2002 has been an incredible year for the Robert Tonner Doll Company.  Most of the company's 2002 lines of dolls have been highly praised by collectors and retailers, and there have already been many sell-outs throughout the line, although the year is just barely half over.  Below, we'll take an in-depth look at this year's collection, some possible reasons behind its popularity, and some of the beautiful and highly anticipated mid-year releases that have just been announced.   

Ingredients of Success for the 2002 Lines

Fashion Sense & Attention To Detail

Its well recognized that Tonner's doll clothing is on the cutting-edge of fashion, whether its the fashion of the 1950s (Kitty Collier) or 2002 (Tyler Wentworth)  But....the extra-special something of the Tonner clothing is MORE than just the fine fashion sense of the clothing, which stems from Tonner's background in the fashion industry.  Tonner's success in 2002 comes from a combination of the fashions AND the detailed manner in which the fashions are presented.  For certain dolls and outfits you'll find the perfect hat--whether its the cowboy hat for "Down On The Ranch" Tiny Betsy, or the hat on Tyler's "Soir de Fete."  There is beautiful jewelry for certain dolls and outfits, and even specially-made knits for outfits such as Madison Avenue (gift set) and Lake Shore Drive (outfit).  For Tonner's Ready-To-Wear line, each doll is presented to represent a season, and the makeup for each doll has colors chosen to emphasize the theme. 

Limited

Collectors agree that one of the nicest things about the Tonner line is that many of the dolls are very limited--you don't see the dolls that you collect in stores for several years in a row.  Many of Tonner's Tyler Wentworth, Kitty Collier, and Betsy McCall items for 2002 are done in editions of UNDER 2,000 dolls--often, in editions as small as 500 or 1000.  This helps keep demand for the dolls high, and it keeps prices stabilized on the secondary market (although, overall, secondary market prices for large fashion dolls are depressed in 2002).  Some collectors DO complain because this makes it more difficult for them to find and purchase their picks from the line, but, overall, having a limited line benefits collectors AND helps create excitement about the line.  This year, several items including Sheer Glamour Sydney, Urban Sport Esme and Florentine Tyler are sell-outs already; the Ready-To-Wear dolls and the Tyler Wardrobe trunks were so over-sold that a second production run was planned for these items mid-year (when, originally, only one run was scheduled). And...those items aren't even officially limited!

Response to Collector and Retailer Input

The Robert Tonner Doll Company is extremely responsive to input from their collectors and retailers.  This year, collectors and retailers were thrilled to see the lower-priced Ready To Wear dolls, something they have been hoping for in the past few years.  Also, Sydney Chase has proven very popular, and the Robert Tonner Doll Company has paid attention to this, with no fewer than THREE new Sydney's being created for mid-year.  And, fine, detailed  wardrobe cases are an item that many fashion doll collectors have BEGGED every manufacturer of fashion dolls in sight to produce for years---Robert Tonner Doll Company is the only company that bothered to listen, with its introduction of two styles of detailed and elegant wardrobe cases for Tyler in 2002.  The Tiny Betsy line has also been expanded, including some charming gift sets, which has thrilled collectors who received the first Tiny Betsy collection with open arms.

Variety:  From 50s Nostalgia to Cutting-Edge Fashion

Whether you love the fashions of the 1950s or the fashions of today, or whether your heart is with little girl dolls or lady dolls, there is something for you in the 2002 line.  Most dolls in the line have clothing from more than one era--even ultra-modern Tyler has her Theatre de la Mode collection focusing on fashions from the past.  Kitty has both modern and vintage-look outfits.  Collectors can also choose dolls and outfits from ultra-casual (New England Excursion for Tyler; Leaf Peeper outfit for `4" Betsy) to ultra-dressy (Florentine; Rose Cotillion for Tiny Betsy) and each line of dolls offers a variety of hair and makeup colors.  There is even furniture in the Tyler (drafting table) and Mary Englebreit lines (table and chairs, bed) lines to further enhance the collecting experience and display of the dolls.

Price-Consciousness

I know many of you at this point are thinking "Price Consciousness?  Tonner dolls are really expensive!."  Well... sure, some of the more luxurious and very limited dolls retail at close to $200, BUT....look at all the fantastic dolls that are in the line for under $50!  You can have a Tyler Wentworth Ready-To-Wear doll for under $50, or a dressed Betsy, or a dressed Ann Estelle.  Several outfits are available for under $50 in the Tyler line, and most of the outfits in the Betsy McCall line are half of that.  This gives the collector on a budget a chance to own one of these dolls, and a chance to slowly build a wardrobe for it.  Many collectors simply buy a basic Tyler or Kitty, and then can purchase patterns and create their own wardrobes!  This versatility in price--a price point for collectors at all levels--has certainly widened the appeal of the dolls in 2002 (this is the first year that the Tyler Wentworth Ready To Wear dolls have been in the collection).

The Collections

Tyler Wentworth

Its been an incredible year for the Tyler Wentworth collection.  This year, the new characters Sydney and Mei Li have been successfully integrated into the line; in fact, Sydney is a run-away success with Sydney dolls in short supply and prices on eBay often several times retail for these dolls.  The Ready-To-Wear line has proven so successful that a second run of the 4 Tyler dolls is planned.  And, as mentioned above, there are many sell-outs throughout the line.  The mid-year releases include Ready-To-Wear Mei Li, Esme and Sydney dolls (sold in the same basic lingerie, for $49.99, as the Ready-To-Wear Tylers; pictured), a new outfit, "Bal Harbour" (great mix-and-match beach wear, limited to 2,000 for $39.99), "Firebird Sydney" (pictured above; limited to 1,500 for $179) and "Mover and Shaker" Sydney (dark suit with luxurious fur collar, limited to 2,000 for $99.99), plus shoe and trunk essential paks. All the mid-year releases discussed in this article can be seen at: http://www.tonnerdoll.com/mid02year.htm.  Sell-outs to dealers (waiting list only) for the first half of the year include the following:  Ready to Wear: Spring, "Florentine", "Wild Orchid Esme", "Sheer Glamour Sydney", "Embassy Dinner Mei Li", "Madison Avenue Afternoon Gift Set" (Tyler), "Madison Avenue Afternoon Gift Set" (Esme) and the Shoe Sets.  There are additional items that are close to selling out; if there are certain dolls outfits or other items you are looking for in this year's line, contact your local dealer soon!  

Betsy McCall

There are actually two separate Betsy McCall lines--14" Betsy McCall (and friends) and Tiny Betsy McCall.  The 2002 14" Betsy McCall line is very varied--it includes everything from dolls in traditional outfits such as "Duffle Coat Darling" (sweet school girl outfit in red and black) to whimsical designs such as Betsy as Wendy, Sandy as Peter Pan and Linda as Tinkerbell and the "Beecharmer" dolls--Drew, Betsy and Barbara as Bee Charmers.  Tiny Betsy McCall  has been a huge hit in 2002--dealer Sell-Outs from the 2002 line include "All-American Gift Set", "Betsy Visits the Ranch," "Betsy Loves Bunnies"  "Piano Recital"  and the "Lunch In The City Outfit" (all limited to between 1,000 and 2,000 pieces each).  In response, The Robert Tonner Doll Company has added another gift set to the line, the "Pink Perfection" gift set pictured above (special edition but not limited; $99.99).

Emme

A NEW fashion doll is being introduced in the fall of 2002--Emme.  Emme is a large-sized fashion model.  In a refreshing departure from the run-of-the-mill modern fashion dolls, Emme doll doesn't have the traditional measurements of a fashion doll (ie: stick thin) but the more realistic measurements of the majority of American women.  Emme will be introduced with three dressed dolls: "Elegance"  (simple black cocktail dress--pictured) limited to 2,000 dolls for $99.99; "Effervescence", a long, pinkish-peach colored metallic sheath covered with a sheer organza evening coat, $124.99, limited edition of 2,000), and Energy, a club/cocktail ensemble of pants and a long, fur-trimmed duster for $124.99, limited to 2,000.  There are four outfits also being introduced, which each cost $39.99 to $44.99 and are each limited to 1,500--"Escapade" (jazzy dress ensemble with faux leather trench coat) "Ethereal" (violet gown), "Evening In" (satin jammies and lace teddy) and "Edgy" (black sparkle jeans, faux leather red biker jacket).  Note that all dolls and outfits in the 2002 Emme collection begin with the letter "E!"

Kitty Collier

Kitty, the larger (18") fashion doll in the line, continues to wow fashion doll collectors with her mostly-retro look.  A basic Kitty was introduced this year for $79.99 (like Tyler, basic Kitty comes in various hair and lipstick shades, but unlike Tyler, her lingerie is oh-so-sweet and demur, with a girdle-like bottom!).  Kitty and her wardrobe this year have ranged from stunning evening wear ("Femme Fatale") to daywear ("Lunch With The Ladies"--outfit; pink suit).  There has also been a mid-year 2002 Kitty release, "Serenade" (pictured above), second in the couture series and limited to 1,000 for $124.99.  

Mary Engelbreit:  Ann Estelle

The Mary Englebreit collection, featuring Ann Estelle, continues in 2002 with mostly dressed dolls and few outfits.  The dressed dolls are lovely, with detailed outfits, and "The Queen of Everything" Ann Estelle, a limited edition of 1,000 has sold-out at the dealer level.  What is a little perplexing is that the line includes 4 basic dolls (Ann Estelle, Gracie, Sophie, Georgia), yet only 4 outfits (two of them very simple).  The line also includes the fabulous furniture (painted just like you would expect Mary Englebreit furniture to be--very whimsical and bright!) and a trunk. 

Boudoir Dolls; Cloudland; For Better or Worse

The Robert Tonner Doll Company also  has a lovely collection of high-end  play dolls called Cloudland (dolls are $199) designed by Shelly Thornton.  They also produce The For Better or Worse dolls featuring April (dolls $39.99; outfits under $20) based on the comic strip Lynn Johnston.  Finally, the Robert Tonner Doll Company also introduced a line of 28" Boudoir dolls at Toy Fair in 2002.  Currently, due to a lack of dealer interest, the dolls are not scheduled for production.  This emphasizes that even for a Doll Company having an amazing and outstanding year, not every note can be perfectly hit.

Many fans have been thrilled with both the Robert Tonner Doll Company 2002 line and the concept of mid-year 2002 introductions. I'm sure the many fans of the company can't wait to see what's in store for 2003!

Related Links

Before You Buy Fashion Dolls

Tonner on Tyler Wentworth

Fashion Femme Fatales - Gene, Tyler Wentworth, Daisy and Willow

Fashion Doll Links:  Non-Barbie

Doll Articles

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