Oh my, I bet I have heard that 100 times! The one thing I think I can never do is actually throw a doll away–especially a Patti Playpal! Patti is a big 35″ girl who was originally made from 1959 to about 1962. Ideal originally made her but you will find unmarked spin-off’s from the same era. She was also re-issued by Ideal in 1982 and again recently by Ashton Drake. This doll has always been one of my favorites…so when a collector walked in and told me she almost tossed her due to her condition….I said “no way–this girl will be beautiful once again”. This was the collectors original doll from childhood, and surely I was going to give her the chance she deserved. (Next week…I will offer a bit of insight into my own childhood and will explain how “Dolly Rescue” actually began for me. I was only about 5 when I saved my first doll…..but I digress..we will have to wait for next week to finish that story.) This collectors doll was stored for many, many years and as such ended up with stains and mold…and that scary eye thing!
As you can see her limbs were off and this once gorgeous doll was really a mess.The second I looked at her I knew just what had to be done. I grabbed my Mr.Clean Magic eraser and gently removed the stains from cheeks and chin being very careful as to not remove her blush. As you can see her owner did the usual bang cutting…but luckily only cut the front 2 rows of rooting. This left the rest of her bangs which could be brought forward once again to cover that right up. After washing and conditioning her hair–I moved on to that eye. No…that ain’t no cataract honey…that is a waxy mold that I see quite often. It loves to attack plastics..especially eyes. It was simply removed with windex on a Q-tip. Sometimes it gets a bit thick and you may have to scrape off a bit with your fingernail first…but she will see again. Below is her pretty face and hair after only 40 minutes of care! Now isn’t she worth it?? P.S. I did restring her arms and legs back on so not to worry!!
Yes..she is pretty
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July 20, 2012 at 10:37 pm
I brought at eBay the Wonder woman steampunk New 2012 But it came with some fabric defects scratchs in her face and i tried to erase them with a regular eraser But it hot worse what I Could do?
July 21, 2012 at 9:59 am
We have a wonderful Tonner Support staff that will be glad to help you out! You can contact Jennifer at jbeichert@tonnerdoll.com. She handles the support of Tonner Dolls and accessories and will be available Wednesdays through Fridays from 9:30 to 3:30
November 18, 2012 at 8:52 pm
I have a much loved Patti Playpal that has ink on her face. I have tried the magic eraser and it took some off but left a more purple mark now. There are 3 marks all around and between her eyebrows. She is also in need of some eyelashes.
Please help me nurse her back to health and beauty.
Thanks
April 19, 2013 at 8:47 pm
Hi Dr. Noreen, Your post seems to be one of only a few recent “Patti Playpal” posts I can find except ‘dolls for sale on Ebay’. My Mother left me a large doll collection. There are probably 150 Patti’s at least, some Pennys, Saucy Walkers etc. Plus lots of others, maybe 450 to 500 total . I have no idea how to sell the collection and where to find serious buyers. My brother and I do not want the extra ‘job’ of selling the collection off one at a time. Mom belonged to Ideal World on her email, and she was well known within the group, but I no longer know how to contact them. Please help! thank you, Lois Ingebrigtson