AS usual I was thrifting and almost passed by the doll pile every thrift store seems to have.
I did a double take before it registered what I was seeing.
Un-believable! A Madame Alexander Cissy doll from the 1950s
AND wearing her original dress!!
She was dirty and needed some TLC.
BUT! Her lashes are intact, her limbs
are intact and her wig is in good shape!
BUT! Her lashes are intact, her limbs
are intact and her wig is in good shape!
My biggest worry was her hair. This is a wig which
means I must be VERY careful how I handle it.
Label in her dress.
She got the usual baking soda wash.
She was very yellow. I'm not sure what causes this.
Usually it is cigarette smoke, but she had no odor at all.
This is yellow from her eyes. I used a swab dipped in alcohol.
Ready to see her in her original dress?
HERE SHE IS!
Here is how her hair looks now!
I did not wash her hair, just brushed
it out and restyled it.
Ready to see her in her original dress?
HERE SHE IS!
Previous owner fixed a tear on her skirt
and the lace is yellowed on this side.
and the lace is yellowed on this side.
I love the back of this dress.
Look at all those gathers!
Here are some more Cissy photos.
vintage Madame Alexander opera dress.
coat and handmade matching hat.
VERY PRETTY!
to have found my Cissy!
15 comments:
Congratulations on a great find.
Joan
You did a great job on the doll.
Marion
What a great find. The doll looks gorgeous.
Marilyn
@Joan - Thank you, she is an amazing find. I can not believe my luck!
@Marion - Thank you, I am please with how she looks. Her hair needs some more smoothing, but overall she is in good shape.
@Marilyn - I am very pleased with this doll, I was in shock when I realized what she was. Really unbelievable that someone would just take a doll like this to the thrift store!
Another little girl given a new lease on life! You've worked your magic once again!
Fawn
Thank you Fawn. I do feel that I am saving a doll that someone loved.
Thanks for sharing.....brings back memories...you did a beautiful job!
Thank you Terri, did you have a Cissy doll? I would love to hear about it!? I was very nervous with this doll makeover. I knew her wig could be fragile and just the value of a carefully restored Cissy made me more cautious than usual. I really tried to do as little as possible while still restoring her beauty. I am pleased with her - very pleased. She has definitely become my favorite!!
While you may feel lucky to have found a Cissy in the thrift shop, this Cissy is certainly lucky that you found her! She is so clean and creamy - her hair is sleek, smooth and shiny, and now she has clothes that add to her beauty.
The leopard coat and hat are just perfect for her! And I really like the skirt and blouse she is wearing to go on a picnic - smart of her to wear a scarf to keep her hairdo intact - very 50s!
Someone loved her long ago, and now she is loved once again.
Janet
Thank you Janet!
This means a lot to me coming from you my friend! I am constantly looking at her in amazement that I found her like I did. I usually take lots of time and look through everything when I thrift. NOT THAT DAY! I purchased her and hurried home! I couldn't believe my luck.
Hugs
Brenda
What a find! Excellent save. I want to visit your thrift store. Kudos 💕
Oops forgot to sign name. Sherry
Hi Sherry,
Thanks! I was definitely in a state of total amazement at what I was seeing.
When I saw her "Madame Alexander" mark and I knew I had found a gem, I was in shock. I dropped any other plans to shop any more that day and went directly to the register, almost afraid someone would say, "Hey! you can't buy that doll for $20, put her back!" Haha well, I wish I found a deal like this every time I went there, but I think thrift stores are getting smarter about "old dolls" and sell them online instead. Sigh...
Hugs
Brenda
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