French Poodle Mini Toy Article

Yes, Virginia is from the Christmas Collection and represents Virginia O'Hanlon who wrote a letter to the New York Sun 108 years ago eliciting the response from Francis P Church, "Yes, Virginia, There Is A Santa Claus." Yes, Virginia is dressed in striped dupion silk and has blonde hair and hazel eyes. The editorial is included in the newspaper she carries. Yes, Virginia is a 14-inch all porcelain doll, comes in an edition of 350, and retails for $450.

Violet, a 14-inch all porcelain doll, is from the Language of Flowers Collection. Violet is a demure little miss in her violet-strewn cotton dress covered with a crisp white lace-trimmed apron and a matching cap. Violet is a limited edition of 350 and retails for $395.

Daisy, a 14-inch all porcelain doll also from the Language of Flowers Collection, is appropriately costumed in a dress of white covered by a daisy print pinafore trimmed in buttercup yellow piping. She wears a crisp straw hat on her brown curls. Daisy is an edition of 350 and retails for $395.

The classic tale of Pinocchio is the inspiration for Wendy Lawton's Petra and Pinocchio. Petra, a 14-inch all porcelain doll, wears a wool suit of black and white houndstooth check trimmed with black velvet. A black velvet cloche hat, black tights, and leather button boots complete her outfit. Pinocchio is a 3-inch wood and composition doll. Petra and Pinocchio is a limited edition of 750 and retails for $595. Fleurette 'N' Fifi of the Classic Children Collection is a limited edition of 350. Fleurette recalls a time of French opulence with her lace-trimmed dress and her bejeweled French poodle, Fifi. She is a 12-inch wood and porcelain doll with sparkling blue eyes and retails for $595.

For additional information contact the company at 548 North First Street, Turlock, CA 95380; (209) 6323655: Fax: (209) 632-6788. The Alexander Doll Company is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year and has created some special dolls to commemorate the occasion. The dolls, which have been reissued from popular Alexander dolls of years ago, are shown on page 71 of the August issue. Other new offerings from the company for 1998 are shown here.

White Floral Party Kelly, from the Baby Alexander Collection, is "pretty as a picture" in a dress of pink floral chiffon overlaid with a layer of sheer white organza. The 15-inch doll retails for about $100.

Madame Alexander's classic full-figured haute couture creation, 21-inch Cissy, made her original debut in 1952. Cissy Barcelona is beguiling in a gown of coral charmeuse overlaid with black lace. The entire front panel of the gown is embellished with floral embroidery accented with jet and glass beading while her shawl has embroidered beadwork and deep macrame fringe. She carries a lace fan and wears a rose in her hair. Cissy Barcelona retails for about $600.

Coco Belle Epoque, billed as Cissy's younger cousin, recalls the elegance of a bygone era with two enchanting outfits which have interchangeable trim. Her mini houndstooth suit with polka dot lining and flounced skirt is complemented with a wide-brimmed hat trimmed with fuchsia roses and a sheer picot ribbon. Her fitted black glitter dress with sweeping hem is brightened with a fuchsia neck scarf and flowers that trim the suit and hat. Each 16-inch Coco Belle Epoque retails for about $190.

Celebrating hallmarks of American life, the Madame Alexander 1998 Americana Collection features a 10-inch Coca Cola Takes Flight. She is dressed in an authentic faux leather bomber jacket with a fuzzy collar, helmet, goggles, boots and a jumpsuit with a black knit bodice over red cotton twill jodhpurs with leatherette patches. The red flocked Coca Cola logo decorates her scarf and shirt and she carries three Coke bottles in a carton. Her airplane is a replica of the New York-toParis monoplane commemorating Charles Lindbergh's famous flight. Coca Cola Takes Flight retails for about $ 125.

Harley-Davidson Cissette celebrates the 95th Anniversary of the American icon Harley-Davidson motorcycle. The 10-inch Cissette wears a faux leather halter and sideslit skirt trimmed with silver studs. She sports Lycra gauntlets, chain-trimmed motorcycle boots, a brimmed cap and fishnet stockings. Her belt and studded backpack have the Harley-Davidson bar and shield. The HarleyDavidson Cissette retails for about $150.

For additional information, contact the company at (212) 283-5900. Following the death of its founder and principal artist, Lee Middleton Urick, Lee Middleton Original Dolls recruited the gifted artist/sculptor, Reva Schick, to work exclusively with the company. "We want artists who can capture the innocence and vulnerability of infants as Lee had done, and whose babies seem to love you back. Reva's babies are very engaging," a company spokesperson reports. Many of Lee Middleton's success secrets have been continued in the life-like, baby-skin vinyl, limited edition babies created by Schick.

Surrounded by 13 of her 1998 series of sleeping and awake babies, Reva Schick delights in the jointed, weighted bodies that enable the infants to be positioned in true-to-life, cuddly positions. The babies wear beautiful designer outfits and come with a miniature Bible, in acknowledgment of Lee Middleton's deep faith.

Two of Reva's dolls captured the attention of industry judges during the International Toy Fair in New York City where they received nominations for the prestigious Doll of the Year and the Best Doll of the Year awards. Wearing the medal and ribbon presented at Toy Fair are Schick's Fine and Frilly (left) and In the Pink. Both dolls were produced in limited editions of 1000.

Little Scottie (Girl and Boy) look absolutely adorable in their Scottish outfits. Her dress and his romper are made of matching plaid corduroy. Both wear white jersey knit long sleeve shirts and beautiful red polar fleece jackets with Scottie dogs appliqued on the fronts. She wears white tights and black maryjane shoes. He wears white socks and black patent lace up shoes. They both have black hair and dark brown eyes. Limited to an edition of 1500 (girl), and 1000 (boy), the dolls measure 20 inches and weigh approximately pounds.

Sweet little Cherry Blossom is costumed in a dress that is bursting with bright red cherries and covered with a white organdy pinafore adorned with layers of lace. Her bonnet is trimmed with rows of matching lace and ties with white satiny ribbons. She has brown hair and eyes, measures 20 inches long and is limited to an edition of 2000.

Gimme a Hug, a smiling baby with brown eyes and auburn hair, is 20 inches long and limited to 2000. She is dressed in a cream colored terry velour one-piece jumper trimmed in flowers and lace.

All dressed up in brown corduroy knickers and matching cap, Tough Guy looks ready for anything. Although he tries to look tough, inside he's a sweetheart of a boy who is accompanied by his trusted friend. He wears a cream colored jersey shirt, brown socks, and boots. Standing 23 inches tall, with brown hair and eyes, he is limited to 1000.

For additional information, contact Lee Middleton Original Dolls, Inc., 1301 Washington Blvd., Belpre, Ohio 45714; (740) 423-3121. at