Tuesday 5 January 2010

My greatest triumph

I'm a little behind - sorry.

But this inspired me to get back on the horse today. My first coup of the new year and in fact my greatest to date.

Some weeks ago, before Christmas, my assistant manager picked an innocuous, slightly grubby doll out of a bag of donate. One of my volunteers exclaimed her horror at it when she discovered a cord at the back of its head that made the eyes change colour. At this I knew what it was - a Blythe doll. I'd been keeping my eyes peeled for one of these fabled things ever since, about 3 years ago just after I started, we'd had a book on the subject donated, featuring colour plates of these rare dolls dressed in designer gear. They made about 3000 of them back in the 70s, but hadn't been a great hit so they were sidelined and became items of interest only to doll collectors. Now they make a modern version but the originals still sell for a fair whack, even ones like this in need a bloody good haircut and a trip to Dior.

I sent it off to the ebay team along with a set of Portmerion crockery and more or less forgot about it. Today I had a call from my area manager, asking in slightly incredulous tones if I'd sent a doll in to the ebay team. He informed me that the doll sold - for £922! People are often asking me what the most expensive item I've ever sold was - well this one tops the lot. Before that it was a meagre £150 for a Chloe handbag.

I'd post a link to the listing, but that might give the game away...

6 comments:

Mango said...

Congratulations! It's gratifying to my cynicism to see that in the middle of a worldwide economic recession and looming ecosystemic collapse, people are still spending hundreds of pounds on absolute shite.

Anonymous said...

Brighton B.h.f did that too ! Amazing

Sophie Millward Shoults said...

Who is this knowledgeable anonymous commenter?!

Anonymous said...

I read it in my bulletin.Good luck for the future,we've loved reading your blog in our shop in wales :)

Sophie Millward Shoults said...

How bizarre... and gratifying! Thanks :)

Dina said...

WOW A BLYTHE DOLL!
I always dream that one day i would find a Kenner Blythe 2nd hand at a boot sale or charity shop! ahh lol.