Guide To Owning And Caring For A Vintage Chatty Cathy Doll
by Patrice McCoy
In the history of toys, the Chatty Cathy doll is one of the most notable. This "talking" dolly introduced in 1960 soon became one of the most coveted of playthings amongst little girls. When a cord was pulled on her back she would say a one of a set of phrases that were recorded on a tiny phonograph inside her. Now, over fifty years later, this little gem is still desired by many collectors.
Chatty Cathy came in several different variations; a blonde, blue-eyed version followed by a brunette, red-head, and dark-complexioned doll. The appearance of them also depended on where they were manufactured. The first ones issued were assembled in the USA, but later on Mattel Canada also produced a line of their own. The Canadian dolls were made of different plastic and had another kind of eyes and features, these ones usually sell for more money.
They have been reissued a number of times, but the first run of them was made between the years 1959 and 1965. When she first hit the store shelves, her repertoire of phrases totaled 11, with 7 more added in 1963. The original doll was sold wearing one of two outfits and came with several small accessories. All of these details combined can determine the value of the toy when it is sold at auctions and online.
When a collector is lucky enough to come across one of these toys in good shape, it is important to take whatever measures are necessary to ensure that she stays this way. One must remember that they are now antiques and contain parts that are irreplaceable. Although they were once playthings for children, at the age they are now, they cannot stand up to this and should be kept as a display item only.
One may also come across a Chatty that has not been cared for and is being sold for less. These dolls should not be overlooked because with some sprucing up they can be made to look presentable once again. Cleaning needs to be carried out in such a way that water will not seep into the body and do damage.
This is a doll that cannot be immersed in water or it will ruin her voice box. Paper towels dampened with water and a small amount of dish soap will be sufficient for wiping down her face, trunk, and limbs. Alcohol is not recommended as it can take the paint off of her eyebrows, freckles, and lips, but it can be used to wipe off her speaker grill. After washing, paper towels can be used to blot her dry.
If the hair is unkempt and dirty, it can be washed with dish detergent, fabric wash, or shampoo and then rinsed, as long as the head is kept tilted away from the body and no water runs into her eyes. A conditioner may be applied to the hair and left to sit for about 30 minutes, then rinsed out. To style the hair, sponge rollers or perm rods can be used, but no heat appliances.
Her pull-cord must be used very carefully as to not damage her ability to speak. Excessive pulling is not recommended, and it should only be used when the doll is in an upright position. When storing her in a box, one should avoid any contact between the doll and colored paper because it may stain her skin. By caring for the <A href="http://www.mattelchattyhaven.com">Chatty Cathy doll</A> and keeping her in good condition she can continue to bring her owner years of joy.
You can visit the website <a href="http://www.mattelchattyhaven.com">www.mattelchattyhaven.com</a> for more helpful information about Guide To Owning And Caring For A Vintage Chatty Cathy Doll
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New Unique Article!
Title: Guide To Owning And Caring For A Vintage Chatty Cathy Doll
Author: Patrice McCoy
Email: nathanwebster335@live.com
Keywords: hobbies, crafts, projects, DIY
Word Count: 593
Category: Hobbies
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