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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Walker-Coleman-Baker-Holiday by Alexander

L-R Billie Holiday, Josephine Baker, Bessie Coleman, and C. J. Walker by Alexander Doll Company

The Alexander Doll Company's most recent Coquette Cissy (formerly known and Cissette) is presented as C. J. Walker (Madam C. J. Walker), pictured on the far right in the above image.  This doll is part of Alexander's 2011 fashion collection and is one of my most recent doll acquisitions.  Number 4 of 250, the doll's history card describes her fashion as:  "a two-piece suit cut from fine wool gabardine featuring a side lapel collar trimmed with lavender, which was very popular during her time.  Beneath her jacket, she wears a fashionable georgette top with ruffle collar and lavender satin trimming the waist and hem.  She has her hair pinned up into a bun topped with a wide brim violet gabardine hat accented with bright green and black feathers at the crown.  Her refined look is finished with clear crystal and green bead drop earrings; a gold tone and green bead double strand necklace; and a long gold tone bead necklace."

Born Sarah Breedlove on December 23, 1867, Madam C. J. Walker is often described as the first female American self-made millionairess; however, others whose wealth was not as well documented preceded her (Mary Ellen Pleasant is one millionaire predecessor).  Walker's wealth and status are attributed to the development and sales of hair care products for African American women designed to promote hair health, growth, and manageability.  A woman with a strong work ethic, Walker died on May 25, 1919. 

If I have accomplished anything in life, it is because I have been willing to work hard. 

-Madam C. J. Walker

In 1921, after enrolling in aviation school in France, Elizabeth “Bessie” Coleman became the first black woman in the world to earn an international pilot’s license.  Alexander’s 2009 Coquette Cissy from “The Arts Collection,” pays homage to this remarkable, early Twentieth Century African American woman.  The doll’s very detailed outfit consists of brown leatherette jacket, black vinyl belt with silver buckle, white sleeveless semi-sheer blouse, black Jodhpur-style pants; black vinyl knee-high, lace-up boots; and black vinyl aviator cap with chinstrap and attached silver goggles.  The doll is as lovely as the real Bessie Coleman, who did not allow racism and sexism to impede her goal to fly.

The air is the only place free from prejudices.

-Bessie Coleman

From the 2007 Madame Alexander “History of Fashion Collection,” produced in a limitation of 400 dolls, Coquette Cissy’s metallic and pearl bikini top, gold bikini bottom, banana skirt, gold dangle earrings, gold sandals, and blue silk brocade robe, were inspired by the early 1900s, American-born entertainer, Josephine Baker. 

Born Freda Josephine McDonald in St. Louis, Missouri on June 3, 1906, Josephine Baker gained fame in the 1920s in France as an dancer and singer.  This world renowned entertainer is remembered for her civil rights activism, her banana dance, and for her Rainbow Tribe of 12 adopted children of different ethnicities. 

The things we truly love stay with us always, locked in our hearts as long as life remains.

          -Josepine Baker

Alexander’s Cissette from the 1997 “Music Collection,” portrays 1930s jazz diva, Billie Holiday.  The doll is elegantly dressed in a silver shimmery gown with train and white flower at waist, white feather shawl, silver stockings and white cloth high-heel shoes.  An authentic-looking microphone with stand and Lady Day-signature white flower in the hair complete this three-dimensional replication of Billie Holiday.

Born Eleanora Fagan, April 7, 1915, Billie Holiday's professional jazz singing career was just shy of three decades.  She recorded her first record in 1933 and continued to perform until her death in 1959 (July 17).  Lady Day lives on through the sultry sounds of her jazz music.

"I never had a chance to play with dolls like other kids. I started working when I was six years old."

-Billie Holiday

L-R Billie Holiday, Josephine Baker, Bessie Coleman, and C. J. Walker by Alexander Doll Company (close-up view)

Using their 10-inch, bent-knee Cissette and Coquette Cissy dolls, the Alexander Doll Company (one of few doll manufacturers to release a variety of AA dolls this year) honors these four accomplished women.

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Moments in Black Doll History - Alexander Dolls

I would be remiss if I omitted dolls by Madame Alexander, another forerunner in including black dolls in its doll lines.  Founded in 1923 by Beatrice "Madame" Alexander Behrman, the earliest black Alexander dolls that I have encountered were made of composition.  The Topsy-Turvy doll pictured above is attributed to Madame Alexander as it is well documented that Alexander made a doll like this, but it does not bear manufacturer's marks.  This was a common practice with companies who sometimes used molds sculpted by others. 

As illustrated, one side is a black doll whose head is jointed; the other side is a white doll with an unjointed neck.  The black doll has three tufts of hair and molded hair; the white doll has molded hair.  They share the same body, which measures 7 inches. 

Topsy-Turvy dolls originated as cloth dolls and have a very interesting story that I shared in chapter 1, page 46 of Black Dolls: A Comprehensive Guide to Celebrating, Collecting, and Experiencing the Passion.

Topsy Turvy, also known as Double Doll, Two-in-One, and Upside Down dolls first appeared in the South in the 1800s. These dolls share one body. Each doll’s dress or skirt, when flipped, hides the other doll underneath. It is widely believed that servants made these dolls for their children using dress scraps. The slave child would play with the white side in the absence of the slave master. Upon the slave master’s approach, the child would flip the doll over to the black side to hide the forbidden-to-play-with white doll. Others postulate the dolls were made by slaves for their masters’ children, who were forbidden to play with black dolls. In the absence of their parents, the white child would play with the black doll and flip the doll to the white side upon their parents’ or other disapproving person’s approach.

Another historically significant doll by Madame Alexander is Cynthia, a hard plastic doll made in three sizes (15, 18, and 21 inches -- some doll historians document the sizes as 14, 18, and 22 inches).  Cynthia was made for one year only, 1952-1953 and uses the Margaret face mold.  Above is the 15-inch version with custom-made clothing (two dresses that replicate her original dress) and other fashions professionally made for her.

Leslie, from 1965, an all-vinyl, 17-inch fashion doll, is another doll by Madame Alexander that has maintained popularity among vintage doll collectors.  The above doll uses the Polly face.  Another version uses the Elise head sculpt.  Rumored to have been named for the actress, Leslie Uggams, Leslie was produced until the early 1970s wearing an array of fashions, including the popular bridal gown.  Her counterpart is Elise. 

These and other dolls by Madame Alexander continue to enhance the collections of doll enthusiasts.

Baby Ellen (1972), Victoria (2002), Pussy Cat (1992), and an earlier Baby Ellen (1965)

Friends From Foreign Lands and International 8-inch dolls by Alexander

Jamaica (1987), Africa (1991), Africa (1988), and Mali (1996)

Click here for the history (through 2001) of the Alexander Doll Company.

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Out with the Old, In with the New

In an attempt to make room for the current year's stock, manufacturers are liquidating last year's overstock of merchandise to stores like Tuesday Morning.  It's out with the old and in with the new, often at a bargain for collectors.

Click to supersize the images

Tuesday Morning's next sale event begins at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, February 2, 2010.  Doll offerings include a variety of collector Barbies as shown in the above ad.  The dolls will be priced $19.99.  The outfits may be worth that.

This Tuesday Morning event will also include a variety of Madame Alexander 8-inch dolls priced from  $29.99 to $39.99.  Dark-skinned Madame Alexander dolls are absent from the ad, but I'll keep hope alive that some will be available in the store.

In the meantime, check out their online doll offerings by clicking the Shop Special Online-Offerings button and entering "dolls" (without the quotation marks) into their search box. 


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