One of the most exciting aspects of being a doll collector is that owning a doll can help you escape your daily woes, your everyday travails. Less costly than an airplane ticket, easier to book than a cruise, a doll is a vehicle for transporting us to different mind frames and unfamiliar terrain.

Once upon a time, girls played with dolls and boys played with action figures. For the gen-X and millennial generations, however, that gender division has been erased. Whatever you call them, pose­able character figures with detailed costumes are essential for pop culture collections. Fans want accurate images, authentic gear and lifelike movement.

Tonner Doll Co.’s New  Flappers Personify the Freedom and Fun of the Era

Emerging from the bleak reality and sobering horrors of World War I, Americans during the 1920s were bursting with the need to celebrate life. Diversion became the order of the day. Established social mores were shed in favor of fun and frivolity. Rebellion and the desire for change were in the air. Americans—chafing at restrictive social traditions and laws such as Prohibition—became intoxicated with the idea of breaking loose. Jazz music thrilled the ears and stirred the soul; Art Deco reached its zenith; modern appliances and inventions added to leisure time; the automobile brought increased freedom and mobility; women won the right to vote; and social roles were redefined.

Poised to be heirloom treasures in-the-making, Tonner Doll Co.’s new creations for the New York City Ballet will capture your hearts this holiday season.

Kissing under the mistletoe…decorating with evergreen wreaths, silver bells and red holly…baking sugar cook­ies…brightly wrapped surprises waiting to be opened… singing carols by a crackling fire… The holiday season is upon us, bring­ing beloved and time-honored traditions, memories and goodies in its festive wake. This year—thanks to a collaboration between the New York City Ballet (NYCB) and the Tonner Doll Co. (TDC) that brings a new ex­pression to a beloved symbol of the season—all good doll collectors (if you’ve been naughty, there’s still hope) can look forward to a delightful gift.

Thanks to the magic of Robert Tonner, the world’s most famous boy wizard is now a collectible boy doll.

In the magical world created by author J.K. Rowling, wizards and witches have several ways to change their appearance. There’s Polyjuice Potion for one; it takes a month to brew, but with it you can transform into someone else. Extremely skilled wizards and witches can learn to become an Animagus, and transfigure at will into an animal form. Alas, we Muggles (that’s nonmagical folk) have no such abilities. To transform, we usually have to rely on the “magic” provided by the local Halloween costume shop. But there is one other way: Follow the yellow brick road up to Hurley, New York, and the Tonner Doll Company. A wizard in his own right, Robert Tonner has the power to turn humans into dolls. Late last year, he unveiled his latest magical transformation— an amazingly lifelike doll of Harry Potter.

Meant to Represent the Crème de la Crème of Feminine Ideals, these Lovely Dolls are all Winners

In my 25 years of doll collecting, I continue to be inspired and fascinated by the way other collectors focus on different areas and sub areas when building their doll collections. Take, for instance, the Barbie collector whose interest is only Skipper or Midge, or the Shirley Temple lover who will only collect the exceedingly rare compo versions of the dolls. As I delved into my research for our Miss America doll, I was delighted to discover a new (for me) collection, full of nuance and the “thrill of the chase”–the Miss America doll.