Black Dolls From Around the World - Canada, Too

The intent of the "Black Dolls from Around the World" blog series this month was to focus on dolls actually manufactured in the countries or on the continents of focus.  However, a revelation and change of heart occurred while writing the previous blog about black dolls from Canada.  As a result, today's blog focuses on the Canadian-based company, YNU Group, Inc. of Toronto, Ontario, and its Mixis dolls.  While the dolls are made in China, manufactured for YNU Group, Inc., their concept was made in Canada.

Mixis Dolls

Front and Center:  Sunshine Opal wearing "Apres Ski" fashion

Back, L-R:  First edition Opal in original outfit, Sunshine Emerald (wearing an Asian-inspired outfit*), first edition Rosa, and Sunshine Opal with curly hair wearing "Rockabilly Girl" fashion

I love these dolls for several reasons:

• Representing mixed races, there is a doll for everyone.
• They encourage exploration and acceptance of other cultures.
• Their fuller lips and fuller hips result in realistic facial features and proportionate bodies.
• They can stand without the aid of doll stands.
• The second edition dolls (the Sunshine Collection) have articulated elbows.
• With the exception of Sunshine Opal with curly hair, all have rooted hair.  Curly haired Opal's hair is a non-removable wig.
• Their clothing is fashionable, everyday wear, and very well made as are the dolls.
• Each doll has its own identity, history, likes and dislikes.  No two Mixis are alike.
• The dolls are well presented in a durable box and can be easily removed from it!
• Each has a certificate of authenticity.

L-R:  First edition Opal, Sunshine Emerald, and Sunshine Opal

So who are they?

Opal is of Ghanaian and British descent.  Her best friend, Emerald, "refers" to herself in her blog as Black American, Japanese, and First Nations. 
 

First edition Rosa and Sunshine Opal

Rosa's mom is Latina and her dad is Jewish.  She enjoys photography, visual design, reading, and listening to music.  As shown in the close-up photos, Opal can wear her hair straight (with the aid of a flat iron) or naturally curly (not really... the collector will have to buy both versions and pretend).

*The Asian-inspired outfit worn by Emerald in the group photo was a gift from a Mixis doll vendor who indicated she was not sure if the fashion was ever mass produced.

For more information about this delightful, diverse collection of dolls (including the one that is MIA from my collection, Houda), please visit the company's website and the following link of the person who inspired me to explore this diverse collection of dolls:

A Philly Collector (and Mixis enthusiast)

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Black Dolls From Around the World - Canada

Reliable Toy Corporation of Toronto, Ontario, Canada is noted for early dark skinned dolls like Hiawatha, from 1948.  Hiawatha is missing her shoes and her wig is not original. Other composition dolls by Reliable include their version of Topsy and other baby dolls. 

Reliable manufactured the above stuffed vinyl Topsy during the 1950s.

These two 1960s babies, also by Reliable, arrived as heads only (without torsos and limbs).  One has molded hair; the other has rooted hair.  Otherwise, they are identical.  A fellow doll enthusiast who resides in Nova Scotia, Canada sent them to me explaining that they were factory extras that she acquired with plans to make them whole.  Not knowing when she would complete the task, after we "met," she sent them to me.  I added Apple Valley doll kit bodies to the heads and dressed them as shown.  The doll on the right has somehow separated herself from her white socks and pink shoes (or perhaps another doll borrowed them). 

Reliable manufactured this 1970s, 30-inch walker that I found on eBay several years ago. I redressed her in a child's size dress, socks, and shoes.  Read more about her here.

Dee and Cee, another Canadian doll company, produced the above male doll, Calypso Bill, in 1960, which is similar to Horsman's 1950s Pete.  Both dolls have female counterparts, Calypso Jill and Polly, respectively.

Two 25-inch Jessie Collection dolls by Jessie International Ltd.

Yet another Canadian doll company, Jessie International Ltd of Quebec (formerly Importations Jaques Fournier), made a line of small-to-large vinyl dolls with cloth bodies, girls and boys.   Called the Jessie Collection, the dolls were actually made in China and distributed by Importations Jacques Fournier Ltd/Jessie International Ltd.  The doll on the left (distributed by Importations Jacques Fournier) is from 1990 and has a white cloth body.  The one on the right is from 1995, distributed by Jessie International Ltd.  The latter doll has a brown cloth body. Described as collectible dolls by the company, the serious collector would consider them play dolls.

These are just a few dark skinned dolls made/distributed in Canada.

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