February 6, 1999
Greetings Accumulators!
An ugly day here in NYC - it doesn't know what it wants to do: rain, snow,
blow.
FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF JUST BECAUSE THEY'RE TINY DOESN'T MEAN THEY'RE CHEAP
From Harlem in New York City comes a report of the Madame Alexander factory
and its recent show of its latest dolls. The show was attended by fashion
editors, designers and famous models like Cindy Crawford. And what were
they ogling at Chez Madame? The outfits, of course! Madame's new line of
handcrafted plastic dolls sport couture ensembles designed by James
Purcell, Mary McFadden, Betsey Johnson and others. The price tag for all
this cuteness? $500 per doll.
AS IF YOU NEEDED ANY MORE NEWS ABOUT DOLLS DEPARTMENT
In its continuing scramble to drag its middle-aged star into a state of
hipness, the Mattel Company has announce that it will issue two distinct
new types of Barbie doll this year. Working Woman Barbie will come with a
business suit, a laptop computer and a cell phone. Generation Girl Barbie
hangs around with her pals, Anna, Chelsea et al, all of whom have body
piercings. You will also be able to buy Butterfly Art Barbie, who happens
to be tattooed. Jeez, grow up, Barb! Aren't you a little old for piercing
and tattooing? Why don't you just put your money into a tummy tuck or an
eye job, dump that no-good Ken (I mean how many years should it take for a
guy to propose?) and get on with your life?
WHAT'S WORSE THAN A HAIRBALL?
The High Museum of Art, Folk Art and Photography Galleries in Atlanta,
Georgia has mounted an exhibition entitled, "Dear Mr. Ripley". The exhibit
consists of the proof Robert Ripley maintained to back up the wild stories
he published in his syndicated cartoon strip, "Ripley's Believe It Or Not".
There are photographs, sworn affidavits, letters and other artifacts
including a Civil War slug. W.V. Meadows of West Point, Georgoa had been
shot in the eye at the Battle of Vicksburg on July 1863. Fifty-eight years
later, he suddenly coughed up the slug. Yuck - get the Kleenex, Ma! The
galleries, at 133 Peachtree Street, are open from 10AM to 5PM Monday
through Friday. Admission is free.
SON OF REPRODUCTION ALERT
Watch out for new sterling silver matchsafes and other novelties, like:
art nouveau-type belt buckles.
Russian icons
Lutted's Cough Drops log cabin glass display jar
Motion lamps
I wish I could say Artie and I were going antiquing this weekend,
Accumulators, but we have suffered the untimely demise of our scanner, a
piece of equipment without which I cannot survive, so we have to go
shopping for a new one. Maybe tomorrow. Have a great weekend,
Accumulators. Happy Hunting!
Best,
Judith
© 1999 Judith Katz-Schwartz. All rights reserved.
Antiques and Collectibles Newsletter #72
U.S. Library of Congress
ISSN 1520-4464
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