but she is backordered until at least September! I don't know if demand exceeded expectations by Mattel, or if they all take this long, although originally, I was told I would get the doll sometime in June. Anyway, I know that the quality will not be as good as the old dolls, but the original Felicity is as expensive as all get out. I want this original style Felicity because of her dress, which is much closer to authentic colonial prints than the purple striped dress that replaced it, or the blue and yellow monstrosity Mattel produced after that. These new "original" American Girl dolls also come with their accessories, which I wish I had for my Samantha.
I would also like original Kirsten and possibly original Josefina, but Felicity is the one that I wanted the most. Since I won't be charged for Felicity until September, at least one more of the other two might make its way into an online shopping cart.
Since I don't like putting posts up without pictures, here is a picture from 2005 of my daughters and I at American Girl Place in Chicago. Mr. BTEG did an eight month consulting gig in Chicago from 2004-2005, and the girls and I went out to stay with him several times. I was homeschooling then, so it was nothing to drive out there for a week or so. The Dancer's Bitty Baby is sitting at the table behind her. She could have spent hours in the Bitty Baby section of AG Place. The Eldest brought her Bitty Baby and her Like Me doll.
You guys sound like a lot of fun with the AG. I only have one. I got her from a thrift store...love her never the less!
ReplyDeleteLucky are the people who find American Girl dolls at thrift stores! I'm sure she has a great home with you.
DeleteHi Barb,
ReplyDeleteI never realised AG's were made by Mattel, one learns something new every day! Love that photo of you and the girls, looks like you all were having a great time!
Big hugs,
X
Xandau, AG is owned by Mattel now, but the company was originally founded by a woman named Pleasant Rowland, as a way to teach girls American history. The dolls were much higher quality, and there were all kinds of beautiful, authentic accessories, but when Mattel backs a big dumptruck full of money to your door, well?
DeleteForgot to say, that yes, the girls and I enjoyed AG Place. We visited several times, to do all the different things that were there. One time was a play. One time was lunch in the restaurant there. One time the girls had a picture taken with their dolls, and made to look like they were on the cover of the American Girl magazine. One time they got to buy things for their dolls. The one time we went before Christmas, there was a whole flock of saleswomen at the door, ready to take stressed parents (mostly dads) in hand, and help them find what their little girl wanted.
DeleteI wonder why the original Felicity is so expensive? Either way this new one will give you something to look forward to. I can't wait to see your pictures!
ReplyDeleteAll pre-Mattel American Girl and Pleasant Company stuff is pretty valued. It's higher quality, unique things you can't find anymore. Such as a Shrewsbury tea cakes set for Felicity, with a cone of sugar the way it would have been sold back then, or her pattens, which enabled her to walk above the mud of the streets. And I do admit that you can get pre-loved Felicity for less money, but she's often quite thoroughly pre-loved!
DeleteHi Barb! I'm glad that you managed to bought a doll that you really wanted, even though it's some sort of reedition. Although they might not be as good as the originals, it's a nice way to get a doll you couldn't get at the time, often at a much affordable price than buying from another collector.
ReplyDeleteThe American Girls dolls aren't really sold here in Spain, but some of the movies have aired on TV. I remember watching a bit of the Saige one on broadcast TV, and I've found some of the others on streaming services.
I like that photo with your daughers and their dolls. Going to the American Girl store sounds like such a fun experience. Wish brick and mortar doll stores were more common, I would rather get mine there than having to go through Amazon.
Originally the American Girl dolls were all about US history, so I can see why they wouldn't be much of much interest in Spain, and your Paola Reina dolls seem equivalent to the modern AG dolls, in style if not in exact look.
DeleteI wish that it was easier to find dolls in more brick and mortar stores here too. Even the big chain stores here don't always offer a large selection of fashion doll merchandise. The American Girl store was great; besides all the activities, they also had displays of the dolls with their accessories, and even a few small human size room scenes from historical eras.
I actually thought of you when I heard about the American girl anniversary dolls. I would have expected you to get the Samantha though. Felicity is lovely too.
ReplyDeleteThat picture is adorable and American Girl Place sounds incredible
Samantha is my favorite, but I already have one that I've owned for almost 25 years now. I would love to get the re-introduced accessories set for her, but you can't get it without buying a doll. American Girl place was really a fun place to go; I wonder what they are like now that Mattel owns it.
DeleteAlso I've just completed my first three days of home schooling (yay lockdown) and I am in absolute awe of anyone that has done it by c choice!
ReplyDeleteA thousand points to you!
Thank you! It was frustrating sometimes, but Mr. BTEG and I both think it was worth it in the end. We didn't always use a structured system; there are lots of ways to go about learning.
DeleteI would really love to visit an American Girl store, actually ANY doll store at the moment would be really really great! Love the photo, nice memories for you all.
ReplyDeleteHugs x