Another Thrift Store Find

Unknown 1990s Geoffrey, Inc. (possible Toys R Us-Exclusive) Doll

This 11-1/2 inch, pretty Barbie clone with twist-and-turn waist and bendable legs is otherwise non-articulated.  I found her at a thrift store for $2.99.  Her clothing appears to be original.

Close-up of Geoffrey Inc.-marked fashion doll

Her head is marked:  ©1998 Geoffrey, Inc.  
Her back is marked:  Made in China

Geoffrey, Inc. is a Toys R Us (TRU) trademark.  I assume she was sold there exclusively.  Other than that, I do not know her ID.  Recently, a white version was offered on eBay by a seller from the United Kingdom, described as Geoffrey Inc. Barbie.

Below are photos taken after she was bathed, hair restyled, ears pierced; earrings, bracelet, and shoes added.

Ears were pierced with pink quilting needles which serve as stud earrings.   The stem of the needles is quite long.  It could have been shortened, but I decided to insert each one in an upward angle to allow enough room inside her head and prevent the tip of the needle from piercing the vinyl on the opposite side of the doll's head.  The pink color of the "stud" was changed to purple using a purple metallic marker (see next image).

Metallic markers and quilting needles -- quilting needles are perfect earrings for most vinyl dolls.

After the marker color dried, a coat of clear fingernail polish sealed the marker ink to prevent staining of the doll's ears.  Mod Podge or other sealant could have be used.   I left the "earrings" extended away from the ears until both the marker color and nail polish dried.

She strikes a final pose, wearing her original or found-in fashion, with silver bracelet and clear purple high-heel shoes added; hair restyled, and earrings added.

Does anyone know her manufacture-given name?

dbg

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Throwback Thursday: Sandra Dogue French West Indies Souvenir Doll

Sandra Dogue doll, Didine

After reading a comment to the post about a French West Indies souvenir doll that I later repaired, a Google search ensued for "Sandra Dogue doll." 

The search resulted in finding "Didine," offered for $13 + postage from Canada to Texas.  Didine arrived during the week of Christmas in the near-exact condition the seller described:

Here is a sweet Sandra Dogue, French Celluloid doll. [Her] name is Didine, she is all original and has her original hangtag. The back of her tag is written in French and English. Didine has earrings. She has such a sweet face and is in good, displayed condition. There is a tiny mark on the end of her nose. The back of her skirt has some storage wrinkles. She has molded shoes and socks. Didine is jointed at her shoulders and hips. She measures 6 1/2" tall. This doll looks cute displayed on her own, or in the arms of a bigger doll.

The seller's measurement of Didine's height differs from my measurement of 7 inches.  Other than that, she is exactly as described.

The English text on the back of the hangtag the seller mentioned is as follows:
Exact reproduction
original costumes
of Caribbee.
       ---
Dressed in Caribbee


The seller's photos are much better than mine and, at the time of publishing this post, were still live:
http://image0-rubylane.s3.amazonaws.com/shops/706494/c-didine1.1L.jpg?33
http://image0-rubylane.s3.amazonaws.com/shops/706494/c-didine1.2L.jpg?31

A similar Sandra Dogue doll, Letchi, was offered on Etsy by another seller.  I like Didine better. 

Full view of Didine

Thank you, Fiery Dragon Lady, for your comment, which led me to Didine and her now presence in my collection:

Hi Debbie! I'm not sure if you're familiar with the very excellent French West Indies souvenir dolls created in France by Sandra Dogue. This doll with the blue eyes appears to be a knockoff version based on the Dogue dolls which, in the past, have been extremely collectable because they are exquisite. Her dolls were not white painted black - they were created authentically for the souvenir market in Martinique and excellent materials were used in dressing them as well as gold-tone beaded jewelry. They are also made of lightweight celluloid but I have seen enough of these dolls which are preserved in mint condition to say that they are far superior to the doll shown above. Don't forget - back in the 1930s and 1940s, only the rich could afford to travel to the Caribbean and the quality of many of the dolls reflects that upscale market. I don't know how to post a photo of a Sandra Dogue doll here or I would do so.


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Happy 2014!

All my best,

dbg

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Please visit and "Like" The Doll Blogs: When Dolls Speak I Listen