Doll Magazine Article, The Doll You Love to Collect
The doll you love to collect.
It would be almost impossible to estimate the number of Pedigree Sindy doll collectors throughout the UK, not to mention how many others are scattered around the world. There are several books, numerous dealers and a substantial Sindy presence on the internet through information, sales and auction sites - so why does our 46 year-old Pedigree Sindy remain so very popular today? How did the ‘doll you love to dress’ become ‘the doll you love to collect’?
Most collectors, or their siblings, had Sindy when they were young. Sindy is in our national psyche - she was a massive hit when she was launched by Pedigree in late 1963, as she struck a chord in the new mood and consciousness of the nation. She represented 'the teenager', the fashionable, successful, independent girl who had it all - and all who played with her aspired to be her.
She was very ‘British’, and was favoured by parents due to the fact she was like the typical ‘English Rose’, and not at all ‘tarty’ like the popular American teen dolls. She also came along at a time when most families had accepted and embraced this new teenage phenomenon, and were happy for their children to play the part.
For those who played with Sindy, she shaped our aspirations, and we have not forgotten how exciting it was to be part of Sindy's world. To collect Sindy as an adult today, those lovely dolls, their gorgeous outfits and accessories creates a feeling of well-being and security for most collectors, who often find that their dolls are an escape, plus a creative, fun, motivating and captivating hobby.
So what is known about collectors and why they collect Sindy today? For some, the fashions of the Sindy era have a significant impact as they reflected the trends and popular social history of the period, creating a feeling of nostalgia. Also the clothes can be reminiscent of what they were wearing when they were teenagers themselves.
There are various other reasons as to why people collect Sindy, one of these being that she was an adored childhood doll. She had such an impact during play that some collectors remember her with passion for the escapism, role-play and sheer joy that she evoked. Girls would aspire to her fashions and her lifestyle, as she was, after all, a teenager with an exciting job, a boyfriend and her own car! In contrast, those who didn’t have Sindy as a child, but desperately wanted her, take great pleasure in being able to indulge their passion as an adult collector.
So how do collectors come by their Sindy dolls, outfits and accessories? Also, and more importantly, how do collectors know how to identify Sindy dolls and her original outfits?
There are some published books that make reference to Sindy and contain vital information. One of the first (still a collectors favourite) ‘The History of Sindy’ by Colette Mansell, was first produced in 1995 (reissued in 2002). This book, was for many collectors one of the most important of the few published sources of Pedigree Sindy information available at the time, and to buy a book that was totally devoted to our favourite girl was an absolute joy also making the History of Sindy one of the most well read Pedigree Sindy publications to date.
Not only does the History of Sindy help collectors put names to outfits and types of dolls, it is also filled with wonderful colour pictures which enable collectors to recognise the different types of Sindy dolls, their ‘friends’, outfits and accessories that Pedigree produced, and match them chronologically with each other.
This is a vital aspect of collecting - being able to dress Sindy dolls in the complete correct outfits that would have been available at the time. Many hours, sometimes years, are spent by collectors trying to piece together an outfit with its many accessories, especially the early ones, and to put it on the correct doll, in the correct box, that Pedigree produced. Another obvious source of this kind of information is gained from the actual Sindy catalogues and leaflets that came with the dolls and outfits, alongside trade catalogues (which are hard to come by) and store catalogues of the period, which illustrate their Christmas toy offering, including Sindy, in their Autumn / Winter issues.
In recent years, the internet has opened up a whole new world of available information. There are lots of Sindy doll websites currently being launched on a regular basis, and an internet search will provide heaps of information for the new collector, or someone looking for fresh information. Collectors themselves are creating their own websites enabling them to share knowledge and show off their prided collections!
Sharing knowledge is an essential part of collecting. It can be quite expensive to try to piece together an outfit that you know of, but have not seen it catalogued anywhere, especially when it contains lots of hard to find accessories. Reliable visual sources on some outfits are so scarce and therefore harder to recognise, for example the Mam’selle ‘Gear Get Up’s’ range of Sindy clothing.
Sindy doll forums are also very important sites on the net. Forums are a fantastic meeting ground for sharing, discussing and demonstrating knowledge and information. Most are friendly, they welcome new members enthusiastically and do not intimidate them into feeling silly for asking lots of questions – in fact the reverse is true as quite often collectors love to help people ID their dolls and outfits! As collecting can also be a solitary pursuit, it can be a lifeline for those who cannot get to fairs, meetings, or live abroad.
When collecting Sindy and her paraphernalia, there are usually different areas of emphasis within collections, depending on budget. Some people are like magpies – they gather anything and everything to do with Sindy! Others, however, will develop preferences, one of the most common being dolls and outfits, concentrating on just dolls, sometimes just Sindy (no friends) and their outfits. Some prefer to collect only Patch (Sindy’s naughty little sister)!
This in itself can be a vast undertaking, so collecting within an identified time span is sensible, keeping your collecting and spending under control! For instance, to collect from 1963 up until 1970.
Others may concentrate on their childhood Sindy. This is also common, to just collect the dolls and accessories that one would have had as a child.
An interesting take is variations of issues. This is definitely anorak territory! Beware! Seriously, this can be quite satisfying. To complete all the variations of particular issues of outfits from your particular time span. Manufacture origin is another specialist area. Some collectors like to concentrate on acquiring both the Made in England and Made in Hong Kong issues of certain outfits that this applies to.
Boxed and carded dolls and outfits are expensive but rewarding! This is very serious collecting and some collectors prefer to concentrate on just these, often within a specific timeframe.
Finally, this brings us to the crunch question - how do collectors fund this expensive hobby? Undoubtedly, Sindy is now big money, with some dolls realising up to £1000 at online auction. Collections have to be insured, as they can be worth tens of thousands of pounds, and most people have to be creative in their collection funding!
One of the most important aspects is to be observant. Not everyone is aware of what the rarer outfits actually look like, as they are not all catalogued or illustrated, but rare pieces can often be spotted by the trained eye amongst a pile of otherwise nondescript items.
Quite often collectors sell to buy. Things can be obtained at good prices, and sold for their commercial value at a profit, this being the only way some people can raise funds for new items to enhance their collections. By watching the market, one can see that Sindy is affected by economic fluctuations, and by supply and demand, just like any other product. A particular type of doll may be in demand or not, for certain periods of time. As an example, the Mitzi doll (part of the ‘Sindy Set’) was very popular several months ago, realising prices up to £1000, but recently she could be bought for half the price. By buying and selling in this way, patient collectors can acquire things during their ‘down’ periods, then either keep or sell at a later date when prices have risen.
It is possible to be lucky! VERY hard to find Sindy outfits have been known to have been bought at online auction for a fraction of their true value by lucky and very observant collectors, or indeed found at boot sales for pennies.
This means that Sindy collecting does not have to be expensive, though undoubtedly it sometimes is, but more importantly, it can be fun, challenging and very satisfying indeed! More importantly, the vintage doll collector, albeit Sindy or any other type, is preserving the life and soul of a very special part of our cultural, social and economic history.
Helen Carter
