Handling & Care for Mister Alphabet
Your safety is of utmost importance to us, so thank you for handling Mister Alphabet with care.
Due to the fragile nature of Mister Alphabet, the following Precautions should be taken when handling him:
Please keep out of reach of small children. Children under the age of 6 should not handle the doll unsupervised, and children under 2 should not handle the doll under any circumstances.
Children under the age of 10 should be accompanied by an adult at all times when handling Mister Alphabet | Porcelain.
If any porcelain component should break, set Mister Alphabet aside and carefully clean up any sharp fragments; small fragments can break free in addition to larger pieces
If any magnet or wire becomes visible or loose inside the hands or feet, set any parts aside including Mister Alphabet, to be assessed for possible repair. (Contact us below to discuss).
Below are some Recommendations that will help ensure Mister Alphabet does not experience too much stress:
Handle the figurine gently, being careful not to smash any porcelain parts together by shaking or dropping the figurine.
We recommend occasional use but not continual use, bending sparingly for a longer “shelf life”.
The head, hands, and feet should not be pulled or twisted assertively. Parts may become loosened from the armature if bent or pulled with force.
Porcelain
Porcelain is a fine clay—a silicate that vitrifies (melts) and becomes glass-like when heated to maturity. Porcelain is very strong—stronger than steel in some regards—yet is susceptible to shattering if dropped or struck with a hard object. Depending on the angle of impact and the thickness of porcelain, a porcelain piece might simply bounce—unharmed—even off of concrete.
Porcelain without glaze is sometimes referred to as “raw” porcelain. We favor such porcelain for its aesthetic qualities including a matte sheen and breathable surface. However, this surface is porous and susceptible to stains in a similar manner to raw wood or canvas. Without a protective layer, the stain seeps into layers of material deeper than the topmost layer, making it difficult to clean. Although we provide a light coating of matte ceramic protectant, if your porcelain face becomes stained or damaged, contact us for ways to address the issue. Methods of repair may include light grinding stones or certain kinds of sanding techniques or paints.
Rare-Earth Neodymium Magnets
The following warnings pertain mostly to exposed, loose Neodymium magnets. However, as a precaution, please be aware that Mister Alphabet’s magnets are to be handled with caution, especially around anyone with a pacemaker.
Keep neodymium magnets away from all children.
Neodymium magnets are not toys. Do not allow children to handle or play with them. Small magnets can pose a serious choking hazard. If multiple magnets are swallowed, they can attach to each other through intestinal walls causing serious injuries and even death.
Keep neodymium magnets away from anyone with a pacemaker.
Neodymium magnets create strong magnetic fields around them, which can interfere with pacemakers, ICDs and other implanted medical devices. This is because many of these devices are made with a feature that deactivates the device in a magnetic field.
Keep neodymium magnets away from your wallet, computer and TV.
The strong magnetic fields emanating from neodymium magnets can damage magnetic media such as floppy disks, credit cards, magnetic ID cards, cassette tapes, video tapes or other such devices. They can also damage televisions, VCRs, computer monitors and CRT displays. Avoid placing neodymium magnets near electronic appliances.
Keep neodymium magnets away from your GPS and smartphone.
Magnetic fields interfere with compasses or magnetometers used in navigation for air and sea transport, as well as the internal compasses of smartphone and GPS devices.
Neodymium magnets can corrode.
Our magnets are finished with a nickel plating, and this coating provides enough protection for most applications. But remember, neodymium magnets are not waterproof. They will rust or corrode in the presence of moisture. If used underwater, outdoors or in a moist environment, they can corrode and lose magnetic strength.
VISCOSE, RAYON, & SPANDEX
Dating back to the 1920s, viscose is a semi-synthetic material which should be washed by hand to avoid damaging the fibers. Commonly used in textiles, viscose rayon and is made from cellulose—a fiber that is neither fully natural nor fully synthetic—made from trees or grasses such as bamboo. Mister Alphabet’s rayon/spandex clothing is permanently affixed to the figurine and is not meant to be tampered with or removed. General stains should not be treated with bleach or harsh chemicals. Follow general guides for spot removal from natural white fabrics, using mild soap and water and blotting techniques. Do not machine wash Mister Alphabet…he doesn’t like it.
Other Questions?
We hope you can enjoy Mister Alphabet for a long, long time. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.