Ashton Drake Galleries Blythe, revisited

My second, third and fourth Blythes were Ashton Drake Galleries (ADG) Blythes, known as the American cousins to the Japanese designed Takara Blythes.  I had this theory when I was first collecting- one in, one out; buy one, sell one.  That's how ADG 1 (Pinafore Purple) and 2 (Pleasant Peasant) left my collection.  The third (Roaring Red) hung around awhile with many faces until I finally sold her.  Now, Pow Wow Poncho has joined my clan.

I've had Kenner fever.  There is no way I can afford a Kenner at the current market prices, so I went the next best thing- ADG Blythe. If I remember right, the ADG face mold was created from a scan of a Kenner (Puchi Collective website with face mold info is on a hiatus or I would check this fact.)  ADG's do not have the correct lip shape or the aged translucent plastic; however, they are delightful dolls in their own way.

How long has it been since you opened up a Takara Blythe with absolutely gorgeous and perfectly styled hair?  Forever? Yeah, me too. Take a look at this:

 My only complaint is a plug that is a little too sparse right at the front.  The hair net flattened it and has made it look worse.

Just about everything about her is better than I remembered.  Her eye shadow is darker, skin tone is pretty (sometimes they have green cast), and her hair is so soft.  I did forget the extreme down cast on the front gazes.  Her eye mech has the soft "pip" sound described of Kenners.  The RBL+ now has the same "pip" as an intentional design feature to replicate the Kenner also.

I have EBL, SBL, RBL, RBL+, and FBL face molds.  I took comparison photos with all, but FBL, which I forgot...Claudia stays in my bedroom.

EBL and ADG

SBL and ADG

RBL and ADG

RBL+ and ADG

The old Barbie collection came in handy:

Not the most picturesque scene.  Wedding day dress reproduction.