International Black Doll Show 2012, Pt. 2

Behold! a blast from my past: Soul Sister doll seen at Linda C. Hayes' table. Talk about childhood memories ... many years ago, I owned a Soul Sister doll. Seeing her triggered an involuntary smile. I almost forgot my shoulder pain and being broke. That's why I attend the International Black Doll Show and Sale. Why I appreciate Ms. Hayes' annual presence at this event. You never know what fun, charming, amusing, exciting object will appear next.


Soul Sister doll was only one of the many interesting dolls for sale by Linda Hayes, doll dealer extraordinaire.  From sport figures like Kobe Bryant and Dennis Rodman or a play scale rickshaw or special issue-themed dolls like Cammie Goes to College, Ms. Hayes never disappoints her fan base at the Show. For example, the special item that she discovered in the West Indies - please see Debbie Behan Garrett's blog or Ms. Leo's blog.


Another IBDSS "regular" was Anna's Collectibles. In addition to collectible Barbies, Anna's offered Madame Alexander dolls, Gene dolls, Lee Middleton and Tonner dolls as well as toy bears, figurines, and nutcrackers. If you missed the Show or missed Anna's tables, you can visit her online shop where she has Barbies starting at $9.00! Per a lavender flyer distributed by the Anna's team, Anna's accepts credit cards and lay-a-ways. Yes! Either of those options is likely to loosen purse strings in these difficult financial times. Contact information via the Internet is annascollectibles@hotmail.com or by telephone at 856-667-2916 or fax at 856-779-8868.


Zister II Creations offered Black Barbie-clone "Air Freshener Dolls." The dolls seemed to be heads-torsos with arms ... you've probably seen those half-dolls whose full skirts cover tissue boxes and other household items. Well, these dolls skirts presumably covered air fresheners. The gowns looked attractive and interesting, but I wondered if the legs were ... well, there. I confess, I did not check. I could imagine the dolls screaming, "What have you done with my LEGS!" Shudder. However, if you are curious about this series, contact B. Scott by e-mail or telephone 718-573-6712 or 718-909-5497.


I missed any other dealers selling play scale figures. However, I did meet new to the IBDSS doll artist, Jacqueline Bryant Campbell. Ms. Campbell creates cloth dolls in a variety of shades - obtained by tea dying. Her daughter and inspiration to create cloth dolls was not there. You can see her adorable dolls at her website and e-mail her: she is also on Twitter @JBryantCampbell and on Facebook.


Additional doll artists Scharynne Holmes, Frannie Robinson, Laura Tuzio-Ross, and Goldie Wilson. Owner of Dolls, Teddy Bears & Gifts, Eleanor McGhee was present also. I just gathered cards and/or took a photo of those tables because they were outside my main interest, play scale figures.


For additional photos of this event, please see the 2012 Black Doll Show album on Webshots site. For additional coverage of the Show, please see I-Luv-Dolls or Debbie Behan Garrett's blogs noted above.

Philly's 22nd International Black Doll Show & Sale

Hey, did you happen to see, the most fugliest bride in the world ....

This has been my BEST International Black Doll Show visit. I talked with a few of the dealers and one doll artist. I even brought a 12” fellow home with me. Before I report my findings, I want to thank Dr. Barbara Whiteman, her ever gracious daughter Robyn Whiteman, and two charming Convention Assistants, Jenna Arnold and Janee Douglas. Thanks to the unknown (to me) convention staff, other Black Doll Collectors' Club members, and Debbie B. Garrett for reminding me about the Show.

At last year’s Show, I spoke with some convention assistants working with Linda C. Hayes. They gave me permission to photograph her offerings for my blog post on the Show and gave me her contact information. This year, I met Ms. Hayes herself. We did not have a substantial talk due to the many distractions of the Show and my wanting to photograph EVERYTHING that she had ;-D

If there were a prize for the most unusual doll offerings, Ms. Hayes would have won it: Among her sales items were the Dennis Rodman doll shown above, Oreo Barbie, Talking Cassius Clay figurine, the Hasbro Destiny’s Child dolls, elusive Shindana dolls Slade and Dr. J, and four 12” action figure outfits. I couldn’t resist the Army Ken – note: I have no military Kens so he filled a void. I mean, Soldier Ken … who could resist?

In case any of the items I mention are on your Wish List, here is Ms. Hayes’ current contact information:

Linda C. Hayes, Doll Connoisseur
Linda’s Black Dolls, Vintage to Modern
P.O. Box 8653
VA Beach, Virginia 23450-8653

Poet540@msn.com
757-498-5064

Next, I spoke with Gloria Henson, Dollmaker, about her Angel Doll. Since the Angel Doll is porcelain and not playscale, I will save those comments for my Examiner article. However, Ms. Henson had a dark brown complected My Scene Knockoff doll and a smaller scale Malcolm X figure/figurine. (I could imagine him lecturing my larger playscale figures. We’d go, “Oh he’s sooo cute,” as he paced below us. Nope.)

While the My Scene Knockoff was tempting – amazing how faithfully the knockoff company recreated the Mattel My Scene box graphics - I left her behind too although she was only $5.00. (If you are curious about either item, please see them in my Webshots folder and/or contact Ms. Henson at Glohenson1960@yahoo.com . She might have one or both of them.)

I also spoke to Mayai Chatman who offered a familiar doll that I had not seen in the vinyl: Kenner Dana from the Fashion Model Darci line. Thud. Ouch. That’s my knees hitting the marble floor. Sigh. Now I want a NFRB Kenner Dana. She’s on my Wish List. No, I won’t likely get her anytime soon, but she is definitely on The List.

Anna's Collectibles was there as well. I did not get their card this year, but they had a few holiday Barbies and a few of the denim Barbie Basics dolls.

Other reviews and or comments about this year's Show are by Ms. Leo and Black Doll Collector.

If you attended the Show and you would like to submit your review, please visit here.

Sixth Scale Finds at the 2010 Black Doll Show

I confess: when I attended the International Black Doll Show at the Convention Center in downtown Philadelphia, I thought I would not see any playscale dolls or action figures. Wasn't I pleasantly surprised by these finds? See the following photos:



O.J. Simpson (no comment), Bob Scout (help, Roxanne! Is that Bob?), and a character from Welcome Back, Kotter whose name I don't recall.




Mod era Julias in original Julia fashions by Mattel.




Venus or Serena Williams and Integrity Toys' African Legends Janay.




I think the name of the black female in silvery armor is Nubia, but I don't recall her character other than that. My younger brother was the Wonder Woman t.v. show fan. Something about Lynda Carter twirling around, LOL.




Integrity Toys' African Legends Nakia.


All dolls photographed were available for sale by doll dealer Linda Hayes.

More information about the International Black Doll Show will appear in a Philadelphia Examiner article.

Vendor Confirmation for the Philly 2012 Black Doll Show

Guess who will attend this year's International Black Doll Show and Sale?

Doll connoisseur Linda C. Hayes!

And even better, she has something special from the West Indies to offer us. No hints were provided. Just the teaser that we would not be disappointed. Curious? Me, too! I hope for a new playscale doll or playscale doll accessories, but Ms. Hayes sells many kinds of dolls. So the mystery item(s) could be ... any thing. Hmmm ....

Come on May 26, 2012!

“A Treasury of Dolls”

International Black Doll Show and Sale

Saturday, May 26, 2012

10 AM - 5 PM

Philadelphia Convention Center

12th and Arch Streets

Philadelphia, PA

Admission cost

$7.00 for adults

$5.00 for seniors

$5.00 children under 12 years old