GENE GETS A MALE COMPANION:   Rumours have been flying around for over a year, and its finally been confirmed--Gene will get a male companion this year, and he will be Trent, who appears (not as a doll!) in the "Gene Marshall Girl Star book!!".  Rumour has it that three dressed Trent's will be produced--no news yet about extra outfits.    I HOPE to see this doll and bring back more information at IDEX in two weeks, so stay tuned! 

MORE GENE NEWS:   Rumour also has it that there will be more dressed Gene dolls than outfits this year--something that is NOT popular with collectors who have been collecting Gene for several years, since many of those Gene collectors feel they have TOO many dolls, and really need mostly outfits now.  Oh--and quite a few dressed Madras, too.  At Vicky's News And Gossip Page, there was the following interesting tidbit:  "Ashton-Drake has reached an exclusive licensing agreement with MGM that relates to the Gene collection! Will we see actual archived costumes from MGM on the backs of Gene/Madra/Trent?"  Now, THAT would be cool...

MILLENNIUM TYLER ON SALE AT iDOLLS:   For only $59,95, which is a great price.  Certain play line Barbies are 75% off, and some Ann Estelle and Betsy McCall dolls are 50% off. www.idolls.com. 

THERIAULT'S AUCTION WEEKEND: FINAL DAY:  Well, I think I've JUST about recovered from the fun and doll-filled Theriault's weekend in Orange County!  Here are my brief updates on the last 3 auctions; look for FULL articles during the next week, with additional prices realized:

Hertwig & Co. Archives Auction, 1890-1937:  This was an exciting auction, with collectors, museums and others from all over the world bidding on pieces of history from the Hertwig & Co. Archives.  The sample cards from the factory, and the all-original Kewpies were most popular with most collectors, with prices in the thousands of dollars.  However, undecorated bisque figures and some samples were sold very reasonably, for a few hundred dollars in most cases.  The picture to the right shows some of the undecorated bisque sample cards of cupids and other figures, on display during the auction preview

Barbie A Go-Go (vintage Barbie auction): This auction was a delight for collectors of vintage Barbie and friends. Almost all of the items offered were from the heyday of vintage Barbie, from 1959-1972.  Prices ranged from very high ($4,200 for a MIP Bild Lilli) to very reasonable ($175 for a Living Barbie MIP with wrist tag).  Just as at the Hertwig auction, it was a real treat to see the items at the preview before the auction.   

Discovery Day Auction: Simultaneous with the above mentioned auctions was an uncatalogued Discovery Day, that had packed attendance and offered dolls of all types from antique all the way to the more recent vintage dolls.  

To find out more about what this weekend is like, don't miss my full coverage of last year's January event--Theriault's Auction Weekend 2000.

CHAT ROOM:   The chat room is open 24 hours a day, and its free!  Just invite your friends in any time, or stop by to see who's there!  http://collectdolls.about.com/mpchat.htm. 

• Timeless Treasures: The Story of Dolls in Canada is on display now through  March 30, 2003 at the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Hull, Quebec. For more information on this huge (over 400 dolls) landmark exhibit, visit http://www.civilisations.ca/cmc/cmceng/pr113aeng.html 
• Theriault Premier Marquis Auction Weekend:  January 5 to 7, 2001, at the Western Coast Plaza, Newport Beach, CA.  3 catalogued auctions PLUS a Disovery Day.  Stop by and say hello to your Guide--I'll be attending!
• Baton Rouge Doll Show:  February 10, 2001.  Ramada Inn and Convention Center, 1480 Nicholson Drive, from 9 am to 4 pm. Competitive and special exhibits, helpers, and door prizes. Proceeds to  benefit local charities such ads JC's Christmas programs for needy children and Easter and Thanksgiving programs for seniors and shut ins; and the UFDC. For additional information contact Pat Duncan pduncan@premier.net or George Orgeron at 504-386-4291 or orgeron@i-55.com.  Stop by and see your Guide; I'll have a table at this show!

Be a Roving Reporter!! Become a Roving Reporter and write a report on a doll event!  Or, do you have a doll event to promote, a new doll to announce, or an updated web site?  Please e-mail me at collectdolls.guide@about.com and put "Newsletter" in the subject line--For events, please give me 7 to 10 days advance notice (at minimum!) in order to have your event appear on time. Some events will also/alternatively appear in the Events Calendar.

Do You Have Dolls For Sale Or Trade? Did you know that you can place FREE classified ads for your dolls for sale or trade (or, dolls wanted) in the Dolls Forum?  Dealers, collectors, everyone welcome; feel free to link to your eBay auctions as well!  Visit the Dolls Forum to find out how to place your ad; if you are not yet a member, click on GUEST, but you will need a free Forum ID to place your ad.

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Click HERE for the 2000 Doll News Archive from January through August

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