1987 PEARL - Soft Articulated 20" WEICHGELENKBABY 37002

This Gotz Play Doll - Baby Doll **PEARL** was produced in **1987**; she measures **50cm/20"** tall and has a Doll ID # or Catalog Code: **37002**. She has "ROOTED," **long, straight blonde hair with tightly curled bangs**; her hair is styled up in a ponytail with a pink bow. Her "sleepy-eyes" are **BLUE** and have a **PINWHEEL** eye design. She is a soft-bodied, articulated, WEICHGELENKBABY baby doll, with physical features typical of other baby dolls in the "**INFANT/TODDLER**" sub-category.

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

WEICHGELENKBABY'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 machine-inserted directly into the skull; "rooted" hair is very durable and holds up extremely well to being repeatedly pulled/tugged. Some higher end baby dolls will have a Kanekalon fiber wig; a wig is "hair" sewn to a skull cap which is then glued directly to the doll's scalp. WEICHGELENKBABY dolls will primarily have "sleepy-eyes" (eyes open/shut when the doll's position is altered) made from quality plastics; they may also have "fixed" eyes (painted open/shut). Outfits are high-quality and well-crafted; fabrics and materials are selected more for durability and care than for appearance. These dolls and their body parts are mass-produced and are not designed by a specific Doll Artist. In terms of value, *these dolls tend to be one of the least expensive dolls within the Gotz doll market* but still range in price depending on the factors above.

*Marianne Gotz* most likely designed and patented this doll's body type; their doll body has the same ball-jointed sockets and soft, padded cloth torso that she designed and patented for her line of Gotz Dolls, The Marianne Designer Collection. **This specific doll body type was also patented in 1985**.

## **Catalog Information**

* Baby Doll Name: **PEARL**
* Baby Doll Age Group: **INFANT/TODDLER**
* Year Produced: **1987**
* Doll ID #/Catalog Code: **37002**
* Height in cm/inches: **50cm/20"**
* Torso Material: **CLOTH**
* Body Type: **SOFT-BODIED**
* German Classification: ***WEICHGELENKBABY***
* German Classification (in English): ***SOFT ARTICULATED BABY***
* Baby Doll Type: ***PLAY DOLL***
* **Neckstamp Mold #: PLEASE ENTER HERE**
* Baby Doll Collection/Series/Line: If Applicable
* Original Cost of Baby Doll: **UNKNOWN**

## **Physical Characteristics**

* Hair Color: **BLONDE HAIR**
* Hair Length: **LONG HAIR**
* Hair Style: **STRAIGHT HAIR with straight bangs.**
* Hair Description: Long, straight blonde hair with straight bangs; hair is worn up in a high ponytail with pink bow.
* Hair Type: **ROOTED HAIR**
* Eye Type: **SLEEPY-EYES**
* Eye Color: **BLUE EYES**
* Eye Design: **PINWHEEL**
	+ **PINWHEEL**: Eye design appears as either a "solid" color or as gradient wave ("~") that begins at iris and radiates outwards to edge of pupil.
* Other Noticeable Physical Traits: **NONE**

## **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* can be 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 BABY**

These dolls are classified by Gotz as **SOFT ARTICULATED BABY** or **WEICHGELENKBABY** due to its SOFT, padded, cloth torso; 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**.
* **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 vinyl necks 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 baby doll's *original outfit*.

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

## **Original Box**

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