Good morning, Ann Margret fans and others! Huh? Keep reading.
First, I'd like to announce the winner of the Mae West paper doll giveaway. Please put your hands together for...DAMO!
Damo, please email me your contact information (peterlappinnyc at gmail dot com) and I'll get Mae over to you ASAP. Congratulations!
Moving right along, friends, there's something about the holidays that makes us want to buy stuff. Actually, everything about the the holidays makes us want to buy stuff, and that's just the way Madison Avenue likes it. I pride myself on being highly resistant to most impulse purchases (Who just snorted -- did that come from Australia?), but the other day I happened to pop into the Housing Works Thrift Store on 17th Street -- never a good idea at holiday time -- and I was overtaken with the spirit of giving. To myself.
Readers, I don't consider myself a true doll collector. OK, I own a dozen Ken dolls, but I consider them decor, like ashtrays or commemorative Elvis plates. I don't obsess over them or try to collect all their outfits and I hardly ever play with them. But when I saw this very unusual doll, I simply couldn't resist.
Meet Patti Playpal! (Yes, she came with her original tag).
One thing you need to know right off the bat about Patti, is that she is big. BIG.
Some might say grotesquely large.
Patti is so big, in fact, that you were instructed to sew real 3 year old-size clothes for her. Friends, if I ever talk about doing that, please organize an intervention. But honestly, isn't this vintage McCall's outfit cute?
I know some of you will find Patti -- and her outsized presence in my living room -- the stuff of nightmares, but I hope you'll come around eventually. Michael did, or he will any day now. He's still a little freaked out.
Now, if I told you Patti was only $15, surely you would understand why I couldn't resist her charms. To be clear, Patti has a little crack on her upper thigh, but hey, she's nearly 50 years old! I trust some of you doll aficionados will instruct me how to mend it (something having to do with acrylic nail powder, perhaps?).
And here's the Ann Margret bit. Don't you think she resembles Ann Margret...just a little?
In closing, I hope I haven't set a bad example for those of you desperate for any excuse to indulge your most outrageous holiday shopping whims. If you keep it under $20, I think it's OK. I can't translate that into Euros, but we're basically talking the cost of lunch for two at McDonalds.
Readers, do any of you remember Patti Playpal? Did any of you actually own one, or envy a childhood friend who did? Would you display her 1) on the floor, 2) atop a credenza 3) in the back of a closet -- waaaay back.
You can watch the original Patti Playpal TV commercial here.
Have a great day, everybody!
(More Patti pics here.)
Posts
Wow, that's a really, really, really great price for Patti Playpal. Did you know there was a male version called Peter Playpal?
ReplyDeleteMy mom had the third friend, Penny Playpal.
I'm almost certain there was NOT a Black version of this doll.....
ReplyDeleteNot in 1961/62!
ReplyDeleteI had a very similar LARGE doll from the same era, but not Patti. Mine was dark haired and could sort of walk if you helped her. I really loved that doll, but she did take up a lot of room. I'm not sure what happened to her. I think you got a great deal on Patti, but what happened to the daily ditch?
ReplyDeleteWow, you got a heck of a deal! We have Peter and Patti in our house plus several of the 36" Barbies. And yes, I do sew for them. I even have the official Patti Playpal pattern.
ReplyDeletePeter....congratulations on the new addition to the family!!
ReplyDeleteas the slogan said ....for you she is Ideal!
Sorry Peter, waaaaay back in a box under other boxes in the basement. In one of those that you have to enter through a seperate entry (like in old apartment buildings from 1900). It's really creepy but great when trying to get rid of guests. Just display it in front of them and they will leave because it makes them uncomfortable. I would.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it would be crazy to sew for patti. Unlike my daughter she will not go play in the mud while your trying to take pictures of the beautiful vintage dress you just made her.
ReplyDeleteWasn't PP the doll that could walk if you pulled her by the hand?
ReplyDelete~Sewjourner
I am not a doll lover (three brothers). But I have to admit she does have a sweet face. So maybe she could stick around awhile. And it doesn't take very much fabric to sew a size 3. Also it's MUCH easier to sew for her than for Ken. (Ever try to set in a sleeve for 11 1/2 inches?)
ReplyDeleteI'm with Michael on this one - I can honestly say that is the most terrifying thing I've ever seen. Don't you realise she's going to come to life in the middle of the night and get you?!! Or sneak out and commit crimes and frame you for them? x
ReplyDeleteI thought it was going to be another sewing machine...!
ReplyDeleteShe's really creepy. She makes me glad that my kids don't like dolls.
ReplyDeletePeter, you are such an inspiration to me. I had not, until now, thought of decorating my home in dolls (much less ones the size of 3 year olds), but now the thought is stuck in my head. Just a tiny display would be so, um, camp ... and appropriate for someone obsessed with clothes, right?
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I think it's cool, in a unique sort of way. Unique is good, right?
Beth
I think she's gorgeous, and $15 is a great price for a doll in that condition! I'd display her on the floor -- on the credenza is a good way to frighten people.
ReplyDeleteI used to collect modern vinyls, but I liked the smaller ones -- Ann Estelle, Betsy McCall, up to the 18" dolls. And I did indeed sew for them! It's great fun. I can't imagine what I'd do with a Patty Playpal....she's strictly an "admire from afar" doll for me.
(raises hand) I have 3 dolls that size. They're a knockoff called Princess Peggy, and the first one I ever had was handed down to me from my mother-in-law, who got the doll for Christmas in 1959. And yes, I do sew for them -- my excuse is that it lets me build my skills and use up my considerable fabric stash. (I'm not confident enough to wear my own creations out of the house yet, and the doll sewing is helping me got over that!) Getting a Patti Playpal for $15 is actually a really good price, even with a crack in her -- but get that fixed, or it will get worse! One of mine is currently in pieces on the guest bed, because we didn't take care of the damage in time. Ah, well, at least there are doll hospitals in the area...
ReplyDeleteBTW, there WAS a black version of both Patti and Peter Playpal, according to my explorations on Ebay.
Love the blog, and find your entries to be inspiring, by the way...
Dee
I think the ad is creepier than the doll!
ReplyDeleteYou sir, are in the opening sequence of a lost Twighlight Zone episode.
ReplyDeleteMichael should watch closely, as he and astute at-home viewers are sure to notice the male action figures slowly congregating around Patti - making the denouement more chillingly climactic.
Cameos by Linda Blair and Telly Savalas not withstanding, your new playpal is about to fill your home with lessons on etiquette, poise, and survival of the fittest.
Cue the opening theme.
tee-hee...don't be surprised if Chucky shows up!
ReplyDeleteOh she's like the 50 foot woman about to stomp on all your ken dolls! I think she's pretty creeptastic.
ReplyDeleteI had the Dark-haired version of this doll...probably around 1968. She walked if you held her hand and pulled her, But not well as I recall. She also was the same size I was at the time and it was a bit disturbing for me, so let's just say, we never bonded and I don't know what happened to her. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI remember this doll-- one of the neighbor kids had her and we were all jealous.
ReplyDeleteI collect vintage baby dolls (like Sun Rubber Co. Toddle-D and Dreamy-D.) Sometimes I even make clothes for them. It's fun.
Not only would I love this doll, but I would be sewing clothes like crazy for her. I know lots of people who collect large dolls and make vintage clothing for them. It is a lot of fun.
ReplyDeleteYou sure know how to get such good deals!!!!!!!!
Josette
I still have the dark-haired version of Patty. If you think she looks bizarre standing next to your Ken's, you should see what she looks like sitting in the corner with her head in her lap. When she sat in our bedroom, she startled my husband more than once. Still trying to find someone who can repair her for me. :(
ReplyDeleteOkay, Peter. I specialized in My Child dolls from the 80s, and they're fabric dolls, but I *can* point you in the direction of specialists. Go over to Prilly Charmin's shop and she can tell you what to do. I'm fairly sure it will involve epoxy and mixing paint to match her skin color to touch up the repair...
ReplyDeleteLooks like the 'Amazon Woman' of the doll world!!! Little old Patti just needs a quiver of arrows slung on her shoulders, don a skimpy outfit and then...watch out...
ReplyDeleteMaybe your Amazon Tot doll is really valuable, and you'll come home to discover there has been a break-in and it was stolen. Or Michael will win the Unconditionally Supportive Partner of 2011 award.
ReplyDeleteI remember Patti Playpal very clearly, and I remember that my doll was a knock-off--just as tall, but not as well branded. One night when my parents were out I left her standing at the top of the stairs from the living room an nearly gave them heart attacks when they came home. Ah, memories.
ReplyDeleteAs the owner / operator of a 3-year-old Real Live Girl, I think your version is much more practical: won't pee on your Iranian silk rugs, won't vomit *every freekin time* you go for a ride in the car, can be left alone for long periods of time without breaking the cat's tail....although I agree that the whole life-sized thing can be disconcerting. My son has an almost life-sized stuffed tiger, and sometimes I still start when I go in his room and find the thing starting at me.
ReplyDeletehmmm, how would I display her? I would display her with a Ken doll in each hand, photograph her, and sell her on ebay. Patty Playpal, Paypal accepted. I give her 6 months tops in your apartment!
ReplyDeleteThe Ken dolls look like they want to run for their lives. 15 bucks? What a deal! She makes me miss all my old dolls. Don't know what happened to them. I think it would be great to sew for her. She will stand through endless fittings.
ReplyDeleteoh i LOVE Patti she's adorable! and YES she does resemble Ann Margret! I can so totally understand why you couldn't let Patti pass you by!
ReplyDeleteI'd be at the sewing machine asap making up fabulous vintage outfits for Patti.
If Patti were released in Australia, i'd be hunting her down for sure. Nice find.
Peter, you Sir are a BAD influence LOL I've been watching eBay listings of PP's for quite some time so when one popped up in fabulous condition and with a 'buy it now' option that was half the price of what i'd been seeing them go for, i didn't hesitate for a second and hit that "buy it now" button with vigour.
DeletePatti arrived late last week and i've been busy sewing her clothes from my vintage children's patterns. I'm in love with her; my family are less than enthusiastic...Miss19 put a knife in her hand, raised the arm in 'attack mode' and took a picture hahaha. Patti, at the moment, lives in the lounge room, but eventually she'll reside in my sewing room.
I wish I could send you mine! LOL
DeleteCongrats to the winner of the giveaway~!
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of giveaways , i have a Giveaway @ Adithis Amma Sews, Vegan Leather Bag up for grabs, open to international residents. Good luck!
Oh, man,, I would display her. I'm buying if I ever see one. I have the 36" Barbie doll, plus all my dolls from when I was a kid.
ReplyDeleteOOH Peter please don't post scary videos like that on MPB. I'll have nightmares for weeks about those big plastic monsters invading my bedroom!
ReplyDeleteYou can keep her in the hall outside your door and change her outfits for the season, just like my neighbors do with the big concrete ducks!
ReplyDeletePatty is adorable. Go ahead and make her some clothes. Sounds fun.
ReplyDeleteI did have a Patti Playpal. Worse, I have an equivalent now:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.noile.net/2011/12/zoe/
Though I *did* make her myself. From a kit. That I deliberately searched for.
PS - Mr. Noile has just offered to send Michael his research on wood chippers.
ReplyDeleteMy mom made me a doll as tall as I was for my third birthday... (maybe 4th?). I remember how she was wrapped, in 2 grocery bags. She was as tall as I was, but I don't think she stayed around too long.
ReplyDeleteI sew for American girl dolls. That is a nice size.
Jane
She's too spooky for words.
ReplyDeleteI'd rather hang with the Kens.
Oh, but you HAVE to sew for the Patti Margret doll! She should have a Christmas outfit, a Halloween outfit, an Easter Outfit, and a Pride Outfit (not sure what that one would look like -- maybe something Cher inspired?). Seriously, it makes more sense to sew for this doll than for a real three year old child who would outgrow the dress after wearing it a few times.
ReplyDeleteI've been having Daughter Envy lately -- I have two sons, and my husband says we're DONE, so maybe I just need a slightly creepy doll like Patti to complete our family. She won't throw tantrums at the grocery store, I can dress her up as girly as I want, and she'll never hit that mean girl teenager phase and demand cars, cell phones, and college tuition...
I had/still have, a Charming Chatty doll http://www.thestrong.org/online-collections/nmop/2/24/96.201
ReplyDeleteI still have most of her clothes (sailor suit) although one of her legs has fallen off. Maybe in the new year I will blog about her. She had records that you put in her side and she talked.
I had a doll like Patti when I was about nine. I learned to sew making clothes out of rectangles for her! Maybe she's creepy, maybe she's not, but I sure loved my walking toddler-sized doll as a kid!
ReplyDeleteI had a doll like Patti when I was about nine. I learned to sew making clothes out of rectangles for her! Maybe she's creepy, maybe she's not, but I sure loved my walking toddler-sized doll as a kid!
ReplyDelete