Princess Diana Dolls: Remembering Diana, Princess of Wales, with Collector Dolls

Born Diana Frances Spencer on July 1, 1961, the woman who was later known as "Princess Di" became one of the world's most popular and recognized icons when she married Prince Charles on July 29, 1981. In the months preceding her marriage, her face could be seen on the covers of magazines, her likeness on various knick knacks, and following her marriage to Prince Charles, several collector dolls were issued depicting Diana in her wedding dress. Her popularity only increased during the years following her fairy tale wedding, and Diana, Princess of Wales, became known as "The People's Princess."

When Diana died tragically on August 31,1997 in a car crash which many considered to be under mysterious circumstances, her position alongside Marilyn Monroe as a beautiful, beloved, tragic cult figure was secured. Diana had become the stuff legends are made of, and one of the first signs of this immortality was the large numbers of collector dolls which were released in her likeness posthumously. As the 13th anniversary of her death approaches, many doll collectors will remember Diana, Princess of Wales, by displaying their Princess Diana dolls.

Some of the Princess Diana dolls and collections produced through the years are listed here. Please click on the photo above to see the photo gallery or visit the slideshow at Princess Diana dolls through the years:

Goldberger Princess Diana Dolls

Goldberger has made several Diana doll through the years including Diana the Diana, Princess of Wales A Royal Remembrance set with Diana and Charles manufactured in the British Crown Colony of Hong Kong. Distributed by the Goldberger Doll Manufacturing Co. Inc., New York, N.Y. in 1982, a 1980's Goldberger, Princess Diana 12" doll in a silver, one-shoulder evening gown, and the reissued Original Historic Commemorative, The Royal Britannia Collection of Diana, Princess of Wales, the same as the 1982 doll that was reissued in 1997.

House of Nisbet Princess Diana

House of Nisbet produced some 8" (and reportedly some 15" "My Princess" dolls) vinyl Diana dolls including the Peggy Nisbet Princess Diana & Prince Charles Wedding Dolls.

Danbury Mint Princess Diana

The Danbury Mint developed a 14" vinyl Princess Diana doll in the late 80's complete with a clothing collection of outfits and accessories Diana wore.

Franklin Mint Diana Princess of Wales Porcelain Portrait Doll Series

The "Diana Princess of Wales Porcelain Portrait Doll" was one of the first dolls issued after the death of Princess Diana in 1997. Crafted of fine porcelain, this lovely 17" doll is a good likeness of Diana in the only authentic copy of the hand-beaded white designer gown and bolero jacket which Franklin Mint bought at auction in 1997 before the death of Princess Di and accessorized with matching earrings, clutch bag, the Queen Mary tiara, and a white silk rose. This was followed by the Franklin Mint "Diana, Princess of Style" doll with the same body sculpt. but one arm positioned differently. Several other porcelain dolls have been issued by Franklin Mint in this series including a Millennium Diana doll.

Franklin Mint Princess Diana Vinyl Portrait Doll Series

The cost of the porcelain dolls is high, and Franklin Mint recognized the collectors' desire to be able to dress dolls in Diana's beautiful fashions, so soon Franklin Mint began releasing the Princess Diana Vinyl Portrait Doll collection, a series of several 16" dolls and many beautiful outfits and gowns.

Franklin Mint Princess Diana Porcelain Portrait Baby Doll & Little Lady Diana Vinyl Portrait Doll

Franklin Mint also has released the "Princess Diana Porcelain Portrait Baby Doll" which stands around 8" tall and the "Little Lady Diana Vinyl Portrait Doll," 10" Diana dolls that wear little girl versions of Princess Diana's dresses.

Ashton Drake Galleries Porcelain Bisque Princess Diana Dolls

Ashton Drake Galleries launched a series of 19" porcelain bisque Princess Diana dolls in 1997 starting with a Diana doll in the Travolta gown by doll artists Titus Tomescu.

J. Misa Collection Porcelain Diana Doll

Another series of porcelain Diana dolls was issued by J. Misa. The series comes with Princess Diana costumes, certificate of authenticity, and each doll is in a limited edition of 5000 dolls.

Gwen McNeil Diana Dolls

Doll artist Gwen McNeil has crafted several Diana dolls that are limited editions of 10 dolls which sell between $1,800 and $4,000 dollars per doll.

Street Players Diana, Princess of Wales

Street Players created at least three 11" Diana dolls in 1997 including the Diana, Princess of Wales - Queen of Hearts doll wedding doll; a Princess Diana doll wearing a white gown with white fur collar and silver crown; and a third Street Players Princess Diana Doll wearing a black formal. These dolls were packaged to look like Barbie dolls but have no affiliation with Mattel.

Way Out Toys Royal Diana Dolls

Way Out Toys issued a line of inexpensive 11" Royal Diana Dolls dressed in cheap suits and dresses that bear a passing resemblance or no resemblance at all to outfits worn by Princess Di. The boxes have the slogan, "Hold Her in Your Hands and Heart Forever" emblazoned on the front.

Other Princess Diana Dolls

Other unique Princess Diana dolls including the Princess Diana Talking Action Figure and the Madame Alexander Princess Diana doll are among many other dolls issued to commemorate the life and fashions of Princess Diana. Ebay and Amazon are full of Princess Di dolls in many different sizes and price ranges, giving new collectors the opportunity to add a Princess Diana doll to their collections.

Source:

Princess Diana dolls through the years; a look at Princess Di dolls 1982 to present: Part 1

Also see:

Nashville Doll Collecting Examiner
Barbie Collecting Examiner
Marilyn Monroe Barbie Doll - debut doll in Blonde Ambition Collection with Goldie Hawn, Heidi Klum
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