I found this photo of an original Cissy that was made somewhere between 1955 and 1959 on the Doll Reference website. However, although I admire this Cissy, I am not, nor have I ever been, keen on owning antique or genuine vintage dolls.
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| 1955-1959 Alexander 21" Cissy Doll Face in Hard Plastic |
Then quite by chance I found a couple of Cissy's for sale that were in Australia. At 21 inches tall they were not a size that I would usually be drawn to, but there was something about these dolls (and it wasn't the price) that made me look at them more closely.
When I saw the doll below, I thought she maybe the right Madame Alexander doll for me. After all she wasn't plastic and although she looked a little similar, she was not quite the same. She did, however have a gracefulness about her, that special something that is not always easy to put your finger on, but whatever you may like to call it, she had me hook line and sinker!
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| ORIGINAL OWNER PHOTO |
She was described as being a 21 inch vinyl MA Romantic Dreams Cissy and came with her tag, gown, shoes, slightly messy hair, no hat, nor box (and boxes are only a pain in the butt to store anyway). To to me she was a doll I could "play" with.
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| ORIGINAL OWNER PHOTO |
What's more, I thought she would be the perfect Cissy for me to re-style . . . I mean, I could already see her in my mind dressed a beautiful and luxurious 1950's gown. Perhaps in something designed by Dior, Balenciaga or Schiaparelli.
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| ORIGINAL OWNER PHOTOS |
I didn't think her hair was that messy, and I'm sure with a little tender care it could be wonderful. I really wasn't that taken with the gown, but her little silver grey boots were a real treat, though I would like her to have a more elegant shoe to wear with the gown I shall make for her.
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| ORIGINAL OWNER PHOTO |
Well that's it for me, I have lots to do today . . . I need to organise and tidy my studio so I can begin looking through my stash for fabrics for those suitable for what I have envisaged. Have a great dolly week everyone!
P.S. Kitty and Sindy have finally finished their 12 day journey on tour from Pennsylvania to Kentucky then back to New York, to catch a plane from John F. Kennedy International Airport, HOPEFULLY this time to their final destination!
Honestly, I thought Australia Post was bad enough, but this takes the cake! I'm darned if USPS's right hand, knows what it's left hand is doing lately, perhaps it's simply trying to keep US citizens in jobs???
P.P.S. Their next stop today (18th) was Hong Kong International Airport . . . looks like Kitty and Sindy are really enjoying an around the world trip!!
Hola Xanadú, tampoco he visto nunca una muñeca Cissy en persona, pero siempre me han parecido unas muñecas maravillosas, llenas de glamour. Es cierto que es necesario que las muñecas conecten con nosotros, a menudo es un misterio por qué no siempre son las más bonitas ni las más nuevas ni lujosas las que nos conquistan, yo creo que es una cuestión de enamoramiento, igual que ocurre entre las personas.
ReplyDeleteTu Cissy es adorable, te entiendo perfectamente, tiene una preciosa cara y una mirada muy especial. Espero que encuentres las telas adecuadas y nos enseñes pronto a esa belleza vestida como se merece.
Besos.
Hola ilona
DeleteOh, sí, definitivamente son muy glamorosos y creo que mi Cissy se verá aún más cuando le hayan prestado un poco de atención. Creo que golpeaste el clavo en la cabeza, es como enamorarse.
Me imagino que siendo una muñeca más grande, será mucho más fácil de coser, y también debería permitir una selección más amplia de telas, así que espero diseñar algo muy diferente a lo que suelo coser.
Gran huga
X
NICE!!! My Cissy isn't anywhere near that nice, but then she was around a heavy smoker and the smoke turned her orange. Your girl is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteOh Lordy, with this coronavirus crap and everything North American postage has been absolute garbage. It may take awhile before you see Kitty and Sindy...but maybe it won't! I've got my fingers crossed for you!
Oh the poor wee thing, orange is not a good colour to be at all. Thank you RM, I think she's pretty special. :)
DeleteHopefully they won't be too far away now they have passed through Hong Kong!
Big hugs,
X
I do hope you find one Linda, she is a doll that's worth adding to one's collection for sure. The lady I bought her from posted her the very next day. so I expect her to arrive early next week. She'll certainly arrive before the other two at the rate they are travelling. :)
ReplyDeleteBig hugs,
X
I have two modern Cissy dolls, and Romantic Dreams was always on my short list, but those girls take up a lot of room! I hope you can turn this Cissy into the doll you're picturing.
ReplyDeleteHi Barb,
DeleteI only remember seeing your glamorous Hollywod Cissy, I didn't realise you had two (you lucky girl) perhaps it's time you shared them again. :) When I did a search for Romantic Dreams I only came up with the smaller version, it's difficult to find out any information about these dolls.
The room for displaying the larger dolls is always a problem, but I figure once the Disney Animator dolls have left the building, I will be okay. :)
Thanks, I already have a pattern for several outfits, so I am looking forward to seeing her as a dream doll.
Big hugs,
X
Such an interesting dolls! The first one is a bit too vintage-y for me, but the one you ordered is a beauty - classic, doll beauty, ideal to wear ball gowns and sit on luxurious little sofa ;).
ReplyDeleteI hope Kitty and Sindy will come home soon - world travels are fun and all, but after so many stops they may be a little tired ;)
Hi Chiriann,
DeleteYes they are very interesting dolls and I agree the one I purchased is much prettier than the other photograph, but there are some very beautiful dolls from the 1950's however, they are very expensive...thousands of dollars.
Oh me too, everything with shipping is going crazy with this Covid happening, but hopefully they will arrive safely soon.
Big hugs,
X
Oh, she is so beautiful!! She is one of the reproduction Cissy dolls made in the 1990s. The Vintage Cissy Dolls were so sought after that these dolls were created by the MA company. They have more modern faces and make-up, but still kept that special something that the Cissy dolls have always had that make them SO popular with collectors. I was considering one of these dolls when I FOUND a vintage Cissy in a thrift store! Now you are making me want one of these newer Cissy's I love her long red hair. The one thing I find frustrating about my vintage Cissy is her hair is so difficult to keep in order. Every time I change her dress I have to re-dress her hair too. Enjoy your Cissy!
ReplyDeleteHugs
Brenda
Hi Brenda,
DeleteI actually think this Cissy is from the 2000 collection, but I would love it if someone had a 2000 MA Catalogue that they could check so I could be sure. :) You are so lucky to have found one of the vintage dolls. The more I research these dolls the more I admire their beauty. I saw some up for auction recently and they were absolutely in pristine condition, with every curl in place . . . they were so stunning it's hard to find words to describe how beautiful they were. Even the modern Cissy's are becoming hard to find, Cissette is a bit easier though . . . and they don't take up as much space. :)
Big hugs,
X
Hola Xanadu
ReplyDeleteTu Cissy es muy bonita, tiene unos ojos preciosos y seguro que cuando le hagas el modelo que has imaginado estará todavía más guapa.
Besos
Hola maribel
DeleteGracias por sus amables palabras,
Grandes abrazos,
X
She's beautiful. I love her beauty mark and her long chestnut hair. The styles you have planned for her sound wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThank you Amanda, I like the beauty mark on her too, it's not often you see a doll with one. I just hope my sewing can do her justice. :)
DeleteBig hugs,
X
ReplyDeleteA wonderful doll. May your travelers get home safely. Hugs
Thank you Magdalena, I hope so too!
DeleteBig hugs,
X
A pretty faced doll! Reminds me a bit of those porcelain dolls that were for sale here for some years ago, at the summer market. Never bought one though. Look forward to seeing her restyled!
ReplyDeleteHugs!
Thank you Niina, she did me too in the beginning, but now I have had time to play with her, I've realised she has so much more to offer than a porcelain doll. :)
DeleteBig hugs,
X
Oh wow, this is a really nice doll. I love her face and the little beauty spot suits her so well. I was tickled pink to see that her eyelids close. I love that about my Pullips! The hair is a gorgeous colour and it does look soft. I'm curious to see what you will end up dressing her in.
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed everything arrives quickly for you! Let me know what you think of the shipping right now. I'm still hesitant to get anything from overseas right now. I've mostly keeping my eyes peeled on dolls that pop up for sale in Australia.
Thanks Alasse. She is really nice in person and I can see her quickly becoming a favourite doll, especially for dressing...she has so much potential.
DeleteI received notice this morning that Kitty and Sindy are being delivered today. Shipping is quite slow at present because they seem to be kangaroo hopping all over the place. This parcel hit Perth after visiting Hong Kong, then went to Sydney before coming to Melbourne. Usually Priority International Mail takes about 2 weeks from USA, but this one took over 4 weeks. Ebay Global shipping is quicker, though much more expensive. Either way it's a pain in the butt!
Big hugs,
X
The Cissy you found is amazing.
ReplyDeleteDolls traveling around the world. Mhm. And I thought there is nothing that can amaze me. ;)
Thank you Joanna. The international mail is quite unpredictable at present so the dolls are catching planes where they can. :)
DeleteBig hugs,
X