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Join the Princess Diana Doll Club on Facebook.
Welcome! The Franklin Mint's second vinyl celebrity doll represents Diana, Princess of Wales in her post-separation years. The first Franklin Mint Diana vinyl doll was advertised within months of Diana's tragic accident in Paris, following about a year or so after the debut of their Jackie Kennedy wardrobe doll. She bears a striking resemblance to the Princess, one of the best portrait dolls created after Diana's sixteen year public life. The collection commemorated a variety of ensembles worn during Diana's lifetime and comprises casual wear, evening wear, charity work and State events. Get started by using the navigation bar links above to view the dolls, ensembles and collection accessories.
Welcome! The Franklin Mint's second vinyl celebrity doll represents Diana, Princess of Wales in her post-separation years. The first Franklin Mint Diana vinyl doll was advertised within months of Diana's tragic accident in Paris, following about a year or so after the debut of their Jackie Kennedy wardrobe doll. She bears a striking resemblance to the Princess, one of the best portrait dolls created after Diana's sixteen year public life. The collection commemorated a variety of ensembles worn during Diana's lifetime and comprises casual wear, evening wear, charity work and State events. Get started by using the navigation bar links above to view the dolls, ensembles and collection accessories.
These pages were originally composed to share information because the Franklin Mint didn't always inform its customers well. Catalogue and postal advertising weren't always well-targeted. Its retail shops had knowledgeable staff, but these were randomly located and you were lucky if there was one near you. Its web site wasn't kept up to date and its customer service reps weren't trained in all the product lines, so customers collaborated to share knowledge. It was such a shame because the company was responsible for some really brilliant dolls. Their profits would have soared if they had engaged with fans who wanted to give them money.
These pages were originally composed to share information because the Franklin Mint didn't always inform its customers well. Catalogue and postal advertising weren't always well-targeted. Its retail shops had knowledgeable staff, but these were randomly located and you were lucky if there was one near you. Its web site wasn't kept up to date and its customer service reps weren't trained in all the product lines, so customers collaborated to share knowledge. It was such a shame because the company was responsible for some really brilliant dolls. Their profits would have soared if they had engaged with fans who wanted to give them money.
This product line included recreations of 30 of Diana's outfits altogether (counting the Paris Crash sportswear separates as two.) This is more than any other doll range in the Mint's stable, even going above Marilyn and the Gone With The Wind series. It is also just a few more than the Danbury Mint Princess Diana Royal Wardrobe Collection.
This product line included recreations of 30 of Diana's outfits altogether (counting the Paris Crash sportswear separates as two.) This is more than any other doll range in the Mint's stable, even going above Marilyn and the Gone With The Wind series. It is also just a few more than the Danbury Mint Princess Diana Royal Wardrobe Collection.
The site is a reference, education and review site. There are no sales involved. If you are looking for items to purchase, recommended sites include eBay and other marketplaces.
Check out the other pages to find out more about items in the collection. Once you've been through everything "official" in the People's Princess Collection, be sure to stroll through the FM Diana Wishlist, which showcases the talent of replica makers over more than two decades of entrepreneurial ingenuity and genuine tribute by many people over the years.
This site is one of a number of previous projects being moved from Tripod and Angelfire to GoogleSites in order to avoid the horrid spam ads and random hijack code . (see link above for the new and improved FM Wishlist which is also being moved.) The plan is to wipe those sites leaving only links leading to this one. Much of the content will be moved, but there are updates and additions going on all the time.
This site is one of a number of previous projects being moved from Tripod and Angelfire to GoogleSites in order to avoid the horrid spam ads and random hijack code . (see link above for the new and improved FM Wishlist which is also being moved.) The plan is to wipe those sites leaving only links leading to this one. Much of the content will be moved, but there are updates and additions going on all the time.
Some observations about custom outfits
Some observations about custom outfits
I once proposed a Franklin Mint People's Princess Exclusive Limited Edition doll for members of the Princess Diana Doll Club. Photo left is a doll that does not exist. I was not trying to put one over on anyone, I made a suggestion to the Franklin Mint in writing in 2008 as to what I would have liked to buy and what I thought the members would buy as well. This is not a real photo; it is half a dozen photos cobbled together to create the illusion of my ideal doll. With shoes. Green shoes. Green satin shoes, with little gold dealies on the tops.
I once proposed a Franklin Mint People's Princess Exclusive Limited Edition doll for members of the Princess Diana Doll Club. Photo left is a doll that does not exist. I was not trying to put one over on anyone, I made a suggestion to the Franklin Mint in writing in 2008 as to what I would have liked to buy and what I thought the members would buy as well. This is not a real photo; it is half a dozen photos cobbled together to create the illusion of my ideal doll. With shoes. Green shoes. Green satin shoes, with little gold dealies on the tops.
I sent this to FM with the idea of proposing a new doll every few months, but they never responded. So instead I decided instead to show collectors what Diana replica makers had accomplished and to suggest possibilities.
I sent this to FM with the idea of proposing a new doll every few months, but they never responded. So instead I decided instead to show collectors what Diana replica makers had accomplished and to suggest possibilities.
See photo right for what I put together in real life by combining a gown and necklace made by the eBay seller, Hisodoll with shoes and a bag made by an ingenious collector, and adding an FM Princess of Sophistication bracelet and Danbury Mint brooch. If I can get some decent emerald drop earrings, I'll be set, just a question of finding something appropriate.
See photo right for what I put together in real life by combining a gown and necklace made by the eBay seller, Hisodoll with shoes and a bag made by an ingenious collector, and adding an FM Princess of Sophistication bracelet and Danbury Mint brooch. If I can get some decent emerald drop earrings, I'll be set, just a question of finding something appropriate.
What could the Mint have achieved by continuing the doll product lines?
See below. It's evident FM predicted the marriage of Kate Middleton to HRH Prince William. One only has to take into consideration that they were already gearing down dolls then look at how quickly the engagement and wedding Kate Middleton vinyls were released in 2011.
When HRH Prince Harry announced his engagement, doll collectors held their breath collectively and hoped a similar miracle would come about in 2018. Sadly, it didn't. Instead, an enterprising and talented artist, PrincessHike, converted two Franklin Mint dolls (Czarina Alexandra and (I think) Sandy from Grease to become the Meghan Markle "FM" bride doll, and the Meghan Markle "FM" Engagement announcement doll. The Danbury Mint and Ashton Drake Galleries produced porcelain wedding sets, but they just aren't as flexible for redressing and aren't as easy to find second market at an affordale price.
Both of these ladies have excellent fashion creds in their own right and are worthy of a doll and wardrobe. With the withdrawal of the Sussexes to California and the elevation of the Cambridges to the Wales title, we are likely to see fewer instances of copy-worthy fashion from Meghan and more conservative dressing from Kate. While both are likely to wear fashionable clothing, their styles will be changing as their roles have changed: Kate moving up the royal promotion ladder to Queenship and Meghan settling into an unexciting small celebrity in a large celebrity pond.
Kate Middleton Portrait Dolls by The Franklin Mint
Engagement (left) Wedding (right)
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex Doll Conversions by PrincessHike (eBay)
In 2011 just before folding up its doll business, the Mint immortalised Diana's first daughter-in-law, Kate Middleton, in two vinyl wardrobe dolls without producing a wardrobe. Kate very shortly established herself as a fashionista with many outfits worthy of copying to doll size, but alas, it's been left to doll customisers to dress her.
In 2011 just before folding up its doll business, the Mint immortalised Diana's first daughter-in-law, Kate Middleton, in two vinyl wardrobe dolls without producing a wardrobe. Kate very shortly established herself as a fashionista with many outfits worthy of copying to doll size, but alas, it's been left to doll customisers to dress her.
Now that the Royal Family has added Meghan Markle as a second daughter-in-law, and there is sadly probably no chance that the Mint will produce any more commemorative dolls, collectors are stuck. Hopefully, that won't stop other companies, but everyone know there will be no equal to what the Mint could have produced.
Now that the Royal Family has added Meghan Markle as a second daughter-in-law, and there is sadly probably no chance that the Mint will produce any more commemorative dolls, collectors are stuck. Hopefully, that won't stop other companies, but everyone know there will be no equal to what the Mint could have produced.
There has been worry that the Sussexes are likely to block any large scale, saleable projects either to protect from accusations of trading on their royal name or what will be seen as an attempt to monetise Meghan's image, despite Diana not doing so in her 16 years of public life. The set above right was created by PrincessHike, an eBay seller and doll customiser who has transformed other FM dolls into Meghan by repainting, redressing, rewigging or rerooting hair and dyeing the vinyl. Ingenious!
There has been worry that the Sussexes are likely to block any large scale, saleable projects either to protect from accusations of trading on their royal name or what will be seen as an attempt to monetise Meghan's image, despite Diana not doing so in her 16 years of public life. The set above right was created by PrincessHike, an eBay seller and doll customiser who has transformed other FM dolls into Meghan by repainting, redressing, rewigging or rerooting hair and dyeing the vinyl. Ingenious!
Join the Princess Diana Doll Club on Facebook if you'd like to engage in a discussion of what outfits you'd like your Diana, Catherine Princess of Wales, or Meghan Duchess of Sussex dolls to have in their wardrobes. We discuss all sorts of things, dolls as they were issued, ideas about dolls we'd like to see manufacturers issue, our adventures in collecting, customising dolls, how to solve doll problems such as staining, etc.
Join the Princess Diana Doll Club on Facebook if you'd like to engage in a discussion of what outfits you'd like your Diana, Catherine Princess of Wales, or Meghan Duchess of Sussex dolls to have in their wardrobes. We discuss all sorts of things, dolls as they were issued, ideas about dolls we'd like to see manufacturers issue, our adventures in collecting, customising dolls, how to solve doll problems such as staining, etc.
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