Invitation & Fashion Doll (RETIRED)

[Starbuck]

This set was released in 1991. The fashion doll was revised in 2000, and the set was retired in 2009. The set is associated with the book, Felicity's Surprise, about an invitation to a dancing lesson at the Governor's Palace.

PC description: Imagine the excitement when Felicity received an invitation to the Palace. No wonder she wanted a beautiful new dress like the one she spotted on the fashion doll at the milliner's shop. Fashion dolls showed colonial women what stylish ladies in England were wearing so they could copy them!


Invitation and Fashion Doll II



The doll: I've heard that this version of the doll isn't as historically accurate as the first, which bothers me, but obviously not enough for me to track down the original. Since I don't have an original to compare, I have to rely on photos, but the only difference I can see is that head is flatter and rounder. I'm very fond of the doll, mostly because it was one of my most wanted items in my childhood and it generates a lot of nostalgia for me. What appealed so much then? I loved Felicity's Christmas gown (and still do), and I suppose I just liked the idea of the doll having a doll. From an adult perspective, I like that it's wooden, and that it has a lot of little details. Felicity can actually hold it if you position it just right in her hand, and it makes for a very cute holiday scene. Mine's less than a year old, so I don't know how it'll hold up over time, but it's in great condition for now. Overall, A- for generally being awesome but not being so historically accurate.



The invitation: This isn't nearly as nice. Not that there's a lot you can do with an invitation, but the paper is just an ivory version of your average printer paper. This would have been a lot nicer on something thicker like the Shrewsbury Cake recipe. C

[Memory]

Invitation and Fashion Doll II
Actually I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of this doll. She is considerably smaller than the first version, which I unfortunately gave away. Now I wish I'd just shoved her in the same box with Pamela! The second version is very nicely peg-jointed. I expected that she would be jointed with elastics, as many of the current Hitty style dolls are. So although she is much smaller than I thought she would be, she is well made and, I believe, quite accurate. Very similar to the museum replica pegged doll that was carved by Fred Laughon for sale in Colonial Williamsburg. A!

[QNPoohBear]

Invitation and Fashion Doll I
Felicity's doll is a reproduction wooden doll from the 18th century. She has a spool shaped head and a painted face. She also has painted black hair and her arms, legs and feet are painted. Her feet are painted mauve. She is wearing an exact replica of Felicity's Christmas gown. It is made from the same taffeta and white lace. Her cap is glued to the top of her head and has a little ribbon on the back. Her legs are jointed so she can sit. Her arms are jointed but don't move easily because of the sleeves. Her dress is delicate and her cap has come unglued after many years of sleeping in Felicity's bed. Her face paint cracked and flaked off. Sadly, Susannah ends up with only half a face or no face. She isn't cuddly and fun to sleep with but Felicity could play with her the way she does in the book.

Grade: A-

Compared with Elizabeth's doll

[Colonial Rose]

Invitation and Fashion Doll I

keristars said:

Spool-head? I thought the fashion doll was made from a spoon, in a way?


--- KERI

The original version had a head like a spool.

The only changes I would make to qnpoohbear's review is to up it to an A for me. My doll's paint hasn't cracked and her cap is still glued on firmly.

[Cheekadee]

Invitation and Fashion Doll I





Grade: A -

This is a cute item and fits well in Felicity's stories. Unfortunately, I never played with this very much, so I don't have much to say! The A- is for fading face paint and fussiness - perhaps if it were less fussy, I would have played with it more.

Pros:
- Great quality.
- Fits with the story.

Cons:
- Doll's face paint has faded, despite being kept in dark place.
- Not a ton of play value.

Pictures:

[zeemeems]

Invitation and Fashion Doll II
I thought people might find it useful to see the fashion doll photographed with a full AG doll. The blue fabric is the same as Felicity's Christmas Gown. It's very detailed and well-made. Of all the doll's dolls, Felicity's doll is my favorite. As you can see in the photo, the fashion doll was used so young ladies can learn about the latest fashions coming from Europe.


The invitation that comes with the doll is tied with a red ribbon.

[Aaryana]

Invitation and Fashion Doll II
By a stroke of luck I got Felicity's doll after she disappeared from the website. Her body is wooden, and her gown is silky. She has painted on hair and "shoes", which are actually just pink tips on the points of her feet. I can't wait to get the matching gown for Felicity! A+

[whitneymm4]

Invitation and Fashion Doll II
We just got this doll a few days ago and absolutely love her. She and Charlotte look adorable sitting next to each other on Felicity's bed. She seems to be very historically accurate (which to us was important, as we love to go to Williamsburg and love that time period), and the invitation is a nice bonus. It brings the story to life in a nice way.

Overall, I would rate this doll an A.

[rosieangel]

Invitation and Fashion Doll I
Felicity's doll is really cute! Her dress looks just like Felicity's ball gown, and she comes holding a bouquet of flowers! She's posable, but moving her around is a little awkward as her sleeves ride up and she's in danger of losing her small bouquet of flowers. The nice thing about her being so stiff is that it is easy for Felicity to hold her in her hand or have her sit upright in Felicity's lap, like this:

Her paint is glossy and new-looking despite her age, and her pinner cap is firmly glued onto her head.

I still have the invitation, though it got a little bent and nasty with time so I didn't photograph it. It is tied shut with a lovely red ribbon on the outside, and written in a scripted font on the inside. It really doesn't stay in Lissie's hand without bending it, though.

_{Mod edit to remove broken image link}

[emchhardy]

Invitation and Fashion Doll I
I really love this doll and although I paid a pretty penny for her, I have no regrets. The reviews pretty much covered it but just want to add that if you can find this one, I think it's nicer than the second version. It has a timeless quality to it and I love the spool shaped head.

[skukla]

[Dragonslovedolls]

Invitation and Fashion Doll I

I can't add much in the way of information to that already given upthread, but here are a couple more pics for good measure:

My doll's invitation is missing its' ribbon and flowers.

[Photos removed to be replaced when I find a new hosting site]


I agree that the play value could be limited as it isn't easy for Felicity to hold her doll. I tend to tuck it under her arm, which works fine for 'carrying' but isn't really 'playing with' as such. I'm still really glad I was able to get Felicity her doll.

A+

[agfelicity]

I have the spoon headed version of the doll, and I think she is precious. Her face is well painted and she has a cheerful expression on her face. Her flowers I could see being a problem for a child who might play with the doll, but I think are secure enough to hold up to display. She and Lissie make a stunning pair.

http://instagram.com/p/CpDyqBbSv8J