This news page will be added to in the weeks to come--news from all of your favorite doll manufacturers--find out about all the new doll releases!

Madame Alexander: Madame Alexander Celebrates 80th Anniversary; Wendy is 50!

For the 80th Anniversary of the Madame  Alexander company, Madame Alexander is releasing "In Her Honor," a sumptuous Cissy dressed in a pale blue, duchess satin gown. The Anniversary Cissette is the Cissette Shadow Yardley, blonde and dressed a blue outfit that is a replica of the one Cissy wore in the original Yardley ads.

Another big milestone is the 50th anniversary of  Wendy.  There is a refreshed face sculpt of Wendy, used on many of the anniversary year dolls which re-captures Wendy's original fresh-from-themold look.  Also, a significant first for Madame Alexander is the 8" wooden Wendy doll--the first all-wooden doll from Madame Alexander.  This Wendy has nine joints and comes in her own, special, anniversary recognition box.

Ribbon Celebration Wendy is also making her debut this year.  Dressed in a blue and pink tulle gown with a blue and pink satin ribbon bodice.  Strands of ribbon decorate the dress, and lead to a surprise at the end, a flower with a jewel in the center of each one.  Three other Wendys make their debut with the anniversary collection; A Toast to Madame Alexander which comes with a champagne bottle, It’s My Birthday, which is paired with a commemorative lunch box, and Wendy’s Anniversary Trunk Set.  The trunk set includes a treasure trove of presents.  The blonde doll, dressed in a pink dress with a white pinafore and pink Mary Janes, can look in her trunk and find more clothes: rompers, a plaid silk coat with matching dress, pj’s, and slippers. But there is more in the trunk--a doll, roller skates, and a jump rope have been put in the trunk.

Madame Alexander: New Alex Fashion Dolls Are Multi-Jointed; Amanda Fairchild Ford

Articulation is the major word in fashion dolls this year.  The new articulated Alexandra Fairchild Ford™, Paris Williams™ & Jadde Lee™ fashion dolls have 18 points of articulation.  Even their toes move!  The basic Alex doll with the new articulation is called "Back to Basics," a classic little black dress, with black beaded straps.  Each comes with a black purse, black shoes, a hat and, sunglasses.  The "Breathtaking"  Jadde Lee has a short hairdo which shows off MA's special rooted hair technique.  The Red Label collection has a blonde bend-knee Alex doll with a mini, co-ordinated wardrobe.  And, there is a

The Red Label collection provides a blonde, bend-knee Alex, with a mini wardrobe.  The collection includes a red, double breasted jacket, jeans, red Chinese pattern short skirt, two tops, tights, two pairs of earrings and two handbags.

Amanda Fairchild Ford is the new character in the Alex line. She has an older sculpt, and will bring some historical fashions to the Alex line.   Amanda, dressed in an asymmetrical dress of black velvet and ivory satin with passementerie detailing, looks every bit as lovely as her niece.  A pearl necklace and a black and ivory satin wrap add a finishing touch to her look.  Amanda will be available to Excellency Retailers only.

Finally the 30s Mystery Weekend Alex dolls, done in limited editions of 750 each, have 30s styled outfits AND wigged hair to give the dolls perfect, 30s hairstyles (which would be much harder to achieve with the typical rooted hair on the Alex dolls).  There is a Jade, Paris and Alex in this series, PLUS "Blackmail," a fantastic maids outfit (complete with, well, pool of blood and silver tray and glass..oh, and for the ultimate in unique fashion doll accessories, Betrayal Alex in this series comes with a gun?

Robert Tonner:  Tyler Wentworth Gets Moving: Newly Designed Body; New Male Doll Matt

Did I mention that Articulation is the major word in fashion dolls this year?  Not to be outdone by Alex, Tyler gets articulated too!  And, Tyler has innovative articulation that will let her do completely innovative poses like crossing her legs!  The articulated Tylers are the Signature Style AR dolls in Blonde, Brunette and Redhead, for $79.99.  Other basic dolls in the line this year, the very popular Ready-To-Wear will have bending elbows and lets, and are still only $49.99.  They come as Career, Sport and Glamour dolls. Dressed dolls run the gamut to very dressy

Robert Tonner: Ann Estelle:  New 18" Doll

Also new are 18" Ann Estelle dolls!  These big beauties are perfect for play--similar in size and weight to American Girl and Magic Attic dolls. As with all Robert Tonner dolls, the Large Ann Estelles area in very limited editions--usually only 1,000 pieces each.

Robert Tonner: Kitty Shrinks!

Before I panic you, don't  worry--large Kitty is alive and well, and her full 18" tall.  However, there is a new, LITTLE Kitty on the block--Tiny Kitty Collier, a full 8" tall.  This is a doll that needs to be seen to be believed.  Her detail is incredible, and she even has tiny little knee joints.  The initial Tiny Kitty Collier line has 3 basic dolls, several dressed dolls, a Bridal Bliss Hat Box Gift Set and several outfits, plus a trunk. If you've been looking for a fashion doll to hide in your dress drawer at work, this is the one!

Effanbee:  New Line By Robert Tonner A Hit At Toy Fair

The new Effanbee collection has been a big hit with retailers--now owned by Tonner Doll Company, the Effanbee dolls are being produced in very limited editions, and they include new, updated Patsy dolls and re-vamped Brenda Starr fashion dolls.  Some dolls were close to selling out at press time.  To see the entire line, visit  Effanbee Dolls Web Site 

Three New Groovy Girls

Tons of news about those grooviest-of-gals--Groovy Girl dolls!  There are three new dolls, new pets (no cages or homes this time) an updated doll case, backpack for dolls, and outfits, cabanas, drum sets and more!  Their world keeps growing, but DO watch this line--they do retire pieces on a regular basis.

Beanie Babies: Decade the Bear

OK, its not a doll, but I know many doll collectors have a few Beanie Babies, and many doll stores have them as well.  Ty Warner himself, that mysterious creator of Beanie Babies, was at Toy Fair and signed 100 of the Decade Bears.  Most of the people who got one of the signed bears waited 6+ hours on line.  These bears are now selling for over $1,000 on eBay. For the rest of us, if you can get one of the Decade Bears this month, you should--the light blue decade bear was only available at Toy Fair and is retiring at the end of this month--one of the shortest releases in a long time for a Ty Beanie Bear.

Marian (Marie Osmond Dolls) Announces Update of Magic Attic Dolls

The Magic Attic dolls have been re-designed.  They have a fresh look, new sculpts, and all-new books written by Marie Osmond.  Robert Tonner is the designer of the Magic Attic dolls. 

Also new for Marian are "A Few Of My Favorite Things" dolls, toddlers representing Butterfly Kisses, April Showers, May Flowers and Sweet Dreams. Child's Play is new in the Roses series,  Tabitha is a fabulous woodland nymph, and new Tiny Tots include Rylee, Baby Beverly, and others.  Huggs and Kissy, sculpted by Marie, will be popular, and their are even moving dolls--Puppy Love and  Playmates.  Look for a feature length article including an interview with Marie coming soon!

Ashton Drake: Gene, Patti Playpal

A limited line with quality as the focus are the hallmarks of the Gene line for Ashton Drake this year.  The line is much-reduced, disappointing  many fans with its lack of outfits and new basic dolls. BUT, the dolls that are in the line-up are lovely and real show-stoppers.  Each doll is limited, $125, and each doll has different make-up to complement the outfits and hair of the doll.  Almost all the outfits are evening wear or gowns this year (including a bride!), and include the very unique Siren In The Night (Madra), Caribbean Kiss Retailer Exclusive, and the 20s inspired Rags to Riches. The one doll that is not in evening attire is the Calendar Girl Midsummer Magic, in a WAVE outfit.  Finally, don't miss Presidential Ball, which has a very Marilyn look.

Ashton Drake is also releasing a reproduction of Patti Playpal, that lifesize Ideal doll from the 1960s! She's already in many stores and she is a BIG girl!

Terri Lee Dolls: Back In The Family

Terri Lee Dolls:  These dolls are now back in the Terri Lee family--the estate of Terri Lee has bought back the rights to the Terri Lee dolls.  Most of the dolls are being produced in limited editions of under 500. Besides Terri Lee, there is Linda Baby and So Sleepy, the sold out Patty Jo (edition of only 250 dolls) and several others.  Patty-Jo was originally produced for only 4 years, starting in 1947.  Lee Platt, one of the original painters of Terri Lee, will paint and sign a very limited number of the new Terri Lee dolls. 

Zapf Dolls:  Zapf dolls has greatly increased the number of different styles of multi-cultural and ethnic dolls in their baby doll lines.

Annallee Goes Thimble-Sized

Annallee announced their new Thimbles Dolls at Toy Fair.  Thimbles are poseable dolls with detailed, sewn-like resin features.  Annallee says that Thimbles are the age-old guardians of all holiday wonders: "mysterious doers of all tasks that need to be accomplished during that magical wishing hour when dreams are coming true." Each Thimble has a magical key that unlocks the door between their world, known as "Imagine Nation", and the human world. The first set of Thimbles dolls consists of 18 dolls for three seasons:  Halloween (5 dolls) Harvest (5 dolls) and Christmas (8 dolls)  Each doll is 6 inches with season-appropriate costume and accessories, and retails from $20 to $24.  Dolls include Whittles, the Jack-O-Lantern carver who is responsible for putting grins on the pumpkins, Giblet, the Turkey Tender, who makes sure that everyone's bellies are full, and Pitch, the Jingle Bell Tuner, who puts the tingling of bells into Christmas music.

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