two Barbie Dream Besties Brooklyn dolls were also in the package from Debra R., the debut doll, released in 2024, and the Skate Party version, released in 2025. 

This beautiful Princess Tiana necklace is not a doll, but Debra R. knows I collect Princess Tiana dolls.

First Black Barbie items: a T-shirt and a tumbler are beautiful collectibles to commemorate the first Black doll named Barbie, released in 1980 (copyright 1979).

Barbie Pop Reveal Rise & Surprise

Barbie Fashion Fever Rockstar Nikki replaces the white Barbie that was originally inside the Pop Reveal Rise & Surprise container. (When a button is pressed on the handle, the top pops open and the doll rises.)

Barbie Fashion Fever Rockstar Nikki uses the Asha head sculpt.

Debra said Mattel did not make an African American Barbie Pop Reveal Rise & Surprise set. So, she replaced the original doll with Fashion Fever Rockstar Nikki. 

Full-length view of Barbie Fashion Fever Rockstar Nikki

Nikki has straight brunette hair with bangs with fuchsia streaks, brown painted eyes, parted lips, painted teeth, and sparkly mauve lip color. Her original clothes include a white crop top with the word "Rock" and a guitar in graphic print, a silver lamé faux fur collared vest, a mini skirt made of black tulle, white lace, and faux leather that ties on one side of the waist with fuchsia cord. She wears black knee-high boots with fuchsia mock laces. Her jewelry includes a black beaded choker with a fuchsia G clef pendant, two fuchsia bangle bracelets, and one black bangle bracelet.  Nikki has jointed elbows and wrists and click-bend knees.

Friends Forever Club Dolls clothes and wigs

Inside an orange Coach cloth cosmetics travel bag was a package of Friends Forever Club wigs and two packaged fashions. 

This was a milestone birthday for me and was one of the best I've ever had, which was acknowledged in different ways by family, friends, and Internet associates. I also created an ACLU Foundation birthday fundraiser that almost reached the $200 donation goal. 

The birthday card from my son assured me that reaching this milestone birthday is something to celebrate.

Underneath the card inscription, he wrote, Happy B-Day to the 'American Character Tressy' Debbie of Mamma's! And in a speech bubble, he wrote and illustrated, You're a collectible now!

I don't mind being considered a valuable collector's item nor being compared to the value of a Black American Character Tressy. 

Related Post

LeBron James Kenbassador Doll

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All photos and text are copyrighted and cannot be used elsewhere unless permission is granted by the author.

©Black Doll Collecting/dbg

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

__________

Thank you for reading. Comments that are not spam are appreciated. Spam comments will not be published, so don't waste your time. To contact me directly regarding dolls or any of my posts, please use the contact form on the right of the home page, which is visible in "web view." A link to web viewing should be visible at the bottom of this page.

If you're not already a subscriber, visit, "like" and follow the Black Doll Collecting Facebook page or bookmark the Black Doll Collecting home page and visit on Tuesdays and Thursdays when typically new posts are published.

Check out what I am selling here. 
Check out my eBay listings here.
Please follow my sister blog Ebony-Essence of Dolls in Black.
*New*Visit/Follow DeeBeeGee's Virtual Black Doll Museum
Donate here to support this blog. Thank you!