The History of Ashton-Drake Galleries

Doll collecting is one of the oldest hobbies in the history of the world. Unlike other collectibles, dolls delight and comfort, and open up our imaginations to create new stories with each interaction. For over 32 years, The Ashton-Drake Galleries has been serving the collectible doll community with the most exquisite doll creations. Our collectible dolls span a wide range of themes and topics, from babies to brides and celebrities.

Another factor that differentiates an Ashton-Drake collectible doll from other brands, is that we’re always incorporating new doll types and materials. We use artist’s resin and porcelain, but we’ve also developed our own proprietary RealTouch^® vinyl and TrueTouch™ silicone.

The secret ingredient though, the extra added magic that each one of our collectible dolls exudes, comes from our Master Doll Artists. We believe that the most important characteristic of any doll is the artist. The artist is who gives each special creation life and personality. And over the years, we’ve had the opportunity to work with the best in the field.

Here’s a timeline of some of our favorite collaborations:

1985: Yolanda Bello created “Jason” – the first-ever limited-edition porcelain doll offered by The Ashton-Drake Galleries. A year later, she brought “Matthew” to life. Matthew remains our best-selling porcelain baby doll to date.

1989: Dianna Effner created Little Red Riding Hood, whose wonderful facial expressiveness captured the hearts of collectors, and established the successful fairy-tale and storybook doll categories for Ashton-Drake.

1991: Kathy Barry-Hippensteel created “Tickles,” an adorable porcelain toddler boy being tickled by a caterpillar on his arm, a definite milestone in expressive sculpting.

1993: Pat Joho and Etta Foran created “Mommy, Can I Keep Him?” – one of Ashton-Drake’s earliest and most successful ventures in the category of collectible artist teddy bears, and a true innovation in the plush market.

1995: Mel Odom brought to life the ever classy Gene Marshall, a line of fashion dolls, outfits and accessories inspired by the 1940s and 1950s.

1997: Titus Tomescu created “First Day at Walt Disney World,” our first porcelain child doll created under the coveted Disney license.

1999: Sandra Bilotto created the glamorous “Winter Romance” doll, with stunning sculpting and innovative fur-trimmed bridal costuming.  Winter Romance went on to win multiple awards in the doll industry!

2003: Linda Webb created “Emily’s Homecoming,” our first So Truly Real doll. Emily is crafted from our patented soft-to-the-touch RealTouch^® vinyl, and her baby hair was attached using a new technique, all of which contribute to her realism. Emily was pivotal for us, as she shaped Ashton-Drake’s future in the vinyl collectible baby doll market.

2005: Andrea Arcello creates “Ashley,” our first collectible vinyl doll that “breathes.” The gentle rise and fall of Ashley’s inhale and exhale is both peaceful and wonderous.

2011: Linda Murray brings us “Olivia’s Gentle Touch,” our first interactive collectible baby doll who curls her hand around your finger. Olivia won a DOTY (Doll of the Year) award in 2012.

2015: Linda Murray collaborated with us to introduce the So Truly Mine™ baby doll line, specifically created for children ages 3 and up to play with. These sweet creations are specially sized at 15 inches and weighted to feel incredibly real in a little girl’s arms.

Other Master Doll Artists we’ve been fortunate enough to collaborate with over the past 32 years include: Wendy Lawton, Julie Goodkrueger, Gabby Rademann, Mary Tretter, Joan Ibarall, Elly Knoops, Waltraud Hanl, Cheryl Hill, Sheila Michael, Ping Lau, and Sherry Rawn.

So to those we’ve worked with, and those who’ve supported us over the years, thank you. None of us would be here without the creativity of our artists, and our customers. Our new blog is dedicated to you.

Have a story to share? We’d love to hear from you!  Please feel free to leave us a comment below, or drop us an email any time.