This is a doll from the late 1950's who has a vinyl head and a magic skin body. Magic skin was an early latex/rubber material that was meant to give a doll a more realistic feel. Magic skin certainly did give that realistic feel to the dolls but it unfortunately did not stand the test of time. Magic skin often develops problems such as discoloration, pitting, tearing and stiffening.
This doll has several tears in the magic skin and it's left wrist has hardened and cracked with the hand torn totally off.
Magic skin can be patched and repaired but will remain fragile and will likely continue to deteriorate.
Here is the doll's wrist close up.
The doll's eyes have a problem characteristic of early plastics. The cataract like coating is leaching plasticizer. Many early plastics are degenerating and one way they show this is this powdery coating.
This coating can be cleaned off but is likely to recur at some point.
Here she is cleaned up.
Her eyes have some pitting and changes from the plastic degeneration process but they still have a nice vintage look to them.
Her owner preferred the body to end up strong enough to get played with by the grandchildren.
So, rather than repairing the old magic skin, we opted for a body transplant.
I was lucky enough to find a vintage stuffed rubber body that was similar to her old magic skin one. The rubber on this body was thicker and sturdier and should stand up to play.
Her clothes and hair got a bit of sprucing up and she is ready to return home.
I see you opted to replace the body, my question is do you know how to repair a crack in the skin of a magic skin doll, I have one and interested in knowing hos to repair it. Thank You!!
ReplyDeleteA friend of mine successfully repaired torn magic skin using liquid latex (Mold Builder) with a gauze backing under the tear. If the body has not deteriorated too much you could try that.
ReplyDeleteHello i have a doll that appears to be very similar to the doll repaired here. Do you know anything about the make or model of the doll?
ReplyDeleteMany of these dolls are unmarked. If you think the doll originated in Canada it was likely made by Reliable. Reliable had the monopoly on toy making in Canada in the 1950's. One of their similar dolls was called 'Baby Marilyn'.
DeleteHi! Thanks for the information. I have done more research and i believe that the dolls i have are the betty the beautiful bride doll and the sweet rosemary doll from the deluxe reading company.
ReplyDeleteDr. Darci
ReplyDeleteHi I'm here in the USA I received a doll Like yours from my Sister in Law she is a bride doll the part of the box that was left said Judy the original bride doll she has a wedding gown on and this doll has blue hair as much as I have searched I found only one picture of this kind of doll but no information can you help?
Thanks in advance Margaret
Sorry, I don't have any information on your doll. You could try Facebook groups who deal with 1950's dolls.
DeleteI have a Madame Alexander 10 magic skin doll. Her body is in very good shape, no tears, cracks, just discoloration on the exposed wrists and hands and the lower leg, knee area. Can anything be done to hide ( paint?) the discoloration. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteA bleaching agent might work. Benzoyl Peroxide is sold as an acne cream in 5 or 10% concentrations. You can smear some on and wait a while.
DeleteWhere can I get replacement magic skin doll arms and limbs?
ReplyDeleteYou cannot buy new magic skin items so you can only visit thrift stores, antique stores and online sites to find vintage ones in useable condition.
DeleteHow can I reattach magic skin doll legs that have torn from the body?
ReplyDeleteHow do I make a new body for an old magic skin doll? I have the head; it is still in good condition.
ReplyDeleteYou might do best by looking for a vinyl limbed body to fit the head.
Delete