Hair Play Dolls in History, page 3
This unique doll joined the archive from Japan. The name of the company (in English) is IKE. She has a wrist tag that simply calls her "Vinyl Doll." Along with the doll in the box one can find her hair brush and two hair extensions that attach by means of rubber bands (nothing fancy here!).
Site user Nessa Chan, reports that her name is Charm Carrie (チャームカーリー), and that's what it says on her box in Japanese.
The box has nothing descriptive in English on it, however there are some nice pictures on the sides of hair styles that could be created by using the hair extensions and other hair decorations, that were not included in the box.
Here is a nice shot of her very sweet face. It well-illustrates the Asian anime' influence that can be found in Japanese dolls.
Below: Here is another 1970's Japanese doll created by the Nakajima company, a company that still does business in the United States. They sell licensed Sanrio products.
Nakajima's doll is known by a couple names here in the U.S. Some websites refer to her as Charm Scarlet and others as Charmed Scarlet, a more Americanized translation of her name. Her arms are molded in Crissy's arm molds, making her an official "Crissy Clone."
Nakajima's Scarlet dolls bear a turtle mark on their backs and on the nape of the neck.
She has a stunningly beautiful face. Her hair is even the same color and it's parted on the same side as Crissy's!
The operation of her hair growing abilities was rather rudimentary for a Crissy Clone. On her back, two tabs are molded in to fashion a "line cleat" that one can tie the string around to keep her ponytail at a certain length. A line cleat is used to hold window blind cords in place or to keep a boat tied down to a dock. It's somewhat odd to see on the back of a doll.
There were quite an array of outfits sold for her. This Scarlet's gown, while original to her, has been restored. It was in rather destitute condition once it arrived here in the States. Normally, there are two lace gores in the front. Only one was salvagable and it was moved to the front. Her veil is also "new" and was styled in a 70's style, as hers was missing. In spite of this, she is a very valuable addition to a Crissy Clone and other growing hair dolls collection. I'm delighted she's here!
Another international growing hair doll is Goldilocks by Bradgate/Palitoy, from the UK. Here is Goldilocks in her box and still attached to the inner support from her box. Unfortunately, the seller of this doll sent her to the United States unprotected in another carton so her box was destroyed. The doll and her box were only protected with brown craft paper. (When buying from others, please let them know that you prefer that the doll along with her box be placed in a protective carton for the journey. One would think that to be the case for any vintage item, but don't assume.)
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What a precious face!
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Her adorable little slip on shoes.
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The side of the box shows that the doll was made by Bradgate, a division of Palitoy Ltd.
Her hair grew by means of a pin and knob mech, very similar to how the Crissy family of dolls grew hair. Goldilock's growing hair is styled as a ponytail, carefully covering her foundation hair, and tied under her right ear. Several bobby pins hold it in place while in her original packaging.
Below: Here is an MIP example of one of her sold-separately outfits. It's adorable in its simplistic design. The back of the package illustrates four different outfits, giving the name and description of each.
Cute little outfits, aren't they!
Another doll from the UK, is Silky, by Bradgate! She is only 24cm (9 1/2") tall. As of this writing, I don't have the actual doll in her box to share with you.
However, collector Robynne Miller shares the following photographs:
Below, some MIP outfits sold for Silky.
Take a look at the graphics on the package. Silky's face and hair style are quite reminiscent of Crissy's face on her box.
Don't you agree?
Thank you Robynne, for sharing these photos with us!
Of course, Mattel, the largest and most prolific toy maker in the world, had their own entry in the growing hair doll market of the 1970's. Their's was "Valerie, With Growin' Pretty Hair."
Valerie even had her own Whitman paper dolls! Very cute.
Why is this 1971 Mattel Barbie Beauty Center in the archive? It's cuz she grows hair of course! She also came with quite a few items to beautify her, as shown in the pictures.
Here's "Betty's Beauty Parlor" (Deluxe Topper, 1964)!
Does she remind you of anyone? Yep, she is another version of Deluxe Topper's Suzy Homemaker!
Even though we are missing a couple caps from some bottles, this boxed set is almost complete.
Her box, which is HUGE!
Here are the instructions for putting the set together and for operating the working hair dryer. This is a fantastic set and I am thrilled to have it in my archive of hair-play dolls!
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All text and photography, © February, 2006, by Beth-Ellen Colvin
