I have so much Royal Memorbilia and books, I could open my own museum and I'm not joking about that either.
However, Diana makes up the majority of the Collection from books to china to the Princess Beanie Baby to my own Diana porcelean doll. However...I've never ever seen my doll anywhere else.
We have friends from NY State who is an auctioneer and whenever they come up to their summer place, he brings me sometimes up to 80 to 90 books on the Royals/Royal History. I know for a fact the next time he comes up, the Auction Book for the Duke and Duchess of Windsor's jewels and various items will become part of my Library. He brought it up the last time, but asked permission to take it back home because of the prices given to certain items in that he comes across on occasion. So he'd have an idea of how to deal w/them. Anyway...
When he brought up the doll, I knew it was coming, as I'd talked to the person who was selling it on the phone. She wanted to make sure beyond a shadow of a doubt it would be going to a good home and a true admirer of the Princess. Well, I'm also a Lord of the Rings fan and I call the moment I opened that box as a Gollum Moment. The reason being is that when I saw what was in that box...
1. Thank God there was a chair behind me, because my knees gave out.
and...
2. After that, all I could say over and over was..."My Precious...My Precious...My Precious..."
This doll is of Diana during what was IIRC, one of her final Engagements in New York at the New York Fashion Awards. She's wearing a Catherine Walker designed gown, the Sri Lankan Sapphire and Diamond brooch converted into the Pearl choker, those Sapphire and Diamond bracelets that she wore so often during those final four to five years, but...And this is the biggie difference between how she looked that night and the actual doll...It's the only time she ever went out in public wearing the "Wet Look"/gelled back hair. Obviously, the doll does not have that look, but it's understandably why.
Now...Here's what I'd like to know...Has anyone else ever heard of this doll before? I've never seen it anywhere, so understandably wondering. Thanks in advance for any help!!