Friday, January 26, 2007

Mattel Winkie/Monkey Update


Sit down for this one, it'll make your head spin. The reps can't seem to agree on anything. First the Winkie was to be a Walmart exclusive. Now some people have been told it's a KB Toys & Toys R Us exclusive. And someone else has been told the Winkie won't be an exclusive at all. And no definite release date, but possibly spring. Maybe there will be an announcement from Toy Fair next month.

This doll line has been particularly troubling for collectors. The Wizard of Oz dolls were originally slated for release in February 2007. Collectors were very surprised to learn the dolls had showed up at Walmart Super Centers in December. In addition to the surprise release, it was disappointing to learn the dolls wouldn't play music and dialogue from the movie. Now there are many conflicting reports about where the Winkie will be available. It sure seems an odd way to do business and retailers and customers have been very frustrated to say the least. It will be interesting to see in the coming months if this turns some retailers and consumers off of Mattel.

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Vandor


Hold on to your hats witch fans! Another great year for you guys!!! New cookie jar.



Also new are Glinda/Wicked Witch glasses, Dorothy/Toto glasses, Dorothy/Toto alarm clock and new mugs.

San Francisco Music Box


Some really great pieces this year and the last one I think is especially unique. Be sure to enlarge the photos to see more detail.

Wizard's Balloon $80.00




Emerald City Waterglobe




And now some stellar pieces to make the Wicked Witch fan happy.

Glinda/Wicked Witch Musical $60.00





Wicked Witch Dorothy Waterglobe $60.00



And now the best for last, the Wicked Witch Hat Waterglobe priced at $125.00 and it looks well worth the price!!!


For more detailed info and to reserve these pieces email Karen Owens at storylandmi@aol.com

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Kurt Adler 2007



Kurt Adler has some really neat stuff for this year!!

An 18" book shaped backdrop with four 7 1/2" figurines of Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion; for Christmas we have a new Glinda tree topper, a Wicked Witch of the East stocking, Glinda and Wicked Witch stringed lights, a set of glass ornaments, and a Steinbach Nutcracker of the Winkie Guard. Last we have a light up figurine of Dorothy and Glinda. For more detailed info, pics, and pricing info please see Karen Owens webpage linked below.

http://www.wizardofozland.com/adler.php

Monday, January 22, 2007

Figurines, Bobbles & Banks, Oh My!!!

New for 2007 from Westland Giftware

http://www.westlandgiftware.com/products/product_cat.php/subid=3819~page=0~start_num=0~full=20/index.html


This is the time of year collectible companies debut their new items and as far as Oz is concerned, they do not disappoint. Some really outstanding pieces coming. Stay tuned for news from Vandor, San Francisco Music Box, Lenox, and probably some surprises as well!

Friday, January 19, 2007

First look at Alexander 2007

Miss Gulch http://www.matildadolls.com/wizard_46355.htm

Sleepy Head Munchkin http://www.matildadolls.com/wizard_46350.htm

Munchkin Soldier http://www.matildadolls.com/wizard_46345.htm

Lollipop Munchkin http://www.matildadolls.com/wizard_45535.htm

Dress Up Set http://www.matildadolls.com/wizard_46365.htm

Elphaba http://www.matildadolls.com/hollywood_45910.htm

Glinda http://www.matildadolls.com/hollywood_45905.htm

I can not emphasize how THRILLED I am to finally see Wicked dolls. I was really pleased to see the waterglobe, but I'm just ecstatic about the dolls. I hope we'll see more from other companies in the future.

Thursday, January 18, 2007

Madame Alexander 2007


I got a sneak peek at the Alexander line which is due to be officially revealed tomorrow I believe. There are three new munchkins, a new Miss Gulch, adress up trunk for the 8 inch Wendy doll, and best of all two dolls based on the musical Wicked!!!! More tomorrow when things are official.

Saturday, January 13, 2007

Dorothy's New Dress From Tonner

Just a little tidbit I thought I'd mention .... I don't know if this is the case or not but it appears to me that the Picnic with Auntie Em outfit was inspired by a test dress for the Wizard of Oz film. The dress was started and may not have been entirely completed when it was decided Dorothy's shoes would change from silver to red. It's not a great pic, but here it is in the upper left of the page. A red jumper with white polka dots.
http://ritadubasdesign.com/wizardryofoz/oz_04.html

This dress can also be seen in The Judy Garland Collector's Guide by Edward Pardella.

I always thought it would be really neat for someone to do a series of Dorothy dolls based on the test dresses and hairstyles from early test photos. The Tonner dress is the next best thing! Dorothy aficionados like me might want to consider adding this to their collections.

Friday, January 12, 2007

Tonner 2007


The new doll introductions have begun and Tonner is off to a running start. The new dressed Wicked Witch is nothing short of AMAZING. The detail on the costuming, really incredible. The new blue Glinda isn't too shabby either. She's isn't something that would immediately stand out as an Oz doll but she's gorgeous nonetheless and Glinda's separate outfits are really beautiful. There's also a new Emerald City maiden this year. Without further ado........the 2007 Tonner Oz line:

http://www.tonnerdoll.com/wizofoz.htm

Tuesday, January 09, 2007

Wicked Snowglobe

Here are photos of the Wicked Defy Gravity Glitter Globe by Araca Exclusives. Again, it is available for $75 wherever Wicked is playing. Thanks to Clare Washington for taking the time to send the manufacturer info and the pictures. Very much appreciated!







Tuesday, January 02, 2007

Happy New Year!!!

For Oz collectors 2007 came early with some surprise releases.

Everything Oz Club member Alan Wise found the newly designed 8" Madame Alexander dolls. The storybook styled Tin Man, Scarecrow, and Cowardly Lion have been retired to make way for dolls that are styled after the MGM film. Dorothy's appearance remains much the same but she now has a plush Toto and she carries a pair of ruby slippers.



Pebz Zimmerman, also an Everything Oz Club member, found the Barbies had been released early at WalMart. Originally slated for February, collectors were excited to learn of the early release. The dolls were to play music and dialogue from the film, but it appears those plans have been scrapped. The Wicked Witch makes her first appearance in the Barbie line as does the forthcoming Winkie & flying monkey.



Many thanks to these sharp eyed Oz collectors for sharing the wonderful news.




A very cute set of teddy bears came out in December. I do not know what company made the bears, but they do resemble the plush bears made by Cuddle Factory.





There is now a Wicked musical snowglobe available wherever Wicked is playing. Priced at $75 Elphaba is Defying Gravity in the globe with her cape trailing beneath her. The base is a relief design of cogs and wheels with the Wicked logo.

Members of the Tonner Doll Club were treated to a sneak peek of the 2007 line including a new Glinda wearing a blue gown and she has matching blue hair!! She looks beautiful.

Dept. 56 recently announced their spring 2007 line-up. King of the Forest is the new addition to the Hot Properties Collection. New in the bejeweled boxes collection are Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, ruby slippers, and Toto.



More 2007 announcements are expected in the coming days and so far it's not a bad start to the new year!! Stay tuned!