Reborn Barack

On pages 360-361 of Black Dolls A Comprehensive Guide to Celebrating, Collecting, and Experiencing the Passion (2008), for Illustration 785 (shown below on left), I wrote:

Reborn doll named Barack by unnamed artist

Barack is a biracial doll that uses the Berenguer “Asian Ning” doll head.  His new brown cloth body has a silicone pellet filling and, when held, his weighted head gives the feel of a newborn infant’s floppy head movement.  Eyelashes, glass eyes; and hand-rooted, dark brown hair give him a realistic appearance.  The doll was reborn in February 2005 by a reborn artist using on-hand reborning supplies, shortly after Barack Obama made history in 2004 by becoming the third African American since Reconstruction to be elected to the U.S. Senate.  Because of the doll’s biracial ethnicity, the author named it for the history-making senator, who at the time of this writing is a 2008 Democratic presidential hopeful.  Coincidentally, the doll, Barack, bears a likeness to author’s grandson, Caleb, as an infant.  With one Caleb doll already in her collection, the name Barack seemed most appropriate for this baby.

DBG's grandson, Caleb, in 2001

To illustrate the facial similarities between the doll and my grandson, the image on the left of  Grandson as an infant is also included on page 361 of Black Dolls.

The book, however, does not divulge the entire story of how I came to acquire reborn Barack.  The true story is that I had commissioned a particular reborn artist to reborn two other dolls for me, infant girls.  After the dolls arrived, I noticed what appeared to be animal bite marks on one of the doll's ears.  Having paid the artist a substantial amount for both dolls, I informed her that I had discovered the damaged ear and wondered why she had not been upfront about it.  The second doll had some minor discolorations in the vinyl. 

Reborn doll, Barack

The artist apologized profusely and later oddly "pieced together" Barack, combining a chocolate brown cloth body with the doll's lighter vinyl head, hands, and feet and sent him to me as a "peace" offering.  This is why I consider him "biracial" and why I named him Barack. 


  
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40% Off Lee Middleton Dolls Through 11.28.09

Bye Bye Blue Bird (image obtained from the Lee Middleton website)

All dolls at the Lee Middleton Home Store are discounted 40% off through this coming Saturday, November 28, 2009. I called and specifically asked about dark-skinned dolls.  The following were available at the time of the call:


Puppy Kisses Boy
Merry Little Snowman
Glory Days
Bye Bye Bluebird
Blessings of Hope
Harvest Ball
My Cupcake
Tiny Cheer
Little Bailey

Images of these can be viewed at the Lee Middleton website by entering their names (individually) in the search box at the website.

To place an order via phone, call 1-800-233-7479 or to inquire about other dolls that are included in the sale.

Shipping is $12.50 for one doll; $15 for 2. Extra shipping will be calculated for any amount above 3 dolls.

Note to reborners:  Many of these dolls and others that are not listed will be perfect reborn specimens. 

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Brooke-Nicole's Ethnic Transformations

Are you interested in the art of reborning dolls? Would you like to get to know a reborn doll artist and see the remarkable dolls she transforms into lifelike babies? If you answered yes to either question, read my article on talented and highly-gifted reborn doll artist Brooke-Nicole in the February 2009 issue of DOLLS magazine.  (This issue can be backordered.)

If you are not already a DOLLS magazine subscriber, the digital edition is only $12.99 or the print edition (10 issues) is only $17.47 with the following code:  A94322.  Order online at http://www.dollsmagazine.com/ or call toll-free at 800-331-0038, Ext. 1.


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