#193

Stunning American Portrait of Cissy, 1960s Series, Likely a Special Commission Doll
2 Watching
Live Auction

$16,000
sold
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Description
20" (51 cm.) Hard plastic socket head, sleep eyes, very elongated lashes, closed mouth with bright red lips, blonde wig with little curls at forehead, arranged curls at the nape, and arranged curls at her crown encircled by a braided coronet, and fronted by a gilt metal crown with "emeralds" and "diamonds", lady body with shapely torso, jointing at shoulders, hips and knees. Condition: near mint. Comments: Madame Alexander, 1960 with distinctive mouth modeling of that year, the doll never appeared in an Alexander catalog and is a previously unknown model, likely created as a prototype and deemed too expensive to produce. Value Points: extremely rare model in perfectly-preserved condition, wearing pale rose satin gown with overlay lace skirt accented with tiny rhinestones, matching trim at the neckline, and a garland of shaded roses at the front skirt, stiffened tulle petticoat, panties, stockings, silver sling heels, with triangle-shaped rhinestone earrings, rhinestone ring and double-strand bracelet, and pearl ring. In the book, Empty Mansions, author Bill Dedman recounts about Huguette's 1960s era caretaker, Delia Healey, whose duties included rushing to FAO Schwarz to buy new dolls; it is known that Delia's daughter worked at the Alexander firm during this time, and it is not improbable that she served as a liason between Huguette and Madame Alexander in the acquisition of this doll.