Collectible Dolls
Collectible Dolls that make Great Gifts
People have been making and buying dolls for their children for thousands of years. The first dolls were modeled after the gods and were used as instructional aides. Years later, dolls became playthings for children of both sexes. They were made of primitive materials, often clay, wood, or fur. Unfortunately, few specimens have been recovered from the prehistoric period.
However, archeologists have uncovered dozens of dolls from ancient Egypt. Since most of them were found in graves or tombs, these dolls were well-preserved. Historians also remind us that whenever an Egyptian was buried with an item, it meant that it was a cherished or prized possession. These early Egyptian dolls were made of flat pieces of sanded wood that were often painted and decorated with hair. The hair was made of strings of wooden beads or strings of clay. The earliest of these dolls were found in tombs dating back to 2000 BC.
It was not until Greek and Roman times that dolls were made specifically for girls. They played with them for several years and then, when they were old enough, they offered them as gift to their favorite goddess. Most of the dolls that have been recovered from these periods were found in the graves of little girls.
But even in the most primitive dolls, historians have noticed a common theme. The focus of doll making, whether done by a parent or a professional, has always been to make the dolls as lifelike as possible. Dolls with removable clothes and moveable limbs that date back to 600 B.C. have been uncovered.
Centuries later, Europe became the hub of the doll making universe. In fact, dolls were so popular by the 16th and 17th century that, for the first time, there was such a thing as a professional doll maker. Of course, dolls were still made of wood, but the craftsmanship and attention to detail was beyond anything that had been produced in the past.
By the 19th century, a new material hit the scene. It was called porcelain, and it was made by firing special clays at extremely high temperatures. Of course, these dolls were not children’s playthings—they were quite fragile. Oftentimes, they were used as simple decorative pieces.
But the most important innovation in the history of doll making had nothing to do with a material—it had to do with the subject. Before the late nineteenth century, most dolls were made by and modeled after adults. But the famous French “bebe” doll of the 1880s depicted a much younger girl. After bebe dolls, almost all dolls were modeled after children.
In the later, lean years, rag dolls were a common and inexpensive gift mothers could make for their daughters. They were generally constructed of linen or cotton and they only took a few hours to make. More often than not, they were a little girl’s first toy.
And when those little girls grew up, many of them began collecting dolls as a hobby. One of the most respected doll makers in the country is the Franklin Mint. Known primarily for their coins (they are a mint, after all), the company has been producing limited edition dolls for adults for decades now.
Each doll is handcrafted by an experienced artisan, often from vinyl. The Franklin Mint calls them Portrait Dolls, because they are modeled after a famous picture of a fictional or historical figure. For example, the Scarlett O’Hara Final Farewell Vinyl Portrait Doll captures the moment when Scarlett utters her famous valediction, “After all, tomorrow is another day.”
These dolls are only available for sale while supplies last, and they typically sell out fast. After that, the doll is retired, i.e., it will never be offered again. Because the supply seldom meets the demand, many collectors are forced to purchase these dolls at higher prices on Internet auction sites or at estate sales.
What makes them so special? Aside from their rarity and fine craftsmanship, the dolls also capture a famous historical image. This makes them instantly recognizable and gives them sentimental value for collectors who are fans or admirers of the subject. Princess Diana, Marilyn Monroe, and Jackie Kennedy are perennial favorites.
One of the most exciting new dolls to be offer by the Franklin Mint in several years is the Michele Obama Official White House Portrait Doll. Shortly after her husband came to office, Mrs. Obama posed for an official portrait in the Blue Room of the White Office. The doll captures that historic moment, along with the poise, elegance and natural beauty of the First Lady. Fitted with a black dress, black pumps, stud earrings, and a faux pearl necklace, the doll stands exactly 16 ½ inches and is made of vinyl. The Franklin Mint limited the dolls to 9,900 worldwide.
The next time you’re looking for a great gift for either a deserving young woman or a doll collecting friend or relative, consider the impressive history of doll making and a few of these great dolls.
About the Author
Christian Ruelas is a freelance writer who writes about a variety of topics including shopping for collectible dolls
The Essence of a Zeta Collectible doll
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collectible porcelain dolls $0.99 |
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VINTAGE HUGABEE’S “HOPE” DOLL COLLECTIBLE 1975 $42.74 |
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Mimi Collection Eye Fixing Putty for Super Dollfie SD Luts MSD Obitsu Bjd Doll $7.15 |
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Soft Expressions Musical Doll Collectible $29.95 |
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Rosie Odonnell Doll Friend of Barbie Special Edition Collectible SEALED MIB NIP $2.99 |
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Mimi Collection Hujoo Baby Obitsu 11cm Body Bjd Doll School Step-in Shoes Black $6.22 |
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MINT CONDITION 1997 VICTORIAN PANSIES COLLECTION DOLL BY AMANDA STAR $11.99 |
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MINT CONDITION 1997 VICTORIAN PANSIES COLLECTION DOLL BY AMANDA STAR $11.99 |
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3 Lovely Coffee Cup Dollhouse Miniature,Barbie Doll Collectibles $5.99 |
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BARBIE CLASS OF 2002 SPECIAL EDITION COLLECTIBLE DOLL, NEVER REMOVED FROM BOX $19.99 |
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Taylor Swift Collectible Doll $15.99 |
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Ratpack Frank Sinatra Doll Old Blue Eyes Rat Pack xmas gift collectible figure $60.00 |
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3 Lovely Coffee Cup Dollhouse Miniature,Barbie Doll Collectibles $4.99 |
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6 Lovely Mix Dollhouse miniature Food,Tiny Food,Barbie and Ken Doll Collectibles $6.99 |
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Effanbee 11″ Doll BRIDE Joyous Collection MIB`89 RARE! $22.99 |
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20 Dollhouse Miniature Coca Cola Soda Bottles,Barbie Doll Collectibles $0.99 |
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BRAND NEW 2004 TROLLZ Doll – IT’S A HAIR THING – Dressed To Impress Collection $8.99 |
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100 Dollhouse Miniature Coca Cola Soda Bottles,Barbie Doll Collectibles $7.99 |
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5 Mix Cake Dollhouse miniature Food,Tiny Food,Barbie and Ken Doll Collectibles $5.99 |
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BARBIE Collectible Doll Fashion Silkstone Suite Retreat $79.99 |
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DOLLS (2) – EMERALD DOLL COLLECTION $9.99 |
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Lot of 4 Antique Collectible Dolls Oldies $45.00 |
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26″ Porcelain Collectible Doll $5.00 |
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Peach Blossom Collectible Porcelain Doll The Ashton-Drake Galleries $5.00 |
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House Of Loydd Lacy Dawn Collectible Porcelain Doll $5.00 |
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Paradise Galleries “Jack & Jill” Collectible Porcelain Doll $10.00 |
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House Of Loydd Tara Elizabeth Collectible Porcelain Doll $5.00 |
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Anne Geddes~ African american Baby Bunnies bean bag doll Collection $10.50 |
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Mattel Barbie Doll Tangerine Twist Fashion Savvy Collectible African American $14.99 |
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1995 Mattel Enchanted Seasons Collection ~Autumn Glory Barbie Doll ~NIB $19.99 |
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Baywatch 1998 Collectible CJ Parker Doll Pamela Anderson $28.99 |
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Large collection of BRATZ DOLLS and ACCESSORIES CLOTHES Boots Shoes etc $25.00 |
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ROSE COLLECTION 27” VICTORIAN PORCELAIN DOLL (RARE) $230.00 |
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Mimi Collection Obitsu 60cm Gretel MSD Hujoo Bjd Doll Long Bang 8″ Wig Blue $18.17 |
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Mimi Collection Super Dollfie SD13 Luts Boy 1/3 Doll Outfit Black Holes Shirt $18.36 |
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Uptown Chic 1994 Barbie Doll Classique Collection $29.00 |
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Victorian Rose Collection Porcelain Doll 27” Very (RARE) $230.00 |
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New ! 2011 Barbie Basics Doll Model 4 Collection 3 Black Label $19.99 |
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THE HAMILTON COLLECTION, NASCAR FAN DOLLS #94, BRITTANY AND BILLY $14.95 |
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BRINN’S COLLECTIBLE EDITION DOLL, ORIGINAL BOX AND CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY $7.95 |
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MATTEL”TAMMY IRIS”CABBAGE PATCH KIDS COLLECTIBLE 5″ BABY DOLL $10.00 |
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1999 CITY SEASONS COLLECTION: SPRING IN TOKYO BARBIE DOLL #19430 **NIB-NRFB** $30.00 |
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Lot of 2 Precious Moments Beatitudes Collection Cloth Dolls with Stands GUC $9.99 |
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Fashion Model Collection Barbie Palm Beach Coral Silkstone Doll ~ NUDE ~ $75.00 |
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Elvis Doll – 1st. In the Elvis Presley Collection * Barbie Friend * NRFB 1998 $24.99 |
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Bratz Collection- Redressed dolls in VGUC $7.99 |
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Camelot Collection Doll, “August”, 10 Inches Tall $3.99 |
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Dynasty Doll Collection (April) $20.00 |
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Vintage Ideal Posie Doll – 1950 – 1960’s – Great Collectible! $29.99 |
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Vintage Baby Dolls Lot Cry Wet Eat Doll Variety Collectibles $24.99 |
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Disney’s Classic Doll Collection-Mary Poppins-Mint in Box $19.99 |
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Little Miss Muffet from Storybook Doll Collection Danbury Mint 10 1/2″ with Box $9.99 |
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Connoisseur Doll (Collection by Seymour Mann) $3.99 |
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seymour mann collectible porcelain doll-Amber $55.00 |
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PAULA MEDICI PAULA COLLECTION PORCELAIN DOLL COA $12.99 |
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ROYALTON COLLECTION WANDA POLISH DOLL BOXED $9.95 |
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J. MISA COLLECTIBLE PORCELAIN DOLL GRADUATION DOLL, EXCELLENT CONDITION $4.99 |
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SEYMOUR MANN CONNOISSEUR COLLECTION PORCELAIN ESKIMO DOLL NICE $25.00 |
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Collectible Porcelain Dolls (13) (Once in a lifetime collection!) $19.99 |
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DYNASTY DOLL COLLECTION CIRCUS CLOWN (33) $50.00 |
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SUZANNE GIBSON – 18 INCH DOLL – KALICO KID COLLECTION – 1973 $3.99 |
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collectible mickeys baseball nesting dolls $15.95 |
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SEYMOUR MANN PORCELAIN ANGEL DOLL A CONNOISSEUR COLLECTION SEE MORE LISTED $30.00 |
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Collectible Doll from all countries (Bicentennial) $5.00 |
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VINTAGE 8″ MINIATURE COLLECTIBLE PORCELAIN BOY DOLL UNIQUE IN VELVET OUTFIT! $3.99 |
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Collectible dolls of all countries ( Ireland) $5.00 |
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Julie Good-Kruger collection: ‘Red Riding Hood’ all vinyl doll MIB $135.00 |
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Madeline Doll – Porcelain – Hamilton Collection – 1993 – Connie Walser Derek $38.00 |
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Vogue Doll Collection Clothing Pattern P619 MADRA Coat Dress Apron Scarf $4.99 |
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REDUCED Collectible Cabbage Patch Doll 1983 Coleco “Camila Debora” Komfy Kid $15.00 |
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Mop Doll Rag Doll with Wicker Chair Decor Collectible $9.49 |
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TRADITIONS DOLL COLLECTION “HOPE” NIB $8.99 |
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DYNASTY COLLECTION PORCELAIN DOLL MORE LISTED $25.00 |
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BARBIE DOLL SPECIAL COLLECTION BEAUTIFUL DINING ACCESSORIES NEW 1997 #18444 $19.99 |
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BARBIE DOLL SPECIAL COLLECTION BAKEWARE SET ACCESSORIES NEW 1997 #18298 $14.99 |
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BARBIE DOLL SPECIAL COLLECTION WEDDING SET ACCESSORIES NEW 1997 #18296 $14.99 |
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Royal Cathy Collection, Collectible Porcelain Doll, NIB $20.00 |
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Palmary Collection Three Hearts Red Head Pixie Doll $20.00 |
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wizard of oz barbie collectibles 4 inch dolls $5.99 |
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Months to Remember Porcelain Collectible Doll – September $1.99 |
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Collectible I Love Lucy Doll*New in box* $19.99 |
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Championship Skating Collectibles Katia Gordeeva 11 1/2 inch Fashion Doll. 1997 $7.99 |
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16″ Precious Butterfly Kisses Birthday Daddy Cake Girl Doll In Box Collectibles $46.85 |
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COLLECTIBLE ~~PART OF SPRINGFIELD COLLECTION—FIBRE CRAFT DOLL $16.99 |
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COLLECTIBLE ~~WALTER SCHNEIDER GMBH GERMANY DOLL $6.99 |
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COLLECTIBLE ~~UNEEDA DOLL~~2003 $5.99 |
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COLLECTIBLE ~~LIFE STYLE~~STEFFI LOVE~~SIMBA DOLL $5.99 |
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COLLECTIBLE ~~ 2007 MATTEL DOLL $6.99 |
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Baby Doll Vintage Old Collectible $4.99 |
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The Heritage Mint Collection Doll $2.99 |
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COLLECTIBLE ~~ PORCELAIN DOLL~~PINK DRESS $6.99 |
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Hamilton Doll Collection $25.00 |
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DanBury Mint Sunday Visit Porcelain Collectible Doll $50.00 |
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COLLECTIBLE ~~FRONTIER ELECTRONIC ~~DOLL $7.99 |
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Honey Porcelain Doll Michele R. Severino The Hamilton Collection $26.99 |
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64445 Mommy’s Little Helper 8″ Doll From The Americana Collection Alexander Doll $69.95 |
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64570 Enchanted Sleeping Beauty 10″ Doll from the Storyland Collection Alexander $119.49 |
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64510 With Love From Russia 8″ Doll from the International Collection Alexander $79.95 |
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64355 Louise Elisabeth Vigee LeBrun 10″ Doll The ALEXANDER Fashion Collection $119.99 |
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64375 Princess Sancia Of Naples Ltd Edition 10″ Doll From The Fashion Collection $139.49 |
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Kikkerland Babushka Pepper Mill $19.59 Red Babushka pepper grinderLooks like a traditional Russian nesting dollTurn head to grind and dispense pepperMade of beech woodMeasures 6-1/4-inches high by 2-1/4-inches diameter Spice up your table with this adorable Babushka pepper mill that looks like a traditional Russian nesting doll. Turn head to grind and dispense pepper. Made of beech wood…. |
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Wilton Merry Mermaid / Ariel? / Cake Pan (2105-6710, 1993) $25.00 The contouring of the pan outlines the form and provides a generous backing to hold the cake. Crafted of quality aluminum, this bakeware heats evenly and keeps interiors moist while allowing surfaces to gently brown. Lightweight yet durable, it also retains its shape and transfers detailing clearly to the food surface. When the party is over, the pan cleans easily so there’s less time spent in the… |
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Wilton Precious Pony ~ Horse ~ Unicorn Cake Pan (2105-2914, 1986) ~ Retired Collectible $69.99 The contouring of the pan outlines the form and provides a generous backing to hold the cake. Crafted of quality aluminum, this bakeware heats evenly and keeps interiors moist while allowing surfaces to gently brown. Lightweight yet durable, it also retains its shape and transfers detailing clearly to the food surface. When the party is over, the pan cleans easily so there’s less time spent in the… |
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Second Helping $2.43 No Description AvailableNo Track Information AvailableMedia Type: CDArtist: LYNYRD SKYNYRDTitle: SECOND HELPINGStreet Release Date: 11/04/1997… |
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AC/DC Action Figures 2-Pack (Angus Young & Brian Johnson) $25.99 A deluxe 2-pack of Angus Young and Brian Johnson from AC/DC recreating “For Those About to Rock.” Comes complete with guitar, microphone, and display stands for each figure!… |
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Leatherface-Texas Chainsaw Massacre-motion Activated 18 Inch Figure-mcfarlane $229.00 Todd McFarlane further indulges his creepy side with this eerie, life- like collectible Leatherface figure from the Texas Chainsaw Massacre blood-and-guts horror flick. Fans of the movie and McFarlane collectors will be tempted to put this one front and center in their collections. It’s scary to look at–really–but the detail is exquisite. If only the movie was as well made…. The weighty,… |
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Pinocchio (Two-Disc 70th Anniversary Platinum Edition Blu-ray/DVD Combo + BD Live) [Blu-ray] $35.99 Studio: Buena Vista Home Video Release Date: 03/10/2009… |
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Isaac Asimov’s Robots VCR Mystery Game [VHS] $11.57 … |
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French Can-Can [VHS] $59.99 French Cancan is quite possibly the greatest backstage movie ever. Paris, the 1880s: a natty, middle-aged nightclub impresario named Danglard (a sublime performance by French superstar Jean Gabin) is between engagements, and liaisons, at the moment. But he has a vision of reviving the cancan, the high-kicking dance that has fallen into disuse. He becomes convinced that he can lead this revival by … |
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Bruder Construction Toy Hard Hat $3.76 Knock-knock. This durable plastic hard hat is a big hit on the construction site. The brightly colored design is bold enough to stand alone as all-in-one dress up gear. Kids build hours of imaginative play with this classic must-have prop, featuring German craftsmanship. Why You’ll Love It: One yellow hat and — poof — your construction worker is good to go. Age: 3… |
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Traditions ‘Yolanda’ Collectible Doll $30.49 Collectible doll is a toy that will lastDoll exhibits super qualityToy doll crafted with the finest wigs, eyes with eyelashes and accessories |
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Traditions 20-inch ‘Amelia’ Collectible Doll $34.49 Collectible doll is a toy that will lastDoll exhibits super qualityToy doll crafted with the finest wigs, eyes with eyelashes and accessories |
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Traditions 20-inch ‘Jayden’ Collectible Doll $33.99 Collectible doll is a toy that will lastDoll exhibits super qualityToy doll crafted with the finest wigs, eyes with eyelashes and accessories |
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Traditions 20-inch ‘Bobby’ Collectible Doll $31.99 Collectible doll is a toy that will lastDoll exhibits super qualityToy doll crafted with the finest wigs, eyes with eyelashes and accessories |
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Traditions 20-inch ‘Molly’ Collectible Doll $32.99 Collectible Doll from traditional is a toy that will lastDoll exhibits super qualityToy doll crafted with the finest wigs, eyes with eyelashes and accessories |
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Rapunzel Princess Collectible Musical Doll $24.99 Wind up musical doll is a beautiful collectible item and exquisite giftHer lovely face and the music she plays will make you smile instantlyCollectible doll plays Brahms’ Lullaby while her head rocks |
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Princess and Frog Collectible Musical Doll $24.49 Wind up musical doll is a beautiful collectible item and exquisite giftHer lovely face and the music she plays will make you smile instantlyCollectible doll plays Tonight We Love while her head rocks |
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Fairy of Beauty Collectible Musical Doll $22.54 Wind-up Fairy of Beauty musical doll is a beautiful collectible itemDoll’s sweet face and the lovely music it plays will enchant youCollectible doll’s head rocks as it plays ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’ |
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Mermaid Collectible Musical Doll $25.99 Wind up musical doll is a beautiful collectible item and exquisite giftHer lovely face and the music she plays will make you smile instantlyCollectible doll plays Beautiful Sea while her head rocks |
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Tradition Collectible 22-inch ‘Cowgirl’ Porcelain Doll $33.49 Collectible doll is stylish, classy and feminine’Cowgirl’ porcelain doll from Tradition Collectible is a unique addition to your collectionDressed to the best and measuring 22 inches tall, doll is a pure delight |
