Samantha (1904)
Samantha Parkington is one of the three original dolls that were introduced together when the American Girl company first began, along with Kirsten and Molly. Samantha has straight chocolate-brown hair, warm brown eyes that open and close, and an inviting smile. Samantha's head and limbs are vinyl, and her body is soft cloth. Older editions of the doll have white bodies, but newer ones are flesh-colored. Her arms and legs are posable and her head can turn from side to side. Samantha wears a brown-and-burgundy checked dress with a burgundy belt, as well as white bloomers (historical underwear), black stretchy stockings, and black Mary Jane shoes. Her accessory set includes a gold pin-on locket, burgundy hat trimmed with pink ribbons, embroidered handkerchief, pink coin purse, and a replica Indian head penny.
You can purchase many other beautiful outfits for Samantha as well; she's definitely one of the fanciest-dressed American Girl dolls! There are also accessories and furniture designed just for her, patterned after items from the early 1900s. Several of her special outfits are her sailor suit for summer adventures, her rosebud-print spring party dress, and her pink striped birthday dress and pinafore. You can enhance playtime or make a lovely display area for Samantha with her accessories and furniture. Some of her accessories are her glassware set with lemonade pitcher, old-fashioned school books and supplies, and Christmas music box that plays "O Christmas Tree." Samantha's furniture collection includes items like her beautiful brass four-poster bed and a school desk with a "filigree" design in the metal frame and even a hole for an inkwell!
Meet Samantha's Friend Nellie
Samantha's collection includes another doll of the same size to represent her best friend, Nellie O'Malley. Nellie has her own outfits and accessories as well, and also her own book, Nellie's Promise. Playtime can be more fun with both dolls together.
Read About Samantha's World
You can read all about Samantha in her very own six-book series, as well as a few short-story-length books and even a couple of special mystery stories! Samantha is an orphan growing up with her grandmother in Mount Bedford, New York, at the turn of the twentienth century. Although she is surrounded by comforts, Samantha continually sees outside the walls of her own home and tries to help others who are less fortunate. Soon after she meets Nellie, a servant of the family next door, she tries to find special ways to help Nellie and her family. The two girls become best friends and stick together through thick and thin. Samantha even tries to rescue Nellie from the orphanage where she and her sisters are sent after their parents die. Each book has a "Looking Back" section at the end, which gives historical tidbits about real life during Samantha's time.
See Samantha's Movie
You can watch Samantha's adventures in her movie, Samantha: An American Girl Holiday. It is based on several of the stories from Samantha's books and show what life was like during the early twentieth century. |
