Very Rare Black Terri Lee Benjie, Early Doll, Pat Pending, Tagged
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:6823967 | Brand: Terri Lee |
| Material: Hard Plastic | Type: Doll |
| Ethnicity: African American | Doll Gender: Boy Doll |
| Features: Vintage |
Benjie had been part of my collection for over 30 years! He is seldom offered for sale. I'll describe him as well as I can, but please examine photos. Also, I'm glad to answer questions. Benjie is the black male companion doll to Terri Lee Doll Company's Patty Jo or Bonnie Lou. This Benjie has the earlier Patti Jo eyebrows! Benjie vary almost as much as their sisters, since they are hand painted. He has deeper dimples, like the earlier dolls.Terri Lee doll company simply spray painted ...their white dolls, so there are inconsistencies in color on body. It has not bee touched up or repainted, as far as I can tell, but left leg has most of the inconsistencies. Paint rubs on neck (see photo) Paint rubs where arms and legs go into body. I've professionally restrung him, so he is good to go. Benjie' face is beautiful! No repaints or touch up...all original. He has brown eyes, red lips, and pink nostrils. Thick eyebrows. No scratches on brows or eyes. Check out his face carefully! He is great, but has a slight, rub in bottom of left eye brow and a tiny dot on left cheek! He has a dark mark above left eyebrow near hairline, (see photo) that I have not attempted to remove, so as not to disturb or rub facial paint. He is in great condition for his age and rarity, but is not absolutely, minty mint perfect, as you would expect from a mint in box doll or repaint. He is in his original, gently handled condition! His original skin wig is more dark brown than black, curly but not poodle tight. On page 14 of Terri Lee Dolls by Casper, they show a similar doll with a more tousled wig dressed as girl. As a girl, she is even more rare. You be the judge. No cracks in body. Doll is marked Terri Lee, Pat Pend. Doll does not have smoke or severe pungent moldy odor some Terri Lees have, just typical old plastic. Benjie is dressed in an original velvet suit, clean white shirt ( some wine color bled pink a little around waistline from pants) and matching jacket. He has rayon socks and black oil cloth shoes. Outfit is tagged and in near mint condition, and only flaw is bleeding, as prior mention. He also wears printed donut snap front underwear.This doll did not come to me in this outfit! He arrived in the knit outfit I have included. I included it in case some dolls came this way, or Terri Lee had a knit pattern, or such. It is in excellent condition, dark Rosey pink and cream knit, no real moth damage, one little hole in one sock, sweater, pants, socks and higher oil cloth tie shoes. So, you have an option. I'm hoping Benjie finds a loving home with a serious collector who appreciates his rarity and wonderful face and can overlook the few paint flaws on his leg, most are hidden by his outfit. I've been overly critical, and tried to give you lots of photos, but if I've missed anything, please email. Thanks for looking!
