 |
| 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:
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
 |
| 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
******
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.
Thank you again Patricia L. for sending Louisa P. #2 to me.
__________
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/
dbgThere 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!
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
