Yes. I was a 15 year old who used to come home from school and dial up Animaniacs on the old console television set. (Okay...we had more than likely ditched the console by that time) But I appreciate Pinky and The Brain as much as the next guy. So I was glad to see artist […] Read more
Pinky and The Brain Custom Set
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GSC kicks off their 15th anniversary celebration
Like a typical teenager Good Smile Company wants to do everything. No longer content with just making figures, GSC is growing into quite the powerhouse these days, having their hands in TV series and video games, and even broadening collectibles range. All throughout May GSC will showing off their latest and greatest projects to date, beginning with a newly designed Cardcaptor Sakura scale figure.
The new figure has been designed by CLAMP and sculpted by Takayuki Kawahara, probably best known for his iconic statues. At 1/7 scale it's shaping up to be a massive collection centerpiece with lots of fine detail and a rather interesting theme featuring a model of our solar system, moon phases, and the sun and stars while wearing a royal dress and crown. No other details were given, but we'll be seeing a lot more of it in July at Wonder Festival 2016 Summer.
Meanwhile, GSC hinted that Nendoroid #600 will be based on a character from their new smart phone RPG Grand Summoner. I'm positive it'll be the girl in the white dress, but it sure would be nice to be surprised. It's probably a safe bet that we'll be seeing a lot of figures from that game in the near future.
And if that's not enough they're also entering the rarely attempted waters of martial arts puppetry TV shows with Thunderbolt Fantasy coming this summer. GSC is joining close friends at Nitro+ and Taiwan's Pili to form the production team with none other than Gen Urobuchi (of Madoka Magica fame) as writer and supervisor. This could be a lot of fun even if you're not into this sort of show.
Lastly it seems GSC is working on an original robot line with the long title of Future Factory Robot Manager in Lucky Factory. They've been working on this one for a few years, but it seems to be still pretty early along. A formal announcement is being planned for Wonder Festival, but for now we get to see their first robot, L.U.C.K.Y.
The month is still young and they intend to continue making announcements at upcoming events throughout May.
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Check Out This Kickstarter For Some Sweet Dinosaur Action Figures
These Dinosaur Action Figures Are Scientifically Accurate Sculptor David Silva, currently working for NECA Toys, has just launched a new Kickstarter campaign to fund a brand new Beasts of the Mesozoic series of scientifically accurate dinosaur action figures starting with a trio of raptors. The Kickstarter, which began on April 28th, already has reached over $88,000 dollars, […]
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Check Out This Kickstarter For Some Sweet Dinosaur Action Figures
These Dinosaur Action Figures Are Scientifically Accurate Sculptor David Silva, currently working for NECA Toys, has just launched a new Kickstarter campaign to fund a brand new Beasts of the...
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[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
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NECA: Ultimate Tech Noir Terminator Packaging Revealed
NECA has posted an image of the awesome new packaging for their Ultimate Tech Noir Terminator that is due to be released next month, and you can see it in more detail by clicking on the thumbnail above.
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These NSFW Girls Will Make You Feel Pretty Okay About Being A Star Wars Nerd
Happy Star Wars Day! Let's celebrate with two of the greatest things ever: Star Wars and the female anatomy!
The post These NSFW Girls Will Make You Feel Pretty Okay About Being A Star Wars Nerd appeared first on ALBOTAS.
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Super7: Mean Green Ghostfighter Toy Release
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Mezco Toyz: One:12 Collective Green Arrow Now Available For Pre-Order
Last month Mezco Toyz gave a behind-the-scenes look at their forthcoming One:12 Collective Green Arrow and Oliver Queen's alter-ego is now available to pre-order, priced $75 and expected to ship between October and November of this year.
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Ron English x JPS x Made by Monsters MC Joker Grin (5.5)
Who’s Bartman Grin’s nemesis? Why MC Joker Grin of course. Yep, JPS Gallery returns to the costumed hero side of Springfield with this special edition of Ron English’s MC Supersized Grin from Made by Monsters. Limited to 400 pieces, Joker Grin features three secret editions—5%, 10%, and 20%—along with the...
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Batman (Arkham Origins)
Adding to my Batman action figure collection, today I’ll be talking about the version released in the DC Comics Multiverse line by Mattel, for the game Batman: Arkham Origins.![]()
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Celebrating School Lunch Hero Day
This is a partnered post with the School Nutrition Association. It’s hard to believe that we are nearing the end of the school year. This week we are celebrating staff appreciation days so it’s only fitting that May 6, 2016 is School Lunch Hero Day. This day is meant to celebrate all of the hard… [read more]![]()
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"DEATH TO THE REPUBLIC II" Releases from World's End from Hsin Ho & Mirfak Prabowo
The folks at World's End collaborated with VILLAINS and have prepared a release of galactic proportions on www.worldsend.co, scheduled for May 4th, with "DEATH TO THE REPUBLIC II"! Scroll down to have a gander at awesome collectibles from Hsin Ho (Taiwan), and Mirfak Prabowo (Indonesia).PRESS: "Die, Rebel Scum! The Death To The Republic series was produced to realize a reverie of how the Empire ![]()
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17th, 18th, and 19th Century Wooden Dolls
I can't help falling in love the the beauty of the Queen Anne Doll, shown in the picture above, from The Strong National Museum of Play. She is an exceptional wooden doll circa 1750-1800.
Credits: Queen Anne Doll, 1750-1800, Material wood, Origin England, Style Queen Anne, Object ID 79.451
I would love to see this doll.
The unbelievable Earliest Queen Anne Doll c. 1690, is also from the Strong National Museum of Play. How amazing is she? Just incredible.
Credits: Doll ca. 1690, Material wood, Origin England, Style Queen Anne, Object ID 73.1447
According to their description: A simple, jointed body and carved face decorated with stylized eyebrows and brightly rouged cheeks characterize this "Queen Anne" style doll made in around 1700. Manufacture of these wooden dolls originally predated their namesake, Queen Anne, who reigned only from 1702 to 1714. English woodcarvers and craftsmen began making these dolls in the 1600s, and the craft continued through the 1840s. Affordable only to affluent families, the vast majority of Queen Anne dolls were owned by women, who dressed them in the fashions of the time. Because the clothing obscured the plain wooden bodies, carvers focused their artistic attention on the faces. The dolls' painted, almond-shaped eyes, though distinctly conventionalized, changed to glass or porcelain in later years, and limbs came to be made of fabric or leather. Dolls made prior to the mid-19th century are scarce: some reports note that fewer than thirty seventeenth-century Queen Anne dolls have survived.
Only thirty 17th century Queen Anne dolls have survived. What a shame.
The beautiful Queen Anne doll, shown in the picture above, is also from the Strong National Museum of Play. How beautiful is she?
Credits: Early Queen Anne doll 1700-1799, Material wood, Origin England, Object ID 75.3093
My understanding was that various types of wooden dolls were being made from 1300 on. Prior to this ancient figures or dolls were made from bone, ivory, clay, leather, and carved from wood.
Wooden French dolls date from 1300 on. Some of the earliest English and German handmade wooden dolls date from 1600 on. William and Mary English wooden dolls date from 1680 - 1720. Queen Anne English Wooden dolls date from 1700 - 1750.German wooden dolls date from the 1700's.
Many wooden dolls from the 18th century on have been family treasures for years and passed down through families from generation to generation.
Supposedly there is a Marie Antoinette wooden doll in a museum in Salisbury, England that still has her entire ensemble, which was made by Marie Antoinette while she was in prison awaiting her execution in 1793. I would LOVE to see this doll and her wardrobe.
The following is according to the 200 Years of Dolls: Identification and Price Guide By Dawn Herlocher: Authentic antique wooden dolls were typically manufactured in England sometime between the late 1600s and the early 1800s. (However, a large number of antique wooden dolls were manufactured in Germany during the 19th century as well). The majority of antique wooden dolls are generally female, however, a small number of wooden male dolls were manufactured during this period as well. Antique wooden dolls typically come with traditional folk art-style clothing and/or accessories, and usually feature glass eyes and facial expressions.
I decided I wanted to see more of the gorgeous 17th century, 18th century, and 19th century wooden dolls - especially the Queen Anne's. Here's what I found:
Credits: Wooden Doll c. 1936, Iverson, Jane, American, 1910 - 1997 watercolor, graphite, gouache, and pen and ink on paper, overall: 34.6 x 27.2 cm (13 5/8 x 10 11/16 in.) Original IAD Object: 12 1/4" high, Index of American Design 1943.8.15570
Image Courtesy National Gallery of Art,Washington.
The Wooden Jointed Doll, shown in the illustration above, is from the Index of American Design at the National Gallery of Art in Washington.
Credits: Wooden Jointed Doll c. 1936, Iverson, Jane, American, 1910 - 1997, watercolor, graphite, gouache, and pen and ink on paper, overall: 35.4 x 27.8 cm (13 15/16 x 10 15/16 in.) Original IAD, Object: 12" long, Index of American Design 1943.8.8144
A Doll c. 1790 was on the Historic New England Museum website here.
There was another Doll c. 1750 - 1800 on the Historic New England Museum website here.
I found two old wooden dolls in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum Of Art website. The first Doll c. 1800 - 1815 was here. The second Doll c. 1800 - 1815 was here.
The History.org website of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation had a Wooden Doll, c. 1770–1775 here.
I found 3 beautiful wooden dolls in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. A beautiful 18th Century Doll in a red damask dress was here. Another beautiful 18th Century Doll in a yellow taffeta dress was here. An amazing male Doll c. 1730 - 1740 in a blue satin waistcoat and breeches was here.
I thought I might find more example of Queen Anne type dolls in some of the museums in England. Here's what I found:
Images Courtesy of Hampshire Cultural Trust
The WOODEN DOLL, UNKNOWN ENGLISH MAKER, C. 1740–50, shown in the pictures above, are from the Hampshire Cultural Trust website.
According to her description; This particularly fine and well-preserved doll was donated to the Curtis Museum, Alton in 1949.... She is certainly an example of the so-called ‘Queen Anne’ dolls, but these were made throughout the late 17th and 18th century and not just in the reign of Queen Anne. English doll makers of this period were renowned for their fine and delicate work, although most remain anonymous. By the end of the 18th century, the quality of work in England had deteriorated, due to competition from cheaper wooden dolls made in Germany.
Also: The doll’s detailed and complete set of clothing reveals the work of either a very accomplished amateur (possibly a lady from a wealthy family indulging her passion for needlework) or that of a professional dressmaker showing off the latest fashions on her ‘pandora’ or fashion doll. What is certain is that the doll has not been played with much, if at all, by a child. It would have been very much a case of ‘Look, but don’t touch!’. Nevertheless, she has a broken finger.
For more information on this doll please click here.
There were five exceptional wooden dolls on the Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum, London. A gorgeous Doll c. 1740 - 1750 in a gold dress was here. An amazing Fashion Doll With Accessories c. 1755 - 1760 in a gold embroidered dress was here. A Doll c. 1770 - 1775 in a red dress was here. An incredible couple of wooden dolls, one known as Lord Clapham c. 1690-1700 was here. His spouse, Lady Chapman c. 1690-1700 was here. These dolls were named 'Lord and Lady' of the family home in Clapham, London by their owners, the Cockerell family.
An exquisite doll known as The Old Pretender c. 1680 was here. According to the V&A: The Old Pretender is one of the oldest dolls in the museum's collection. It was carved from wood and covered with gesso (a mixture of plaster and glue) before being painted. The doll is fashionably dressed with a wig made of human hair and beauty spots painted on the face. It is associated with the court of King James VII (of Scotland) and II (of England and Wales) at the palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. It is said to have been given to a family of loyal supporters by James II's son James Edward (acknowledged James VII in Scotland but not James III in England and Wales who was subsequently known as 'The Old Pretender').
Image Courtesy of HistoryTube.org Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation
The large wooden doll named Miss Chalkley, shown in the picture above, was pictured in an article entitled “Miss Chalkley,” A Georgian Wooden Doll, Acquired for Yorktown Victory Center By David B. Voelkel, Curator on the HistoryTube.org Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation website.
According to the article: A large wooden doll recently added to the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation collection was made by an unknown English toymaker around the time of the American Revolution.
Also, according to the article: Though the American colonies broke with Great Britain, the trade links between consumers and suppliers were quickly re-established following the decisive American victory at Yorktown. Luxury goods such as English wooden dolls continued to cross the Atlantic, as can be seen in many portraits of the 1780s.
For more information and to read this article please click here.
It seems there are quite a few 17th and 18th century wooden dolls in several of the museum collections. So, I decided to see if there were any for sale on the various auction and doll shop websites. Here's what I found:
Image Courtesy of Theriaults.com
The beautiful 18TH CENTURY WOODEN DOLL WITH DISTINCTIVE PROFILE, as shown in the picture above, was on the Theriaults.com website.
According to their description: 16" All-wooden doll with so-called "bulging" enamel eyes,dot-painted brows and lashes,closed mouth with extended center line,blush spots on cheeks,has artistically carved head having shaped cheek bones,distinctive chin,nicely shaped shortened nose with aquiline shape,elongated throat,modeled bosom,shapely waist,block-shaped lower torso,wooden arms with cloth attachments,dowel-jointed hips and knees,wearing lovely authentically styled costume of antique fabrics..... Comments: English,late 17th/early 18th century. Value Points: highly characterized doll with beautifully carved features,from the collection of the late Madeline Merrill,and featured in her book, The Art of Dolls 1700-1940,pp 4 & 71. Realized Price: $18,000.
Image Courtesy of Theriaults.com
The beautiful ENGLISH WOODEN DOLL OF THE MID-18TH CENTURY, as shown in the picture above, was on the Theriaults.com website. How beautiful is she?
According to their description: 20" All-wooden doll with oval egg-shaped head,elongated throat,shapely torso,wooden arms with cloth shoulder attachments,carved claw-like fingers,block-shaped lower torso,simplistically carved arms and legs with dowel-jointing at hips and knees,enamel inset eyes,dot-painted lashes and thin brows,blush spots on cheeks,closed mouth with thin line between tiny lips,human hair wig,wearing authentically styled dress and undergarments of antique fabrics.... Comments: English,mid-18th century,the doll is being sold from the private estate collection of the late Madeline Merrill,and is shown in her book,The Art of Dolls 1700-1940,pp 6 & 71.
Image Courtesy of Theriaults.com
The amazing FRENCH CARVED WOODEN COURT DOLLS IN ORIGINAL COSTUMES, as shown in the picture above, was on the Theriaults.com website.
According to their description: 14" Depicting persons of the 18th century French court,the pair of wooden dolls include a gentleman and lady,each with elaborate carved hair,facial features,highly characterized anatomical features,and wooden lower limbs with carved and painted shoes. The lady has pompadour style coiffure with four horizontal rows of curls at either side of the face,long looped curl at the back and a rolled coronet curl,strong facial features with painted details; the man has carved brown/grey hair with rolled curls at the sides and an extended carved ponytail behind. Each has hemp-wrapped upper torso and upper limbs,carved wooden lower limbs,and each is wearing its original silk and cotton transfer print costume with rich detail (see detail photographs),and the woman with tiniest pearl necklace and bracelets..... Comments: from a remarkable series of dolls created during the mid-late 18th century representing figures of the French court,and used by members of the aristocracy to story-tell innuendoes and social scandals of the day,being sold from the collection of the late Claude Detave,noted Parisian antiquarian and collector. Value Points: rare dolls,uniquely one-of-a-kind,in original condition and having original costumes. Realized Price: $11,000.
Image Courtesy of Theriaults.com
The gorgeous EARLY ENGLISH WOODEN DOLL WITH HIGHLY-CHARACTERIZED EXPRESSION AND ORIGINAL COSTUME c. mid-1700's, as shown in the picture above, was on the Theriaults.com website.
According to their description: 18" One-piece carved wooden head and torso, shapely bosom and waist, oval-shaped face with unusual puffy fullness to cheeks and well-defined chin tip, elongated throat, enamel inset eyes, painted upper and lower lashes, single-stroke brows with dot accents on upper edge, aquiline nose, closed mouth with full lips and piquant smile, original brunette human hair wig, cloth upper arms, wooden lower arms with individually-carved spatula-shaped hands, wooden legs with dowel-jointing at hips and knees.....Comments: English, mid-1700s, very rare early model with distinctive sculpting of facial shape...... Realized Price: $22,000
Image Courtesy of Carmel Doll Shop
The beautiful Georgian Wooden Doll, shown in the picture above, was on the Internet Archive Wayback Machine for the Carmel Doll Shop.
According to their description: Georgian wooden's have sometimes seen refreshing to their paint over the years, but we prefer to offer those that have remained just as the day they were made, like this tiny wooden lady. Standing 15-1/2" tall (overall) details include a turned wood head and torso with original paint, plus rosy cheeks, inset black glass pupil-less eyes and a wonderful mohair wig. The body features carved wooden legs that are jointed at the hips and knees, with forked hands (losses). Eighteenth century silk in various shades forms the basis of her elegant dress. A marvelous wooden that will help bring your early dollhouses or vignettes to life. Measures: 15" in height.
Image Courtesy of Carmel Doll Shop
The exquisite Georgian Wooden Doll c. 1780 - 1790, shown in the picture above, was from the Carmel Doll Shop website.
According to their description: 15 1/2" overall, is a Georgian Wooden in a desirable cabinet size - one who is small enough to reside in an early dollhouse or vignette, but large enough to play "mother" to your more child-like examples. Circa 1780-90, Lady Gwendolen's features include original paint in excellent condition that offers a glowing patina, painted eyes, rouged cheeks and what appears to be her original deep blonde wig. In addition, she is exquisitely costumed in period silk brocades, fine lace and silk ribbons - especially charming are her original leather "gloves" that she wears upon her simply carved wooden hands. A treasure, to be sure.
Image Courtesy of LiveAuctioneers.com
The unique Pair of Queen Anne Wooden Dolls, shown in the picture above, is from the Liveauctioneers.com website. I just love their outfits. Don't you?
According to their description: English, late 18th century, bedpost style all wood carved Queen Anne man and woman with pupil less brown glass eyes, painted features, mohair wigs, appropriately redressed in vintage brocade with metallic trim. Size: tallest 28".
Nowadays many renowned art doll artists are making reproductions of wooden dolls from the 17th, 18th, and 19th century. Some are so good it would be hard to tell them from the real ones. I would love to make one of them but can't decide which century to choose. 17th, 18th, and 19th? Maybe I'll make one for each!
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Linda's Book Reviews - Creating Romantic Purses by Marilyn Green & Carole Cree
Creating Romantic Purses: Patterns & Instructions for Unique Handbags by Marilyn Green & Carole Cree was a perfect choice for the 3rd book to be reviewed for books about handbags, purses, and totes as nothing could be more Victorian looking than romantic purses.
What drew me to this book, once again, was the picture of the two purses on the front cover. They are both romantic and Victorian looking in nature. And readers of my Linda's Blog know how I love anything and everything Victorian.
"Creating Romantic Purses" contains patterns and instructions for making 40 elegant creations that according to the book, "can be worn night and day." And, elegant they all are.
I was intrigued so I began to browse through this book. I didn't need to go any further than the first purse to know that I was going to love this book.
The first purse is in Chapter two which is entitled " Hold History In Your Hand" and is a crazy quilt purse from the Victorian era. History and the Victorian era - I was enthralled. This is definitely a purse that I want to make. It is a Victorian Vignette and is an exquisitely beautiful creation. And, of course, there is all the history surrounding it and Queen Victoria.
Each purse within the book contains information on the materials needed to make the purse, embellishments, patterns and instructions. The patterns and instructions are shown in detail in the back of the book as some of the same patterns and instructions are used to make several different purses in this book.
Flipping through this book I found purse after purse after purse that were just so beautiful to look at. Each and every one of them was a beautiful creation all unto its own. Almost like masterpieces. I wanted them all. However, one can't make 40 different purses now can they? And, where would I store all of them? Knowing me I'd make them just to look at them.
In any event, I do have my favorites and they would be the "Victorian Vignette" on page 12, the "Timeless Classic" on page 22, "Polka Dance" on page 42, "Fringe Benefits" on page 44, "Tussy Mussy" on page 58, "Beaded Beauty" on page 60, and "Vintage Nosegay" on page 76.
Seven purses that I would love to make. That's not to say that I don't want to make all of them. I do. It's just you need to start somewhere and here is where I would start.
If you are looking for a challenge and looking for something that is truly unique then you should try your hand at making one of these elegant and romantic creations.
Of course, if I had my way I'd make all of these purses and all of the purses from the other two books I recently reviewed. Hundreds of purses.
I can hear "hubby" now. "Where are you going to put all of those and where are you going that you would need them?" Ah, but one can dream. And, what's better than dreaming or inspiring to make such beautiful creations?
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Dark Papa by FLABSLAB Drops May 4th
"Simply because everyone of us has a love-hate relationship with our own father. Behind the smiling face is a past so dark that we may never fathom."And thusly, FLABSLAB prepares to unleash "DARK PAPA" = a 11 inch tall x 7 inch wide hand-painted resin sculpt, bearing the facial visage of our late "Minister Mentor" L.K.Y. dressed in the Sith Lord Vader's finest!
Scheduled for release on May 4th ![]()
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Hot Toys Toy Teasers for #StarWarsDay 2016
As of this blogpost on May 4th Wednesday after in Singapore, Hot Toys has since teased folks with a trio of images (from their Facebook), with what looks to be 1/6th figures of YODA, HAN SOLO and CHEWBACCA (from "The Force Awakens") and A 1/4-scaled KYLO REN with burnt Vader helmet!
No further product details thus far, and I doubt if these are the only teasers to be had on #StarWarsDay (there's![]()
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Bounty Hunter Demeru Kun (5.5)
Designer Toy pioneers Bounty Hunter will release a new figure, Demeru Kun, on Thursday May 5th for 13,800 yen (~ US$122 )from their stores in Tokyo, Sendai and Nagoya. As with most of the BxH toys, Demuru Kun features the brand’s signature black+white skeletal aesthetic. It’s unclear if the figure...
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Win A White Vader Grenade on Instagram
A photo posted by @yewhock on May 3, 2016 at 1:29am PDT
Win your very own VADER GRENADE this May the 4th - direct from it's creator Yew Hock (He made TOYSREVIL's Red Edition Vader Grenade - currently available to purchase HERE). All you need to do, to stand a chance to win this 3.8 inch tall 3D printed White Vader Grenade, is the following:
1) like this image
2) repost this image on instagram
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Mattel Disney Pixar CARS: Artie, Take 2 and Brian Fee Clamp a Champ
Thanks for the great pics, “John H.” At first glance, it’s a nice 2-pack with a re-release of relatively hard-to-find Artie and the white pickup truck with headphones now called Brian Fee Clamp. Both are CARS 1 for those keeping score at home. But it’s Artie, TAKE 2 – he’s been upgraded to a unibody. […]
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Alex Pardee x ToyQube The Astronaut
It looks like Alex Pardee’s ‘The Astronaut’ figure—mentioned back in January—from ToyQube should be available at your favorite shop shortly. Featured in a small series of original paintings, The Astronaut Polystone + PVC figure stands 10” tall, is limited to 200 pieces, and will retail for $130. This creepy cool...
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