How could I possibly resist those eyes? Well the obvious answer is I couldn't!
About a month before Christmas I received an email from Tonner stating that this lovely just was on sale - even better than that they sent me an additional email with a code for money off shipping cost of dolls in stock, I had some gift money so I decided it was now or never...
The Tonner website
http://www.tonnerdoll.com/maudlynne-macabre/maudlynne-macabre-sale-now
has this little write up, about Maudlynne's personality traits...
Maudlynne Macabre
Our favorite 10 year old resides in a Victorian mansion in Upstate New York and favors dark chocolate, black cats, moonlight walks on lonely beaches, all nocturnal creatures and musty attics-particularly those frequented by her best friend (and ghost) Victoria and her side kick Edgar Allen, the talking Raven. Although generally shy, she aspires to have a career as a TV or internet clairvoyant, a role in which her modern Victorian Chic style will prevail.
Come, enter Maudlynne’s truly macabre world and prepare for some other-worldly adventures.
While Tonner Toys have added more information about the doll's background / concept., this image appears to have been taken directly from the back of her box and both Tonner and Tonner Toys have the dolls for sale on their websites...
As the image is so small; here's what it says...
"Maudlynne McCobb is very sensitive, shy and able to see spirits. Maudlynne was home-schooled for most of her life until her parents noticed her perculiarness and decided it was time for her to socialize a bit more with regular kids.
Age:10. Favourite colours: Black, Blue & Purple. Likes: Dark chocolate, walks along moonlight beaches, black cats, all nocturnal creatures & nice, musty attics. Lives: In a Victorian Mansion in a sleepy little town in Upstate New York. Style: Modern Victorian Chic. Ambition: TV clairvoyant. Best Friends: Victoria , the Ghost in the attic & Edgar Allan, the talking Raven."
I'm not sure why the box refers to her as having the surname McCobb - this could be a typo or it could even have been the prototype's original name that someone forgot when it come to reviewing the blurb on the box design.
I have to say I'm not impressed by the blurb giving the impression that children who are homeschooled are in some way peculiar.
I removed my Son from mainstream education and home schooled him after the bullying he was dealing with on a daily basis became so bad I felt there was no alternative, maybe I'm being over sensitive...
Anyway here she is as pictured on the Tonner websites:
She's a big girl, standing around 15.25 inches and has 10 points of articulation - neck, knees, hips, torso (just under breast), shoulders, elbows.
While the lack of articulation in her wrists and ankles isn't that much of an issue and probably wouldn't matter for a child, as an adult collector who likes to be able to place my dolls in any number of poses I can't help wishing that she had movement in these areas.
Unlike most other dolls she doesn't have any articulation at the waist, surprisingly this really isn't noticeable when posing and doesn't affect her possibility at all.
It is of course very noticeable when the doll is undressed and then only because she has a long torso... well not really it is in proportion to the rest of her body but it looks long as unlike other dolls it isn't broken up by an articulated waist!
For an adult collector such as myself it would have been beneficial and greatly appreciated it she had of been designed with this additional point of articulation, but I'm mindful that she wasn't designed for collectors of my age group and she is such a stunning doll that it's not something that I really have a compliant about, it just would have been a nice addition.
Her hair is rooted and very thick so it's great for styling by little and big girls alike!
It's very long, silky and soft and is topped by a cute red ribbon headband which is secured to her head with those little plastic tie things.
Her face is sculpted by Robert Tonner and her facial features are painted on.
Her clothing is described on the site as being a Victorian Goth Chic Dress but I'd describe it as a mixture of styles.
Her maroon dress is made of a very soft fabric which shimmers a bright red when the lit hits it.
The white "bib" is made of a similar fabric and reacts the same to light.
Details had been added in black lace at the hemline, around the bib and sleeve cuffs, a deep blue ribbon around the waist and black ribbon around the neck - which ends in a bow.
The ribbon areas have been sewn directly onto the dress so are less fiddly for little hands and cannot get lost as they remain on the dress during removal.
In keeping with both the Victorian and Goth theme Maudlynne comes wearing a cute little pair of blue lace fingerless gloves.
These are made from a stretchy net type fabric which makes them easy to put on and take off. For a child however, it may prove fiddly as they have to thumb sewn separately and this has to be put in place first otherwise the fabric being so thin may rip.
Maudlynne's tights are made of thick t-shirt material and though easy to remove can be a little tiresome to put back on, this is due to her lack of ankle joints as her feet remain firmly facing forward the whole time.
Her Mary Jane style shoes are made of a squishy rubbery type plastic which has a slightly tacky feel to it.
They feel kind of flimsy but they are actually pretty robust so aren't likely to be ripped by constant removal and replacement.
An unfortunate side effect I have recently discovered about keeping Maudlynne displayed in her original outfit in her box when not in use is that the indigo dye used on her tights has stained her feet.
As I know a fix for this it's not that much of a big deal to me but for a child or someone who doesn't know how to fix it it could be a very big deal.
When Maudlynne was originally released she was priced at $44.99 but has since been placed on sale for $34.99.
As far as I'm aware these dolls are still in stock on both the Tonner websites so if you'd like to get your hands on one there is still time!
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