1987 STELLA MAE - Soft Articulated 16" WEICHGELENKPUPPE 15005

This Gotz Play Doll **STELLA MAE** was produced in **1987**; she measures **40cm/16"** tall and has a Doll ID # or Catalog Code: **15005**. She has "[UNKNOWN HAIR TYPE]," **long, straight, dark brown hair with a slight curl at the bottom with straight bangs**; her hair is worn down, under a large, gray fur-trimmed hat. Her "sleepy-eyes" are **BROWN** with a **DECAL** eye design. In her catalog photo, STELLA MAE is shown holding a *hand muff* made out of the same faux fur as the material on the bottom of her dress, as well as her hat. Her articulation type is unique (see next paragraph); she is indexed as a WEICHGELENKPUPPE.

Please Note: In the original catalog, STELLA MAE is catalogued as a soft-bodied, non-articulated doll; however, her picture shows her arm raised and an actual doll with a visible articulation photo shows she is actually a soft-bodied articulated doll. For this reason, she will be catalogued as an articulated doll.

Gotz categorizes this doll as a **SOFT *ARTICULATED* DOLL** (or "Weichgelenkpuppe") due to its *SOFT* body type (it is made out of soft, padded cloth) and to its "JOINTED" vinyl shoulders and hips, which allow ***it to sit/stand unaided.*** (see Articulated Dolls).

Weichgelenkpuppe's are classified as a "Play Doll;" ***they have been specifically designed and created with materials capable of withstanding vigorous child play***. Play Dolls primarily have "rooted" hair, or hair that is inserted directly into the skull, (although some Weichgelenkpuppes will have a Kanekalon wig); "rooted" hair is very durable and can be repeatedly pulled/tugged. They may have "fixed" (painted, open/shut) eyes or "sleepy-eyes" (eyes open/shut when a doll's position is altered) made from quality plastics. Their outfits, while still high-quality and well-crafted, tend to be made from fabrics and materials that are selected more for durability and care than appearance. Finally, these dolls and their body parts are mass-produced and are not designed by a specific Doll Artist. *For these reasons, these dolls tend to be the least expensive dolls within the Gotz doll market*.

## **Catalog Information**

* Doll Name: **STELLA MAE**
* Year Produced: **1987**
* Doll ID #/Catalog Code: **15005**
* Height in cm/inches: **40cm/16"**
* Torso Material: **CLOTH**
* Body Type: **SOFT-BODIED**
* German Classification: ***WEICHGELENKPUPPE***
* German Classification (in English): **Soft Articulated Doll**
* Doll Type: ***PLAY DOLL***
* **Neckstamp Mold #: PLEASE ENTER HERE**
* Doll Collection/Series/Line: If Applicable
* Original Cost of Doll: UNKNOWN
* Facial Mold Used: UNKNOWN
* Original Country of Production: WEST GERMANY

## **Physical Characteristics**

* Hair Color: **DARK BROWN HAIR**
* Hair Length: **LONG HAIR**
* Hair Style: **STRAIGHT HAIR WITH A SLIGHT CURL AT BOTTOM with straight bangs.**
* Hair Description: Long, straight, dark brown hair with a slight curl at the bottom with straight bangs; hair is worn down under a gray, faux-fur trimmed hat.
* Hair Type: **UNKNOWN**
* Eye Type: **SLEEPY-EYES**
* Eye Color: **BROWN EYES**
* Eye Design: **DECAL**
	+ **DECAL**: Eye design comprised of thin, striated, straight lines that radiate outwards from iris to edge of pupil.
* Other Noticeable Physical Traits: **UNKNOWN**

## **Articulation Classification**

* **Articulation Locations: Both shoulders; both hips**
* **Articulation Types: MULTI-ARTICULATED (4-5 JOINTS MOVE/POSE)**: Doll can sit/stand unaided; both shoulders and hips will move/pose; head may articulate or manually rotate only.

## Articulation Explained

Articulation refers to whether or not a doll ***can move one or more of its body parts* (neck; arms; legs; waist, etc) *independently of its body*** and/or **hold that body part in a pose.** Each **moveable, poseable doll body part** will typically have a ball-jointed socket, referred to as an articulation joint and each *articulation joint* is located on a specific part of the body (known as an articulation location). These *articulation locations* are then added up to classify the doll within a specific articulation type. It is important to catalog this information as many dolls share the same face mold but have different body types.

## **SOFT ARTICULATED DOLLS**

These dolls are classified by Gotz as **SOFT ARTICULATED DOLLS** or **WEICHGELENKPUPPE** due to their SOFT, padded, cloth torso; ball-jointed shoulders and hips, and for their ability to sit/stand unaided, which means these dolls have:

* **CLOTH TORSOS**: These dolls will have a white or tan, soft, padded, cloth torso.
* **VINYL HIPS/ARTICULATED**: These dolls have vinyl, ball-jointed hips that articulate their vinyl legs; therefore, the entire leg is moveable/poseable from the rest of their torso. **These dolls are able to sit/stand on their own and do not require help** (such as from a doll stand).
* **VINYL SHOULDERS/ARTICULATED**: These dolls have vinyl, ball-jointed shoulders that articulate their vinyl arms; therefore, the entire arm is to move and hold a pose.
* **VINYL or CLOTH NECK**: Some dolls within this category will have either a vinyl or a cloth neck. These necks do not articulate but are capable of manual rotation *within* the cloth doll torso.

## **Original Outfit Description**

Please provide a brief, detailed physical description on the appearance, material, design, etc. of this doll's *original outfit*.

Please provide a brief, detailed physical description of this doll's *original accessories* (if applicable).

## **Original Box**

Please describe the physical appearance of the original box this doll came in.