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Current News

Annette Himstedt Closes Her Manufactory's Doors
After introducing her first vinyl collection 22 years ago in 1986, legendary dollmaker Annette Himstedt has made the decision to cease production. The combination of using increasingly higher quality materials through the years, resulting in increased production costs, and the downturn in the economy, are key factors in Himstedt’s decision. The years from 2003 to 2007 resulted in big losses for the company. Orders received by mid-November will be fulfilled, but thereafter the company will cease production.

What follows is an excerpt from the letter Himstedt wrote collectors upon closing her manufactory’s doors: “I think that the last collections will become as popular as my first collection in 1986 was at the time. I am sure that they will increase in value.

“I have spent nearly a quarter of a century in my manufactory and worked there with passion, much discipline and a lot of idealism.

“I have enjoyed working with my team, whom I would like to thank once more for their hard work and commitment. Some of them have been with me since the very beginning.

“I thank my collectors and retailers for their faithfulness over the years.

“I have experienced many highs as well as a few lows during this time, but the pleasure I have been able to bring to collectors worldwide has always been the central driving force for me.

“I hope that Himstedt collectors will continue to cherish all the different dolls that were created and lovingly crafted from the manufactory here in Paderborn.

“I am sure that I’ll remain in the world of dolls in some shape or form, but how exactly this will be I don’t know yet. One thing is certain though: It won’t be with a manufactory,” she closes.

Danny and Barrie Shapiro, who own The Toy Shoppe in Richmond, Va., share a close relationship with the artist, and speak to what she lent the industry. “From our first meeting with Annette at the Nuremberg Toy Fair in 1986, our friendship blossomed. It has been over 23 years: We both had teenagers then—now we have grandchildren!“

Annette pioneered a new movement in the world of contemporary dolls with her realistic, life-size child dolls. Larger, more expressive, with a unique blend of realism and emotion. ... Her totally new concept in dolls became the desire of our collectors worldwide. Striving to create something new and different without limitations on creativity or innovations, Annette succeeded beyond anyone’s wildest imagination, becoming the world’s most celebrated and influential dollmaker. We are proud to say The Toy Shoppe has been with Annette every step of her incredible journey. In fact, we were the very first shoppe to offer her dolls in North America!“

Annette’s outstanding achievements will long be cherished and she will always be remembered for her amazing contribution to the world of dolls. We admire her creativity, her artistic integrity, her sensitivity to the delights of children, and, most of all, her delightful sense of humor and warm friendship.”

DOLLS magazine is now accepting submissions for the 2009 DOLLS Awards of Excellence contest through Dec. 30, 2008. Submissions can be made online. Click here to register now!

Announcing: Molly P. Originals’ Beautiful Baby Contest
Molly P. Originals is offering collectors the chance of a lifetime—seeing their own precious baby immortalized as the face of a new doll line! Molly P. Originals will pick first, second and third place winners from contest entrants’ submission pictures of children ages 5 and under Read More...

Alexander Doll Co.—Newest Stop on Gray Line Bus Tours
For the first time in 15 years, Gray Line New York ‘s sightseeing Hop On Hop Off tour has revised its famous itinerary. The Uptown Loop now stops at the Madame Alexander Heritage Gallery.
Read More...

Doll & Teddy Bear EXPO
is expanding to create a new national collector event. Scheduled for September 2010, EXPO promises to deliver a bigger and better show with a strong collector focus, dolls and teddy bears from leading artists and manufacturers, and fantastic events. Resources allocated to the 2009 show will be combined with the 2010 event to assure that this gala presentation will be a collector experience to remember. Watch for breaking news regarding location, exact dates and a list of activities as the information becomes available.

The extremely popular DOLLS Awards of Excellence (DAE) and Golden Teddy Awards (GTA) remain unchanged in 2009. The DAE awards will be presented at the Modern Doll Collectors Convention, October 2009, in Albuquerque, N.M., while the GTA presentations are scheduled for November 2009 in conjunction with the Christmas/Holiday Show & Sale in Hunt Valley, Md.

Entry information for the 2009 DAEs will be available by Nov. 1 at www.dollsmagazine.com. To enter the 2009 GTAs, visit www.teddybearreview.com.

BJDivalicious
Ficon unleashes high glamour, runway-ready supermodel “Alpha.” The 18-part, Korean resin, ball-jointed doll, might draw some comparisons to those oh-so sophisticated Sybarites. But this tightly strung, fashion-forward beauty’s leaner limbs and smaller head make her a standout competitor. See exclusive Syb-Ficon comparison shots, and read Wil Peterson’s insightful take on Ficon in the November issue of DOLLS.

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