Cecil Coleman Dolls

simcaboy

Does anyone have any pictures, information or own a Cecil Coleman doll?
I believe there was 2 x Dolls produced for YOLT 1 x Commander Bond and 1 x Kiss Kiss Bang Bang Doll
Please email me Regards Simon. -{

themanfrombrussels

simcaboy wrote:

Does anyone have any pictures, information or own a Cecil Coleman doll?
I believe there was 2 x Dolls produced for YOLT 1 x Commander Bond and 1 x Kiss Kiss Bang Bang Doll
Please email me Regards Simon. -{

themanfrombrussels

???

themanfrombrussels

Voituer

themanfrombrussels wrote:

simcaboy wrote:

Does anyone have any pictures, information or own a Cecil Coleman doll?
I believe there was 2 x Dolls produced for YOLT 1 x Commander Bond and 1 x Kiss Kiss Bang Bang Doll
Please email me Regards Simon. -{

Thats a fake box with a dodgy doll and looks like a prom date Ken outfit

Voituer

Here are a couple of shots showing the Cecil Coleman doll vs Gilbert.






The doll in the black outfit and the one in the blue outfit are both Cecil Coleman YOLT dolls.

Donald Grant

Voituer wrote:

Here are a couple of shots showing the Cecil Coleman doll vs Gilbert.






The doll in the black outfit and the one in the blue outfit are both Cecil Coleman YOLT dolls.

Voituer, are those pictures of items from your collection? Can you tell us the history of the Cecil Coleman doll? The Cecil Coleman Bond figure is one of those items in Bondiana collecting that I know little about.

Thanks,

DG

Bonddirector

Hello

Although I have read many of these discussions over the years, this is my first posting. I hope this reply along with the image comes through. Yes these Cecil Coleman dolls are very difficult to find information on. Over the past few years I have gathered some info, pictures and even the actual doll. The image I'm posting was a big help to see what was produced. I believe it was from a YOLT press book packet for the film. A seller from England sent me the image a few years back. 

ppw3o6r

Bonddirector wrote:

Hello

Although I have read many of these discussions over the years, this is my first posting. I hope this reply along with the image comes through. Yes these Cecil Coleman dolls are very difficult to find information on. Over the past few years I have gathered some info, pictures and even the actual doll. The image I'm posting was a big help to see what was produced. I believe it was from a YOLT press book packet for the film. A seller from England sent me the image a few years back. 

Please can you try & post this image again. Perhaps in a larger format such as 15" monitor. Thank you.

Bonddirector

Is this any Better? I'll include another image...





Here is a picture of my figure along with 2 Uncle dolls...The boxes are reproductions and Uncle figures are not in authentic clothes, but I was just so happy to find these items.




Hope you enjoy

Bonddirector

ppw3o6r

Thank you. Impressive collection. -{

PoorMansJB

Voituer wrote:

Thats a fake box with a dodgy doll and looks like a prom date Ken outfit

Sadly, Nick, I bought said doll. Was able to return it though. Knew going in that box was repro but the doll body (head is original) was the big issue. The seller also maintained it is a "Coleman tux" and it may well be a Coleman coat and pants, but it is a Ken shirt (Mattel tag removed but recognized the design) and Gilbert shoes. (Not sure about the tie.)

Here's a better look (made a record before sending back):



Here's a good view of a Coleman with what I believe is an original box (but disregard the Gilbert accessories):



Finally, some of the outfits:



Some of these, such as the ski set, I have seen many times. Others, such as the all black outfit, I have never seen save for this pic. The trench coat also came in a dark brown. The tuxes are possibly just a packaging variation. The carded SCUBA set is the only piece I have currently.


These images I've culled over the years from various sites/threads. Apologies for not being able to provide specific photo credit; indeed, TMFB, I think a couple of these are yours.


DG, Nick can probably cite specifics, but I presume what happened was that once Gilbert folded in '66, Coleman stepped in to produce what were essentially the same figures (Coleman also made an MFU Solo and Kuryakin -- indeed, James and Illya wear the same outfit -- with Gilbert types heads, though in that instance they even duplicated the boxes!) The Bond box does have Glidrose and EON copyright slugs so presumably it is licensed.

Bonddirector

Here is a picture of the Coleman and Gilbert figures side by side...It is easy to see that the Coleman Bond is much more articulate than the Gilbert, (movement at the shoulders, elbows, wrist, thighs, knees, and ankles) ; however with that being said, the Coleman doll is made of thin hollow plastic limbs, and at touch I could understand why there are not many examples around today. If a young boy would put this figure through the thrill and spills of Bond, I couldn't image him lasting long before being broken. The only marking I can find on the Coleman Bond Doll is "Made in Hong Kong"on his back between his shoulders. Another point of distinction is that the Coleman doll uses metal rivets at the ankle, knees, and elbows.

Donald Grant

Thanks PoorMansJB, I suspected it was something along those lines since the Gilbert and the Cecil Coleman heads look so similar. The articulation on the Cecil Coleman gives that figure a slight edge over the Gilbert version but the same blow molding means it probably would not last long play wise. The Cecil Coleman box is nice, but the best of all to my mind is still the Sears/Gilbert art box regardless of wether it was ever actually distributed that way. I'm just happy to have a copy of it in my collection. Acquiring the actual Sears figure is another matter.

DG

Voituer

PoorMansJB wrote:

Voituer wrote:

Thats a fake box with a dodgy doll and looks like a prom date Ken outfit

Sadly, Nick, I bought said doll. Was able to return it though. Knew going in that box was repro but the doll body (head is original) was the big issue. The seller also maintained it is a "Coleman tux" and it may well be a Coleman coat and pants, but it is a Ken shirt (Mattel tag removed but recognized the design) and Gilbert shoes. (Not sure about the tie.)

Here's a better look (made a record before sending back):



Here's a good view of a Coleman with what I believe is an original box (but disregard the Gilbert accessories):



Finally, some of the outfits:



Some of these, such as the ski set, I have seen many times. Others, such as the all black outfit, I have never seen save for this pic. The trench coat also came in a dark brown. The tuxes are possibly just a packaging variation. The carded SCUBA set is the only piece I have currently.


These images I've culled over the years from various sites/threads. Apologies for not being able to provide specific photo credit; indeed, TMFB, I think a couple of these are yours.


DG, Nick can probably cite specifics, but I presume what happened was that once Gilbert folded in '66, Coleman stepped in to produce what were essentially the same figures (Coleman also made an MFU Solo and Kuryakin -- indeed, James and Illya wear the same outfit -- with Gilbert types heads, though in that instance they even duplicated the boxes!) The Bond box does have Glidrose and EON copyright slugs so presumably it is licensed.

Hi Alan, I think your Ebay tragedy and the second picture show the same box or maybe the original and yours is a copy! The wear is exact comparig both.

To the above poster showing the catalog for Cecil Coleman -thank you, fabulous.

Cecil Coleman was basically a cheap doll importer and manufacturer. They have absiolutely nothing to do with Gilbert other than the fact that most of the box art used Gilbert as a start. The accessory outfits copied Gilbert and the doll heads were very similar. IMO it shows a lack of imagination and probably R&D. Gilbert probably did not have a UK licence for toys and maybe Coleman bid for this with some knowledge of US sales.

The Bond Gilbert box shows the body of the Gilbert Napoleon Solo artwork with James Bonds head! all the male dolls box art replicate this body with just a different head painted over.

They are listed in the UK YOLT campaign book as official makers of these dolls and so these are fully licenced

Nick

Bonddirector

Other than the picture from the UK YOLT campaign book and a small black and white photo in one of the "007 Magazines" focusing on YOLT, I have never seen any other pictures of the Kissy doll from Cecil Coleman. Does any one have any other pictures of this part of the Coleman collection they can share?

PoorMansJB

Bonddirector wrote:

Other than the picture from the UK YOLT campaign book and a small black and white photo in one of the "007 Magazines" focusing on YOLT, I have never seen any other pictures of the Kissy doll from Cecil Coleman. Does any one have any other pictures of this part of the Coleman collection they can share?

There's a -- dare I say -- cute video on YouTube of a handmade "replica" but that's it. I think van Raffen has one but I have never seen it.

Bonddirector

You know, I forgot all about that "You Tube" video...The gentleman that made the "replica" of the Kissy doll did a real commendable job. I appreciated the fact that he tried to do this project with period correct stuff. The Barbie doll, costume, and accessories were all vintage 60's stuff, and the box he made from scratch was excellent. What was also very nice with that video was that he also included a real Cecil Coleman Bond doll and likewise a Gilbert version doll. I found the link and included it just in case others could not find it and would like to see it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfdRq_NhPrs

Thanks for your post, I enjoyed going back and looking for the video. Maybe we'll still get lucky and somebody will post a picture of the actual Kissy doll.

Bonddirector

Voituer

Thats me old mate Trev on the video - Go Trev!

Majik007collector

Hi all...think this is my first post, thanks to Nick for bringing this post to my attention...as many contributors don't use names...let me start by confirming that the 'product sheet' (text from the YOLT campaign book) and 'line up' (shown in 'Bonddirectors' post - not sure who you are) were all compiled by myself with pictures of my original Cecil Coleman collection (with the exception of an original Napoleon Solo box..so if anyone out there can help in that respect...please let me know) within the process of my research (with former Cecil Coleman employees) for future publication. I know I have sent versions of these 'guides' for reference only to a few of you already.
Research, so far, confirms that the Cecil Coleman (figure heads) were 're-worked' from the Gilbert figures after the Gilbert demise so that they could be fitted onto the 'Coleman' jointed figure bodies. These 'flesh' coloured' metal riveted jointed figures were used for Bond, Napoleon Solo, Illya Kuryakin and a Lone Ranger figure (the Lone Ranger figure, however, does not have articulated ankles). For you eagle eyed collectors please note that the Cecil Coleman Bond head hairstyle is parted on the opposite side from a Gilbert & Ideal head.
Any greyish tinged bodies or plastic jointed figures are not consistent with the rest of 'Secret Agent' line.
Cecil Coleman distributed stocks of the Gilbert accessories in the UK during the late 60's early 70's (when I bought some of these items)
The Kissy Suzuki figure, Girl from UNCLE figure & Secret Agent girl figure (Which I have original boxed and loose examples of, are all the same 'distinctive' doll jointed at the neck, shoulders and hips, but with different coloured hair: Kissy - Black, GFU - Chessnut Brown, and Secret Agent Doll - Blonde. The Girl from UNCLE / Kissy dolls come with a scaled down versions of the black silenced pistol with shoulder holster)
The Secret Agent Doll (which I think may account for the 'Pussy Galore' doll rumours - as her outfit strongly resembles Pussy's Fort Knox Raid white suit) has a revolver moulded onto her waist belt.
The three main 'box tray' outfits are the Tux, Tan coloured Trench coat & Ski outfits:
The Cecil Coleman tux jacket is easily identified by a single distinctive larger black plastic stud button sewn onto the front and the jacket, the closure is a press stud fastener and the few complete tuxedos I have collected so far do not have fully lined jackets.
The trench coat set, unusually, has a grey standard 'knock off type' colt 45 in the shoulder holster rather than the usual black / silver 'Cecil Coleman' silenced pistols (Standard pistol - as seen in the large image in Nick post - above the Gilbert Pistol/carbine)
The ski outfit comes with (I have examples of both) either red or black coloured knitted pants and hat.
The scuba accessories come with either grey/silver or orange scuba tanks.
The 3 piece suit carded - Don't have that carded/boxed yet so whoever has that - i'd appreciate communications for identification/ confirmation.
The Black / Brown trench coat set - Don't have that carded/boxed yet so whoever has that - i'd appreciate communications for identification/ confirmation... according to the seller of these, all three examples they all went to Japan!
Tan coloured outfit - my boxed James Bond figure came in a tan coloured outfit (I have acquired another of these outfits included with other Cecil Coleman items) its similar to 'Combat Soldier' clothing but distinctly different.
Naval Commander outfit - this is very similar to the 'Redbox' / Zodiac(A late 60's early70's GI Joe / action man 'knock off' figure) Naval figure outfit, but proportioned to fit Cecil Coleman figure...The Redbox / Zodiac version of the outfit would hang very loosely on a Cecil Coleman figure.
Attache case - comes with a three piece rifle, gyro jet pistol, safecracker, camera & knife.
Hope this helps to 'de-mystify' some of the queries...research into 60's secret agent figures is still ongoing.
Regards
'Majik'

themanfrombrussels

Voituer wrote:

themanfrombrussels wrote:

simcaboy wrote:

Does anyone have any pictures, information or own a Cecil Coleman doll?
I believe there was 2 x Dolls produced for YOLT 1 x Commander Bond and 1 x Kiss Kiss Bang Bang Doll
Please email me Regards Simon. -{

Thats a fake box with a dodgy doll and looks like a prom date Ken outfit

thanx to all for the precious information ...
got the above picture from a Japanese site

Voituer

When it comes to Cecil Coleman Majik is THE man.

Through sheer determination Maj has collected and catalogued all this stuff. has been in contact with previous Cecil Coleman employees and also produced the reference sheets near the top of this post for other collectors - well done Maj.

Can I put my dibs in first for the spare tan suit as mine is missing it!

best regards
Nick