Something Old and Something Even Older

I first saw Tonner's version of Marvel's Black Cat character figure at the store in Kingston. She was masked and I didn't look further. A few months later I saw her without the mask and I knew I had to have her. This doll is just gorgeous and I adore the Breathless head sculpt. She arrived last week. I plan to restyle her hair and redress her in something elegant.

A doll that I have wanted for years has finally joined the tribe. She is "Ghost of Christmas Future," the most popular of the three re-imagined Christmas Carol character figures from Tonner. I am so happy to finally have her. I was fortunate to get one whose owner never removed the protective body plastic so she is just like a new doll in spite of the fact that she was released in 2003! Here is the link to Tonner's archived page describing the three doll set:
Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol Collection

Each of the three ghosts used a different sculpt. Future's is the Emilie head sculpt.

Not Doll Related At All

Every now and then there is something so profound and moving that I feel very strongly about that I just have to post it on my blog. If you can't deal with this video which openly defines what is really underneath what is happening in the Middle East right now, leave now.

There are no pictures other than Glenn Beck talking. It's the message.

_______________________________________________

 

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

“First they came…” is a famous statement attributed to pastor Martin Niemöller (1892–1984) about the inactivity of German intellectuals following the Nazi rise to power and the purging of their chosen targets, group after group. There is some disagreement over the exact wording of the quotation and when it was created; the content of the quotation may have been presented differently by Niemöller on different occasions.<sup>[1]

One version:</sup>

First they came for the socialists,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Jew.

Then they came for me,
and there was no one left to speak for me.

Will anyone buy this? Really?

Even the title of the doll cracks me up: "Brazilian Banana Bonanza" Barbie Doll by Bob Mackie. Say that quickly 3 times.

She is listed at $150. That's $140. for the long name and $10 for the bananas.  

Here's the promo copy from Mattel:

Designed by: Robert Best

Release Date: 11/15/2012

Product Code: W3515

She’s a glamazon from the Amazon, a Latin bombshell as hot and steamy as Rio. This tutti fruitti beauty celebrates the vibrant rhythms of Brazil: the sultry samba, the bossa nova. And while performing in her tropical wonderland, the perfect, jazzy fashion fantasy is festooned with brilliant yellow bananas!
Bob Mackie draws inspiration from a South American paradise. Brazilian Banana Bonanza™ Barbie® wears an exuberant, white-and-lime striped sarong. The dramatic skirt is edged with a bounty of “bananas.” Her basket headpiece holds “fruit” and hibiscus “blossoms.” Lace up platform sandals and colorful earrings and bangles complete her look. The final pièce de résistance is her favorite companion— an exotic “feathered” friend.

Good grief.

BTW  It's spelled tutti frutti, not tutti fruitti.

Tonner Launches Dr. Seuss Collection

Image courtesy Tonner Doll Company, Inc. Photography ©ernestopadrocampos. ©Tonner Doll Company, Inc. All rights reserved.

The Cat's hat

LE 500

$189.99

Truffula

LE 500

$189.99

 Sam I Am 

 LE 500 

$189.99

If you have a passion for fashion,

And colors galore,

You'll love this new Dr. Seuss line - 

Just wait and see what's in store!

Never a dull moment at the Tonner Doll Company! This is quite the unexpected offering, isn't it?
All dolls use the Monica Merrill head sculpt on the Tyler BW body.

They have some of that Wilde Imagination vibe going on with their intense colors and mixing of style. I like the fashions and I can visualize lots of mixing possibilities.
Although I'm not a fan of Monica Merrill's cartoonish sculpt, I think she is perfect for these dolls.

All dolls are available to order and ship now.

Antique Doll Fetches $25,100 on eBay

James Massey sent me this piece in the hopes that it might be of interest to my readers. I thought it was fascinating. The video clip reminds me of what you see when you watch Pawn Stars...old stuff with interesting history. The doll that gets sold for $3000 is not a restored doll as was the one in the eBay auction

Source: WhatSellsBest.com

 An extremely rare Thomas Edison Talking Doll has fetched $25,100 on eBay. A pretty good price for an item many considered to be a huge flop (for Edison), back in the day.

**See more photos on eBay

The seller stated (in the eBay listing) that they had purchased the doll at an auction, which was selling the contents of a midwest Phonograph Museum.
They also described the dolls condition as being exceptional, stating; "Due to the amazing condition of the doll we assume that the she has undergone a complete professional restoration at some time." The talking mechanism (minus the cylinder) was also intact.

Why's It Rare?

According to historians, Edison invented the talking doll in 1877. He then spent several years developing the doll before introducing it to the marketplace in 1890. Unfortunately for Edison, the doll was a huge flop. Apparently the hand-cranked mechanism was too fragile to be used by children. This often led to them breaking and being returned.
On the Science Channel in an 'Oddities' episode which featured an Edison Talking Doll (video below) it was stated that only a few hundred were sold before the doll was discontinued. Because of this, originals in good condition with the talking mechanism, are extremely rare.
The $25,000 price, places the Edison Doll among some of the top earning dolls we've followed on eBay thus far. (See: Ten Top Dolls previously sold on eBay)

Auction Data & Statistics

The Edison Doll received 81 bids from 14 bidders over the course of 10 days. The opening bid on November 8th, was $99. The final bid was $25,100. The eBay view-counter recorded over 1,300 visitors to the listing. The auction ended on Sunday, November 18 (2012), at 5:01pm Pacific Standard Time.
For more information and close-up photos of the doll see; **eBay auction listing; #230879180702 (auction links may expire after 90 days).

Ajuma is in the House!

Ajuma, Paul Pham's newest Numina (LE50) has arrived in time for the holidays. She has definitely cheered me up.

Her hard cap made by Chewin is beyond unique.

I've had several Numina and always wound up trading them for other dolls due to the difficulty I had with the knee joint. But a little birdie told me I could wire the knees which will firm them up and give me the stability I desire in a BJD. I'm going to have to do the same with my Ficon Leonie.

Pants pockets are trimmed with zipper teeth.

 I love the colors she is wearing.

Pink Suede Boots

 Numina have the largest feet of all my BJDs.

Fooling around with Photoshop.

Link: Paul Pham @ Dollcis