[Toy] Oil Patch Kid, Dedicated Thanks, 4 August, 1990
Name/Title
[Toy] Oil Patch Kid, Dedicated "Thanks", 4 August, 1990Entry/Object ID
2023.17.1Tags
Toy, Oil, Oil Industry, Oil Workers, Oil Patch Kids, Textile, Plastic, Leduc #1, Leduc/Devon Oilfield Historical Society, 1990s, Canadian Energy Museum, Leduc #1 Energy Discovery Centre, Yellow, Doll, Gold, Black, Plaque, CommemorativeDescription
An Oil Patch Kid novelty toy, with oil barrel bearing dedication. This is an example of one of the novelty dolls, The Oil Patch Kids. These toys were produced in Edmonton, Alberta, between 1985 and 1987. They were modelled after the very popular Cabbage Patch Kids, and came in both girl and boy varieties (denoted by hairstyles). The dolls came as a set including the doll, a smokey-black translucent storage/display barrel, a 'licence' slip, and a small plush oil drop 'Oil Patch Pet'. This example is missing the 'license' slip and the 'Oil Patch Pet', however, it does bear a dedication on the lid commemorating the occasion of the August 4, 1990, Leduc #1 Rig Raising. Doll: The doll is 10 in. (25.5 cm) tall when standing, with a white cloth body, vinyl head, yellow coveralls, and a metallic gold plastic hardhat. The facial features are stencilled on, and styled to mimic Cabbage patch dolls. Detailed features include: rounded-semicircle green eyes, this arched eyebrows, six freckles on either side, a molded button nose, a molded 'closed watermelon' mouth, and molded ears. Unlike similar dolls, the intentional grime on the face is absent. Some smudges on the cheeks and chin are present but as faints and it is unclear if these are from the manufacturer or from later handling. The hair is a black wool yarn, styled in loops and rooted into the vinyl. The hardhat is perched on top of the hair and is a thin, gold, molded plastic with a black elastic that secures it under the doll's chin. The body is a simple white cloth with a plush filling. The doll is also clothed in a pair of yellow coveralls with a white velcro fastening down the front. The coveralls are detailed in black stitching (imitation pockets in the front and back, along with seam outlines around the waist, sleeve cuffs, and leg cuffs), and two small functional breast pockets. Storage/Display Barrel: The barrel comes in the standard smokey-black, translucent colour, with a metallic gold and black oil drip-shaped sticker on the centre-front, reading "OIL PATCH KIDS" is stylised font. Molded into the removable cap is the text "OPK INTERNATIONAL" and "EDMONTON ALBERTA". On the bottom of the barrel is molded the text "MADE IN HONG KONG". Unique to this example is a metal plate mounted to the top of the removable lid. This plaque (102mm x 67mm) reads: ""THANKS"; LEDUC/DEVON OILFIELD HISTORICAL SOCIETY; LEDUC #1 RIG RAISING; AUGUST 4, 1990; ORIGINALLY RAISED FEB. 13, 1947". Beneath the text is a decorative bar design. The plaque is attached to the lid via two strips of tow-sided adhesive tape (as van be see through the other side of the lid).Collection
Dan Claypool CollectionCataloged By
Danielle P. LaneCategory
Toys
Miscellaneous Objects