Samantha Play Dress

This dress was designed and copyrighted in 1986 when the other first outfits were. Gotz the West German manufacture of the first American Girl Dolls and outfits, farmed the production of this dress out  to one of their production facilities in Hungary. The dress did not have a corresponding book like the previous outfits. The dress was reference in the Meet Samantha book. Because of this, the Meet Samantha pamphlet came with the dress. The outfit was released in 1989.

Tear out Ad for the Play Dress in the 1989 Catalog

1989 Christmas Catalog

The 1991 catalog with the Play Dress

Samantha's Tea Tin Lunchbox 1986 vs Rare 1987

 

1986 First Version

1986 Silvestri Stickers on Food and Department 56 sticker on the lunchbox

1987 Set with Ribbon Box and Tulip Napkin 

1986 Napkin on the Left, and the 1987/1988 "Tulip" pattern embroidery on the Right

American Girl Samantha's Tea Tin Lunchbox. In most cases the 1986 version is the rarest. This is partial true for this item. There are differences on the 1986 that you can't get in other years. But the 1987 and 1988 set is harder to find. The napkin has a different embroidery pattern than the 1986 ones. Then in 1989 they returned to the original pattern and it stayed that way. These "Tulip" versions are very hard to find. The lunchbox is also different from the 1986 ones purchased from Dept. 56. On these the handle is raised. In 1989, it changes again to a flat version, though different from the original 1986 ones. The food has been slightly modified. The items no longer have Silvestri stickers. The half watercress sandwich has a wide ruffle of green around it's edge and the bread is lighter. The 1989 version has the watercress quite reduced. On this version of the deviled egg, the filling appears piped in with a slight swirl. The 1989 version changed the filling to spooned in appearance with a sprinkle of paprika. The 1989 version was later modified by Mattel. They eliminated the egg and enlarged the sandwich to a full rather than half. The peach was also larger and was First full and then revised again to half. 

1986 Cranberry Christmas Party Dress

 

The 1986 dresses were made in West Germany. The first dresses were bright red. By the end of the 1980s the fabric had changed to burgundy. The lace on the yoke came in many patterns. This one known as the "hearts" is the one seen in the pamphlet and in the brochures. The dress comes with 2 pieces of velcro. The first stockings were thick and had a single elastic band. Came with a white ribbon.

The dress came in the 1986 ribbon box. It came with the Christmas pamphlet printed in 1986 in Madison WI.

1986 Samantha's School Dress

Samantha's 1986 dress was made in West Germany. The West German fabric is slightly lighter and has more white threads in the flannel than fabric used in other locations. The buttons are different on the West Germany dresses than on the ones made in China. 

The dress came in the 1986 ribbon outfit box. The heart sticker on the back has the SSO code in red. After 1986 the codes were printed in black. The dress comes with an instruction card on how to wear it. 

The first dresses came with the pleats lightly hand stitched down to protect them during shipping. Later dresses did not have this.

1988 Summer Middy Dress with Tam

 

Samantha's Summer Middy Dress with a Tam hat.  The copyright is 1988 Pleasant Company. The shiny brass whistle comes with the set.

The dress comes in the 1988 burgundy outfit box with beige slide off band. The pamphlet has a 1988 copyright date.

1988 American Girl Winter Plaid Cape and Gaiters

 

 

Samantha's Winter Plaid Cape and Gaiters were release in 1988. The first release capes had velvet collars. The 1989 capes switch from velvet to wool collars. The copyright date is 1988 Pleasant Company. 

The outfit came in the 1988 burgundy outfit box with beige slide off band. The pamphlet has a 1988 copyright. 

1988 Samantha Valise vs. 1990s Pleasant Company and Mattel

The 1988 Valise came out in the new Burgundy Box with the beige paper band. 

This box was used from 1988 to 1991. The Heart Code is SWAL. 

The Pamphlet has a 1988 copyright.

The Handles have slight differences. The 1988 handle protrudes up from the case.  The Mattel American girl handle is very flat and close to the case.

The Rivets are different on all three. Plus I have seen others that use a rivet staple to hold on the handle.

The textures are different on all three. The clasps were the same on the Pleasant Company versions. The Mattel American Girl version has a different clasp.