Surprise! Look closely – this "party" or dance dress may seem familiar, but the version on this 18" compo Shirley is different. Made of pure, light green silk and tagged with the first embroidered NRA tag, it copies almost exactly the pleated frock in the early 1934 pose shown below. Missing are the wrist ties that are found on the organdy version – there is no evidence that they were ever sewn on this dress. The collar embroidery is more lavish than usually found in the organdy style. This doll is unmarked and has the pale coloring and floppy mohair wig of the earliest Shirleys. Click the doll for a close-up and happy holidays! Rita Dubas collection.

If you'd like to download and use these images, please give credit. Still photographs ©Twentieth Century-Fox. Design ©2003 Rita Dubas.