The Miss United Kingdom Doll
Doll
1984 (manufactured)
1984 (manufactured)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This 11" vinyl fashion doll was made by Playmakers Toys (UK) Ltd in 1984 designed specifically for children with its poseable arms and legs but modelled on the winner of The Miss United Kingdom Doll. Each year a doll would be produced to represent the winner of the competition. This one is the 1984 winner, Vivienne Rooke who was 22 years of age from Weston-super-Mare.
The doll was originally purchased by the owner at the small cost of £1.25, showing how mass-produced products like these were. Fashion dolls were originally made in the 1860s as a stylish representation of elegant young ladies, with the majority being produced in France and made from bisque. However, the boom of the 20th Century saw a change of pace in the doll world and novelty toys came into style. Some reflected political changes whilst others reflected a particular trend of the time. The Miss United Kingdom Doll is an example of dolls being made in response to a trend, in this case, the winner of a beauty contest. A label on the box even reads, 'As seen on TV' to emphasise this point.
The doll was originally purchased by the owner at the small cost of £1.25, showing how mass-produced products like these were. Fashion dolls were originally made in the 1860s as a stylish representation of elegant young ladies, with the majority being produced in France and made from bisque. However, the boom of the 20th Century saw a change of pace in the doll world and novelty toys came into style. Some reflected political changes whilst others reflected a particular trend of the time. The Miss United Kingdom Doll is an example of dolls being made in response to a trend, in this case, the winner of a beauty contest. A label on the box even reads, 'As seen on TV' to emphasise this point.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | The Miss United Kingdom Doll (manufacturer's title) |
| Materials and techniques | Colour printed card and vinyl |
| Brief description | Doll, teenage, vinyl, in a box, 'The Miss United Kingdom Doll', made by Playmakers Toys Ltd, England, 1984. |
| Physical description | A boxed vinyl doll with poseable head, arms and legs. The doll has long, curly brown hair and her blue eyes, dark eyebrows and pink lips are painted on. She is dressed in a matching top and bottoms outfit of predominately pink and orange stripes with a touch of other colours and silver trimmings. The top is a one shoulder style with no sleeves. The box is blue with the text printed in gold. There are two photographs on the back showing previous winners. |
| Dimensions |
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| Production type | Mass produced |
| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Credit line | Norah Chambers Kensey bequest |
| Summary | This 11" vinyl fashion doll was made by Playmakers Toys (UK) Ltd in 1984 designed specifically for children with its poseable arms and legs but modelled on the winner of The Miss United Kingdom Doll. Each year a doll would be produced to represent the winner of the competition. This one is the 1984 winner, Vivienne Rooke who was 22 years of age from Weston-super-Mare. The doll was originally purchased by the owner at the small cost of £1.25, showing how mass-produced products like these were. Fashion dolls were originally made in the 1860s as a stylish representation of elegant young ladies, with the majority being produced in France and made from bisque. However, the boom of the 20th Century saw a change of pace in the doll world and novelty toys came into style. Some reflected political changes whilst others reflected a particular trend of the time. The Miss United Kingdom Doll is an example of dolls being made in response to a trend, in this case, the winner of a beauty contest. A label on the box even reads, 'As seen on TV' to emphasise this point. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | B.648-2010 |
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| Record created | April 18, 2011 |
| Record URL |
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