The collection of American Girl’s 1920s Historical Doll, Claudie, includes a Scooter, a Bed with bedding, and a pet dog. The bed and dog were in an open store display, so we got to inspect them a little more closely. The scooter could only be seen in Claudie’s main store display behind glass.
PET DOG
This is an entirely new pet, not a re-issue of “Sugar”. Claudie’s “Dizzy Dot” is a seated plush dog with no hard inner form. You can’t change her position (she will remain seated).
SCOOTER
If you don’t mind that a doll can’t stand on two feet on the scooter (only perches with one leg raised), it’s a very nice item. Tubular steel construction with a faux-wood running board and plastic everywhere else. The orange color is very nice. This is a welcome addition for Truly Me dolls, too. Surprising that they only put a $65 price tag on this item, considering how outrageous the rest of their pricing has gotten.
BED & BEDDING
Typical American Girl bedding. For those who like composite-wood construction, this is probably a winner. It weighs an absolute ton, though. There is no “spring” under the bedding, just a solid piece of the same fiberboard. The decoration is as you see in the photos. Nothing specifically 1920s about it, but it would work just fine with all the AG doll lines. If you don’t mind paying $150 for it, that is.
FYI: Do remember that MDF (medium-density fiberboard) is not real wood. It’s a compressed board made of small wood particles and a resin/wax glue (urea formaldehyde) which are classified as Group 1 carcinogens. There is always a certain amount of toxic outgasing of these chemicals going on (worse when new), which often results in an unpleasant chemical odor with associated health risks. While many of you won’t be able to smell it, those sensitive to smells or prone to allergies may react adversely to being near or in a room with MDF items. For this reason, it’s suggested that you talk to your child’s doctor before buying this bed or the new TM Dollhouse (or any other MDF/composite wood product). I would personally never suggest having these items in your child’s bedroom or any unventilated room (even more so if the room becomes warm and/or humid).
I would probably look for photos of a 1920s child bed, maybe it’s brass? Or ask someone to make one. Or find a doll bed from the 1920s, Now that would be a find. Probably had hand me down beds, and in tenements, would find old beds already there. Probably iron, brass, or a wonderful antique just left there for the next generation. There is a flea market in Harlem, I’m told, where residents sometimes sell their 17th century James I beds. I saw a collection once.