19″ Porcelain Musical Kathleen By Cindy Shafer. The doll came with a brochure which provided the following information,” Meet “Kathleen” a beauty as fresh and dewy as the Irish hills themselves. This graceful inaugual issue in the “Music and Meomories Collection”will enchant you with her 18-note musical movement rendition of “When Irish Eyes are Smiling.” A lovely vision in her turn-of-the century Victorian gown of soft green silk, she strolls her beloved homeland one last time before setting sail for America.
“In the lilt of Irish laughter, you can hear the angels sing…” And angelic she is! Lovingly crafted by the master dollmakers of Paradise Galleries, ” Kathleen” is so lifelike that you might expect to hear her hum that legendary musical tribute to her native Ireland. This darling’s lovely features are hand-painted in vivid color. her exquisite “breather” nose and rose-bud lips tenderly sculpted from the finest bisque porcelain. Irish eyes of soft green are inset, with long silky dark lashs applied by hand.
“Kathleen’s” gown is a tribute to Victorian dressmaking. A lavishly trimmed empired-waisted coat of rich emerald tops her soft green silk gown. Her cooper curls are topped by a delicate cap of flowers and ribbons. Her lacy parasol protects her creamy complexion from the afternoon sun. Pearl-buttoned hightop porcelain shoes set her on her way to America. Whether posed individually or displayed with the companion beauties of the “Music and Memories Collection”, “Kathleen” is sure to delight all who behold her.” ( The other two dolls in the collection were ” Christine-“I heard the Bells on Christmas Eve” and Melody-“Memories”. )
I purchased Kathleen in 1997 from Paradise Galleries.