I have rarely seen Sara Lee with a more lovely color complexion and cheek color.
This is the vintage HIGHLY SOUGHT AFTER and RARELY FOUND 1952 Ideal 17" SARALEE Sara Lee African American doll in just the nicest condition. Designed by Saralee Creech for Ideal.
She is dressed in her original Ideal Co. dress, bonnet, socks and oilcloth shoes. Her dress and matching bonnet outfit are complete with replaced vintage slip and pantaloons.
This baby girl is immaculately clean and has PERFECT molded hair curls with NO RUBS, as well as a vibrant face with NO rubs and VERY HIGH COLOR -- still has the 'matte' finish to the vinyl that comes only with an 'unplayed with' doll -- and the most perfectly lovely deep rose blush cheeks. All factory original with no touch-ups or restorations.
Just a dream for one seeking this SUPER RARE doll. She was manufactured with the young, negro (common nomenclature of the 1950s) girl in mind -- it was time a doll was designed to look 'anthropologically correct'.
Saralee was historic in the fact that she was one of the first to be sculpted with African-American features. Designed by Sheila Burlingam it was hailed as a true ethnic doll rather than simply a white doll painted back. Not surprisingly it earned the endorsement in 1951 of former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt, Nobel Prize winner Dr. Ralph Bunche, and NAACP president Walter White. Advertisements from Ideal proclaimed during the early 1950s that Saralee's "fine facial features are true to life." They were sculpted "with the help of colored educators, designed for youngsters who have always wanted to own a truly beautiful colored baby doll..." In 1951, when the Saralee "colored" or "Negro" doll hit the market, this historical doll, created by Sara Lee Creech, would be the first play doll of its kind. It was designed specifically to be a "quality doll" with true-to-life Black features. Unfortunately, as the article I will send on states, this doll was a financial failure for Ideal and her production was stopped after a single year -- making her a prize for collectors today. Her 'story' is fascinating and a wonderful piece of both Black and doll history today.
Saralee's clothing is in gently played with condition. The organdy is a bright white with ribbon accents, and French Val lace trim. She wears a matching wide-brimmed sun-style bonnet; there is a small fabric separation at the side back. Her rayon socks and original oilcloth shoes tie securely around her little feet.
Her body is immaculately clean, and there is a non-working crier in her body. The MYSTERY to this young lady is her body appears to have suffered some tearing that has long ago been repaired lovingly and well; hard to imagine how this came about, but I can tell you that Sara Lee is relieved to have had a good 'Mommy Doctor' when needed! She has a softly stuffed vinyl head, arms, and legs... just beautiful.
A replica of this famous doll has been issued more recently, but you can now have the original. Don't miss out on this fabulous doll and opportunity to add her to your collection today.
Will make a DREAM gift for someone!
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