Steffie of the Day: Arnaldo's PJ

Arnaldo's PJ, a photo by alington on Flickr.

Another wonderful find for me from Barbie Convention, and also by Arnaldo, is this gorgeous restyled Malibu PJ. If she only had a flip... this is what she'd look like!

Steffie of the Day: Malibu PJ OOAK

Malibu PJ OOAK, a photo by alington on Flickr.

It's been a while, but yes, I still love Steffie. This lovely one-of-a-kind treasure was a find from the latest Barbie Convention, and was created by Arnaldo's Creations. She is a former Malibu PJ.

I think she's simply adorable with pigtails curled to the front.

Steffie of the day: Super Linna

Super Linna, a photo by alington on Flickr.

It's the attack of the clones! This lovely Steffie-faced doll is actually not a Mattel doll, I believe. She is called Super Linna and manufactured by the Dutch company Tomfu Nekmer.

These clones are closely modeled after Yellowstone Kelley, and can be found with unusual hair colors. They were made in the 1970s.

Her body is different than a Mattel doll: Her arms are rubbery, like Gumby, almost. Plus her hips are a little wider.

Super Linna dolls have hair that is prone to ratting, like my doll, here. They can often have uneven facial screening--were one eye might be slightly larger than the other.

You can see additional photos of her on Flickr.

Steffie of the Day: European Standard redhead

Untitled, a photo by alington on Flickr.

From 1974, this is stock #8587, a hard-to-find Standard Barbie with red hair and a TNT waist. She uses the Steffie face mold and has straight legs.

I thought for years that redheads and brunettes were Australian exclusives, but I came across this one on eBay, thanks to Nikki's Barbie Shopper.

You can see a few more photos of this lovely lady on Flickr.

Tiny obsessions: Vintage Barbie Lingerie

1968 Talking Barbie, dressed in a piece of #1821 Underliners from 1968

I tend to be a little obsessive in my doll collecting habits. My current obsession for my vintage collection has been lingerie and sleepwear. I have several interesting collector books--probably my favorite author is Hillary Shilkitus James--which helpfully encourage my rather obsessive behavior.

Variations are particularly interesting to me at the moment--I'd love to add a few 1970s Perfect Beginnings Pak variations to my collection. These adorable Paks include a bra in a varity of prints (Color Magic, Dreamy Pink, The Combination, Style Setters, Twiggy Turnouts, Border Line, Floating Gardens, and pale pink), matching panty, nylon ruffled petticoat, and talc powder with puff. My first one is on the way--Floating Gardens. 

You can see samples on eBay, but also check out the yellow version on Doll Reference, and a lovely NRFP sample in Style Setters from Big Red Angel.

1968 Talking Barbie in #1864 Close-Ups Fashion, standing to Julia's right.

Wonderful details to look for in many complete other negligee and under-fashions: hairbrushes and combs, mirrors, curlers, and other "vanity" accessories, scales (they read 110 lb!), huge variety of slippers, shoes with pom poms, books, pillows, lace, tulle, satin, bows, and girly stuff.

Often, lingerie is hard to find in decent condition because of wear in elastic. Additionally, delicate synthetic fabric tends to wear easily, so you may find snags, uneven wear in ribbon straps, missing bows, and so forth. I also notice that synthetics tend to pick up (and hold) odors, such as smoke or musty smells, much more easily than natural fabrics. Keep these points in mind (especially odors, when shopping online) when doing your own shopping.

Lady Bee in Carol Peters

Lady Bee, a photo by alington on Flickr.

A nod to mod--This is Peak's Woods Lady Bee, a mini ball-jointed doll (42 cm or about 17 inches), dressed in a one-of-a-kind outfit by Carol Peters, a member of my doll group. She made this lovely outfit, including panties and stockings, for our Christmas gift exchange.

I think the fabric is just perfect--color and and scale. The outfit also fits Ellowyne and Tyler, but I wanted to model it on lovely Lady Bee today. (My BJDs have sort of migrated over to the BJDs for Beginners website of late.)

Lady Bee has a face-up by Beesou of Overnight Flight, and is wearing a wig by Monique Gold and glass eyes by Mint on Card.

Poppy Parker in vintage Francie

Poppy Parker in vintage Francie, a photo by alington on Flickr.

Here's another just-for-fun shot of Poppy Parker (Tears Go By), lounging by the pool in her vintage Francie fashion.

I know, the poor girl needs some anti-static. I'm getting there. I was just wandering around my home yesterday when it occurred to me, "This place looks like it belongs to a crazy person!" So my dolly priorities have been put on a temporary hold. (Like that's going to happen, ha, ha!)

More photos of Poppy on Flickr.

Mixing vintage & contemporary

Youthquake in Gold Rush, a photo by alington on Flickr.

I'm trying out some various fashions and realizing that getting to know vintage Francie may not be the cheapest alternative for Poppy Parker clothing. The fashions are really adorable, however--very mod and colorful.

This is Youthquake Poppy Parker (Integrity Toys) redressed in Gold Rush (#1222), a vintage Francie fashion. Poppy is a little wider in the hips than Francie, but with some styles, like this empire waist dress, she can carry it off.

Her accessories include glasses and a purse by Barbie, and jewelry from Paparazzi Bait Adele.

You can see more photos on Flickr.

New items for sale on the DollPage Show & Sell

Adeline Joy, 8" Goodreau resin BJD.

Feel like a little shopping on a Monday morning? Take a break and hop over to the DollPage Show & Sell, and check out my new (and revamped) listings over there.

More than likely, I'll be adding more items during the week as well. I'll keep you posted!

Feel free to ask me any questions. I also am accepting trades. I have a huge trade list in the Site Forum, under Want To Trade. My wish list is called "Will trade for any of my listings," and it's under my user name, alington.

1968 Talking Barbie

1968 Talking Barbie, originally uploaded by alington.

In case anyone has ever wanted to hear a Talking Barbie talk, here she is. This is a 1968 brunette Talking Barbie, dressed in the Close-Ups fashion from 1969 (I think).

If you need to see her original commercial, I found a low quality one on YouTube.

She says some other phrases, too--but I find that I have to keep her up high on a shelf in my glass cabinet. Pulling that string is just cathartic to me. I could sit here all day.

The Mod Standard Barbie Doll, 1970-1971, Stock #1190

The “Standard” Barbie doll has two versions: the first issued from 1967-1969 and the second issued from 1970-1971. Today we will cover the second issue Standard Barbie doll.

This doll has always been one of my favorites because she is very easy to dress. The legs are made of hard vinyl making it simple to slip on hose, pants, or her bathing suit. Unlike the bend-leg mod dolls, clothing will not “stick” to the vinyl. Standard Barbie dolls also have a jointless torso (no Twist-N-Turn waist). 

The head mold used was the TNT head mold and although her box states that she has rooted lashes, she does not. The blue eyes are side-glancing (1970) or centered (1971) with the centered eye versions being harder-to-find. 

Hair colors included various shades of brunette and blonde. Titian dolls have also been found; however these are believed to be brunettes which have oxidized to red. The redhead dolls are usually found in boxes marked Light Brown. The hair length is always uneven and the sides of the hair are pulled up and tied with a band and pink bow. 

She has pink lips and blush and light brown brows. Her nails were painted coral and her skin-tone is flesh-colored (usually referred to as pink skin tone). Her swimsuit is hot pink and lime green nylon with a pink plastic flower at the left hip. 

Her body markings are as follows: Midge T.M./c. 1962 Barbie/ c. 1958 by Mattel, Inc./Patented. Her accessories included her box with a full-length photo of her in swimsuit, a clear X stand, a fashion booklet (there are several different versions), a wrist tag on the right wrist (not pictured), and a one-piece cardboard liner.

1971 Walking Jamie

1971 Walking Jamie
Originally uploaded by alington

Yet another IFDC splurge--but look at her! I couldn't pass her up. She also was at another friend's table, and I try to support collectors I know, as well.

This doll is by Mattel, and either from 1971-1972, I think. She's a friend of Barbie, a Jamie sculpt, and was a Sears department store exclusive. She was a "walking" body, and it still works. When you make her legs walk, her arms swing in the opposite direction, and her head tilts.

She also was available in blonde and brunette. And I believe she's closer to Midge in size than Barbie. But super sweet!

She's so cute. You can see more shots of her on my Flickr photostream.