Meet Elke

Elke is a Gotz toddler from 2001. She is my second toddler, joining Sara who is a re-rooted Claudius. I'm seriously considering having Bettina give her mohair hair like Sara, and will post more pictures if I do. I'm not particularly enamored with Elke's original outfit, but have photographed her in it for posterity. Toddlers are notoriously difficult to coax into standing, and Elke's sandals make it even more difficult. The leather seems to have stretched, and given the minimal coverage they want to slide off her feet.

She's a cutie, but I know she'll be even more adorable with a change of clothes (and perhaps a change of hair).

Later Gotz Moderns

I am consolidating my Sasha collection a bit, so that my dolls can have more room (and hence more visibility) in the space available. It was a difficult decision, but I've decided to part with my four pale-skinned Later Gotz girls. I will miss them, as they are lovely dolls with their fair skin, rosy cheeks, and long straight hair. Still, I'd prefer that they be enjoyed elsewhere rather than hidden at the back of a cabinet here.

They will be available at my sales table at the upcoming Sasha Festival in Springfield. Since I'll be packing them for our trip soon (is it really only two weeks away?!), I decided to take some group pictures today. It was a bit of a rush job, but I think these turned out okay.

First the two brunettes together, Stella and Anika:

Next the two blondes together, Carmen and Wibke:

Then the two with braids together, Wibke and Anika:

And finally, a couple of pictures with all four: a close up ...

... and a full-body shot.

Parting is such sweet sorrow.

Gotz Scouts

While the "old" uniform has a few more details (like a shirt pocket, belt loops, stripe-topped socks, and tie-able shoelaces) I think the "new" uniform does a great job of capturing the same feel. Noreen and Alice seem like girls in different age groups, and thus wearing different colored neckerchiefs. Of course they are in different age groups, with one being almost 30 years older than the other.  :-)

I think these two look amazing together ...

... so amazing in fact, that I was second guessing my decision to sell Alice. I had to remind myself that I'm selling some of my later Gotz to make room for my expanded group of early Gotz. She might not have another Scout to hang out with now, but Noreen has seven no-navel friends. And while I no longer own Alice, I still have a later Gotz with blonde braids -- Lilly.

Linger

This seems like a fitting song for saying farewell to Alice -- it's what we used to sing around the campfire on the final night of Girl Scout camp. She's heading north to a new home tomorrow, and I must admit that I'm going to miss her.

Mmm Mmm I want to linger,
Mmm Mmm a little longer,
Mmm Mmm a little longer here with you.

Mmm Mmm it's such a perfect night,
Mmm Mmm it doesn't seem quite right,
Mmm Mmm that this should be my last with you.

Mmm Mmm and come September,
Mmm Mmm I will remember,
Mmm Mmm our camping days and friendships true.

Mmm Mmm and as the years go by,
Mmm Mmm I'll think of you and sigh,
Mmm Mmm this is goodnight and not goodbye.

Good night, Alice.

Vive la France!

If only Grand-Pere were here to give these girls a quick French lesson. Yes, Luisa, Laura, and Sarah are off to a new home in France.

Taking their picture together, I realized what a nice trio they make: a brown-eyed brunette, a green-eyed redhead, and a blue-eyed blonde, all with a similar hairstyle. As far as I can tell from their tags, they each come from a different year too: Luisa from 1997, Laura from 1996, and Sarah from 1998.

Part of me hates to see them go, but now there is a bit more room in my doll cabinets for the other girls to spread out and be seen.

Two Marinas

There are two distinctly different Sasha dolls known as Marina. The Early English Sasha dolls are often referred to by their original clothing, in this case a sailor or "Marina" outfit. These dolls were produced from 1981 to 1986. The later Gotz dolls were given unique names, and their similarly-dressed girls are named Marina. They were produced in 1999 and 2000.

I call my 1980's brunette Cindy. She was purchased nude, and I have no idea of her history. She may or may not have been a "Marina" as she could also have been a "Red Pinafore" or "Dancing Dress" (the other brunettes from the same time period). I found her an original "Marina" outfit and have dressed her as such for these photos with my Gotz Marina.

The dolls themselves are quite different. Gotz Marina is a green-eyed redhead with freckles, while English "Marina" is a brown-eyed brunette who is considerably taller (as is the case with most of the dolls from the 80's). They both wear navy blue and white sailor outfits, but with the top and skirt colors swapped. Gotz Marina has a tie with long tails attached to her collar and low ankle socks, while English "Marina" has a tie with short tails around her neck and tall knee socks. Their shoes are completely different styles; Gotz Marina wears blue ankle-strap shoes, while English "Marina" wears black laced shoes.

I think they look marvelous together:

Meet Sara

This adorable little girl began life as a Gotz Toddler Claudius from 2001. S/he was given a complete re-root with auburn mohair by Bettina, and transformed into Sarah. I kept the name, but changed the spelling to Sara to avoid confusion with my other Gotz Sarah (or "Sarah with an H" as she's now known). Sara came to me wearing this sweet outfit, carrying her Christmas stocking and a special bag (made from the mohair that was combed out during the rooting and styling process, then spun and crocheted).


She has the most marvelous wavy hair, like Boo's but thicker and not as unruly. I am smitten!



She agreed to put down her stocking in exchange for a Valentine ...


... make that two Valentines. She drives a hard bargain, resembling Boo in yet another way.


Speaking of Boo, she is enamored with Sara's "soft" hair. What a cute pair!

Meet Yamka

It's been a while since I've posted about a Later Gotz doll. Yamka is the final addition to that portion of my collection (I know, famous last words). Like Ira, Yamka is a limited edition doll from 2001 with an outfit modeled after one of the old studio dolls (shown on page 100 of the book Sasha-Puppen). She was not easy to come by, due to both her limited edition status and the fact that she seems to be on many people's wish lists. I can understand why, as she has quite a unique look.


I believe she's the only doll with jewelry as part of her original outfit: she came with five beaded necklaces, and a bracelet spiraled around her right arm (which I've removed temporarily as it left green marks on her vinyl).


She came with a certificate denoting her limited edition status and number. In addition, she is marked on her torso with her number (268 of 500) and the year 2001.

Meet Carmen #2

Last fall I noticed a Carmen for sale on eBay that looked quite different from the Carmen I own. Her hair had been styled into two braids, but I knew the difference was more than that. Her clothes were slightly different, and her eyes were different, especially the shape. I communicated with the seller (afewdolls, who I've purchased several dolls from in the past) who kindly sent me a couple of comparison photos of this Carmen with another that she had. Here is one of those photos (note that I am not the owner of either of these dolls):


Wow, what a difference! Since then, I've been looking closely at the Carmens for sale on eBay, and recently purchased a second Carmen for myself. In the long run I may not keep them both, but it will be hard to choose between them if I decide one must go. Here is Carmen #2:


As I mentioned in a previous post, Carmen is is a "Numbered Artist Design". This doll's certificate says she's #314 (while my first Carmen is #752). Thus Carmen #2 was earlier in the production than Carmen #1.

Now the fun part -- comparing my two Carmens. They have more subtle differences in their eyes than the dolls above. Carmen #1 (on the left) has pinprick pupils, while Carmen #2 has larger pupils, and larger eyes as well.


Here's a close-up of the eyes, which are slightly different colors:


Their outfits are made of different materials. Carmen #1 (on the left) has a lighter blue sweater with a finer knit, and a blue and white checked skirt. Carmen #2 has a heathered blue sweater with a coarser knit, and a plaid skirt.


Carmen #2 seems to have slightly thicker hair, though I may be fooled by her thicker braid (in this final picture they've switched places and Carmen #2 in on the left).

Meet Wibke

Like Stella, Wibke is a pale skin "modern" doll produced by Gotz in 2000 who wears clogs. My Stella and Wibke both have the later maroon-colored clogs.


Shoes and skin color aside they don't look much alike though; while Stella has brown eyes and brown flowing hair, Wibke is a blue-eyed blonde with thick braids.

She joins Alice, Anika, and Lilly as my fourth Later Gotz doll with two long braids. I will try to do some comparison posts in the future -- both of my pale-skinned "modern" dolls, and of my dolls with braids.

Meet Trudi

I purchased Trudi at the same time as Lilly and Alice. She does not have braids like they do, but she does have a full center part -- and a unique hairstyle. She is the only Later Gotz doll with pigtails/bunches, and they have been twisted then tied up.


I think she is far cuter in person than in pictures. Her dark red dress is made of velour, her pantaloons are trimmed in bobbin lace, and she has nubbly oatmeal-colored socks. Like Ira, it's the little details that add up to make her outfit special.

Meet Alice

Alice was not on my original wish list of Later Gotz dolls. I realize her scout uniform is modeled after similar outfits from the 60's, but I prefer "little girl" attire. I am a fan of braids/plaits though, and only a handful of Later Gotz dolls have them. Desiring more dolls with braids, I decided that changing her clothes was a better option than braiding the hair of another doll without a full center part.


I had every intention of finding her a different outfit, but her scout uniform has grown on me. And my kids like it, as it vaguely resembles my son's Cub Scout uniform.

Meet Lilly

I am particularly fond of dolls with braids/plaits, and Lilly is no exception. She was produced in 1996 and 1997; I believe my doll is from 1996 as the number on her tag starts with 96. She is very much the "country" girl with her overalls and straw hat. I love her red sandals and backpack/schoolbag, both made of leather.


She has a sweet face with brown eyes and pale lips. Her hat makes her bangs/fringe appear uneven (especially in the photo above), which adds to her tomboyish charm.


Here's a back view of her full center part and pack.

Meet Marianne

Marianne is a limited edition doll from 1995. Unlike Ira, her body is not marked in any way. Her dress has a certificate attached saying she "... was dressed in a Limited Edition of 500 dolls for 1995 subscribers of 'Friends of Sasha'." Both the certificate and a tag sewn inside her dress are numbered 153 out of 500.


Marianne is a reproduction of an early Gotz Sasha wearing a teal cord dress. She had white shoes and socks originally, but lost them at some point in her past. Her red hair has long bangs/fringe and she has the same combination of blue eyes and no freckles as Kyra (though Marianne has eyelashes and Kyra doesn't).

Meet Carmen

This is a doll after my Dad's heart -- her hair is long enough to sit on.


Carmen is a pale-skinned "modern" doll, produced in 2001. Her light colored hair and eyes accentuate her light colored skin, giving her a very different look from my other Sasha dolls. She seems Scandinavian to me. My other "modern" dolls (Stella and Anika) have brown hair, which I think helps counterbalance their lighter skin.


While she isn't a limited edition doll, she has a folder and certificate similar to Ira's (who was also produced in 2001). The front of the folder indicates she is a "Numbered Artist Design". Her certificate says "No __" with 752 written in pen (while Ira's says "No __ of 750" with 168 written in pen).