There are two things to remember when you are looking to buy dolls online - firstly, there's a difference between buying antique dolls and modern dolls online.

Modern dolls such as the the Barbie collection can be easily purchased online and generally are pretty durable to be sent through postal or direct delivery means. On the other hand, antique dolls can be a bit of a challenge if you're buying them online especially as they compass a long history and different types have there own uniqueness especially in the clothing department.

In recent years, buying dolls online over platforms such as Ebay has become extremely popular and the great thing to keep in mind is that while pricing will determine overall purchase, buying online has some big advantages than going to a physical outlet and making a purchase. The emphasis is on deals and dolls deals online are big business. More importantly, you as the buyer can be in a strong position to grab a great deal especially if you're following auctions.

There are basically two types of doll enthusiasts - those who revel in the enjoyment of enjoying eras gone by with antique doll collecting and those who are more modern orientated or people buying for kids.

Buying Antique Dolls Tips

Here's a few things to keep in mind when buying an antique doll. These tips can save you a lot of frustration.

#1. Because they are older there is always a concern that they may be hiding some issues. Things to look for include cracks which can put a dampener on your purchase. Especially look for hairline cracks.

#2. If you are buying the doll physically then ask that you can remove things like the hair so you can check beneath. Always remove the body or ask the seller to do it for you. This only makes sense because when you're looking at shelling out hundreds of dollars you want to make sure your purchase isn't flawed.

#3. Make sure the doll is original if that's what it has been advertised as. This can be difficult to check online and that's why buying through platforms such as Ebay are great in that you are protected in many areas from purchasing a dud.

#4. Also, buying the complete original doll and by complete we mean it has it's original clothing intact can be important. It depends how badly you want it but inexperienced collectors should be aware that replacing parts and clothing can be expensive. It's almost like buying new parts for a motor vehicle - they always seem to be priced over the top.

	American Girl Kirsten Doll & Paperback Book Sale Price: $170.00
	Kirsten® opens up a whole world of play with authentic styles from pioneer times: A calico dress and a striped apron Matching striped stockings covered by fancy pantalettes Soft, brown, lace-up boots Beautiful blond hair, braided and tied with ribbons Kirsten's 18-inch doll body is soft cloth; her head and limbs are smooth vinyl...

	Kirsten Mini Doll (American Girl) Sale Price: $14.93
	This adorable 6.5 inch mini-doll comes with a mini 3 inch abridged version of the Meet Kirsten book. Mini book is enclosed in plastic holder under the cover.

	American Girl Kirsten Doll Accessories - School Outfit Sale Price: $95.99

	"Kirsten's Slate Bag & Supplies" for 18" American Girl doll Sale Price: $189.95
	This Slate Bag & Supplies was made by the American Girl® Company for the 18" Kirsten doll. (doll NOT included). Included is a mini SLATE, CHALK, WIPER, brown calico slate BAG, tiny RULER, a mini English READER, and Rewards of Merit REPORT CARD...

	Doll Clothes for 18" American Girl Dolls - Scandanavian Blue Doll Dress Kirsten Sale Price: $9.99
	Doll dress sized perfectly to fit any American Girl Dolls from Kirsten to Laney. Scandanavian detailed dress. Beautifully detailed complete doll outfit designed and manufactured by us. The Queen's Treasures! Dress has Velcro closure.

	American Girl Kirsten Doll Boots and Socks Set Sale Price: $49.50
	Kirsten's outfits aren't complete without these black lace-up boots, striped stockings, and two pairs of socks.

	McCalls Crafts 3627 18" Doll Clothes Pattern Colonial/prarie Dresses, Nightgowns, Bonnet, Mop Caps Fits American Girl Dolls Like Addy, Kirsten, Felicity, Elizabeth, Samantha, Nellie! Sale Price: $5.59
	McCalls Crafts 3627 18" Doll Clothes Pattern Colonial/Prarie dresses, nightgowns, bonnet, mop caps Fits American Girl Dolls like Addy, Kirsten, Felicity, Elizabeth, Samantha, Nellie!

	American Girl Kirsten's doll bed (retired) Sale Price: $195.00

	American Girl Historical Dolls Sticker Pad Sale Price: $4.49
	Express yourself with these American Girl Crafts stickers! Sticker sheets feature 15 doll characters from ten historical periods: Julie & Ivy, Molly & Emily, Kit & Ruthie, Samantha & Nellie, Felicity & Elizabeth, Addy, Kirsten, Josefina, Kaya, and Rebecca...

	"Kirsten's Sari Doll" for 18" American Girl doll
	This Mini 5 inch Sari Rag Doll was made by the American Girl® Company for the 18" Kirsten Doll. (doll NOT included) Kirsten loves Sari, the RAG DOLL she brought all the way from Sweden. Sari's face is hand-stitched like the handmade dolls in Kirsten's time...

From the beginning, eBay's primary growth came from the

collectibles market. There are two basic models for eBay

sales:

1. Currently available consumers goods. This is a price-

driven model, and although smart sellers can earn above-

average prices, buyers are there looking for a bargain and

price is the #1 consideration.

2. Other buyers are collectors, looking for one-of-a-kind

unique items that they can't locate elsewhere. Here, price

isn't as important as it is with consumer goods. The power

of this market is obvious because, before eBay and the

Internet, most collectors were confined to a local market.

Dolls have always been big sellers as eBay collectibles and

eight of them are especially strong sellers:

1. The Cabbage Patch Kids began in 1978 and are never

"sold". They are 'born' at Babyland General Hospital in

Cleveland, Georgia and proud parents pay an 'adoption fee'.

The Cabbage Patch Kids were one of the greatest toy

phenomenons of the later 20th century. At one time, it was a

common sight to see grown women shopping and lunching with

their babies in hand. In restaurants, the Kids had their own

chairs and were always appropriately dressed for the

weather.

2. Precious Moments began in the early 1970s when creator

Sam Butcher began drawing the endearing teardrop-eye

children as gifts for family and friends. Today Sam's

Precious Moments artwork is among the most recognized in the

world, and eBay prices reflect this popularity.

3. Madame Alexander dolls were created in 1923. These

beloved dolls range from Charlie Brown to babies and

children to elegant dressed women to glamorous and famous

women like Greta Garbo and Judy Garland. With all the

varieties of costumes, a single doll can be a 1920s flapper

as easily as a member of the court of Louis XIV.

4. Lee Middleton dolls, according to legend, are so real in

appearance that grown men sent for a rescue squad to save

"the baby" from a locked car! Mistaken identity is

supposedly a frequent occurrence and the dolls have been

counted as "passengers" on airplanes and rescued from store

countertops to prevent the 'baby' from falling. As one happy

owner says, "These dolls are so lifelike it's uncanny."

5. American Girl dolls are loved by millions of little girls

(and grown ups, too!) They are not only from different times

and places, but are ethnically diverse: Felicity from

colonial Virginia; Josephina from the 1830's in New Mexico;

Kirsten is "a pioneer girl of strength and spirit growing up

in Minnesota in 1854"; Addy is alive in the 186o's, having

escaped from slavery with her mother; Samantha is "a bright

Victorian girl living with her wealthy grandmother in 1904";

Kit is growing up in 193os, during America's Great

Depression; Molly lives in the 1940's while her dad is away

at war; Kaya is a Nez Perce Indian living in the northwest.

6. Hasbro dolls are one of the products of the gigantic

Hasbro company, who claim to have been making toys for eight

generations, including famous games like Monopoly, Scrabble

and Clue.

7. Bratz dolls, unlike older dolls like Madame Alexander and

Cabbage Patch Kids, have no long history as favorite toys or

collectibles. Nevertheless, their price has astonished eBay

sellers and the Bratz collection was one of the 'super hits'

of the 2003 holiday season and sales have been strong ever

since.

8. And, no surprise, Barbie is the best-selling doll on

eBay. Since Mattel has recently announced that Ken and

Barbie will no longer be an "item", dolls from the 'good old

days' when the name "Barbie" was rarely heard without 'Ken',

will inevitably become more valuable.

Anyone who loves and understands the doll market, can do

very well selling dolls on eBay. They've been strong

sellers for the 10 years eBay has been in existence and are

almost certain to remain popular for years to come.

Learn how to sell on eBay with 16 hours of online instruction taught by a 10 year eBay veteran. Own an eBay business instead of an eBay hobby. http://www.auction-genius-course.com

Who else out there wants a Rebecca Rubin American Girl Doll?

I got my first American Girl Doll Molly when I was 6, and have been collecting ever since. Now I have Kirsten, Samantha, Josefina, Kaya, and Nellie as well. I was so excited when Rebecca Rubin came out, and now she is going to be one of my Christmas presents! I can't wait. =) I know I'm too old to play with dolls, but the American Girls are collectibles anyway. Who else feels the same way I do and wants a Rebecca Rubin doll?

It does not matter what age you are, if you are interested in something and like it, go for it. My daughter is 18 and has all the mini American Girl Dolls and all the books. She likes to learn about different times in history!!!

	Madame Alexander Baby Cuddles - 14 Inch Sale Price: $24.22
	Pretend play utilizes fantasy and imagination to help children learn about the world. As beautiful as they are, Play Alexander dolls are designed for a lifetime of play. This charming collection features dolls with cuddly fabric bodies with vinyl faces, hands and feet...

	"The most beautiful dolls ..." are made by Madame Alexander: Little Dolls Vol. 1

	Madame Alexander - The World's Most Beautiful Dolls 1988
	1988 Collection catalog

	Madame Alexander: The World's Most Beautiful Dolls 1984

	Madame Alexander Presents The World's Most Beautiful Dolls for 1987
	More of a booklet or catalog of 31 pages filled with beautiful photographs of Madame Alexander dolls..

	Madame Alexander Presents the World's Most Beautiful Dolls for 1986
	Illustrated with color photographs. Includes doll of Madame Alexander herself, as well as Storyland, International, Little Women, Beautiful Baby, Classics, Fine Art, Opera, Portrait, Gone with the Wind, and First Ladies dolls.

	Madame Alexander My Little Girl Bunny Hop Blanket Set Sale Price: $45.00
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	The World's Most Beautiful Dolls for 1983 by Madame Alexander Sale Price: $18.95

	The World's Most Beautiful Dolls for 1985 by Madame Alexander

	The Most Beautiful Dolls... Are Made By Madame Alexander

The Madame Alexander Doll Company made baby dolls throughout all the years. These dolls were often purchased by mothers for their children to play with while collecting the more elaborate expensive dolls for display. The Baby Dolls line have been primarily play dolls and have not increased in value as the other Madame Alexander dolls made in the same year. Of course there were exceptions, one of which was “Little Genius and Littlest Kitten.” Nonetheless, Madame Alexander could not have created any sort of doll that was not unique from all the rest.

Some of the beautiful play Baby Dolls created by the Madame Alexander Doll Company in the 1950Â’s and 1960Â’s included:

• Kathleen Toddler, 23”, produced in 1959 with rigid vinyl. The original dress was a cute little pink and white polka dot with white collar, white trim around the short sleeves with a sideways look from her eyes, just precious little baby doll. Mint in the box value today: $125.00 to $300.00

• Binnie, #1820, 18” produced in 1964, cute little blonde with blue eyes, fat cheeks, wearing a blue dress with white trim around collar, sleeves and bottom of dress and red appliqués around bottom of skirt and collar, just adorable little baby doll. Mint in box value today: $175.00 to $475.00

Creation of Brenda Starr

The Brenda Starr line of Madame Alexander Dolls was of a beautiful newspaper reporter in a comic strip. She was produced only in 1964 by the Madame Alexander Doll Company.

Brenda Starr stood 12 inches tall, had red rooted hair, blue sleep eyes, and pierced ears. She had vinyl arms and head, legs jointed at the knees, high heel feet, and a rigid plastic body. Window box sets were also created. These box sets included Brenda Starr dressed, with hairpieces, curlers, comb, etc. There were boxed outfits created and sold separately. The wardrobe available for Brenda Starr was dresses, evening gowns, beach wear, rain coat sets, and lingerie. Madame Alexander also created basic dolls wearing a chemise for sale.

The Brenda Starr doll became Yolanda in 1965. Yolanda has blonde hair and green eyes. She is shown in the 1965 catalog wearing a turquoise satin formal with sequin trim, as a bride in a ruffled lace grown, and also in a pink bouffant pleated tulle gown.

Some of the Brenda Starr doll line includes:

• #1030, Yolanda Bride, 12”, created in 1965. Mint in the box value is anywhere from $225.00 to $450.00

• Brenda Starr, 12” produced in 1964 in rainy day outfit, mint in the box value of $150.00 to $325.00

• #975, Brenda Starr, 12” Sheath dress with extra wig, comb set, mint in box value $175.00 to $475.00

• #900 Brenda Starr, 12” created in 1964, basic dolls, clothes sold separately, mint in box value $125.00 to $275.00

• Brenda Star, 12” produced in 1964 in the original organdy ball gown, mint in the box value $225.00 to $475.00

Important Disclaimer: Vintage Doll Collecting is not affiliated with the Madame Alexander Doll Company. We do not sell dolls on our site. This article and the web site do not promote the Madame Alexander Doll Company or any other Vintage Doll Company. We are an information and resource for the “would-be” doll collector or for those already collecting Vintage Dolls.

This article is FREE to publish with the resource box

© 2007 Connie Limon All Rights Reserved

Written by: Connie Limon. For more information about starting and maintaining a Vintage Doll Collection visit http://smalldogs2.com/VintageDollCollecting For a variety of FREE reprint articles as well as special sections in U.S. History and the Kennedy Administration visit http://www.camelotarticles.com

	Little Black Book Sale Price: $2.99

	Little Nikita Sale Price: $2.99

	Pretty Little Things: Collage Jewelry, Trinkets and Keepsakes Sale Price: $6.50
	With "Pretty Little Things", readers will find collage projects that exhibit a playful air and a sense of magic. Sally Jean Alexander's signature style brings new life to antique papers, vintage photographs, found projects, scavenged text, and more...

	A Little Bit Wicked (Last Man Standing, Book 1) Sale Price: $1.93
	Who will be the last unmarried man standing? No man in his right mind would want to get married, but every duke, earl, and viscount knows that a fellow must do his duty in the end. So four of London's most desirable gentlemen make a wager—the prize going to the one who remains unwed the longest...

	Madame Alexander Dolls My Little Girl Style Me Pretty Brunette, 14 Inch Sale Price: $21.95
	My Little Girl dolls capture all the charm of little girls. Each doll features a soft fabric body, vinyl arms and legs, and rooted hair for styling. Doll comes with hair accessories for fashion fun and a beautifully detailed outfit that can be removed for washing...

	A Big Hand for a Little Lady Sale Price: $2.99

	Alexander's Midnight Snack: A Little Elephants A B C Sale Price: $97.10
	A little elephant's midnight snack grows into a feast composed of a different food for each letter of the alphabet.

	Wicked Little Things Sale Price: $2.99

	Satan's Little Helper Sale Price: $2.99

	Lamar Alexander's Little Plaid Book: 311 Rules, Reminders, and Lessons About Running for Office and Making a Difference, Whether It's for President of the United States or President of yo Sale Price: $2.93

Where can I find a list of Madame Alexander Dolls, new and old?

I am looking for all "Little Women" Dolls by Madame Alexander.

http://www.someonespecial.com/cgi-bin/someone/alex9735.html

http://www.louisamayalcott.org/shop/shop_lwmerch.html

Little Alex aged 10

	Madame Alexander, 18" Too Cute In Boots, Favorite Friends Collection Sale Price: $32.16
	A cute match for your cutie! The Too Cute in Boots Doll is wearing a cute black and pink designed dress with a jean jacket pink and white stripped tights and pink cowboy boots. Brush and style her long curly hair to create awesome hairdos...

	Madame Alexander Collector's Dolls, 2nd Series Sale Price: $22.99

	Madame Alexander, 18" Playfully Pretty, Favorite Friends Collection Sale Price: $29.00
	3 years & up. Favorite Friends wear the trendiest outfits and love to play and pretend. Body is crafted from child-safe vinyl with full articulation at the neck, shoulders and hips for posing. Features eyes with eyelashes that open and close and rooted hair...

	Madame Alexander Dolls, 1965-1990 Sale Price: $16.50

	Madame Alexander Baby Cuddles - 14 Inch Sale Price: $24.22
	Pretend play utilizes fantasy and imagination to help children learn about the world. As beautiful as they are, Play Alexander dolls are designed for a lifetime of play. This charming collection features dolls with cuddly fabric bodies with vinyl faces, hands and feet...

	Madame Alexander 18" Spring Fling Dance - Favorite Friends Collection Sale Price: $33.36
	Introducing Madame Alexander's 18" play dolls dressed in the latest fashions. They have fun to style rooted hair and eyes with long lashes that open and close. Articulation at the neck, shoulders and hips allows for multiple poses...

	Collector's Encyclopedia of Madame Alexander Dolls 1948-1965 (Identification & Values (Collector Books)) Sale Price: $10.99
	Concentrating on Cissy, Lissy, Cissette, Alexander-Kins, Little Genius, and Elise, this book continues the theme of the late Patricia Smith's Encyclopedia of Madame Alexander Dolls, 1965-1990, which was a great seller for many years...

	Madame Alexander Dolls, 18" Party Perfect, Favorite Friends Collection Sale Price: $33.08
	Introducing Madame Alexander's 18" play dolls dressed in the latest fashions. They have fun to style rooted hair and eyes with long lashes that open and close. Articulation at the neck, shoulders and hips allows for multiple poses...

	Alexander Dolls Collector's Price Guide Sale Price: $2.98

	My First Baby Powder Pink - Madame Alexander Sale Price: $15.00
	This adorable little baby doll will intrigue your child's senses with her soft fabric body and hands, velvety outfit, and sweet vinyl face and hands. Crafted entirely of baby-safe materials, this My First Baby doll is washable and perfect for tiny hands to grasp on and pull...

Twilight and madame alexander?

okay i love collecting madame alexander dolls of my fave book characters and i was wondering if it would be a good idea if they made twilight madame alexander dolls. does anyone else agree w/ me?

It would be nice to have a miniature Edward as long as he looks just like Stephenie Meyer describes him not like Robert pattinson

	Madame Alexander Cissy Bouquet & Shadow Doll Sale Price: $69.99
	SmartBargains Style #5040597448

	Madame Alexander Dolls Femme Fatale, 10", The Definitive Collection - The Ingenues Limited Edition - 350 Piece Sale Price: $35.00
	Arte Exquisite Collection introducing a spectacular new limited edition collection featuring 10" ball-jointed dolls with unique expressive hand-painted eyes and exquisite design. The collection is inspired by classic haute couture from years past.

	85th Anniversary Cissy 48295 Madame Alexander Doll Sale Price: $595.95
	85th Anniversary Cissy is both glamorous and dramatic. This gorgeous Cissy who has an ivory bob and captivating blue eyes that are shadowed with shades of white, black and grey will take focus when she walks into any room...

	Collector's Encyclopedia of Madame Alexander Dolls 1948-1965 (Identification & Values (Collector Books)) Sale Price: $10.99
	Concentrating on Cissy, Lissy, Cissette, Alexander-Kins, Little Genius, and Elise, this book continues the theme of the late Patricia Smith's Encyclopedia of Madame Alexander Dolls, 1965-1990, which was a great seller for many years...

	Madame Alexander Sight to See Coquette Cissy Doll Sale Price: $59.95
	Beautiful 10" Madame Alexander Sight to See Coquette Cissy. Articulated body and painted eyes. Includes beaded yellow gown, earrings and necklace.

	Madame Alexander Dolls Inch1920'S Cissette Trunk Set Inch Which Includes 10 Inch 50Th Anniversary Cissette Doll With Wooden Trunk And Flapper Style Accessories. Sale Price: $198.95

	Madame Alexander a Fashionable Life Cissy Sale Price: $199.95
	A Fashionable Life Cissy Madame Alexander 50040 wears a gray with red pinstripes wool suit. Her short jacket features brown faux fur trim at the shoulders and on the cuffs along with burgundy satin ribbon...

	Shine 2007 Rockette Cissy , Limited Edition 100 pieces, 21, Radio City Rockettes Collection Sale Price: $299.00

	Madame Alexander Dolls 10" Boutique Shadow Cissette Couture Series Limited Edition Doll - Closet Full Of Couture Sale Price: $149.95
	The Boutique Shadow Cissette Collection - Some of this year's Cissette Collection honors the famous faces that have graced the covers of past Madame Alexander catalogs. Each outfit is a stunning recreation of haute couture fashions created for the limited edition Cissy Boutique Series.

	Madame Alexander Dolls 10" Boutique Shadow Cissette Couture Series Limited Edition Doll - Heiress Elegance Sale Price: $88.95
	The Boutique Shadow Cissette Collection - Some of this year's Cissette Collection honors the famous faces that have graced the covers of past Madame Alexander catalogs. Each outfit is a stunning recreation of haute couture fashions created for the limited edition Cissy Boutique Series.

Anybody know where I can find value of Madame Alexander dolls ? Opportunity to buy some,but not sure of worth.?

There are 3 dolls, are in very nice shape and in the boxes. I looked on eBay to get an idea, but there are none there like these. They are "Eloise's Tea Party Trunk Set" "Cairo Cissy" and "Rome Cissy" A lot of accessories,too. Any help ? Thanks.

Cissy dolls are very expensive, and very collectible.
google the individual dolls and see what they are selling for.
The advice for trying Ebay finished auctions are good as well.
The prices will be lower due to the economy, in a few years the
doll prices will go up. Dolls have been fairly good collectibles for
a hundred years.

	McDonalds 2010 Madame Alexander Hansel & Gretel (Hansel Doll) #6 Sale Price: $0.04
	Adorable HANSEL New with MINT Tags! Wearing a green and white outfit with matching hat.

	#2 GLINDA THE GOOD WITCH 2007 HAPPY MEAL Wizard of Oz MADAME ALEXANDER DOLL MCDONALD'S Sale Price: $3.99
	BRAND NEW IN ORIGINAL SEALED PACKAGE McDonald's Happy Meal Doll #2 GLINDA THE GOOD WITCH by Madame Alexander. 5 inches tall with go-to-sleep eyes.

	Madame Alexander The Wizard of Oz Lillipop Munchkin 11 of 12 Sale Price: $3.95
	McDonalds Happy Meals Toys from the Wizard of Oz (Year 2008).

	2008 McDonalds Madame Alexander Wizard of Oz Doll #7 Tin Man Sale Price: $4.49
	2008 McDonalds Madame Alexander Wizard of Oz Dolls were designed as 4 1/2 inch mini plastic dolls and are replicas of dolls from the past and present Madame Alexander Wizard of Oz Collection.

	Madame Alexander Doll - Halloween Pumpkin Costume - McDonald's 2003 #05 Sale Price: $3.25
	Madame Alexander Doll - Halloween Pumpkin Costume - McDonald's Happy Meal Promo Toy 2003 #5

	McDonalds 2010 Madame Alexander Cinderella Doll #2 Sale Price: $0.86
	Lovely Cinderella with her crown, waiting for her Price Charming

	Madame Alexander Wizard of Oz Hollywood Collection Doll - Dorothy 8" Sale Price: $35.00
	Madame Alexander, one of the most well-known names in collector dolls, brings you the timeless Wizard of Oz series. Made of the highest quality materials, this stunning doll portrays Dorothy, a Kansas girl on a quest to meet the fabled Wizard...

	2010 Gretel Madame Alexander Storybook Doll McDonalds Happy Meal Toy #5 Sale Price: $4.99

	Madame Alexander The Wizard of Oz Scarecrow 8 of 12 Sale Price: $4.20
	McDonalds Happy Meals Toys from the Wizard of Oz (Year 2008).

	Madame Alexander Doll - Halloween Leopard Costume - McDonald's 2003 #06 Sale Price: $2.96
	Madame Alexander Doll - Halloween Leopard Costume - McDonald's Happy Meal Promo Toy 2003 #6

Many children are counting the remaining days of school and many parents are wondering how they will keep their children busy for two and a half months. Having structured, educational, and safe activities can keep children engaged as well as very entertained. While sending children to day camps or overnight camps may be costly for many families' budgets, there are many other fun-filled activities to keep their minds occupied.

Start a journal

Have the children start a journal for the summer. They can record daily activities or just write down their thoughts and feelings. This will keep them writing all summer long.

Start a collection

Being a "collector" is part of growing up. Have your child start a new collection over the summer. Ideas for collections would be: pop bottle lids, key chains, neat rocks, or shells.

Host a neighborhood Olympics

Gather the neighborhood children around for a morning of fun and laughter. Organize different games such as the 3-legged race or a jump rope contest. Enter as individuals or as a family. Give out replica medals to the winners.

Have the kids make dinner

Have your children make the menu for dinner, then take them to the store and buy the ingredients, and help them prepare dinner. This could be a great learning experience while you teach your children about measuring and the do's and don'ts of cooking.

Make a time capsule

Capture the moment! Have your child find a shoebox and include memorabilia from this summer. Include pictures, menus to show prices, favorite toys, and letters to the future. Mark "Don't open until the year 2015" on the box and decorate the outside.

Make a collage

Have your children find different little items in their room that represent themselves and glue the items on an unused Styrofoam meat tray. McDonald's toys, colored rocks, or other objects of interest would be great to use. Make sure to tell them to write their name in bright colored markers somewhere on the tray.

Take a field trip to China

Visit China by going to http://www.chinavista.com/travel/virtualtours.html Take a virtual tour by perusing through the photos and engage in reading about China. Follow-up by preparing rice and eating with chopsticks. Read the book Lon Po Po (the Chinese version of Little Red Riding Hood) and compare and contrast the two books. Go to http://chineseculture.about.com/library/name/blname.htm and see how your name is written in Chinese.

Have a post card scavenger hunt

Write a letter to friends or family members around the country. Ask them to send a postcard from their city or town. See how many postcards you can collect.

Have a camp out

Go camping in your own back yard! Pitch a tent, tell campfire stories, and even build a small fire if at all possible. Don't forget the marshmallows, chocolate bars, and graham crackers. Invite neighborhood friends for added fun.

Join a library summer reading program

Pittsburg Public Library has a summer reading program just for kids. This is free-of-charge and offers incentives for reading books. In addition, they offer a story hour where young kids listen to stories and make crafts.

Go on a nature hike

There are many different places where you can take your kids on a nature hike and you don't even have to travel very far! Wilderness Park in Frontenac, Kansas has a beautiful nature trail that can be enjoyed by your family. For the families that have an infant or a toddler that wouldn't be able to walk the entire trail, this is for you, too. The trail is very stroller friendly.

Go on a picnic

Going on a picnic can be a lot of fun for the entire family. Picking a park that has equipment or a lake would add more to do for the kids. Bring along the fishing poles and worms!

Visit the local museum

Visiting the Crawford County Historical Museum can be a very educational field trip for the kids. Put together a scavenger hunt and have them find various artifacts throughout the tour.

This is just a beginning of what you can do with your children over the summer. It is very important to keep them learning throughout the summer. As we all know, learning can be fun!

Angela Martino-Lewis

McDonalds Madame Alexander Dolls?

I am trying to collect these for my 1 year old daughter, just b/c they are adorable! Do they do them in any certain order? I notice different stores have different dolls on the same day. I have all but Dorothy and Glenda. I will try to get them, but I always have Ebay as a last resort.

I just finished my set today!!!! I have found that if you ask them what they have they will tell you. I went to 2 or 3 different places in my neighborhood and got each one without duplicating. You can also ask about just buying additional toys when you get a food item. I have to say that I don't like a few of them. The munchkin, Glinda, and Witch of the East didn't seem as nice as the others.
GOOD LUCK

	Madame Alexander Dolls Inch1920'S Cissette Trunk Set Inch Which Includes 10 Inch 50Th Anniversary Cissette Doll With Wooden Trunk And Flapper Style Accessories. Sale Price: $198.95

	Elegant Wrapings Cissette 10'' Madam Alexander Sale Price: $49.00
	10'' Madame Alexander Doll Elegant Wrapping is new and has never been removed from the box . She comes from a smoke free doll shop.

	Little Black Dress Cissette Trunk Set by Madame Alexander Sale Price: $95.00
	Little Black Dress Cissette Trunk set if new and has never been taken out of the box. It is a 10'' Cissette Doll and she comes with an extra outfit and tons of accessories such as jewelry and purses. She comes from our smoke free doll shop

Cissette: A Collectors Guide to the Vintage Alexander Dolls Sale Price: $31.43

Published in celebration of Cissette s fiftieth anniversary, this is the first book ever devoted to the Alexander Doll Company s 10-inch debutante doll. Longtime collector and expert Marjorie Merod has photographed her renowned collection of mint vintage dolls and accessories to match the photos in the Alexander Doll Company s original brochures and catalogs that introduced the doll during each year of her production, from 1957-1963...

	Madame Alexander Picking Bouquets Cissette Sale Price: $79.99
	Picking Bouquets Cissette is a 10" dressed doll with a bent knee. Cissette wears a navy dress with a white underskirt and a white shawl. Completing her outfit is a straw hat adorned with flowers. Picking Bouquets Cissette is a part of the Vintage Alexander collection and is a limited edition of 750 pieces.

	Vintage Accents Cissette 10'' Madame Alexander Doll Sale Price: $49.00
	Madame Alexander 10'' Doll Vintage Accents Cissette is new and has never been removed from her box. She comes from our smoke free doll shop.

	Madame Alexander Dolls 10" Cissette's 50Th Anniversary Doll - 50Th Anniversary Cissette Sale Price: $89.99

	Madame Alexander Dolls 10" Boutique Shadow Cissette Couture Series Limited Edition Doll - Cissy Boutique Sale Price: $79.00

	Madame Alexander Dolls 10" Boutique Shadow Cissette Couture Series Limited Edition Doll - Closet Full Of Couture Sale Price: $149.95
	The Boutique Shadow Cissette Collection - Some of this year's Cissette Collection honors the famous faces that have graced the covers of past Madame Alexander catalogs. Each outfit is a stunning recreation of haute couture fashions created for the limited edition Cissy Boutique Series.

	Madame Alexander Dolls 10" Boutique Shadow Cissette Couture Series Limited Edition Doll - Heiress Elegance Sale Price: $88.95
	The Boutique Shadow Cissette Collection - Some of this year's Cissette Collection honors the famous faces that have graced the covers of past Madame Alexander catalogs. Each outfit is a stunning recreation of haute couture fashions created for the limited edition Cissy Boutique Series.

The Madame Alexander Doll Company first began in 1923. Madame Beatrice Alexander and her husband, Phillip Behrman together formed the company.

Beatrice Alexander born March 9, 1895 in Brooklyn, New York was the daughter of Maurice Alexander. Maurice Alexander owned the first doll hospital in America. In his doll hospital he repaired antiques and restored porcelain and bisque dolls. Beatrice witnessed many times how upset children were when their favorite doll broke. This may account for why Ms. AlexanderÂ’s earliest dolls were all made of cloth, which would not break when dropped by the fragile hands of a child.

By the 1930s, the Madame Alexander Doll Company was making high quality composition dolls. The dolls were not easily broken. The costumes designed for the dolls were of the finest materials and with explicit details. The Madame Alexander Doll Company survived during some very difficult economic times. Their survival was probably due mostly to MadameÂ’s creativity and her non stop wish to make absolutely breathtakingly, beautiful dolls. She certainly accomplished this goal many times. Many of the vintage dolls created between the years of 1948 and 1965 are now worth anywhere from $300 to $2,500.

In 1954, eight Bible Characters were made, which are now considered to be the rarest of the 8” Madame Alexander dolls. The Bible Characters were made in extremely limited numbers. There is no information available to know exactly how many of these 8” Bible Characters were actually made. One of the first advertisement for the dolls appeared in a black and white Herald House in 1954.

Most of the Bible Characters were straight leg walkers. There were a few known to be straight leg non-walkers. They all have black eyes with no pupils except for Queen Esther who has dark brown eyes with no pupils. A Bible Character from this series today in mint condition is worth $4,500.00 to $10,000 each. The set includes:

• Joseph

• Rhoda

• Queen Esther

• Martha

• David

• Mary of Bethany

• Ruth

• Timothy

Madame Alexander was awarded the “Fashion Academy Gold Medal in 1951, 1952, 1953 and 1954 for the fashions designed for her dolls. The 1950s are referred to as the “golden era” of the Alexander Doll Company. These were the years the famous dolls of Cissy, Cissette, and Wendy were introduced and remain a major part of the Alexander Company line today. The Madame Alexander dolls made during the years of 1948 and 1965 are the some of the most sought after and expensive of all dolls.

The Madame Alexander Doll Company was sold to private investors in the year of 1988. It has been located at the same location in New York City since the 1950s. On 615 West 131st Street, you will find the showroom of the current Alexander line, the Heritage Gallery of vintage Alexander dolls, the Alexander Doll Hospital, and the factory store.

Some rare and most sought after dolls of the 1950s “golden era,” include:

• 1953 – 1954: Little Madaline, 8”, (Wendy Ann), in mint condition a value of $900 to $1,600

• 1954: Victoria 8”, Me and My Shadow Series, Blue taffeta dress, mint in box value of $1,3000 to $2,400

• 1954: Mary Louise, 8”, (Wendy Ann), Me and My Shadow Series, Godey period costume, mint in box, value of $1,500 to $2,400.

The above dolls and the eight Bible Characters is only a teeny, tiny portion of the rare and most sought after dolls made during the “golden era” period. They are all made with exquisite and detailed costumes, such beautiful little dolls, are the collections of the Madame Alexander Dolls. Please visit our website for more information about Vintage Dolls. We do not sell dolls on the website.

Disclaimer: Vintage Doll Collecting is not associated with the Madame Alexander Company. This article is for educational purposes only. We do not promote or sell the Madame Alexander Dolls or any other collector doll on our web site. Our website is designed to help the collector learn more about how to start collecting and maintain Vintage Doll collections of all kinds.

This article is FREE to publish with the resource box

© 2007 Connie Limon All Rights Reserved

Written by: Connie Limon. For more information about starting and maintaining a Vintage Doll Collection visit http://smalldogs2.com/VintageDollCollecting For a variety of FREE reprint articles as well as special sections in U.S. History and the Kennedy Administration visit http://www.camelotarticles.com

	Magnetic Doll House Coll Tin Sale Price: $9.89
	Great for home or on the go.

	Tomart's Price Guide to Tin Litho Doll Houses and Plastic Doll House Furniture Sale Price: $11.94

	Tin House (The Secret lLfe of the Lonely Doll, Volume 1 Number 2) Sale Price: $11.23

	New Fiction From Richard Ford, Mary Gaitskill, and Jim Shepard Plus We "Love" Bill Murray and Paper Dolls (Tin House, volume 3, number 1) Sale Price: $14.95
	9" x 7" x 5/8" - 244 pages - the title tells it all

	Hallmark Keepsake Ornament - Farm House Pressed Tin - First in Collectors Series 1999 (QX6439) Sale Price: $9.00
	This series is dedicated to everyone who lives in, dreams of, or vacations in rural or small-town America.

	Tomarts Price Guide to Tin Litho Doll Houses and Plastic Doll House Furniture - 1997 publication.

	Magnetic Doll House Playset by Smethport Sale Price: $14.99
	Includes 37-Magnets and 4-Different Play Scenes

	Barbie Hollywood Legends Collection Ken as the Tin Man in The Wizard Of Oz Sale Price: $17.75
	Wait until you see Ken as the lovable Tin Man in this wonderful recreation from everyone's favorite movie. He wears a metallic-looking, silvery ensemble that even has rivets accenting all his joints. He has a poseable body and comes with an oil can, ax and even a red heart-shaped "clock" (just like the one the Wizard gave him in the movie)...

	DOLL COLLECTOR'S PRICE GUIDE magazine Full Year 1994 Volume 4 No. 1 - No. 4 (Start your own doll business, Ponytail & Bubblecut Barbies, Collecting Artist Dolls, Ellen Turner's Cloth Dolls, Cloth Doll Companies from A to Z, Fabric Care, Tin Marx Dollhouse, Barbie Dolls, Disneyana, Out Of Print)

	6 In. Rust Tin Wheelbarrow Sale Price: $5.49

Where can I find all the Madame Alexander Dolls of the Wizard of Oz for a descent price?

Im looking for a site where i can find all of these characters.
The Coroner
The Cowardly Lion
Dorothy and Munchkin land Set
Mayor of Munchkin Land
O.E.O guard
Scarecrow
Tin Man
The Wizard of Oz house Trunk
The Wicked Witch of the West
Glinda the Good Witch
Wicked With of the East
Miss Gulch

I think your best bet would be ebay. I have often seen these on
that auction site. Look under dolls & then narrow it down to Madame Alexander. Good Luck

Bent knee walker moves the head from side to side so as she can walk, she has a rod that runs into the head. The bent knee just will bend at the knees to sit.

The bent knees and walkers are much more valuable that the straight leg madames. On ebay they are called BKW and BK if you search

Hope this helps and have a great day

I updated the codes I guess I thought Knee started with a n, dumb me!!!

Let me know if you need anything else

	The bent-knee time; a bit for every day of the year Sale Price: $14.68
	This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process...

	Bent Knee: Poetic Reflections Sale Price: $4.51

	Cure of Club Foot, Bent Knee, Wry Neck, Spinal and Other Deformities Sale Price: $9.10
	This is an OCR edition without illustrations or index. It may have numerous typos or missing text. However, purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original rare book from GeneralBooksClub.com...

	The bent-knee time;: A bit for every day of the year, by Gordon, Samuel Dickey

	Cure Of Club-Foot, Bent Knee, Wry-Neck, Spinal, And Other Deformities: With Remarks On The Late Progress Of Art And On The Necessity Of A Public Institution (1839) Sale Price: $23.26
	This book is a facsimile reprint and may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages.

	Bent Knees & Rolled Up Sleeves Sale Price: $6.90
	Nehemiah's story is a fascinating account of the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem more than two millenia ago. But it still provides us with critical lessons in leadership today.

	The bent-knee time; a bit for every day of the year

	The Bent-Knee Time; A Bit for Every Day of the Year Sale Price: $19.99
	Publisher: Philadelphia, American Sunday-school union Publication date: 1918 Subjects: Bible Notes: This is an OCR reprint. There may be typos or missing text. There are no illustrations or indexes...

	Twisted legs, bent knees call for "orthopedic psychotherapy'.(Musculoskeletal Disorders): An article from: Family Practice News Sale Price: $9.95
	This digital document is an article from Family Practice News, published by International Medical News Group on October 15, 2008. The length of the article is 675 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page...

	The Bent Knee Time: A Help for Every Day of the Year