Dear Santa...

And so begin many letters this time of year. Children kindly asking Santa Claus for that desired toy that will make Christmas day truly special. Doll and toy collectors, regardless of their age, know this feeling very well for they derive the same pleasure and sense of amazement. Is it due to the fact that they maintain the inner child alive and well? Possibly.

As time passes and kids become more mesmerized by the digital world, one wonders if the children of the future will still long to take to bed a much yearned for plush dog or fall asleep anticipating a day devoted to dressing up their elegant new doll? Dolldom believes that they will, for it is impossible for humankind not to be seduced by the pleasures of that which is sensory, and most of all, tangible. At least, that is our hope.

To celebrate the season, Dolldom explores the tradition of writing to Santa Claus. Here's to all who wish!


"Dear Santa, I would very much like a Linus doll, as Linus carries a blanket around, just like I do."
(Linus doll, circa 1962, by Boucher, San Francisco.)


"Dearest Santa Claus, would you bring me a pretty Misty doll? She's tall and fashionable and wears mini dresses so well."
(Glamour Misty doll by Ideal, circa 1965, wears a Poppy Parker dress and a glittery cap by Maryann Roy.)


"Santa! Love you! I am hoping for a glamour queen this year - Ivy Jordan is her name- and she will be styled by Pink Bubbles Doll Spa!"
(Mel Odom's Ivy Jordan doll, manufactured by Integrity Toys and restyled by Bobby Taylor of Pink Bubbles Doll Spa. Dress by JAMIEshow.)


"Hello, Santa Claus, I have an empty dollhouse! Would you be so kind as to bring me a Twinkie doll by Marx? She comes in a set with many plastic dresses, wigs, purses!  Thank you for being kind!"
(Marx Toys' Twinkie doll, circa 1965, originated the concept carried on by Polly Pocket.)


"To Santa: I would like a Tressy doll with a perfect do - styled by Pink Bubbles Doll Spa! One day, when I'm big, I'll also be a star hairdresser!"
(American Character's Tressy dolls, circa 1964-1965, restyled to perfection by Bobby Taylor, wear a Marirose dress and a leopard coat by Rowena.)


"Dear Santa, a pretty Bleuette in a Retros knit set is the doll of my dreams!"
(OOAK reproduction Bleuette doll by Raven in a knit set by Liz Cole for Retros.)


"My dads say it's okay to get a dog, as long as he is made of plush! I'd prefer a living one but we won't be able to adopt one until I'm older. In the meantime, dear Santa, this vintage Kamar, will be my best buddy!"
(Vintage Kamar Bulldog, circa 1967, was made of velvet plush in Japan.)


"I'm in love with old Hollywood actresses! Bette, Joan, and Mel Odom's Madra Lord! I'd love, dear Santa, to play movie drama with my own JAMIEshow Madra Lord in a James Bogue dress!"
(JAMIEshow-produced version of Mel Odom's Madra Lord, circa 2014, in a set by James Bogue.)


"I'd like a mini me doll. This Effanbee 8-inch Mickey looks a lot like me! Thank you Santa!"
(Effanbee's "Most Happy Family" Mickey, circa 1959, was produced in 8-inch size." 


"Skipper is Barbie's sister. She is a fun loving girl from Willows! Dear Santa, please, could I get one with pale lemon blonde hair?"
(Mattel's Skipper, circa 1964, in her original swimsuit is ready to take photos with her Tammy camera.)




"Dear Santa, I'd like a Silkstone Francie doll to look like Twiggy cause she's been styled by Pink Bubbles Doll Spa! Twiggy is the best fashion model in London and Francie wants to look like her!"
(BFMC "Kitty Corner" Francie doll, circa 2012, wears a vintage Francie clone fashion, made in Hong Kong. Her hair, styled by Bobby Taylor, reproduces the iconic style of the iconic Twiggy.)


"I dream of  a little girl and her Yeti friend! The little girl is a Myling doll and the Yeti friend is by Retros. They are an unlikely pair but they have fun together!"
(Mini Myling porcelain doll by Katarina Carlsson, circa 2014, is protected by Liz Cole's Yeti plush doll.)

"Dear Santa, I've been a very good boy, I've done all my homework, fed the cats, and taken care of the vegetable garden. Would you bring me a glamorous Séverine doll? One that looks like Carmen Dell'Orefice in a Sylvia Campbell beaded gown? I'll be on cloud nine!"
(Platinum white Séverine doll by Julian Kalinowski wears Sylvia Campbell's reproduction of a Japanese market exclusive beaded dress.)

Happy Holidays!