There are two things you can always say about David Buttry, Integrity Toys (IT) doll designer. The first is that he is very consistent; that's probably why the Poppy Parker line has such a loyal following and continues to build momentum in the collecting community. The second is that he is dependable, even when there are supply chain issues and dolls just aren't making it into the hands of collectors, David is going to give collectors something special.
You cannot imagine the excitement felt by Poppy Parker collectors in April of this year. It started on April 3 when W Club members received two announcements about a very special collaboration between IT and Hasbro (now parent company of Milton Bradley), the maker of a vintage board game called Mystery Date. I guess that means this author is "vintage" because I remember playing this with my sisters and cousins when I was a little girl.
In the board game you shuffle two sets of cards: one set represents the different ensembles and accessories you are trying to put together so you can go on your mystery date; the other set is different male stereotypes for dating. The cards are placed behind a door and when you land on certain spaces on the board, you get to spin the door knob and "Open the door to your Mystery Date". There were several different types of dates - "Is your date going to be a dream or a dud?" There have been several versions of this game produced, but IT wanted to recreate the original 1965 version by Milton Bradley. Here is a link to the original commercial for this game: Mystery Date Commercial .
If you are familiar with this game, you realize David did an amazing job of reproducing it in Poppy Parker form. The graphics, the ensembles, even the accessories are true to the game. Here is the promo photo from IT of all the sets.
Each set cost $240 and were produced in limited editions of 2000 per set (1875 with the "dream date" and 125 with "the stud").
The giftset had different compartments for the dolls. You had the Poppy Parker in an open compartment where you could see Poppy, and then the male counterpart was behind a door. There were four sets in all with the "dud" randomly popping up in 1/16th of the gift sets. A promo photoof the packaging by IT.
The sets could only be purchased through a W Club lottery. The first two sets offered were Formal Dance and Bowling Date. I entered for both and got the opportunity to purchase Formal Dance. The turn around was pretty fast. After winners were announced, the Ski Date and Beach Date lottery opened up. Again, I entered for both and this time I won the opportunity to purchase Ski Date. All winners were notified by April 19. For some reason, production of the gift sets switched order from that of the lotteries. Ski Date and Beach Date arrived first in early/mid August.
I was actually quite excited about this set because of the all the accessories and the ensembles. The Poppy outfit reminded me quite a bit of the vintage Barbie ski vacation ensemble. I don't collect IT male dolls, but I was hoping to use the ensemble with my JAMIEshow Muses Dangerous Love Orlando. Here is the IT Promo of the dolls.
Here is a closeup of the actual Poppy Doll in her box.
Although we've seen red haired Poppy Parkers with a bob in the past, this version actually holds her own! Her face up and hair are very nice. And a full length shot. This is one beautiful Poppy and I am glad I got the opportunity to purchase her at regular retail.
The closeup of the actual date, which uses the Bellamy sculpt.
I'm not sure why, but he looks like he came out of an old black and white gangster movie. And a full length. In order to be authentic to the game, they had to screen print the pattern on the shirt.
Here is the IT promo of the accessory set. Sadly, there were no skis for the Date; not sure how he is going to ski without them. This was a serious oversight.
I was disappointed when I opened my box because it seems the liner posed some difficulty to the factory workers. The liner is thin cardboard stock and is raised to accommodate the door. After folding the liner to fit inside the box, the workers have to maneuver the Poppy and Date compartments into cutout areas. Apparently, it's not easy and there are a lot of tears in collectors gift sets. Here are some photos from my own set. (The factory workers were aware of the issue because they even tried to tape over the tears!) From my four examples, not one of them has a perfect liner.
I contacted patient care and they sent me a replacement liner. That is another positive of the W Club, they do stand by their products.
I do not like buying my dolls secondary market and avoid it whenever possible. I do like to stalk the different IT dealers websites often though. Many of the dealers have multiple W Club memberships and win doll purchase opportunities. Oftentimes, they will list dolls on their websites. Since they are paying regular retail price plus shipping for their dolls, they do have to put a markup on the dolls they offer. I understand this and realize many small business are struggling in this economy. Rather than buy from individuals who sell secondary market on e-bay, W Club, or Facebook, I prefer to support my IT dealers when possible. Another positive for doing this is that the IT warranty isn't questioned if you purchase directly from an IT dealer with a receipt proof of purchase. It eliminates a great deal of hassle.
I am thrilled that I won the opportunity to purchase Ski Date, but I had fallen hard for the Poppy version of Beach Date; I purchased the Beach Date giftset from an IT dealer at a very reasonable secondary market price.
Here is the IT promo of the dolls.
And here is a closeup of the Poppy.
Beach Date is consistently a favorite among collectors. She redresses beautifully. There is casual beauty that is unquestionable. A full length shot.
Here is a closeup of her date, using the Milo sculpt.
And a full length. Some collectors have questioned the "age" of this doll in relation to Poppy, but I think he is quite handsome.
The accessories. Although some collectors have stated this giftset had a weak set of accessories, I think these are my favorite accessories from the four sets. I love the little cooler and transition radio.
A couple weeks after the first two gift sets arrived, W Club members started getting notices to pay the balances on the last two sets. Here is the IT promo of Formal Date.
A closeup of Poppy. (This faceup is truly beautiful)
Full length in her ridiculously glittery gown (albeit true to the original game version).
Her date uses the Chip sculpt. This pompadour is just too much. Although some collectors have mentioned he reminds them of a vampire, I fondly think of him as the Nicoloas Cage character in Peggy Sue Got Married.
And full length. I really wanted this ensemble for my Orlando. It is so well constructed.
Here are the accessories for Formal Dance (photo by IT). Obviously, this giftset was a little lean in the accessories department, but the ensembles were more elaborate.
And I had to go to secondary market for Bowling Date, which was my favorite of the four gift sets. Promo photo by IT.
Here is a closeup of Poppy. This dolls reminds me of Mary Tyler Moore. Love her hair color. Her ensemble is just spectacular; there are so many mix and match possibilities here.
Full length photo.
And the date using the Cabot sculpt.
You can't do a review of this series and leave out "The Dud" which IT changed to "The Stud". Here is the IT promo.
A closeup of The Stud, which is the Keiron sculpt.
Now, I don't collect IT male dolls, but if I did, this one would be coming home to me. He reminds me so much of the actor Peter Gallagher.
So ... I added all four Mystery Date Poppy Parkers to my collection. (I mean how couldn't I?) This one collection really bumped my additions to 2022 number, and, even though I don't plan on keeping the males, I'm having trouble releasing these dolls from their boxes because it's such extraordinary packaging.
Thank you David Buttry for bringing a ray of sunshine into a dreary year for IT doll collectors.
