Starshines
Finally getting their chance to shine !
This
page is dedicated to the study of the Starshine dolls. They were
developed by Robin R. Holland's Starshine Dolls company in Fort
Collins, Colorado, in the 1990s, from 18" full-vinyl-limb Gotz play
dolls that were given special wigs, eyes, and costumes.
I am continuing to gather information about these dolls, so, if you have one, or know about them, please email me at lizzie(at)lizziewriter.com .
There was an article in Dolls magazine in the March/April issue, entitled "Clothes that Make the Doll."
They are prone to "silver eye," which is a condition that happens when the pigment (ink? dye?) coloring the eyes somehow runs out or evaporates, leaving the eye looking like an old fashioned crystal button. One may have the eyes replaced, but so far I have not heard of anyone who has been able to find eyes that replicate the original Starshine eyes. Here is a photo of my first Starshine, Singing Dove, showing her case of silver eye:
Singing Dove is meant to be Cheyenne. Early official photos show her with a beaded headdress, or a headband and earrings, but while I have seen a number of Singing Doves on eBay and in private collections, none of them have had this ornamentation. She does have wonderful hair, very long and coarse.
These dolls were created in limited editions, but one of the things that I would like to find out is whether the full editions were made (e.g., 250 dolls) or whether some were only made in partial editions. I do not at this time know when the Starshine company stopped production. I have noticed a difference in construction between my "original" Singing Dove, and all the other Starshines that have come through this house. That first doll had actual writing on her body, but the others have only had a custom made stamp on their back. See photos.
I am continuing to gather information about these dolls, so, if you have one, or know about them, please email me at lizzie(at)lizziewriter.com .
There was an article in Dolls magazine in the March/April issue, entitled "Clothes that Make the Doll."
They are prone to "silver eye," which is a condition that happens when the pigment (ink? dye?) coloring the eyes somehow runs out or evaporates, leaving the eye looking like an old fashioned crystal button. One may have the eyes replaced, but so far I have not heard of anyone who has been able to find eyes that replicate the original Starshine eyes. Here is a photo of my first Starshine, Singing Dove, showing her case of silver eye:
Singing Dove is meant to be Cheyenne. Early official photos show her with a beaded headdress, or a headband and earrings, but while I have seen a number of Singing Doves on eBay and in private collections, none of them have had this ornamentation. She does have wonderful hair, very long and coarse.
These dolls were created in limited editions, but one of the things that I would like to find out is whether the full editions were made (e.g., 250 dolls) or whether some were only made in partial editions. I do not at this time know when the Starshine company stopped production. I have noticed a difference in construction between my "original" Singing Dove, and all the other Starshines that have come through this house. That first doll had actual writing on her body, but the others have only had a custom made stamp on their back. See photos.
Below are some more photos I have taken of Starshine dolls that have been to my house. I will post more photos as I get them. Because of copyright issues, I prefer only to post photos that I myself have taken or that I have been given express permission to post.
Singing Dove nekkid, showing signature markings. This photo was taken after I had her eyes repaired. I was not satisfied with the repair and would hesitate to repair a doll with silver eye in the future!
Here is a closeup of a doll that is starting to get silver eye (Leela, below).
Two Starshine dolls which I have acquired more recently. On the left is Dances with Wind, and on the right is "Leela," a Hopi, according to her tag. According to the articles and scanned brochures that I have seen, she also looks like Prairie Flower, or maybe Laughing Sun, seems to be wearing a combination of the two outfits. I am not sure what people Dances with Wind is meant to portray.
I have heard of at least nine different Starshine dolls, plus the babies. The babies were not Gotz dolls but Furgas. The original Starshine went on to become Morningstar and Morningstar Shepherdess, and she was meant to portray a Navajo. Other names which I have run across include Turtle Song, an unnamed Hopi (similar to Prairie Flower), Laughing Sun, Moonstone, Dancing Flame, Rattling Leaf and Running Buffalo.
These dolls do turn up on eBay and in other places from time to time, and their market value has come down from what it was a few years ago, but they are also not turning up completely mint. Usually any elaborate head gear is gone or incomplete. I do not know what the current market value would be for a mint and less common Starshine.
I would like to put together a research article on these dolls. Please email me with any information or to chat or swap photos, etc. Thank you for visiting my website!
Return to lizziewriter home page.