Name: The One and Only Adoptable Talking Doll Zamika Martin
Made by and When: Zambardon, 1988
Material: Vinyl head, arms, and legs; dark brown cloth body with voice box
Marks: ©1988 MARTIN/ZAMBARDON CORP
Height: 19 inches
Hair, Eyes, Mouth: Black rooted hair styled in three sectioned-off double-strand twists, sculpted and painted black eyes, closed mouth with painted red lips
Clothes: This doll was dressed in a variety of fashions to include a Kente-cloth print dress, white Kente-cloth-trimmed anklets, and black faux leather Mary-Jane style shoes. One other outfit included a white long-sleeved shirt with ribbon accents, and pink and white striped pants.
Other: Made in the likeness of a real little girl, the doll also uses the voice of the real Zamika Martin whose father, Don Martin, had the doll created in her likeness. Manufactured under the name, Zambardon, the company name is an acronym of the first names of Zamika, her mother (Barbara) and her father (Don). The doll has a voice box that is activated when the doll’s tummy is pressed. The One and Only Zamika Martin can stand with the aid of a doll stand or support and can sit. A blank birth certificate was included. This doll was advertised in Ebony magazine and sold through other outlets mostly in the St. Louis, Missouri area. For more information, see the two gallery images of the December 17, 1996, Associated Press article, “Daddy’s Doll” by Connie Farrow that was published in The Salina Journal.
Gallery (some photos are courtesy of eBay seller stic.lyn.)
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