Collectible Doll Ashton Drake
Ashton Drake Marketplace
27 years ago, my shop was one of the first shops to get onboard when the Bradford Exchange decided to open a “Dealer Division” in Canada. I am sure there was no one who had looked in a magazine in 1980, and not seen “Matthew”. People who had never owned a doll, or even considered owning a doll, were falling in love with the idea of doll collecting as well as falling in love with Matthew. Yes there were dolls before Matthew, but in my mind, he was the one that really blew the doll market wide open.
These new collectors, then wanted to complete the earlier dolls in the set, and prices on the premier issue “Jason” went crazy. I remember people paying up to $2500. to have the first issue in the Picture Perfect Babies Collection, Jason, and hundreds to obtain Heather and Jennifer as well.
So where did it all go wrong? Today’s market on these and other older Ashton Drake Dolls, is so soft I would not dream of selling.
It is my opinion that Ashton Drake Galleries simply made too many dolls. From their original 2-3 different series back in the early days, to having so many different sets of dolls it was nearly impossible for collectors to know what doll belonged in what series.
I heard over and over as sales dwindled that there is “only so much room in my house for dolls”.
Many other collectors had entered the marketplace to simply purchase dolls as an investment, and as the market continued to be flooded with new dolls and new series of dolls, these collectors changed their buying habits. These dolls have never been displayed, and have been carefully stored for the past 20 years. Add their numbers to those sold to private collectors and you will begin to see the larger picture.
For myself as a dealer, the final blow came when I received an informal letter in the mail, saying my sales were no longer high enough to qualify for dealer status, and I would not be able to purchase dolls for resale in the future. This was the quality of customer service given to a retailer of their product for over 20 years and having sold hundreds of their dolls over the years and generating thousands of dollars in revenue for them. For a company struggling to maintain a collector base, this business decision by the Dealer Division alienated a large portion of their small retailer foundation.
Now you have collectors tiring of the product and upset because their “investment” did not work out, and you also have your retailers upset over being treated so poorly.
I have many lovely dolls in my own collection. I am a Diana Effner fan, but have others as well. I am not planning to sell, so their retail value is of little importance to me, but I certainly would call this the end of an era for a once flourishing company.
I hope that in the future these dolls will once again be recognized as the quality collectible that they are, and once again be sought after and treasured.
About the Author
For more useful information on doll collecting, visit http://www.eloradollhouse.com . Jayne Cremasco has been a doll retailer and appraiser for over 25 years and now offers a wealth of information online.
Ashton Drake’s “Hush Little Baby”
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Peach Blossom Collectible Porcelain Doll The Ashton-Drake Galleries $5.00 |
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Two Collectible Porcelain Dolls Ashton Drake Mary Lamb $9.99 |
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Estate Collectible~MY1st TOOTH~ASHTON DRAKE 1991 Porcelain Faced Doll $19.99 |
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Kendra, from the Petting Zoo collection, Ashton Drake Doll $25.00 |
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Ashton Drake Doll “Amber” Just Like Me Collection African American Black 1995 $40.00 |
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Ashton Drake Doll “Brianne” Sunday Best Collection African American Black 1997 $40.00 |
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Ashton Drake Doll “Joshua” Sunday Best Collection African American Black 1998 $40.00 |
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Snow White Collectible Doll-”What Dreams May Come”-Ashton Drake musical doll. $55.00 |
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Baby Bunting Doll-Ashton Drake-Georgetown Collection-MWB $14.99 |
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Ashton Drake Galleries “Cute as a Button” Full collection of 5 baby dolls $110.00 |
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Ashton Drake “Tickles” Doll NIB Joys of Summer Collection $49.99 |
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BNIB ASHTON DRAKE “DREAMER” DOLL WITH PAPERS ADULT COLLECTIBLE MUST HAVE! $69.99 |
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Ashton Drake Petting Zoo Collection Porcelain Doll Maddie Yolanda Bello NIB $39.95 |
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Complete Collection of 15″ Little Women Dolls created by Ashton-Drake Galleries $100.00 |
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ASHA India Doll ~ Passport to Friendship ~ 1996 Ashton-Drake Collectible $100.00 |
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KALI ~ Indonesia Doll ~ Passport to Friendship ~ 1995 Ashton-Drake Collectible $100.00 |
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SERENA ~ Kenya Doll ~ Passport to Friendship ~ 1995 Ashton-Drake Collectible $100.00 |
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LILIANA ~ Peru Doll ~ Passport to Friendship ~ 1996 Ashton-Drake Collectible $100.00 |
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It’s Our Bathtime Pooh Ashton Drake Collectible Doll NEW $30.00 |
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It’s Time For Bed Pooh Ashton Drake Collectible Doll NEW $30.00 |
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ASHTON DRAKE PORCELAIN DOLL AMELIA COLLECTIBLE $15.00 |
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Ashton-Drake Galleries, Little Women Collection MEG 15″ Porcelain Doll, NEW! $21.95 |
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Ashton Drake Destiny doll Gene Marshall Collection $135.00 |
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Three RARE Ashton Drake-McDonald’s Collectible Dolls $45.00 |
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Ashton Drake Yolanda Bello Porcelain DOLL Matthew Sailor Boy 1987 Collection $15.00 |
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ASHTON-DRAKE DOLL “MASQUERADE BALL” GIBSON GIRL IN FASHION COLLECTION $50.00 |
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ASHTON-DRAKE DOLL “MEG” LITTLE WOMEN COLLECTION $50.00 |
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ASHTON-DRAKE DOLL “TWEET DREAMS” LOONEY TUNES CUTIES COLLECTION $50.00 |
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3″ Pin Button Ashton Drake Gene Marshall Collection Mel Odom Doll Rare $14.99 |
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ASHTON DRAKE~PEEK-A-BOO~PETER~PORCELAIN BOY DOLL~91~NIB~COVER BABIES~COLLECTIBLE $33.24 |
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ASHTON-DRAKE DOLL – ASLEEP IN THE SADDLE FROM THE JUST CAUGHT NAPPING COLLECTION $14.95 |
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MINT ASHTON DRAKE “JO” DOLL LITTLE WOMEN COLLECTION NUMBERED COLLECTIBLE $34.50 |
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BABY DOLL SWEET AS YOU PLEASE COLLECTION “SOUR GRAPES” Ashton Drake NEW $27.95 |
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Retired 12″ Ashton Drake “Bit O’ Luck” Lucky Charmers Collection Porcelain Doll $29.99 |
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Ashton Drake Disney Snow White and Seven Dwarfs Collection Lot of 8 Dolls NRFB $350.00 |
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VERY VIOLET WATERS basic Mel Odom Gene Friend Doll Collection Ashton Drake MIB $79.99 |
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Ashton Drake “Jessica” Doll from the Picture-Perfect Babies collection $30.00 |
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Ashton Drake Collection “Little Sherlock” Boy Doll 1989 Born to Be Famous $52.95 |
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The Ashton Drake Collection: The Season’s Collection Doll. $87.00 |
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Ashton Drake Collection Doll $87.99 |
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The Ashton-Drake Doll Collection “Dont Forget to Wash Behind Ears” $32.00 |
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The Ashton-Drake Doll Collection “Snug as a Bug in A Rug” $35.00 |
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ASHTON ~ DRAKE COLLECTIBLE PORCELAIN DOLL / 1994 $14.99 |
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ASHTON ~ DRAKE COLLECTIBLE PORCELAIN DOLL / 1995 $14.99 |
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ASHTON DRAKE COLLECTIBLE PORCELAIN DOLL / 1994 $14.99 |
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Ashton Drake Porcelain Doll TODD Playtime babies collection Yolanda Bello 1992 $87.99 |
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Ashton-Drake Little Bo Peep Porcelain Doll Wendy Lawton Nursery Rhyme Collection $75.00 |
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Cherish Collectible Lifelike Vinyl Baby Doll: So Truly Real By Ashton-Drake $110.98 |
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Maggie Collectible Lifelike Baby Girl Doll: So Truly Real By Ashton-Drake $144.98 |
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ASHTON DRAKE PORCELAIN DOLL JO PART OF THE LITTLE WOMEN COLLECTION BY LAWTON $12.99 |
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ASHTON DRAKE DARK HUNTERS SIMI COLLECTIBLE DOLL $150.00 |
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GENE DOLL CAT WALK OUTFIT FOR ASHTON-DRAKE MADRA LORD DEBUT COLLECTION, 92285 $19.99 |
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Precious 1991 Knowels Ashton Drake Collectible Yolanda Bello Emily Baby Doll $4.99 |
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AUTOGRAPHD GENE DOLL BREATHLESS ASHTON DRAKE COLLECTION $64.78 |
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ASHTON DRAKE DELILAH IT’S 10 O’CLOCK COLLECTIBLE DOLL $90.00 |
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ASHTON DRAKE GENE COLLECTION INCOGNITO DOLL #17841 $109.99 |
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ASHTON DRAKE GENE COLLECTION DESTINY DOLL #17841 $109.99 |
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1992 Ashton Drake Gallery Kathy Hippensteel Baby Doll bisque ceramic collectible $69.99 |
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Collectible Mrs. Beasley Talking Doll From Family Affair By Ashton-Drake $100.98 |
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Hannah And Harper: Collectible Child Doll And Plush Teddy Bear By Ashton-Drake $221.98 |
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Precious Moments Bridal Doll Set “Love Forever True” by Ashton-Drake Collection $1,000.00 |
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Precious Moments Dolls “Footprints In The Sand” – Ashton-Drake Collection $100.00 |
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Precious Moments Blessings Baby Doll Set by Ashton-Drake Collection – Set of 4 $800.00 |
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Tippy Toes Collectible Lifelike Baby Girl Doll: So Truly Real By Ashton-Drake $143.98 |
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ASHTON DRAKE GENE DOLL COVENT GARDEN COLLECTIBLE DOLL $84.99 |
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ASHTON DRAKE DOLL, 1997 PORCELINE COLLECTION, LOOKS LIKE A REAL BABY, SO NICE $59.99 |
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The Ashton-Drake “Tweety and Me” Porcelain Doll “I Love Tweety” Collection $42.99 |
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COLLECTABLE DOLLS ASHTON-DRAKE COLLECTION $25.00 |
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Yolanda Bello Ashton Drake collection of 6 dolls matthew michael amanda lisa etc $140.00 |
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RET Ashton-Drake “Fire’s Out” Porcelain Doll Boys Will Be Boys Collection w/ COA $75.00 |
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THE ASHTON – DRAKE GALLERIES “CHERI” WAITING IN THE WINGS DOLL COLLECTION NIB $189.99 |
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Ashton Drake Yolanda Bello Collectible Porcelain Doll Picture Perfect Babies $19.99 |
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ASHTON DRAKE WISH FAIRY COLLECTIBLE AMY BROWN DOLL $150.00 |
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Ashton Drake Galleries Ann Marie Porcelain Doll Look At me Collection F2Y37 $28.48 |
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Ashton Drake Dolls Yolanda Bello Picture Perfect Babies Collection Wall Display $179.99 |
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Ashton Drake Maria Sunday’s Finest Baby Girl Collectible Doll $50.00 |
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So Lovable Collectible Lifelike Baby Doll: So Truly Real By Ashton-Drake $110.98 |
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32-Inch Tall Collectible Girl Doll: Sprinkled In Pixie Dust Doll By Ashton-Drake $221.98 |
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3″ Pin Button Ashton Drake Gene Marshall Collection Mel Odom Doll Rare 2004 $5.00 |
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The Ashton-Drake “Marianne!” Porcelain Doll “Victorian Vanity Collection” $45.99 |
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Ashton Drake Collectible RETIRED Faith-Breast Cancer Awareness Doll – NIB NRFB $199.99 |
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Mel Odom’s Ashton-Drake Galleries Madra Turbulence collectible doll in oem box $85.00 |
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ADG ASHTON DRAKE 10″ EMMY EMMA SLEEPING DOLL LOOK REAL LOVEY TRULY COLLECTIBLE $89.99 |
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COLLECTABLE DOLLS – LEONARDO & CURZON boxed – ASHTON DRAKE – CHILTERN unboxed $15.79 |
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ASHTON DRAKE Acheron DARK HUNTERS Collectible Doll NEW $150.00 |
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ASHTON DRAKE GALLERIES KNOWLES COLLECTIBLE PORCELAIN DOLL LITTLE SHERLOCK NIB $195.00 |
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ASHTON DRAKE PREMIERE COLLECTION “SEMPER FI” DOLL-USMC-1ST EDITION-VHTF-RARE-MIB $127.46 |
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ASHTON DRAKE PREMIERE COLLECTION “BETSEY IN BUTTONS” RETIRED-MIB-RARE=VHTF DOLL! $127.46 |
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ASHTON DRAKE PREMIERE COLLECTION 1997 “ALLY” RETIRED 2000-MIB-RARE=VHTF DOLL!!!! $127.46 |
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Ashton Drake Little Miss Muffett Doll by Wendy Lawton Nursery Rhyme Collection $65.00 |
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Ashton Drake The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Collection Porcelain Dolls $150.00 |
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ASHTON DRAKE BENEATH THE MISTLETOE SNOWBABIES COLLECTIBLE DOLL $40.00 |
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ASHTON DRAKE FOLLOW THE LEADER SNOWBABIES COLLECTIBLE DOLL $65.00 |
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Fresh from the Patch Porcelain Baby Doll Ashton Drake Ultra Cute Collectible $49.45 |
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Hilary Porcelain Doll Dianna Effner Classic Collection Ashton Drake Complete COA $58.45 |
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Ashton-Drake Elizabeth 1900 Wedding Dress doll From This Day Foward Collection $69.95 |
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“PEANUT” DOLL BY ASHTON-DRAKE GALLERIES (MY HEART BELONGS TO DADDY COLLECTION) $40.00 |
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YOLANDA BELLO DOLLS ” AND TEDDY MAKES THREE” ASHTON DRAKE GRANDMA COLLECTION MNT $49.95 |
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American Classic Collection Rosemary 22″ tall porcelain doll & ashton drake doll $49.00 |
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ASHTON DRAKE Piglet doll 16 inches Disney Collection with patchwork blanket $71.10 |
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Linda Webb’s Sweet Dreams Emily Doll: So Truly Real Breathing Movement Baby Doll by Ashton Drake $179.99 This Adorable Breathing Baby Doll Is Sound Asleep! A Linda Webb Market First, Her Baby Emily “Breathes” As She Sleeps! – A peacefully sleeping baby is such a precious sight to see. Each breath a baby takes reminds us of a future filled with endless possibilities. Now you can cherish this tender moment in your arms with an exciting new version of the most popular So Truly Real(R) baby doll of all t… |
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Andrea Arcello Ashley Breathing Lifelike Baby Doll: So Truly Real by Ashton Drake $160.00 Exclusive Lifelike Baby Doll First! Every “Breath” from Baby Ashley is a Sweet Blessing! A Collectible Andrea Arcello Doll! – She’s a sweet little miracle you must see to believe! This lifelike baby doll is the very FIRST So Truly Real(TM) collectible vinyl doll that “breathes”! Just wait until you cradle her in your arms! Created by master doll artist Andrea Arcello, tiny baby Ashley’s gentle bre… |
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Waltraud Hanl Hush, Little Baby Collectible Lifelike Baby Girl Doll: So Truly Real by Ashton Drake $129.99 Collectible Lifelike Baby Girl Doll Breathes So Peacefully, So Truly Real(R)! An Exclusive by Doll Artist Waltraud Hanl! – Shh, you don’t want to wake this collectible lifelike baby girl doll. She’s so peaceful – and look! She’s breathing! In fact, if you place your hand against her little tummy, you can even feel it moving gently up and down. She’s the very picture of innocent dreams!This remarka… |
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Simons Laurens Baby Babu: 16 Collectible Orangutan Baby Doll by Ashton Drake $99.99 Echoing the expressiveness and beauty of one of the animal world’s cutest babies, Baby Babu is a lovable orangutan doll sized perfectly to be cuddled and loved! This So Truly Real® simian sweetheart is ready to be cradled in your arms, thanks to the unique artistry of Master Sculptor Simon Laurens. You’ll be amazed at how this artist has recreated every realistic feature in this orangutan baby do… |
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Modern Collectible Dolls: Identification & Value Guide, Vol. 4 $24.95 This fourth edition contains over 600 beautiful full color photographs and brand new listings and values. A companion to her first three volumes with no repeats, this hardcover book is filled with detailed information about each doll, including complete histories, sizes, dates, facts, and current values. Doll collectors will love this easy to use format with companies and their dolls arranged alph… |
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DOLLS MAGAZINE, VOL. 23, NO.3 (NEW FAVORITES OF 2004, TONNER, ALEXANDER, MIDDLETON, EFFANBEE, ASHTON DRAKE) APRIL 2004 COLLECTOR DOLLS… |
