Early Plastic Patent Pending Terri Lee Doll (1947?) Tagged Outfit/New
Wig + MoreUSD $170.00
Condition : Used
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Very Early Patent Pending Plastic Terri Lee Doll (1947?) -Tagged outfit, New Wig + More -PLEASE READ BELOW
The original Terri Lee dolls made in 1946 and 1947 had composition bodies. Starting later in 1947, all Terri Lee dolls were made of plastic. To identify one of these early dolls, look for the words "TERRI LEE" "PAT. PENDING" in raised letters on the doll’s upper back, ending in 1951 as that initial line of dolls were depleted. Starting in 1950, the newly produced Terri Lee dolls were marked simply "Terri Lee" on her back.
I took a lot of pictures of the doll's body so you could see if you agree that this is an early plastic doll when the company first started using plastic. As every company that changed from composition to plastic for their dolls, they had to relearn how to make the molds, smooth the finished doll parts, choose and apply the body paint, and finally choose and apply the facial makeup paint. All Terri Lee dolls were painted by hand, and from a book I read on these dolls, the owner (Vi) had one rule. The doll painters could paint the eyelashes as they wanted but the Terri Lee eyes had to have 5 top eyelashes on one eye and 3 top eyelashes on the other. That's why dolls from this early era do not look exactly the same, because they were painted by different employees. The hand painted faces ended in 1950. Anyway, the imperfections I wanted you to see on this doll did not come from being played with. Each and every imperfection on this doll came during and after being made, and will not be seen in the later years as the company gained experience in the making of plastic dolls. The company later changed over to hard plastic, then to vinyl, each time with lessons to be learned.
Terri Lee's hair was originally brown, but was so brittle it looked like straw, which is another clue that she is early plastic from late 1940's. I cut it short and chose a wig for her (no glue), wig box included. She was naked, so I chose a tagged outfit for her, along with socks, shoes, a hand made fur jacket, and an old vintage pink pearl 3-row necklace. I put a clip to hold her pigtails on top of her head. I'm not great with cute little bows, but I put bows near the clip. Her joints are fine, I gave her a stand but she can stand on her own. Given her age, I'm guessing she was restrung at some point.
I do believe she is a very early plastic doll, likely the first year in 1947. She is very pretty and in good condition, a part of doll history in a sense. I read all about the Terri Lee dolls, the history of these dolls and the struggles the owner went through over the years. I have taken pics of paragraphs from my book which serves to corroborate my description. Please review the pictures which give you a visual description of this vintage Terri Lee doll.
I love Terri Lee dolls! Her history is a story of tragedy and triumph and she is still being made today.
Please review the description and pictures and ask any questions before making a decision to purchase. NO RETURNS. Shipping in USA only, normally by USPS, but due to weight, size or distance, may have to ship by UPS or Fedex. Thank you for looking at my auction.
The original Terri Lee dolls made in 1946 and 1947 had composition bodies. Starting later in 1947, all Terri Lee dolls were made of plastic. To identify one of these early dolls, look for the words "TERRI LEE" "PAT. PENDING" in raised letters on the doll’s upper back, ending in 1951 as that initial line of dolls were depleted. Starting in 1950, the newly produced Terri Lee dolls were marked simply "Terri Lee" on her back.
I took a lot of pictures of the doll's body so you could see if you agree that this is an early plastic doll when the company first started using plastic. As every company that changed from composition to plastic for their dolls, they had to relearn how to make the molds, smooth the finished doll parts, choose and apply the body paint, and finally choose and apply the facial makeup paint. All Terri Lee dolls were painted by hand, and from a book I read on these dolls, the owner (Vi) had one rule. The doll painters could paint the eyelashes as they wanted but the Terri Lee eyes had to have 5 top eyelashes on one eye and 3 top eyelashes on the other. That's why dolls from this early era do not look exactly the same, because they were painted by different employees. The hand painted faces ended in 1950. Anyway, the imperfections I wanted you to see on this doll did not come from being played with. Each and every imperfection on this doll came during and after being made, and will not be seen in the later years as the company gained experience in the making of plastic dolls. The company later changed over to hard plastic, then to vinyl, each time with lessons to be learned.
Terri Lee's hair was originally brown, but was so brittle it looked like straw, which is another clue that she is early plastic from late 1940's. I cut it short and chose a wig for her (no glue), wig box included. She was naked, so I chose a tagged outfit for her, along with socks, shoes, a hand made fur jacket, and an old vintage pink pearl 3-row necklace. I put a clip to hold her pigtails on top of her head. I'm not great with cute little bows, but I put bows near the clip. Her joints are fine, I gave her a stand but she can stand on her own. Given her age, I'm guessing she was restrung at some point.
I do believe she is a very early plastic doll, likely the first year in 1947. She is very pretty and in good condition, a part of doll history in a sense. I read all about the Terri Lee dolls, the history of these dolls and the struggles the owner went through over the years. I have taken pics of paragraphs from my book which serves to corroborate my description. Please review the pictures which give you a visual description of this vintage Terri Lee doll.
I love Terri Lee dolls! Her history is a story of tragedy and triumph and she is still being made today.
Please review the description and pictures and ask any questions before making a decision to purchase. NO RETURNS. Shipping in USA only, normally by USPS, but due to weight, size or distance, may have to ship by UPS or Fedex. Thank you for looking at my auction.
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