Online Site Offers Big Barbie Discounts: www.toyswhypayretail.com has some of the items that I discuss in the Playing With Barbie article for sale on deep discount. Evidently, this site sells discontinued toys and dolls at discount. They have BMR (Barbie Millicent Roberts) outfits that retailed for $29.99 for $9.99. They are NOT marked as BMR outfits, but these ARE the BMR outfits. They have the Tennis outfit, the Rain Slicker and the GREAT Luggage set; already sold out of the Yachting and the Picnic outfits. Also in stock are some discontinued Pretty Treasures accessory sets, such as the Baking Set the Picnic Set and the Horse Care set for $3.99 each (not a huge discount, but its hard to find these now). Other deals are Happy Holidays 97 Barbie for only $9.99, and Flamingo Barbie for $69.99. They have a few adorable Kelly outfits, too.

Pleasant Company Founder To Retire: Pleasant Rowland, the founder of the Pleasant Company, originator of the American Girls, is retiring in July. Former educator Pleasant Rowland started the Middleton, Wis.-based company in 1985 with the vision of making dolls that provided an alternative to Barbie and Cabbage Patch Kids--this was done with the very popular American Girls line of dolls. The company was bought in 1998 for $700 million by Mattel, the world's biggest toy maker. It continues to operate as an independent subsidiary based in Wisconsin. Rowland said she will retire on July 7 as president of Pleasant Company and vice chairwoman of Mattel.

#2 Harley Ken Hot!: This doll is selling for over $100 on eBay. WATCH carefully on the Toys R Us online site, which has been offering this doll on and off at retail for the last two weeks. www.toysrus.com.

Tyler Wentworth On the Cover of Dolls!: If you collect fashion dolls, run, don't walk to the book store and pick up the new Dolls magazine with Tyler Wentworth on the cover and a feature article on all the new 2000 fashion dolls!

Jill Barad Gets $40 Million Severance Package: Jill Barad, former CEO of Mattel, received a severance package of over $40, including a $3 million loan forgiveness on her house, and a retirement package of $700,000 per year for life, according to CBS News. CBS News was not particularly kind in their story on the severance packages, saying that Ms. Barad had a "catastrophic" tenure as CEO of Mattel, and that under her watch Mattel stock went from $45 to $10 a share. CBS News questioned overall the practice of large severance packages to company CEOs of companies that are not performing well. Since the Barbie line revitalized under Ms. Barad, many Barbie collectors may have mixed feelings on the severance package/success of her tenure at Mattel.

Raggedy Ann Site Has Shop: If you are into Raggedy Ann, don't miss Raggedyland's store; they have lots of licensed items including rubber stamps and mini Raggedy Hasbro dolls. NOT sold on this site but HOT right now are the Kelly and Tommy dolls as Raggedy Ann and Andy.
http://store.yahoo.com/raggedyland/newapril.html

Upcoming Doll Events

• THE VIVIAN ANTIQUE TOY AND DOLL FESTIVAL April 29 to May 14, 2000
  56 NEILSON DRIVE, ETOBICOKE (TORONTO) ONTARIO M9C 2S2: EXHIBITION OF THE VIVIAN TOY & DOLL COLLECTION set against a backdrop of
  quilts, hooked rugs, weaving and painting by NEILSON PARK artists. For more information contact 416-622-5294
• International Convention 2000 of the Doll Artisan Guild: June 28 to July 1 at the Hilton in Walt Disney World. Held every 2 years; I'll be attending so come say hello!
• National UFDC Convention: Fin Du Millenaire: Chicago, July 16-21 2000. The National Convention; over 2000 doll collectors, sale room, modern and antique doll competition rooms, classes, seminars (your Guide will be teaching a seminar) , meal events and much more! Go to www.ufdc.org for more information.
• NATIONAL DOLL FESTIVAL: Chicago, July 15-19, Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers.
• National Gene Convention 2000 will be held Oct. 20-23 at the Arlington Heights Hilton in Arlington Heights, Illinois (a suburb of Chicago). Registration is $325 and limited to 700. For more information, contact genecon99@aol.com
• Fashion Doll Convention 2000 San Diego, California August 12 to 14 2000 at the DoubleTree Hotel. Convention dolls are Daisy and Willow.

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2000 Past Editions of Dolls This Week:

January
Madame Alexander 16" Fashion Doll; Mattel Execs Leave *
Doll Costumer Guild Announces New Publication; *
Barbie PC; Barbie Auction *
February
Jill Barad Resigns From Mattel *
All The Toy Fair News! *
Toy Fair Recap; Toy Fair Toys are Technological *
March
New Theriault's Auctions; Dorothy Coleman Dies *
TRU Big Event, Virginia Graves Carlson Dies *
April
New Doll Books; New Barbie Releases in Stores *
Jill-Neimrow Nelson Resigns; Americana 2000 Projects; Fashion Doll Convention *
Barbie for President, Sign Language Barbie; Betty Spagetty and eBay Antique Dealers *
Special Online Doll Auctions; Pleasant Co. Toys For Boys, Cool Collecting Barbie*

For all 1999 editions of "Dolls This Week" please go to the 1999 Dolls This Week Archives.