Cissy & Elise Doll Restorations

Thank you for viewing a sampling of my vintage Madame Alexander Cissy and Elise restorations. I began working on my own dolls when I discovered it was more expedient, and certainly less expensive, than sending them to a doll hospital. Besides, I was determined to return them to the way they appeared when they first stepped off the assembly line in the fifties, something the doll doctors I’d commissioned were unable or unwilling to do. So the research began; I read every book, leaflet, pamphlet and blog available on how to restore hard plastic dolls. There wasn’t much available. Occasionally, a doll doctor would share some of her tips with me, and for those, I am eternally grateful. I started out on a cleanliness crusade after acquiring dolls I wouldn’t display in my detached garage but quickly moved in an artistic direction. I was an artist by education and vocation and had been airbrushing since I was 18. The hardest part was getting the double or triple stroke eyebrows correct. Understanding the mechanical elements soon followed, but that was the simple part. My goal was to incorporate and replicate all the finer points and nuances Madame Alexander and her face painters were able to imbue to these classic beauties. Many thanks to my Cissy friends who allowed me to use their dolls as guinea pigs. Most of the examples on the following pages were done between 2006 and 2009 so please keep in mind that my skills have improved in the last four years. I’ve just been too busy to keep track and catalog all the “before and after” shots.

If you have any questions or comments, please leave them in the area provided by this site or visit me at www.debsdolls.com.

RESTORATIONSA Few “Before & After” Shots of Restorative Work on Cissy

Infused Cissy with auburn hair in modified casual pull-back style. Cissy was shiny, starting to turn an orange color, needed a full face paint with matte finish, eye rocker stabilized and re-set

and her wig cleaned and styled. She got the works! All dolls are cleaned inside and out, restrung and treated with a UV protectant.

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1955 to 1957 painted Cissy with blonde hair in casual “down” style. These early casually styled wigs are very full and difficult to style. Cissy needed enhanced blush, brows darkened,

matte facial finish and her wig cleaned and styled. She’s pretty as a picture.





Painted Cissy with auburn hair in modified casual “down” style. Her wig was a total wreck but a beautiful doll, just a bit shiny and pale. She received blush, a matte finish and a cleaned and

styled wig.





A 1955 painted Cissy with a blonde Binnie/Winnie wig. Cissy needed blushing, brows darkened, face matted and her wig reseated, cleaned and styled.





Infused Cissy (ca. 1957-1958) with darkening complexion and shorter, less full casually styled wig. Facial stains treated, blush enhanced and was given a matte finish. Wig also cleaned

and styled in original hairdo.





Early painted Cissy who had lost most of her features due to fading. Her wig was also set too far back on her head. Enhanced makeup including brows, lower lashes, shadow and blush.

Given a final matte varnish finish coat. Wig was repositioned as well.





Early trashed Cissy who was repainted in the style of the 1955 Lucy “Forever Darling” Bride. Full makeup and hair style, including replaced sable brush lashes.





A 1955 or 1956 Queen Cissy with tosca colored wig and discolored eyes. Eyes replaced with a new “used” blue rocker, face repainted and wig set in original style.





Painted Cissy who had lost most of her color and painted features. Cleaned, glue removed from head and face, repainted and matted and wig restyled and seated in proper position.





Early painted Cissy with a replaced wig. The wig is a vintage replacement but has much more hair than Madame Alexander wigs. This Cissy got the works. . . repaint of all features, new

eyelashes and wig cleaned and styled.





This infused doll was a total wreck. She had no facial finish, the tie backs on her wig had been cut, she was filthy and had numerous splits. She was cleaned, splits were repaired, T-

bar in hips put back on leg cogs, “extensions” added to wig and wig restyled, face repainted and matted. She turned out to be a lovely doll.





Early painted blonde Cissy who needed facial features enhanced, wig styled, brush lashes added, right eye centered and dings on her face filled and painted.





I’m guessing this is a very early 1955 Cissy because I think she has a left over Binnie wig. This is only the second one of this style I’ve seen. The wig cap was so deteriorated that it

could not be set further forward on her head and it desperately needed that adjustment. She was repainted and given the correct hair style but the wig was not moved.





An almost hopeless infused Cissy head that needed a total repaint and a new eye rocker. Now she’s ready for a wig and a body!





1955 doll prepared for competition so the changes could not be too stark. Brows, blush and matte finish added as well as moderate wig styling.





1959 or later no-neck queen doll with seam split and a very orange color. Staining lifted, repainted, wig cleaned & styled, neck added and neck seam split repaired.





Major rehab on stained, filthy Lady Hamilton Cissy. Face treated for yellow color, repaint and matte finish, eyes lightened & lashes replaced, wig cleaned and styled. Gown and hat cleaned

and sized. Replaced vintage flowers.





Color and facial features enhanced and given a matte varnish finish. Wig cleaned and styled. Left eye balanced and positioned correctly.





Stained and shiny infused doll with messy tangled wig. Staining removed and facial defects repaired. Wig cleaned and styled.





Painted doll in really bad shape with horrible repaint, messy wig, dirty all over and nicks and chips on her face. All repaired, repainted, cleaned and given original hairstyle.





Painted brunette Cissy in need of eyelashes, feature enhancement and a more colorful complexion. That’s what she got plus her original hairstyle.





“Poor Girl” was the name given this doll. She needed the works!





Infused Cissy with good features other than blush and matte finish. Wig cleaned and styled and color pulled from dye transfers in body. Repainted and sealed. All dolls are cleaned

inside and out, restrung and treated with a UV protectant.





1957 queen doll that was very washed out and faded. Color and features were restored and hair cleaned and styled.





Very nice wig that needed cleaning and restyling, but eye rocker was the biggest problem. Also received blush and removed scuffs and scratches on body.





Eye rocker was changed out for a good pair of blue eyes. The owner of this Cissy didn’t want the doll’s hairstyle changed so it was just puffed up a bit.





Rare 1961 Melanie (from Gone With the Wind) Portrait Doll. She was absolutely perfect except for the facial discolorations.





Painted blonde Cissy who needed crack repairs, wig cleaning and styling, face painting and eyelash replacement.




RESTORATIONS“Before & After” Shots of Restorative Work on Cissy




RESTORATIONS“Before & After” Shots of Restorative Work on Elise




Cissy & Elise Doll Restorations

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