About Us
Hello we are Kathy and Annie and although we are very different people, we have one thing in common, our love of Sindy. Sindy can be quite difficult to collect, sometimes what was shown in the brochures and catalogues didn’t quite match what was actually sold. Pedigree was also frugal and re-used items to complete or extend the ranges available for purchase. We have spent, and still spend, many happy and sometimes frustrating hours researching about what was, and what was not, the definitive outfit and we are constantly learning new things about Sindy and her world.
We bring very different skills and collections to the Museum. Annie brings her love of all things Sindy and her particular interest in Scenesetters. She tackles the research and writing. Kathy adored the 1960s and early 1970s, and her Mam’selle, Patch and Paul collections. Her superpower is her visual skills, she can spot variations and issues with Museum photos at first look.
But Our Sindy Museum wouldn’t be as complete and as interesting as it is, without all the people who have generously helped us over the years.
Kathy (left) and Annie (right) at “A Toy Museum for a Day’ 2011
Annie
I started collecting the wonderful world of Pedigree Sindy in 2007. My collection started with a 1968 Brunette Sidepart, lovingly known as Modom. Originally, I was only going to buy that much longed for, but never owned, single childhood toy and all the 1960s outfits that she would have worn. But I quickly lapsed and bought other Sindys (brunettes of course) and assorted outfits and Scenesetters that interested me, and so it snowballed.
My collecting is quite eccentric, I only collect brunette Pedigree Sindys and outfits that I particularly like, and as I don’t like polka dots, I don’t really collect those outfits at all. I love the Scenesetters and all the little bits and pieces that go with them. I am also a big fan of the Spanish Florido Sindy and I make an exception for the auburn and blonde dolls from that range.
I like detail and knowing that outfits are completely correct and when I first started to collect Sindy, I found it very difficult indeed to establish what was the right outfit. My doll identification is very specialised, I only need to take one look at a brunette Sindy and I can usually tell you exactly what she is, but show me a blonde or a redhead and I won’t have a clue. It helps that Kathy’s visual skills are awesome and I can always ask her if she has seen something, or what this blonde or auburn doll is, and she will come straight back to me with an answer and a bunch of photos.
I always love talking to folk about their Sindys and I am interested in almost everything.
Kathy
I collected Sindy for almost 20 years. I mostly collected 60s & 70s, some 80s, and Mam’selle outfits. My favourite dolls are the Sideparts, Centreparts and Trendys. I am also very fond of Paul and Patch and all their outfits. I suppose you could call me old school, I would rather have had a doll with hair cut than a re-root, I like things to be original and I loved the hunt to complete outfits.
I spot differences very easily and I absolutely love variations, but although I have collected quite a few over the years, there are so many patterns used for some Sindy outfits, that I still always keep an eye out just in case there are any others. I am often asked to identify something or if an item of clothing is a variation. I keep an extensive library of photos for reference which I have kept and added to for many years.
I don’t like writing so much, so it’s a good thing that Annie does. We still spend hours debating something, and we always have a good laugh.
Although I don’t actively collect anymore and gave up my collection some time ago, I still enjoy working on the museum and chatting to my friends about their collections.