I was talking to Sandy from Australia about the 1985 UK Space Fantasy face and how it differed from the European Space Fantasy Galaxie. You know, real anorak stuff, and in chatting, Sandy happened to mention that she was a collector of vintage Sindy paper ephemera. I am always interested in how other people collect, and I was intrigued by this, because paper ephemera is some of the hardest stuff to find. She mentioned that she had the first four 1960s Sindy cut-out dolls, all uncut and would we like them for the museum?
For some peculiar reason, although I have never owned one of these Paper Dolls or even wanted to own them, they have a strange familiarity. When Sandy sent the photos, I had one of those moments where you look at something and you just recognise it. In my case what triggered it was the blue cupboard from the “Sindy in Town” book.
It was one of those odd flashback moments, and for a minute I was transported back to being a very little girl kneeling on my Great-Aunt Margaret’s carpet as she carefully set out my older cousin Rose’s Sindy paper doll and her outfits in front of me. Auntie Maggie, as she was known to me, made the point that this doll was for big girls, and I could look but not touch. I must have been about four years old at the time, and it was agony because I so wanted to pick up this flat doll and put the clothes on her. And the cupboard at the back of the book just fascinated me, it was so pretty and how did it work? My Auntie Maggie was a very kindly lady and the next time she looked after me, there was a cut-out doll book of my own, I was thrilled, although this was a toddler type paper doll and was probably much more age appropriate. She was wearing vest and pants, which in my young head seemed a little babyish, but hey it was the 60s and you were very grateful for what you got! I think this was probably my first glimpse of Sindy.
Sandy’s paper dolls have had quite a journey themselves, printed in the Netherlands, imported into the UK, sold in the USA, and bought by an Australian. Sandy took a lot of care in photographing her cut-out books and in writing about them. This is what she has to say about them:
“Part of my collecting is 1960s Sindy paper ephemera, but by far, my favourite is this series of four Sindy cut-out paper doll and clothes books.
Much as I would like to play with these beautiful paper dolls and their outfits, I will never cut these books. I do get them out frequently to look at though. They are stored in acid-free plastic pockets and kept in a cupboard out of the light, to preserve the vivid colours, and prevent the paper from foxing (browning).”
You can find them here in the museum and they are a joy to look at. We would love to add the other four if anyone has any of them.
We have also added to the Sindy Project with the inclusion of details about the 1964 45-rpm record which heralded the expansion of the London marketing campaign into a national one. I knew about this record but have never really seen one that I thought was good enough, or knew anyone I could ask about it. This one nicely bridges the gap between the 1963 London campaign, the 1964 national campaign, and Pedigree going on to win the 1965 award for advertising. And it’s all set out, so you read about it for yourself. This is again thanks to Sandy.
The Sindy Project – her development and launch
Elsewhere in the Museum there have been a few rewrites thanks to the help of other collectors.
For a while now I have been thinking about upgrading the 1966 Scenesetter’s cherub bed. This is because I bought from Julia the 1973 S503 boxed bed because it had the nylon sheets and nylon covered pillow and I had been debating in my head how or where to add this. Not least because I have a boxed 1975 44503 bed and it has cotton sheets and cotton covered pillow. Now Sandra had sent me pics of her variation ‘extra clothes’ which is a lovely candy-striped nightie and pants similar to 1963 Sleepy Time, and I noticed her bedspread was also a variation and it’s really a lovely one. So, we pondered how to show it all, either by year or all together, and we decided to show it all together and to deconstruct the beds and put them back together again. Sandra also got out her 1st Edition bed and we worked together step by step to show everything we have. As always it raises more questions, but the 1966 rewrite on the cherub bed is really much better and clearer I think, and if you can answer any of our latest questions please do get in touch.
We have added some more variations to 1971 Sindy Outfits and Separates. I am not a variation collector, but I know that many of us including me, appreciate seeing them. From Scott another Fun Furs dress variation, the gold braid trim with the blue floral dress is just lovely. From Julia the pink Fashion Girl dress with the big white flowers and pink centre. This is actually my favourite Fashion Girl dress, and although I don’t own it, I am delighted to finally see it in the museum. Also, from Julia another Blouse variation which is normally worn by one of her Mitzis, and it really suits her by the way. The 1971 Fun Furs, Fashion Girl and Blouse exhibits have been reconfigured and rewritten.
1971 Sindy Outfits and Separates
Lastly 1972, Sindy Fashion Girl has been rewritten and reconfigured to take into account the 1971 changes. And, last but not least from Scott, the almost mythical satin peacock pants in jewel colours which was a surprising addition to the Elizabethan Super Show outfit. Honestly, they are so beautiful I would wear them myself!
1972 Sindy Outfits and Separates
With huge thanks to these brilliant collectors who have greatly added to our collective knowledge. To Australia, thank you Sandy! To the UK, and to Julia, Sandra and Scott thank you! It’s a privilege and a lot of fun to work with you all. Lastly, to my Auntie Maggie, every little person should have an Auntie Maggie!
