THE MAGIC ATTIC CLUB
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WELCOME to the Magic Attic Club (MAC) wing of The Dolls We Love Museum. You will find everything you ever wanted to know about the MAC from this page. Just click on the photos below to enter the gallery. From the hard-to-find 1st edition dolls to over a dozen catalogs for you browse, including the extremely rare catalog from 1994. We have some of the very first outfits produced in 1994 to the last outfits produced by Marian. Our archives also uncle the retailer packet for the Marian dolls. You will also explore some of the rare Magic Attic Club items made just for girls, from hats and mittens to party supplies. Our collection is about 95% complete! Please enjoy your visit to the MAC Galleries and be prepared to fall in love with a brand new group of girls. Items found in the MAC Galleries are from the collection of D. Donally.
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THE MAGIC ATTIC CLUB DOLLS FROM 1994 - 2004
MEET THE MAGIC ATTIC CLUB - Click above to learn more about the MAC and see a picture history of the dolls from 1994 to 2004.
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ALISON
Do you like Adventure - explore the many adventures of ALISON as she models costumes and accessories from each of her adventure sets.
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MEGAN
Is Megan your favorite - click above and join MEGAN as she models costumes and accessories from each of her many adventures.
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HEATHER
HEATHER would like to know if you want to share an adventure? From painted ballrooms to a Gypsy Camp, explore her many adventures and costumes here!
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KEISHA
This is where you will find the many adventure costumes and accessories for KEISHA! From her Maze adventure to the roaring 20's, they can all be found here.
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ROSE
Many adventures await as you join ROSE as she shows off her collection of adventure costumes and accessories.
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COMING SOON -CHLOE & THE KNICKERBOCKER OUTFITS
CHLOE is the last doll to join the MAC. Meet Chloe and discover the last MAC outfits produced by Knickerbocker.
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SHARED ADVENTURES From the very first Adventure in eh Attic to the last group adventure on the Jewel of the Sea, explore the girls as they share their many group adventures together.
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MAC EXCLUSIVES
To enjoy and browse our large selection of Magic Attic Club CATALOGS spanning from 1994 through 2004, just click the image above.
MAGIC ATTIC CATALOGS
To enjoy and browse our large selection of Magic Attic Club CATALOGS spanning from 1994 through 2004, just click the image above.
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COMING SOON -MARIAN OUTFITS
This gallery is dedicated to all the lovely outfits designed by Robert Tonner for the MAC dolls and produced by Marian.
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COMING SOON - JUST FURNITURE
To help make identification easier, we have put all the Magic Attic Club furniture in one place. To view our collection, please click on the image above. Of course, all the furniture pieces are also available to be seen in the individual adventures.
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COMING SOON - JUST FOR GIRLS
There is an entire collection of Magic Attic items JUST FOR GIRLS. Click the image above to check out the wonderful items in this collection.
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A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE MAGIC ATTIC CLUB DOLLS
The first three Magic Attic Club Dolls produced in 1994
The Magic Attic Club Dolls were originally produced by the Georgetown Collection, a producer of mainly porcelain dolls, in Main. The series was then sold to Knickerbocker, LLC, and from Knickerbocker, the Magic Attic Club was sold to Marian, and ultimately to Charisma. The dolls are the creation of Gretchen Springer and Jeff McKinnon. To sculpt the dolls, Springer and McKinnon turned to a talented and well known doll artist and former Fifth Avenue fashion designer, Robert Tonner. Tonner also designed and created most of the costumes for the Magic Attic Club dolls. In the same 1995 Doll Reader article, Tonner is quoted as saying: "This project has been a dream project. I've always loved play dolls." For more information on Robert Tonner visit his website at www.tonnerdoll.com. The dolls were not created by or ever produced by Robert Tonner and/or Tonner Doll, as many collectors assume.
The dolls were produced from 1994 until 2004 when they were discontinued. During the course of their run, the Magic Attic Club dolls were produced by four different companies, had five different face sculpts and won various awards including the DOTY doll of the year. Each doll came with a book, and other books about their adventures were written as well. The adventures often lead to wonderful and imaginative dress up outfits and accessories for the dolls.
The first three dolls: Heather, Alison, and Megan were produced in 1994 and offered to only a small test market through a catalog. The dolls all share the same face sculpt and wore starter outfits designed by Robert Tonner. The dolls also came with a girl sized key necklace which only had one tooth, but no storybook.
Following a successful test market, the dolls were released in 1995 with some minor changes. Frist, and most noticeable is the doll's face sculpt in that their eyes were made larger. The number of lashes underneath he eyes also went from 10 lashes (on the prototypes) to only 5 lashes underneath the eyes. Heather's shirt was also changed from bright orange to pink. These variations are hard to find, but very collectable. 1995 also saw a change to the doll line with the addition of a new friend - Keisha.
No new dolls were introduced in 1996, but Keisha, Heather, Megan, and Alison received wardrobe makeovers! In addition to new starter outfits, each doll received new adventure costumes as well. Each doll now had four adventure sets and their holiday dresses. Accessory sets were also added to complement each doll's personality and starter outfit.
All five dolls produced in 1996
In 1997 there were no major changes to the main Magic Attic Club doll line, itself. However, it was during this time that Georgetown sold the Magic Attic Club line to the L.L. Knickerbocker Company, Inc., of California. In the fall/winter catalog Knickerbocker introduced a new friend and Rose joined the Magic Attic Club.
Rose was given a new face sculpted by Robert Tonner and a new story by Sherri Cooper. Rose was of Native American Heritage as depicted in her adventure book Cheyenne Rose.
In 1998 Knickerbocker introduced the very first Magic Attic Club group adventure in the book "The Ghost of Camp Whispering Pines", and a new casual camp outfit was introduced for each doll. In addition to the new group adventure, Knickerbocker also introduced a 16" porcelain version of the Rose, Heather, and Megan dolls.
1999 saw the introduction of one new adventure for Megan and a single holiday dress that could be worn by any doll. In 2000 there were no new outfits introduced and several adventure sets were retired. There was also an obvious change from individual adventures for each doll to generic fashions that could belong to any of the dolls.
Rose was given a new face sculpted by Robert Tonner and a new story by Sherri Cooper. Rose was of Native American Heritage as depicted in her adventure book Cheyenne Rose.
In 1998 Knickerbocker introduced the very first Magic Attic Club group adventure in the book "The Ghost of Camp Whispering Pines", and a new casual camp outfit was introduced for each doll. In addition to the new group adventure, Knickerbocker also introduced a 16" porcelain version of the Rose, Heather, and Megan dolls.
1999 saw the introduction of one new adventure for Megan and a single holiday dress that could be worn by any doll. In 2000 there were no new outfits introduced and several adventure sets were retired. There was also an obvious change from individual adventures for each doll to generic fashions that could belong to any of the dolls.
Magic Attic Dolls by Marian, LLC
2001 brought about many changes to the Magic Attic Club, including the introduction of one new group adventure "The Jewel of the Sea Cruise", with a new party dress for each of the dolls. The dolls each received a new starter outfit and Keisha's hairstyle changed to all braids. More importantly, Chloe was the introduced as a new Magic Attic Club member! This doll is the recipient of the prestigious DOTY award for 2001.
Rumors ran rampant in 2001 that Knickerbocker tried to sell the Magic Attic Club line to Robert Tonner and that he had declined the offer. Then, in October 2001 Brian Blosil, husband of famous doll designer and singer Marie Osmond, purchased Knickerbocker's assets, including the Magic Attic Club line. Marie and Brian combined their names to form a new company called Marian, LLC (pronounced to rhyme with Brian). The new company Marian, LLC did not produce any dolls during 2002, stating that the Brand was suspended pending a complete upgrade of the product line.
In 2003, Marian, LLC debuted their new line of Magic Attic (they dropped the Club) dolls. The new dolls had undergone many changes. Notably, Megan received a new face sculpt and all the dolls now had rooted hair instead of wigs. Unfortunately, the rooted hair tangled easily and did not hold up to child hair play. The dolls no longer had specific outfits but a generic wardrobe that could belong to any doll. More significantly, Rose's name was changed to Rosa and her heritage became Hispanic rather than Native American. And Chloe was dropped from the line.
In 2004 Marian, LLC was purchased by Charisma Brands of Rhode Island. Charisma made a few changes to the Magic Attic line, including retuning to wigged hair and making a few wardrobe changes. Then in December 2004, Charisma announced that they would no longer produce the Magic Attic dolls.
Please take a few minutes to enjoy our nearly complete collection of Magic Attic dolls, costumes and accessories. Use the drop down menu or just click on a photo to enter the gallery.
Rumors ran rampant in 2001 that Knickerbocker tried to sell the Magic Attic Club line to Robert Tonner and that he had declined the offer. Then, in October 2001 Brian Blosil, husband of famous doll designer and singer Marie Osmond, purchased Knickerbocker's assets, including the Magic Attic Club line. Marie and Brian combined their names to form a new company called Marian, LLC (pronounced to rhyme with Brian). The new company Marian, LLC did not produce any dolls during 2002, stating that the Brand was suspended pending a complete upgrade of the product line.
In 2003, Marian, LLC debuted their new line of Magic Attic (they dropped the Club) dolls. The new dolls had undergone many changes. Notably, Megan received a new face sculpt and all the dolls now had rooted hair instead of wigs. Unfortunately, the rooted hair tangled easily and did not hold up to child hair play. The dolls no longer had specific outfits but a generic wardrobe that could belong to any doll. More significantly, Rose's name was changed to Rosa and her heritage became Hispanic rather than Native American. And Chloe was dropped from the line.
In 2004 Marian, LLC was purchased by Charisma Brands of Rhode Island. Charisma made a few changes to the Magic Attic line, including retuning to wigged hair and making a few wardrobe changes. Then in December 2004, Charisma announced that they would no longer produce the Magic Attic dolls.
Please take a few minutes to enjoy our nearly complete collection of Magic Attic dolls, costumes and accessories. Use the drop down menu or just click on a photo to enter the gallery.