She didn’t have bangs. In the world of 1991, that was a huge deal for the Pleasant Company. Before Felicity Merriman arrived on the scene, every single American Girl doll—Kirsten, Samantha, and Molly—rocked some variation of a fringe. Then came this spunky girl from 1774 Williamsburg, Virginia, with her fiery copper hair and those vivid green eyes.
She changed everything. Literally.
If you look at an original Felicity American Girl doll from the early nineties, you’ll notice something different about her body. Because her colonial-era gowns had lower necklines, the company had to ditch the "white muslin" bodies used for the first three dolls. They switched to a tan cloth that matched her vinyl skin so her "undies" wouldn't show. That change eventually became the standard for almost every doll that followed.
Honestly, Felicity wasn't just another toy; she was a shift in how we thought about "girlhood" in history.
What Really Happened With Felicity’s Retirement (Twice!)
Most people think a doll gets retired and that’s the end of it. With Felicity, it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster. She first went "into the archives" in 2011, which devastated a lot of fans who grew up reading about her horse, Penny, and her refusal to drink tea.
But Mattel (who bought the brand from Pleasant Rowland) realized they couldn't keep her away forever. She came back in 2017 under the BeForever line.
It wasn't quite the same, though.
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The BeForever version swapped her iconic rose-garden "Meet Outfit" for a bright blue floral gown. Her face looked a bit narrower. Some collectors call it the "Mattel-ification" of the classic mold. Then, almost as soon as she arrived, she was "silently" retired again in 2019. If you weren't paying attention to Facebook comments or doll forums, you might have missed it entirely.
Then came the 35th Anniversary release in 2021. This was the "holy grail" moment for many. They brought back the original style, the neck strings, and the "Rose Garden" dress. It sold out in weeks. Today, in 2026, finding one of those anniversary dolls in mint condition is basically like finding a needle in a haystack—or at least a very expensive needle.
The Pin Curl Struggle is Real
If you own a Felicity, you know the hair is the best and worst part. Those two tiny "pin curls" on the sides of her face? They are the bane of every collector's existence.
Once they lose their shape, they’re incredibly hard to fix without a professional "doll hospital" visit or some very steady hands and a lot of diluted hair gel.
Spotting a "Pleasant Company" Original
A lot of people on eBay claim to have a "rare" 1991 Felicity. Here is how you actually tell the difference between the eras:
- The Hair Color: Early dolls have a very distinct copper-red. Later Mattel versions lean more "auburn" or brownish-red.
- The Eyelashes: Original Pleasant Company (PC) dolls have soft, reddish-brown eyelashes. Mattel versions often have stiff, black, "spidery" lashes.
- The Neck Strings: If the doll has a zip-tie in the neck instead of white cotton strings, she’s definitely a later model.
- The Stamps: Look for "Pleasant Company" stamped on the back of the neck. If it says "American Girl," it’s from the later years.
Why Collectors Are Still Obsessed
Maybe it’s the horse. Penny, the chestnut mare Felicity "borrowed" from the cruel Jiggy Nye, is probably the most famous animal in the entire American Girl universe.
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Or maybe it’s the politics. Felicity was a Patriot, but her best friend Elizabeth was a Loyalist. Her grandfather was a Loyalist too. The books didn't shy away from the fact that the Revolutionary War tore families apart.
It’s heavy stuff for a nine-year-old.
We also have to talk about the "Dream" collection. Felicity’s furniture was next level. We’re talking about a mahogany tea table with tiny porcelain cups and a "working" spinning wheel. Compared to the modern plastic accessories, the old-school wood and brass pieces feel like actual heirlooms.
The Current Market (What's She Worth?)
Don't believe the clickbait. Your 1995 Felicity is probably not worth $5,000.
Most "play-worn" Felicity dolls go for about $60 to $100 on the secondhand market. If she has her full original "Meet" outfit—the coral necklace is the piece most people lose—you might get $150.
The real money is in the "Signed and Numbered" versions. When she first launched, Pleasant Rowland signed a limited number of boxes. Those can actually fetch thousands at specialty auctions like PBA Galleries. But for the average person? She’s a piece of nostalgia, not a down payment on a house.
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Rare Items to Keep an Eye On:
- The Cardinal Cloak: This red wool cape is iconic and getting harder to find without moth holes.
- The Riding Habit: This was her "tomboy" outfit and is highly coveted by collectors.
- The Tea Lesson Set: Specifically the one with the tiny "tarts" and the blue-and-white porcelain.
The Williamsburg Connection
One of the coolest things about this doll is that she’s "real-ish."
The Pleasant Company worked directly with Colonial Williamsburg to make sure her world was accurate. For years, you could go to Virginia and take a "Felicity Tour." You could stand in the same spots she (theoretically) stood.
While the tour isn't what it used to be, the "Felicity Generation" of the 90s is now the generation of parents buying dolls for their own kids. They want that same sense of connection to history. They want the doll that taught them what "loyalty" actually means when your world is falling apart.
How to Care for Your Felicity
If you’ve just pulled your old doll out of your parents' attic, don't panic about the messy hair.
Start by covering her eyes with a cloth (the metal in the eyes can rust if it gets wet). Use a wire-wig brush—never a plastic one—and work from the bottom up. For the pin curls, use a tiny bit of water and wrap them around a pencil or a small roller.
Let them air dry. Whatever you do, never use a blow dryer. You will melt her hair. It’s synthetic, basically plastic.
Actionable Next Steps for Collectors:
- Check the Neck: If you’re buying, ask for a photo of the back of the neck. This tells you the era instantly.
- The "Limbs" Test: See if she can stand on her own. If her legs are floppy, she might need a "re-stringing," which is a common DIY project for AG fans.
- Verify the Necklace: The "Coral Necklace" is actually just orange-red beads, but without it, the value of a "Meet" set drops by about $20.
- Read the "Looking Back" Sections: If you still have the books, the historical essays at the back are genuinely better than most middle-school textbooks.
Felicity Merriman was the girl who refused to sit still. She wanted to be where the action was. Decades later, she’s still the doll that collectors refuse to let go of. She’s a bit stubborn, a lot of red-headed fire, and a permanent part of American toy history.