MATTEL LOSES LAWSUIT AGAINST UNCONVENTIONAL ARTIST:  A federal judge ruled last week that Utah artist Tom Forsythe had the right to use Barbie® in his art work.  Forsythe uses Barbie in controversial photos which can be seen on his web site, http://www.creativefreedomdefense.org/.  U.S. District Judge Ronald Lew ruled that Forsythe's free-speech rights outweighed Mattel's trademarks and intellectual property rights in Barbie.  Mattel sued Forsythe two years ago after he began to use the Barbie dolls in a series of photos that some see as social commentary.  The photos depict Barbies, usually nude, in various set-up photos including a nude Barbie in a margarita glass as "South of the Border" Barbie,  Barbies wrapped up as enchiladas, and "Blended Mermaids" which are naked Barbies in blenders.  The photos have also been exhibited in exhibits in the United States, and have also been sold as postcards and glossy prints.  Mattel is expected to appeal the ruling.  
   
HERB BROWN RESIGNS AS CEO OF MADAME ALEXANDER:  Herb Brown has announced his resignation as CEO of the Madame Alexander Doll Company.  Mr. Brown has decided to pursue various consulting opportunities as well as spend more time at his Texas home with his family (the Madame Alexander Doll Company is headquartered in New York).  Mr. Brown and his wife Judy will continue, however, to be involved with the company (Mr. Brown remains on the Board of Directors) and with Madame Alexander club and convention events as well.  

VINTAGE BARBIE DOLLS STOLEN FROM CALIFORNIA STATE FAIR EXHIBIT:  More than a dozen vintage Barbie dolls have been stolen from a display for the California State Fair which started in Sacramento this Friday.  Before the fair began, a thief made off with 16 dolls belonging to six exhibitors.  The dolls were all 1960s-era dolls, and they were in an exhibit hall where they were awaiting judging.  The value of the dolls is conservatively estimated at $2,500.  The fair is offering a $500 reward for return of the dolls.  The collectors who generously wanted to share their dolls through this exhibit are understandably upset and are hoping for the safe return of their dolls. 

2002 UNITED FEDERATION OF DOLL CLUBS NATIONAL CONVENTION: The 2002 National UFDC Convention will be "Celebrate!" and will be held in Denver, Colorado at the Adam Mark Denver Hotel from July 28th to August 2, 2002.  The souvenir doll will be designed by Wendy Lawton, and planned themed events include a Kewpie event, an Alexander haunted Halloween Dinner, a Robert Tonner event, and a "Just Me' event from the Vogue Doll Company plus many more.  For information  on how to join UFDC, visit www.ufdc.org.  For more information on the convention, contact Nancy Lazenby at doll-lady@juno.com or Alice Toovey at alice@ufdc.org.  

INFORMATION ON UPCOMING NATIONAL BARBIE CONVENTIONS: The National Barbie Doll Collectors Convention, "Rocky Mountain Mod," will be held June 5-8, 2002 in Denver, CO. It will be hosted by the Fashion Doll Club of the Rockies. Registration forms are available online at www.rockymountainmod.com or www.barbieconvention.com. Registration forms may be sent in starting August 6, 2001 and a lottery will be held about 6 weeks after that.   To join an online group for the 2002 convention the information is: 2002Conventionsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.  The 2003 convention, "The World of Barbie"  will be held at Disney in Orlando, Florida, June 24-29, 2003.  And, the 2004 convention will be held in Ashville, NC June 30-July 3, 2004.  Registration for any convention does not begin until the preceding convention has concluded. 

SANDI HOLDER'S BARBIE CATALOG NO LONGER AVAILABLE VIA MAIL: An era of vintage Barbie doll collecting has passed with Sandi Holder's announcement last week that she is discontinuing her popular by-mail vintage Barbie catalog.  Holder will now exclusively sell vintage Barbies via her web site.  For many years, eager vintage Barbie collectors would  wait anxiously at their home (some were even known to call in sick on the expected date of delivery!)  for delivery of the vintage Barbie catalog via mail or federal express.  Often, competition for the rarest and best dolls was extreme, and only the quickest callers could purchase the doll or outfit they most wanted.  

FORMAT OF NEW JIM FARONE BOOK ON FASHION DOLL MAKEOVERS:   Jim Farone's new book on Fashion Doll makeovers will have a different format than the format that Farone currently uses in his popular "Fashion Doll Makeovers" series.  The new book will focus on tips and information for makeover artists, and the book will have a format that is reminiscent of online "doll chats" where artists informally discuss their makeover methods.  This book is in addition to and will not be replacing Farone's "Fashion Doll Makeover" series.

WE'RE LOOKING FOR CHAT HOSTS! If you're interested in hosting a chat on ANY doll topic, or just a chat for your doll friends or club members, please e-mail me at collectdolls.guide@about.com   And, if you just want to find fellow doll collectors and chat, try out our state-of-the-art chat room--its lots of fun and easy to use!  The chat room allows for all sorts of fun things--sounds, emoticons, and easily adjustable chat fonts!   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!  Don't miss our Doll Chat--Wednesday nights at 8:00pm Pacific, which is 11pm Eastern, 10pm Central, 9pm Mountain.  http://collectdolls.about.com/mpchat.htm. 

TOY FAIR 2001 LINKS:  Its almost time to shop for Christmas, so check out the special Toy Fair Edition of About Dolls Daily, with news on Harry Potter, Dawn Dolls revival, Shoezies. Cosmic Babies, Josie and The Pussycats, Elle dolls, Little Lady; Betty and Veronica and ALL the dolls you'll be clamoring for Christmas.  Here is the link: Toy Fair Special Edition Of About Dolls Daily.  PLUS,  More Toy Fair Coverage: Toy Fair News  contains news from Toy Fair organized by doll company. 

Toy Fair and IDEX Main Page and  Photo Gallery

Toy Fair and IDEX Links

About Dolls Daily Archive:
July 31, 2001:   Doll conventions, 2002 Silkstones, Bidbay suit, Imaginarium to expand.  
July 5, 2001:   Jim Morrison Doll; Teddy from AI, Barbie National Convention
June 19, 2001:  2002 Barbie releases announced; Teddy Bear Picnic contest; eBay Stores open for business.
June 6, 2001:  Gene's new African American friend announced; angry eBay users; Cher is a real doll! 
May 21, 2001:  Raggedy Ann And Andy Want IN to The Hall Of Fame; McDonalds Barbie and Kelly set.
May 10, 2001:  Christmas Kellys; Fashion Model Barbies 2001 Selling Out; Theriaults on Incurable Collector.
April 24, 2001:  Power Puff Girl Barbies; Josie and the Pussycats; Hasbro and Mattel loses; Robert Tonner Convention; Dutch Treat Auction. 
April 12, 2001:  Easter Baskets changing; Photopoint to Charge for Services; Barbie site is a no-go.
April 4, 2001:  Barbie Fashion Model News; iDolls goes out of business; glasses for dolls and kids are IN! 
March 28, 2001:  Eminem dolls banned; Ken turns 40--a humorous look; Bobble Head Dolls are big; doll pattern charity program.
March 15, 2001:  Another Artist Folds, Spindles and Mutilates Barbie; The Over-Teching of Toys; toywhypayretail.com is gone.
March 7, 2001:  Tyler Wentworth and Barbie Fashion Model Sell-Outs; Theriaults Themed Ten2Go Auctions.
March 1, 2001:  Harry Potter Dolls Shown at Private Toy Fair; Naked Barbies; Japanese Dolls
February 21, 2001:  Barbie Nutcracker Movie; Twiggy Doll, MORE!
February 15, 2001:  About Dolls Daily from Toy Fair, Edition Two
February 13, 2001:  About Dolls Family from Toy Fair, Edition One (includes 2/5 Pre-Toy Fair Edition).
January 30, 2001:  Live IDEX update--news on all your favorite fashion doll lines and much more! 
January 23, 2001:  IDEX Preview--Clea Bella, Christina St. Clair and more!  Plus, site with sewing measurements for your favorite large fashion dolls. 
January 18, 2001:  New, higher eBay listing fees; eBay keeps Buy It Now; eToys really struggling; Are smart toys making kids dumb?
January 12, 2001:  GENE gets a male companion; more Gene 2001 news; Theriaults Auction News and Review
January 6, 2001:    Update from Theriault's Auction Weekend:  Automata; Antiques Auction.
December 30, 2000: Theriaults Auction Weekend; History of Fashion Dolls in Barbie Bazaar Magazine warehouse.
December 16,2000:  2001 Fashion Model Barbie pictures; Treasure Trove Of Vintage Toys found in Government Warehouse; Kitt Kittredge sold out 
December 7,2000:  Ferrari Evening Barbie; Power Puff Girls BAD; new Clip Art; No Toy Home-Run for This Year's Holiday Season

Click HERE for the 2000 Doll News Archive  

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

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 Doll Collecting Classified 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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