Celebrity Dolls Through the Years

A trend since paper dolls began being created in the likeness of famous ballerinas in the 1840s, celebrity dolls of all kinds are popular collectors’ items. Toy makers including Mattel, Franklin Mint, Ideal and Madame Alexander have all created versions of their favorite starlets, models and historical figures over the years.   Founded in 1923,… Read more »

Get Ready for the 2015 Chicago Toy Show

  Calling all avid toy and doll collectors: One of our favorite events is almost here! The 42nd Annual Chicago Toy Show takes place on Sunday, October 25, 2015 and we couldn’t be more excited. With six buildings of the Kane County Fairgrounds filled with more than 600 exhibitors, the event is bursting with antiques,… Read more »

40 Years of R. John Wright Dolls

  From Winnie-the-Pooh to Kewpie and Beatrix Potter, R. John Wright has created a variety of classic dolls since the 1970s. With many pieces based on well-known children’s stories, these dolls are a beautifully crafted reminder of childhood memories. Founded by John Wright and his wife Susan, the company has focused on creating high-quality dolls… Read more »

A Brief History of Antique Dollhouses

  Dollhouses are timeless, beautiful reminders of childhood for many. These emotionally captivating structures are far more than simple toys to keep kids entertained; they’re historic and sentimental. Many people carry antique dollhouses into adulthood as a passion, and as a reminder of that which they hold so dear to their hearts. Yet some of… Read more »

A Brief History of Barbie

  No matter if you’re young or old, male or female, everyone knows Barbie. Barbie was – and still is – a classic doll that many young kids owned and even collected.   Barbie was created to prove that women always have choices. Generally speaking, Barbies have always had hundreds of clothing options, hairstyles and… Read more »

New Dolls for a New Generation

Every generation has their own style, language and even their own title. For example, everyone knows the generation born between 1946 and the early 1960s are the Baby Boomers, while those born between the early 1980s and the early 2000s are known as Millennials or Generation Y. Both of these generations have their own characteristics… Read more »

A Look at the Past of Steiff Bears

For more than a century, teddy bears have been a popular childhood toy, and even a lifelong keepsake. While many people know that the bears got their name from President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt, not as many know the unique history of one German woman and how her family’s designs would go on to impact lives… Read more »