Victorian Obsession

For my daughter's upcoming birthday, I found a pre-owned American Girl Samantha doll, in great condition, for about half the price of a new doll. This is especially gratifying because the Samantha dolls have been discontinued as of last month. Now that they are on the collector's market, they cost even more than they did new. I find it hard to justify spending that much on a toy, so I'm quite happy to brag about my thrift.

She does not know she is receiving this doll, because I have warned her that the dolls are very expensive. She has only speculated that she may get one from Santa next year, as money is no object for Santa. :-) And, just so my friends know, it was my daughter who requested the Victorian-era doll, without any brainwashing from Mom. (I was actually brainwashing her to get the colonial-era doll, which I liked even better, but her brain is not easily washed.)

Although I have never been a big fan of dolls, my burgeoning interest in historical costume has made me a fan of the American Girl historical dolls. The outfits are very well made and detailed. I have been drooling over some of the outfits on ebay.

























That last dress--the white with the cameo--is not even made by the American Girl company, but instead handcrafted by one of the best of the independent designers that now makes this boutique doll clothing.

These outfits cost anywhere from 20 to 40 dollars each. Yes, that's as much as human clothes for real little girls, and in fact, more than I usually spend on my daughter's dresses. So, obviously, I have to restrain my urge to buy LOTS of outfits.

I did find a pretty good deal on one ensemble to go with the doll.



The cape in this photo is a Black Watch tartan. Too cool. This is the tartan that my father chose for our kilts when we were little. Now that I'm an Elliott by marriage, I qualify for the Elliott clan tartan, but I still have some nostalgia for the Black Watch.