Doll Collecting 101: Gene Dolls

Mel Odom retires Gene doll; Gene Marshall line ends in 2010
In November, Mel Odom sent a letter to collectors announcing that as of June 2010 his "Gene Marshall fashion doll would be officially retired as will the entire Gene doll fashion line. "Gene and I are pulling a Garbo, and retiring," Odom announced in his letter.

Did Gene Marshall save the last dance for Ashton-Drake? Rumors fly about Gene Butterfly Shadow doll
According to the internet doll rumor mill, Ashton Drake is producing one last Gene doll in 2010 called Butterfly Shadow.

Photos © Kathryn E. Darden

Doll Collecting 101: Who is Gene? Gene Marshall: fashion doll (with slideshow)
In 1995, a new doll was unveiled at Toy Fair for adult collectors. Designed to appeal to lovers of old-time Hollywood glamor, Gene Marshall was introduced by Ashton-Drake, an affiliate of the Bradford Exchange, and designer Mel Odum (see slideshow) with three dressed dolls and nine costumes.

Gene's fifth anniversary was a banner year for Ashton-Drake's Gene doll in 2000 - a look back
Gene's 5th Anniversary Celebration in 2000
New dolls! New characters! New body styles! New costumes! New accessory packs! Retirements! These were the buzz words that combined to mark a memorable 5th anniversary celebration for Ashton-Drake's Gene during the cornucopia of events that marked the millennium Toy Fair in New York City.

Gene Hollywood Royalty dolls announced - new 12 inch size for Gene Marshall dolls (with slideshow)
Stop the presses! Did I just say in my Doll Collecting 101: Who is Gene? article that Gene is a 16 1/2 inch doll? Well, history is being made as a new 12 inch Hollywood Royalty Gene is expected to arrive mid-to-late November!

Tea Time at the Plaza Gene; 1999 FAO Schwarz Exclusive Gene premiered in New York City (slideshow)
In 1999, a new Gene doll was unveiled at a special event at FAO Schwarz. Dressed in a wonderfully tailored A-line navy blue georgette dress featuring white soutache braid trim, Tea Time at the Plaza Gene looked stylish and smart.

Gene, Tyler, Madra & Hayley celebrate the wearing 'o the green - St. Patrick's Day doll display
Sometimes dolls take on a life of their own and insist on being photographed for special occasions. That's what happened when Gene, Madra and Tyler got together with a few of their friends and started clowning around in their St. Patrick's Day outfits to celebrate the wearing 'o the green.

Happy 2010 birthday, Gene Marshall - Gene doll celebrates April birthday
According to her story cards and the book Gene Marshall: Girl Star, Gene Marshall was born in Cos Cob, Connecticut on April 17, 1923.

Special Gene dolls on display in Nashville
Nashville hosted a special Gene Marshall doll display when Tennessee actress Chevy Anz brought a selection of new Gene dolls from a 2011 doll event in San Francisco and displayed them at Asihi's in Bellevue for local Gene collectors to admire on Feb. 5, 2012.

Photo © Kathryn E. Darden

Doll Collecting 101: Who Is Madra? Madra Lord part of the Gene Marshall line of dolls
In 2000, as part of Gene's fifth anniversary celebration, Ashton-Drake announced it was releasing a new character doll into Gene Marshall's world, the infamous Madra Lord.

Madra doll celebrates 10th anniversary in Nashville: Madra Lord finally has her day
In all the excitement of Gene's 15-year anniversary and retirement in 2010, the 10th anniversary of the Madra Lord doll has been sadly neglected... until now!

Gene Fall 2009 Releases: 'Heat Wave' Violet Waters by Integrity Toys (with slideshow)
"Heat Wave" Violet Waters :
Gene's friend Violet Waters is ready for an island getaway as she starts her own tropical heat wave in this torrid ensemble. From the Return to Hollywood Collection.

Photo © Kathryn E. Darden

Gene Fall 2009 Release: 'Pearls and Pink' Ivy Jordan by Integrity Toys (with slideshow)
"Pearls and Pink" Ivy Jordan:
From the Return to Hollywood Collection comes the "Pearls and Pink" Ivy Jordan in the Gene line of dolls from Integrity Toys.

Sandra Stillwell presents The Golden Age Of (Doll) Couture in Nashville
Sandra Stillwell will present The Golden Age Of (Doll) Couture in Nashville August 27th-29th, 2010 at the Millennium Maxwell House Hotel.