Grail Mail Unboxed

[ducktape]

I received my grail girl in the mail from Mandrake the other night (she zoomed across the Pacific! Quite impressive.), and decided to attempt to document the unboxing process. But, being too excited to wait, didn't have the best lighting or set up - so please pardon some of the more blurry photos. This ended up mostly a documentation of the condition she was in after fifteen years of being in a box.

Without further ado...

 

Got out my trusty unboxing knife to get into this bad boy (I think it was meant for taxidermy, I picked it up at a garage sale and it's become the official box opener).



Eeeee, she's in there under that bubble wrap! This doll was the first Pullip I ever saw way back in 2005; someone took the most gorgeous photo of her and I spent hours researching who and what she was. And now, for the first time, I get to see her in real life.



It's Mercu!!



AHHH she's beautiful. At first glance, she seemed almost pristine (not noticeable yellowing, all okay on front). Not surprised to see her headphones peeling back, and once I got them out I barely touched them they are in such a state. I assume these can be fixed with glue - anyone have recommendations for what kind to use?



Judging by the state of the twist ties, I believe she was never opened previously. I can't stand leaving dolls in boxes personally, but, none the less, I felt a bit bad being the first heathen to take her out. 



Her hair was stuck in this tape, and she lost a strand or two as I attempted to free it. Forgive me.

 

Oh. Oh no, I was warned about this. It looks like over time the vinyl started fusing with the plastic of her box. But it's just a little it's not so bad...

 

Oh god. As I started to (gently) handle her, the jacket flaked off like ashes - there were tiny follicles everywhere, and some bigger chunks like this. I was so nervous to touch her after this that I didn't get many other pictures of her front half (and started to feel worse about taking her out and being the absolute catalyst of doll entropy.)

 

Started to notice more peeling on both her sleeves as well. On the plus side, this problem seemed to only be with the crinkly silver parts of her outfit - the smoother material is in great condition, and there is very little else to complain about besides this problem (but, due to this problem, I've been too afraid to undress her, and have no damage report for her body.)



But so stinkin' cute! I am obsessed with her alien, raygun, little leg holster, choker, her frizzy pastel purple wig. Hoping to be back with more and better pictures some time but....

I need to do something about her jacket. I can't just live in fear of the disintegration, and I know I'm not going to stop it, so I am considering customizing alternatives. My thought is to allow the jacket to fully peel, then paint in the areas with some kind of metallic silver fabric paint. Does anyone have any recommendations or warnings regarding this method? Has anyone tried anything else?

Here's one last photo I did get of her during the unboxing. Hoping to follow up later with better shots, but I am so happy to add this beautiful girl to my collection.



Thanks for looking!