I next picked one of the doll boxes, and started to unpack it. It turned out to be the Rapunzel and Flynn set. After I took it out of the carton, I slipped off the cardboard cover sleeve, and turned it around to look at the Certificate of Authenticity at the back. It was #012 of 6000! This is by far the lowest LE number that I have ever gotten. Plus 12 is a very cool number on its own, and is also exactly 1/500 of the edition size.

I was very anxious to see what the edition number really was. First step was to open up the shipping carton. Inside was the five doll sets, each in their own carton. The two sets at the ends were also covered in bubble wrap. Included in the side were the five DFDC gift bags, and the packing slip.

The original shipping label, from the manufacturer to the Disney Store warehouse. From previous experience with LE pre-orders, the Carton #00008 meant that I had a VERY low edition (serial) number. There might be an offset from this, so it might not be exactly 8, but it should be very close to that. My heart started pounding at this point.

The shipping carton was very large and heavy. It was 42'' x 18'' x 8'' and weighed 28 pounds. It came from the Disney Store warehouse in Memphis, Tennesse, from where the DS ships almost all their merchandise.

My pre-order for the Disney Fairytale Designer Collection (DFDC) Doll Set just arrived at my home today. It consists of all five doll couples in the collection, in one very large shipping box. I will show the entire set during the process of unpacking them from the shipping cartons, and showing the dolls themselves in their display cases. I will not debox any of these dolls. I have been deboxing ''spares'' of these dolls, as they were released once every two weeks, since August 20, 2013. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get the Ariel and Eric set today at the store raffle, so will order my spare set tonight online. I had pre-ordered this collectioin at the D23 Expo on August 9, 2013.

My first surprise is that I got a very low edition number for the set, only #12 of 6000! The second surprise is that all the dolls but Snow White and the Prince had this low number. The Snow White set unfortunately was #4508 of 6000. I will certainly contact the Disney Store Guest Services to see what can be done about this discrepancy.

Disney Fairytale Designer Collection Doll Set - Pre-Order

US Disney Store

Went live at 2013-08-12 12:13 AM PDT

Product information:

Disney Fairytale Designer Collection Doll Set - Pre-Order

$649.75

Item No. 6070040900920P

Reserve by clicking Pre-Order now! We expect this item to be available by 10/15/2013. You will be notified via email when it is ready to ship.

Once upon a time . . .

Inspired by Disney's heritage of fairytales comes this spectacular set of limited edition collectible dolls. Featuring exquisite costumes, the set of five Disney Princesses and their beaus will be cherished happily ever after.

Magic in the details...

Available to own October 15, 2013

Please Note: Each Guest will be limited to ordering a maximum of one of this item per order.

The Disney Fairytale Designer Collection was carefully crafted by artists inspired by Disney's true heritage of the fairytale beginning with their 1937 classic, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Celebrating the magical moment in the fairytale when the couples fall in love, five Disney Princesses and their beaus have been reimagined in exquisite detail with these limited edition dolls. Brought to life with thoughtful attention, they uniquely capture the essence of the fairytale couple, creating a one of a kind set that will be a treasured keepsake of collectors, Disney fans, and every princess at heart!

•Global Limited Editon of 6000

•Includes Certificates of Authenticity

•Includes five sets of couples, with each couple coming in its own display case

•Sets include, Snow White and the Prince, Rapunzel and Flynn Rider, Jasmine and Aladdin, Belle and the Beast, Ariel and Eric

•Each set presented in a special keepsake display case with intricate details on the base, including a golden plate with the name of the specific Disney Princess and their partner

•Part of the Disney Fairytale Designer Collection

* Intended for adult collectors -- Not a child's toy.

The bare necessities

•Plastic / polyester

•Disney Princesses: 11 1/2''

•Princes: up to 13'' H

•Imported

© Carlos Alvarez Montero

35 years old - Mexico City (Mexico)

Bio:

Carlos Alvarez Montero lives and works between New York and Mexico City. His work focuses on the relationship between appearance and the creation of identity. His work has been published in publications such as Time Magazine, Newsweek, The Fader, Vice, Neo2.

Description of the work:

This work named “Covers (adopt & adapt)” is a series of portraits of people who are constructing their identity but because of the lack of rapport with their social, cultural and geographical situation, they need to adopt ideas, styles, signs and/or symbols from a part of a world different than their own. By adapting them to their specific circumstances they create a new meaning that fits their specific needs and situations. So they create a new characteristic and original code that separates them from everyone else, reaffirming their individuality giving them certain aura of authenticity.The title makes reference to two of the existing meanings of the word “cover”: the first as in the cover of a book in relation with the old expression “Don’t judge a book by its cover”, the second from the cover version of a song, a reinterpretation of a music piece created by adapting the original into a different context (rhythm, style, language) than the one it was first conceived.

Then I started unpacked the other doll boxes, one by one, and looked at their CoA. The next was Jasmine and Aladdin, who were also #012. Then Belle and the Beast, then Ariel and Eric. Finally the last one I uncovered was Snow White. I was very shocked that its number was not #012, but #4508! It was clear that this was a mistake by the Disney Store, and that this Snow White set was never meant to be part of the pre-orders. However, the curious thing is that the price sticker on the Snow White set's cover sleeve showed the pre-order price of $649.75, the same as that of the other doll sets.

I next picked one of the doll boxes, and started to unpack it. It turned out to be the Rapunzel and Flynn set. After I took it out of the carton, I slipped off the cardboard cover sleeve, and turned it around to look at the Certificate of Authenticity (CoA) at the back. It was #012 of 6000! This is by far the lowest LE number that I have ever gotten. Plus 12 is a very cool number on its own, and is also exactly 1/500 of the edition size.

I was very anxious to see what the edition number really was. First step was to open up the shipping carton. Inside was the five doll sets, each in their own carton. The two sets at the ends were also covered in bubble wrap. Included in the side were the five DFDC gift bags, and the packing slip.

The original shipping label, from the manufacturer to the Disney Store warehouse. From previous experience with LE pre-orders, the Carton #00008 meant that I had a VERY low edition (serial) number. There might be an offset from this, so it might not be exactly 8, but it should be very close to that. My heart started pounding at this point.

The shipping carton was very large and heavy. It was 42'' x 18'' x 8'' and weighed 28 pounds. It came from the Disney Store warehouse in Memphis, Tennesse, from where the DS ships almost all their merchandise.

My pre-order for the Disney Fairytale Designer Collection (DFDC) Doll Set just arrived at my home today. It consists of all five doll couples in the collection, in one very large shipping box. I will show the entire set during the process of unpacking them from the shipping cartons, and showing the dolls themselves in their display cases. I will not debox any of these dolls. I have been deboxing ''spares'' of these dolls, as they were released once every two weeks, since August 20, 2013. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get the Ariel and Eric set today at the store raffle, so will order my spare set tonight online. I had pre-ordered this collectioin at the D23 Expo on August 9, 2013.

My first surprise is that I got a very low edition number for the set, only #12 of 6000! The second surprise is that all the dolls but Snow White and the Prince had this low number. The Snow White set unfortunately was #4508 of 6000. I will certainly contact the Disney Store Guest Services to see what can be done about this discrepancy.

Disney Fairytale Designer Collection Doll Set - Pre-Order

US Disney Store

Went live at 2013-08-12 12:13 AM PDT

Product information:

Disney Fairytale Designer Collection Doll Set - Pre-Order

$649.75

Item No. 6070040900920P

Reserve by clicking Pre-Order now! We expect this item to be available by 10/15/2013. You will be notified via email when it is ready to ship.

Once upon a time . . .

Inspired by Disney's heritage of fairytales comes this spectacular set of limited edition collectible dolls. Featuring exquisite costumes, the set of five Disney Princesses and their beaus will be cherished happily ever after.

Magic in the details...

Available to own October 15, 2013

Please Note: Each Guest will be limited to ordering a maximum of one of this item per order.

The Disney Fairytale Designer Collection was carefully crafted by artists inspired by Disney's true heritage of the fairytale beginning with their 1937 classic, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Celebrating the magical moment in the fairytale when the couples fall in love, five Disney Princesses and their beaus have been reimagined in exquisite detail with these limited edition dolls. Brought to life with thoughtful attention, they uniquely capture the essence of the fairytale couple, creating a one of a kind set that will be a treasured keepsake of collectors, Disney fans, and every princess at heart!

•Global Limited Editon of 6000

•Includes Certificates of Authenticity

•Includes five sets of couples, with each couple coming in its own display case

•Sets include, Snow White and the Prince, Rapunzel and Flynn Rider, Jasmine and Aladdin, Belle and the Beast, Ariel and Eric

•Each set presented in a special keepsake display case with intricate details on the base, including a golden plate with the name of the specific Disney Princess and their partner

•Part of the Disney Fairytale Designer Collection

* Intended for adult collectors -- Not a child's toy.

The bare necessities

•Plastic / polyester

•Disney Princesses: 11 1/2''

•Princes: up to 13'' H

•Imported

Qamea Resort & Spa, Qamea Island, Fiji

The Qamea Beach Club was built from the ground up in 1982 by the Frank and Jo Kloss, a California couple from the Silicon Valley, For the Kloss's, the road to Fiji was roundabout, beginning aboard a sailboat moored in Sausalito, followed by a search through the Pacific for the perfect island. In 1982 the Kloss's yacht ended up on Qamea, than a completely undeveloped island. They built Qamea from scratch in the early 80's importing everything by boat from the bigger island of Taveuni. The original 12 traditional thatched bures and the open-air burekalou (a temple turned dining room and bar) were built with the authenticity of an island hideaway (barefoot luxury) with the absence of television, telephones and room service. Jo Kloss was known as the Mother Qamea and is one of Fiji's flamboyant expatriates. In her bathing suit and sula -- Jo Kloss held court on many afternoons, spinning tales about Qamea Resort's eccentric celebrity guests. In 1989 room rates at Qamea Beach Club were US $155 per couple per night.

In 2002 the American Ron Eckstrom-French and the New Zealander Bryce Earwaker co-owned the Qamea Resort and Spa. Bryce Earwaker has been a realtor in New Zealand for 25 years owning 3 offices incorporating 45 agents/brokers. The Qamea Resort caters to a maximum of 34 adults (no children), with only 17 bures nestled among swaying coconut palms and gardens on Qamea Island which is the 12th largest island in Fiji. Qamea Resort sits on 100 acres of tropical landscaped gardens with jagged volcanic South Pacific mountains soaring behind the resort. Qamea Resort fronts a private white sand beach and is known as one of the most spectacular resorts in Fiji’s northern island group. There are no roads, street lights, honking horns...just the sounds from the bird songs, lapping waves and the gentle breezes. The 17 Fijian-inspired bures (rooms) sit some 20 feet off the powdery white sand beach. Inside the thatched-roof bures, with their 20-foot ceilings and unobstructed lagoon views, are man-made amenities such as king-size four-poster beds, hand-polished mahogany floors, outdoor showers and locally created artworks. Accessible only via boat the resort emphasizes privacy, gourmet dining, a spa, fresh water swimming pool and activities featuring diving, snorkeling and hiking. At Qamea an important guest activity is a lively pre-dinner happy hour. The resort does not have a dock or jetty. Guests arrive by motor boat from the island of Taveuni - and hop off the boat in to a foot or so of the warm Pacific Ocean.

In an interview from 2005 Bryce Earwaker said the main reason they bought Qamea - was because it had an untouched Fijian feeling, which was very indicative of the country with great beaches facing the sun. The more remote it is, the more real the experience. There are about 1000 people who live in villages on the island, leading a peaceful life of subsistence. Perhaps the fact one of the richest men in the world, Malcolm Forbes, owned the neighboring island until he died, says it all. When Bryce first arrived, the resort had a 12 per cent occupancy rate. They soon discovered why. Guests weren't particular enamored with the overwhelming tropical heat without the benefit of air conditioning.

Experience in the hospitality trade combined with his real estate background prepared Bryce for the expense of upgrading the resort to attract the discerning American clientele. So he went shopping in Suva and bought a "reasonably-priced air con system". The electrician arrived to install it and Bryce was told the existing generator couldn't cope with the new system, so he'd have to purchase a new one. It cost him $60,000 to triple its capacity. When the electrician returned, he brought more bad news. The whole place would have to be rewired for another $38,000. And so it went on. At this stage Bryce resigned himself to a total budget blowout. He has since completely rebuilt all 12 bures and added another five. "You name it, we did it. Everything was renovated, replaced, re-watered, re-powered, re-sewaged ...". Occupancy is now at 85 per cent, and hopefully when it comes to sell it will be worth the investment. According to Earwaker "We're in the fantasy business. We've got to find out their fantasy when they arrive and deliver it. We list all the activities in a newsletter each day. There are sporting, boating and snorkelling activities, the spa and private beaches. We take people on picnics and tailor activities to their dreams." "No children are allowed at the resort. We define ourselves as a luxury, romantic, dive, soft adventure-type resort in tune with the cultural/village experience." They have a consultant New Zealand chef who sets the menus, while the Guinot-licensed spa staff are French trained. In terms of sustainability, Qamea has eliminated plastic water bottles and all guests receive a personalised water bottle that they can then take home as a memento of their time in Fiji.

The resort's Jungle Spa was launched in 2008 and consists of five free standing treatment bures and a relaxation bure built into the side of a cliff under the jungle canopy. The spa is owned and managed by the resort and has five highly-trained local spa therapists. It features Guinot products.

Unlike most island resorts that depend upon expensive desalination or undependable rain water, the Qamea Resort is fortunate to have access to unlimited fresh spring water which is stored in a 100,000 litre storage facility, The water is pure and requires minimal filtration. Electrical power is supplied by four modern diesel generators, the most recent of which was installed in December 2016. They are controlled by computer switchgear, ensuring a backup supply at any time.

Since 2017 Lars Wahlquist and Krista Espelien are the resort General Managers. They are married and both are PADI scuba instructors. Krista is from Minnesota and a Hamline University graduate. Lars and Krista met in Thailand working at the same dive school in 2011.

As of 2018 the 100-acre Qamea Resort is for sale as a free-hold property. Only 9% of the land in Fiji is free-hold.

Compiled by Dick Johnson / January, 2019

© Carlos Alvarez Montero

35 years old - Mexico City (Mexico)

Bio:

Carlos Alvarez Montero lives and works between New York and Mexico City. His work focuses on the relationship between appearance and the creation of identity. His work has been published in publications such as Time Magazine, Newsweek, The Fader, Vice, Neo2.

Description of the work:

This work named “Covers (adopt & adapt)” is a series of portraits of people who are constructing their identity but because of the lack of rapport with their social, cultural and geographical situation, they need to adopt ideas, styles, signs and/or symbols from a part of a world different than their own. By adapting them to their specific circumstances they create a new meaning that fits their specific needs and situations. So they create a new characteristic and original code that separates them from everyone else, reaffirming their individuality giving them certain aura of authenticity.The title makes reference to two of the existing meanings of the word “cover”: the first as in the cover of a book in relation with the old expression “Don’t judge a book by its cover”, the second from the cover version of a song, a reinterpretation of a music piece created by adapting the original into a different context (rhythm, style, language) than the one it was first conceived.

via WordPress bit.ly/1P9dN11

TRAJAN 112AD Via Traiana Extended Via Appia Road Silver Roman Coin i52651

To see TRAJAN 112AD Via Traiana Extended Via Appia Road Silver Roman Coin i52651 visit: ebay.to/1MlPGHf

About the item on this post:

What you see is an item just listed by Ilya Zlobin. Ilya Zlobin, a world-renowned ancient Greek, Roman, Biblical, Byzantine, Medieval and World numismatic coin, antiquities and artifact dealer, expert, author and enthusiast.

You can learn a lot more about ancient coins on his website www.trustedcoins.com where there a link to his eBay coin shop is given in big bold red letters. His coin store has authentic ancient Greek and Roman coins for sale, and also at his youtube video channel with educational videos and how-to’s about ancient coin collecting and investing.

Learn more about Ilya Zlobin, or sign up to his free educational emails about ancient coins which include amazing articles, videos and a lot more, delivered right to your email inbox. The amazing thing about your experience in his ancient coin store is that every coin comes with it’s own attractive custom-made, full-color, Certificate of Authenticity and a Lifetime Guarantee of Authenticity. This by itself can be considered a $50-$100 value all by itself and it comes standard with EVERY item you purchase, absolutely FREE. Every coin is professionally researched and described with high-quality photos of it taken. This is the best presentation in the entire field, which adds to the coin’s resale value, collectability and to the pleasure of collecting.

These coins are great for beginners or experts and also make great gifts for any occasion, heirlooms and even as alternative investments. In fact, many kids absolutely love collecting ancient coins, as they are a great educational tool and are fun! With over 14,000 items to choose from, you can find practically any item than may be of interest to you. Dealing with him, you are leveraging over 10 years of experience, working full time, which included learning about, finding, researching and describing items. Ilya Zlobin has\ worked with over 50,000 ancient coins and artifacts! If you want to buy ancient coins, you want to shop with the best dealers of ancient coins, who back the products they sell. Ilya Zlobin stands behind every item 100%, and provide a 30 day unconditional money-back satisfaction guarantee, and a guarantee of authenticity for a lifetime.

Ilya Zlobin loves to keep everyone he deals with very happy with the amazing value they got, and having them return for an excellent experience is his goal. You can read what real customers have said about their experience by reading the reviews as feedbacks on eBay. By collecting ancient coins, you will be joining the ranks of some of the most famous people in the world.

Great TIP: There are two additional ways to save even more! One is to use the “make offer” button to offer the price you wish to pay and number two is to take advantage of any advertised promotion that may be available when you add the item to your shopping cart over a certain amount.

Click here to see all discounted items available in his coin shop

| www.trustedcoins.com | eBay Ancient Coin Shop | Youtube Video Channel | About Ilya Zlobin | Educational Emails about Ancient Coins signup |

Click here to check out this interesting item now –TRAJAN 112AD Via Traiana Extended Via Appia Road Silver Roman Coin i52651

ebay.to/1MlPGHf

The history of modernism is for a long time a history of resistance: in Paris and Barcelona, ​​in Munich and Berlin, young artists revolt against the academies and the virtuoso but superficial salon painting.

The goal of this international departure of modernity is an art of authenticity. It is practiced in the art of forlornism, for which the avant-gardes use the child's drawing and the Sunday painting of the dilettante as well as the art of the mentally ill or the alleged primitivism of African and oceanic sculpture.

For the neo-primitivism of the early Russian avant-garde, Niko Pirosmani, born in 1862 in Tbilisi, is the most important obstetrician from the ancestral line of the unskilled.

What the French customs officer and sunday painter Henri Rousseau in Paris is for Picasso, Braque and Modigliani means Pirosmani for the Russian avant-garde: without the deeply felt, simple form of the animals and figures of Pirosmani, always shown frontally or in a strict profile, is the early art of Chagall and Malevich and of Goncharova and Larionov not thinkable.

The monumental and magical poetry of Pirosmani's isolated figures has cast a spell over the pioneers of modernism at their first exhibition in 1913. Pirosmani is hailed as the herald of the authentic art not deformed by the academies. He is the fixed star on the way to the primal simplicity of the folk soul.

Picasso also admires the iconic simplicity and memorable power of Pirosmani's painting. Even in old age, the Spaniard dedicates an etching to the Georgian.

Pirosmani did not live to see the appreciation and success of his art. The lack of understanding in his homeland and the outbreak of the First World War thwart further exhibitions. What Pirosmani sells during his lifetime on shop signs and portraits, he is paid in kind, wine and food.

Impoverished and homeless, Niko Pirosmani dies in 1918 in the damp, cold basement of a tavern in Tbilisi.

Die Geschichte der Moderne ist über weite Strecken eine Geschichte des Widerstands: In Paris und Barcelona, in München und Berlin revoltieren junge Künstler gegen die Akademien und die virtuose, aber oberflächliche Salonmalerei.

Ziel jenes internationalen Aufbruchs der Moderne ist eine Kunst des Authentischen. Man übt sich in der Kunst des Verlernens, wofür die Avantgarden die Kinderzeichnung und die Sonntagsmalerei der Dilettanten ebenso zu Hilfe nehmen wie die Bildnerei von Geisteskranken oder den vermeintlichen Primitivismus der afrikanischen und ozeanischen Skulptur.

Für den Neoprimitivismus der frühen russischen Avantgarde ist der 1862 in Tiflis geborene Niko Pirosmani der bedeutendste Geburtshelfer aus der Ahnenreihe der Ungelernten.

Was der französische Zöllner und Sonntagsmaler Henri Rousseau in Paris für Picasso, Braque und Modigliani ist, bedeutet Pirosmani für die russische Avantgarde: Ohne die tief empfundene, einfache Form der stets frontal oder im strengen Profil gezeigten Tiere und Gestalten Pirosmanis ist die frühe Kunst von Chagall und Malewitsch von Gontscharowa und Larionow nicht zu denken.

Die Monumentalität und magische Poesie von Pirosmanis isolierten Figuren haben die Bahnbrecher der Moderne bereits bei ihrer ersten Ausstellung 1913 in den Bann gezogen. Pirosmani wird als Herold der authentischen, der durch die Akademien nicht verbildeten Kunst gefeiert. Er ist der Fixstern auf dem Weg zur urtümlichen Einfachheit der Volksseele.

Auch Picasso bewundert an Pirosmanis Malerei die ikonische Schlichtheit und einprägsame Kraft. Noch im Alter widmet der Spanier dem Georgier eine Radierung.

Pirosmani sollte die Wertschätzung und den Erfolg seiner Kunst nicht mehr erleben. Das Unverständnis in seiner Heimat und der Ausbruch des Ersten Weltkrieges vereiteln weitere Ausstellungen. Was Pirosmani zu Lebzeiten an Ladenschildern und Porträts verkauft, wird ihm in Naturalien, Wein und Essen, bezahlt.

Verarmt und obdachlos stirbt Niko Pirosmani 1918 im feuchten, kalten Kellerverschlag einer Taverne in Tiflis.

The ALBERTINA devotes a comprehensive solo exhibition to the Georgian painter Niko Pirosmani (1862-1918). The autodidact, whose luminous, vivid works often depict animals or scenes from the life of ancient Georgia and its people, is today a hero of the avant-garde to be discovered. For Niko Pirosmani art is a wide, open field, he himself a vagabond, who consciously chose to move around as a way of life. A wanderer between town and country, restaurants and animal stables, which is at the same time in the center of the community. His commissioned works are not presented in galleries and museums, but in inns, taverns and shops. Niko Pirosmani embodies the artist's vision as a clairvoyant outsider.

The exhibition will be on view from October 26, 2018 to January 27, 2019.

This exhibition is made possible by the Infinitart Foundation.

It is organized by ALBERTINA with the Infinitart Foundation in collaboration with the Georgian National Museum and the Fondation Vincent Van Gogh Arles.

Die ALBERTINA widmet dem georgischen Maler Niko Pirosmani (1862–1918) eine umfassende Personale. Der Autodidakt, dessen leuchtende, eindringliche Werke häufig Tiere oder Szenen aus dem Leben des alten Georgiens und seiner Menschen zeigen, ist heute ein Held der Avantgarde, den es zu entdecken gilt. Kunst ist für Niko Pirosmani ein weites, offenes Feld, er selbst ein Vagabund, der das Herumziehen bewusst als Lebensform gewählt hat. Ein Wanderer zwischen Stadt und Land, Gaststuben und Tierställen, der sich gleichzeitig im Zentrum der Gemeinschaft aufhält. Seine im Auftrag entstandenen Werke werden nicht in Galerien und Museen präsentiert, sondern in Gasthöfen, Tavernen und Läden. Niko Pirosmani verkörpert die Vision des Künstlers als hellsichtigem Außenseiter.

Die Ausstellung ist von 26. Oktober 2018 bis 27. Jänner 2019 zu sehen.

Diese Ausstellung wird durch die Infinitart Foundation ermöglicht.

Sie wird von der ALBERTINA mit der Infinitart Foundation in Zusammenarbeit mit dem Georgischen National Museum und der Fondation Vincent Van Gogh Arles organisiert.

www.albertina.at/ausstellungen/niko-pirosmani/

(for English scroll down)

Meine erste Foto-Einzelausstellung präsentiert im Café Berio, Berlin

Vernissage 31. Juli 2018 | Finissage 22. September 2018

In meiner ersten Foto-Einzelausstellung zeigte ich meine Berliner Portraits und einige meiner Vogel-Fotografien; daher der Titel der Ausstellung. In meinem Fotoprojekt wollte ich einmal weg von den sonst bewusst gewählten Orten, an denen man ein Fotoshooting durchführt. Ein Studio oder eine ausgewählte Location haben für die Menschen meist etwas sehr Unpersönliches. Ich wollte dorthin, wo es am authentischsten ist; an die Orte, an denen die Protagonisten (überwiegend Künstler) zu Hause und in ihrem Element sind: auf der Bühne, hinter der Bühne und vor, während und nach einem Auftritt bzw. Event. Ich möchte dem Betrachter Bilder zeigen, die er nicht unbedingt während einer Veranstaltung wahrnimmt und Außenstehende gefangen nehmen, als hätten sie es live miterlebt.

Über 70 Arbeiten präsentierte ich in der Ausstellung; darunter Portraits von Romy Haag, Henry de Winter, Hanna Schygulla, Georgette Dee, Dieter Rita Scholl, Gloria Viagra, Ades Zabel, Frank Wilde, Gaby Tupper und vielen anderen.

Vögel leben auf allen Kontinenten. Sie sind flüchtige, scheue Tiere. Auf meinen Fotografien lassen sie aber eine unwahrscheinliche Nähe zu. Das eigentlich Fremde und in der Natur nicht Sichtbare habe ich in meinen Vogel-Portraits festgehalten.

Mein Motto: "Authentizität ist das Schlüsselwort, das hinter meiner Fotografie steht. Ich ziehe es vor, mehr die menschliche Note zu zeigen und weniger die Retusche."

Die meisten der Exponate sind in der queeren Community entstanden.

berio-berlin.de/ausstellungen/berliner-und-andere-schraeg...

____________________________________________________

My first solo photo exhibition presented at Café Berio, Berlin

Opening July 31, 2018 | Closing September 22, 2018

In my first solo photo exhibition, I showed my Berlin portraits and some of my bird photographs; hence the title of the exhibition. In my photo project, I wanted to get away from the usual deliberately chosen locations for a photo shoot. There is usually something very impersonal about a studio or a selected location for people. I wanted to go where it is most authentic; to the places where the protagonists (mostly artists) are at home and in their element: on stage, backstage and before, during and after a performance or event. I want to show the viewer images that they don't necessarily see during an event and capture outsiders as if they had witnessed it live.

I presented over 70 works in the exhibition, including portraits of Romy Haag, Henry de Winter, Hanna Schygulla, Georgette Dee, Dieter Rita Scholl, Gloria Viagra, Ades Zabel, Frank Wilde, Gaby Tupper and many others.

Birds live on every continent. They are elusive, shy animals. In my photographs, however, they allow an improbable closeness. I have captured what is actually alien and invisible in nature in my bird portraits.

My motto: "Authenticity is the keyword that lies behind my photography. I prefer to show more the human touch and less the retouch."

Most of the exhibits were created in the queer community.

berio-berlin.de/ausstellungen/berliner-und-andere-schraeg...

This "COA" or "Certificate of Authenticity" came with the first "Indiana Jones" style leather jacket, a Raiders of the Lost Ark Authentic Lambskin version, that I purchased second-hand through eBay several years ago. The seller mentioned that he had a Wested Leather Certificate of Authenticity for the jacket.

My opinion, from the moment I saw this certificate, is that the Certificate of Authenticity needs a certificate of authenticity! I mean, really? These are the guys who claimed to have designed and manufactured one of the most iconic costume pieces in motion picture history, and this is the best they could come up with for a certificate? The lettering is a mish-mash of nearly unreadable typefaces, the print quality is poor, and, well, I don't know if Wested laminates the certificates or if a previous owner did that, but the plastic finish doesn't exactly enhance the air of exclusivity. Bottom line, the certificate is pretty lame. I've come close to throwing it out a few times. I stumbled across it here a couple of hours ago as I was going through a box of papers, and figured I'd post a "high quality scan" so that anybody who wants one can download and print out their own Wested Leather Co. Certificate of Authenticity. Of course, that's only for people who legitimately, you know, lost theirs or something.

I wonder if the certificate has any resale value? I can't foresee a time or reason when I would sell the jacket, and there's nothing on the wishy-washy certificate to link it to any one specific jacket anyway. It's not like the jackets and the COAs are numbered or anything. You'd think maybe Wested could embroider a little number into the lining or something, and type the corresponding number on the certificate.

The Wested jackets are pretty cool. I have two of 'em now... so maybe I should print out another certificate myself. When I first joined a certain Indiana Jones fan site online, the Wested was the end-all of Indy jackets, the most "screen accurate" version available and highly coveted. Then, suddenly, the Wested jackets seemed to fall out of favor, and Indy gearheads started dissing Wested as being poor copies of the original design and lacking screen accuracy or authenticity. How could they question the authenticity, I wondered, when the jackets came with a Certificate of Authenticity? But for whatever reason, more expensive jackets became the rage, and high-end custom (as opposed to costume) Indy-style leather jackets were the thing to have. Recently, however, I've noticed that Wested jackets seem to have come back into favor, at least to an extent.

Whatever. Who cares. You put on any brown corduroy coat and a brown wide-brimmed hat and somebody's gonna call you "Indy."

DLD*women (Digital-Life-Design) Conference is taking place for 2.th time in Munich, from 29 to 30th June 2011 "Innovation & Authenticity"

DLD*women (Digital-Life-Design) Conference is taking place for 2.th time in Munich, from 29 to 30th June 2011 "Innovation & Authenticity"

© Carlos Alvarez Montero

35 years old - Mexico City (Mexico)

Bio:

Carlos Alvarez Montero lives and works between New York and Mexico City. His work focuses on the relationship between appearance and the creation of identity. His work has been published in publications such as Time Magazine, Newsweek, The Fader, Vice, Neo2.

Description of the work:

This work named “Covers (adopt & adapt)” is a series of portraits of people who are constructing their identity but because of the lack of rapport with their social, cultural and geographical situation, they need to adopt ideas, styles, signs and/or symbols from a part of a world different than their own. By adapting them to their specific circumstances they create a new meaning that fits their specific needs and situations. So they create a new characteristic and original code that separates them from everyone else, reaffirming their individuality giving them certain aura of authenticity.The title makes reference to two of the existing meanings of the word “cover”: the first as in the cover of a book in relation with the old expression “Don’t judge a book by its cover”, the second from the cover version of a song, a reinterpretation of a music piece created by adapting the original into a different context (rhythm, style, language) than the one it was first conceived.

© Carlos Alvarez Montero

35 years old - Mexico City (Mexico)

Bio:

Carlos Alvarez Montero lives and works between New York and Mexico City. His work focuses on the relationship between appearance and the creation of identity. His work has been published in publications such as Time Magazine, Newsweek, The Fader, Vice, Neo2.

Description of the work:

This work named “Covers (adopt & adapt)” is a series of portraits of people who are constructing their identity but because of the lack of rapport with their social, cultural and geographical situation, they need to adopt ideas, styles, signs and/or symbols from a part of a world different than their own. By adapting them to their specific circumstances they create a new meaning that fits their specific needs and situations. So they create a new characteristic and original code that separates them from everyone else, reaffirming their individuality giving them certain aura of authenticity.The title makes reference to two of the existing meanings of the word “cover”: the first as in the cover of a book in relation with the old expression “Don’t judge a book by its cover”, the second from the cover version of a song, a reinterpretation of a music piece created by adapting the original into a different context (rhythm, style, language) than the one it was first conceived.

© Carlos Alvarez Montero

35 years old - Mexico City (Mexico)

Bio:

Carlos Alvarez Montero lives and works between New York and Mexico City. His work focuses on the relationship between appearance and the creation of identity. His work has been published in publications such as Time Magazine, Newsweek, The Fader, Vice, Neo2.

Description of the work:

This work named “Covers (adopt & adapt)” is a series of portraits of people who are constructing their identity but because of the lack of rapport with their social, cultural and geographical situation, they need to adopt ideas, styles, signs and/or symbols from a part of a world different than their own. By adapting them to their specific circumstances they create a new meaning that fits their specific needs and situations. So they create a new characteristic and original code that separates them from everyone else, reaffirming their individuality giving them certain aura of authenticity.The title makes reference to two of the existing meanings of the word “cover”: the first as in the cover of a book in relation with the old expression “Don’t judge a book by its cover”, the second from the cover version of a song, a reinterpretation of a music piece created by adapting the original into a different context (rhythm, style, language) than the one it was first conceived.

The ministry of Authenticity makes these posters that help remind people about what is right and wrong for WW2 Living History.

The makers have made it clear that the images are copyright free and that anyone can post them anywhere, share them, etc.

So I am doing my bit in trying to get as many people as possible to see them.

Please feel free to do the same.

Copy the pictures, share them on facebook, forums, etc.

People sometimes need reminding and with these pictures we can do this in a nice, fun, easy and direct way in stead of confronting individual people at events.

I got my pre-ordered Designer dolls today from UPS. They came in a huge box, 50 inches long and weighing 40 pounds. It was the original manufacturer's shipper, and the label said Cart #186. Inside the shipper the five doll sets were in individual cartons. I opened Ariel and King Triton first, and saw that it was numbered 188 of 6000, as were all the others. They were all in near perfect shape, with no glaring defects or messy hair. I show photos of each set in the order that I opened them. Then group photos of all five sets, placed side by side.

The ministry of Authenticity makes these posters that help remind people about what is right and wrong for WW2 Living History.

The makers have made it clear that the images are copyright free and that anyone can post them anywhere, share them, etc.

So I am doing my bit in trying to get as many people as possible to see them.

Please feel free to do the same.

Copy the pictures, share them on facebook, forums, etc.

People sometimes need reminding and with these pictures we can do this in a nice, fun, easy and direct way in stead of confronting individual people at events.

(for English scroll down)

Meine erste Foto-Einzelausstellung präsentiert im Café Berio, Berlin

Vernissage 31. Juli 2018 | Finissage 22. September 2018

In meiner ersten Foto-Einzelausstellung zeigte ich meine Berliner Portraits und einige meiner Vogel-Fotografien; daher der Titel der Ausstellung. In meinem Fotoprojekt wollte ich einmal weg von den sonst bewusst gewählten Orten, an denen man ein Fotoshooting durchführt. Ein Studio oder eine ausgewählte Location haben für die Menschen meist etwas sehr Unpersönliches. Ich wollte dorthin, wo es am authentischsten ist; an die Orte, an denen die Protagonisten (überwiegend Künstler) zu Hause und in ihrem Element sind: auf der Bühne, hinter der Bühne und vor, während und nach einem Auftritt bzw. Event. Ich möchte dem Betrachter Bilder zeigen, die er nicht unbedingt während einer Veranstaltung wahrnimmt und Außenstehende gefangen nehmen, als hätten sie es live miterlebt.

Über 70 Arbeiten präsentierte ich in der Ausstellung; darunter Portraits von Romy Haag, Henry de Winter, Hanna Schygulla, Georgette Dee, Dieter Rita Scholl, Gloria Viagra, Ades Zabel, Frank Wilde, Gaby Tupper und vielen anderen.

Vögel leben auf allen Kontinenten. Sie sind flüchtige, scheue Tiere. Auf meinen Fotografien lassen sie aber eine unwahrscheinliche Nähe zu. Das eigentlich Fremde und in der Natur nicht Sichtbare habe ich in meinen Vogel-Portraits festgehalten.

Mein Motto: "Authentizität ist das Schlüsselwort, das hinter meiner Fotografie steht. Ich ziehe es vor, mehr die menschliche Note zu zeigen und weniger die Retusche."

Die meisten der Exponate sind in der queeren Community entstanden.

berio-berlin.de/ausstellungen/berliner-und-andere-schraeg...

____________________________________________________

My first solo photo exhibition presented at Café Berio, Berlin

Opening July 31, 2018 | Closing September 22, 2018

In my first solo photo exhibition, I showed my Berlin portraits and some of my bird photographs; hence the title of the exhibition. In my photo project, I wanted to get away from the usual deliberately chosen locations for a photo shoot. There is usually something very impersonal about a studio or a selected location for people. I wanted to go where it is most authentic; to the places where the protagonists (mostly artists) are at home and in their element: on stage, backstage and before, during and after a performance or event. I want to show the viewer images that they don't necessarily see during an event and capture outsiders as if they had witnessed it live.

I presented over 70 works in the exhibition, including portraits of Romy Haag, Henry de Winter, Hanna Schygulla, Georgette Dee, Dieter Rita Scholl, Gloria Viagra, Ades Zabel, Frank Wilde, Gaby Tupper and many others.

Birds live on every continent. They are elusive, shy animals. In my photographs, however, they allow an improbable closeness. I have captured what is actually alien and invisible in nature in my bird portraits.

My motto: "Authenticity is the keyword that lies behind my photography. I prefer to show more the human touch and less the retouch."

Most of the exhibits were created in the queer community.

berio-berlin.de/ausstellungen/berliner-und-andere-schraeg...

Deboxing Elsa. Opening the box, the Certificate of Authenticity is on top of the styrofoam block containing the figure. The front cover is black with a large Beast Kingdom logo. Inside it is orange, with the corners of the CoA inserted into slots.

I got the Beast Kingdom MC-005 Elsa 1/4 Scale Figure from Big Bad Toy Store today (Wednesday October 3, 2018). She is made from resin, has an excellent paint job, and stands 15 inches tall to the top of her head, or 16.5 inches to the top of her raised hand, or 18 inches tall on her stand. The base is 9.5 inches in diameter and 1 1/4 inches thick, with a non skid bottom. There is a silver plaque on the base which has the Edition number, 291, which is also on a separate Certificate of Authenticity. But there is no indication of the Edition size.

She is in her iconic Let It Go pose, same as the Maquette and many other figures. She comes in three parts, her body and dress, her cape, and the base. She has to be inserted into the base to stand, and the cape is inserted into her back. She is very stable on the base. There is silver glitter on her bodice and the snowflake and icicle patterns in her cape, and it does shed a little. She is a very accurate and very beautiful depiction of Snow Queen Elsa.

I show her being deboxed, then on the base without her cape, and finally fully assembled with her cape on.

Frozen Master Craft MC-005 Queen Elsa of Arendelle PX Previews Exclusive Statue

BY BEAST KINGDOM

BRANDS FROZEN, DISNEY

IN STOCK

$214.99

Sold by Big Bad Toy Store

Premiered in 2014, the animated motion picture Frozen has propelled Disney's motion pictures to new heights! In addition to instant fame to all characters in the movie, Frozen has also elevated Elsa to the number three spot on Disney's ranking for the most popular princess.

Beast Kingdom's MC-005 Frozen Elsa is based on the appearance of Elsa when she became the Snow Queen in the movie with her confident and resolute demeanor. The sculptor has painstakingly stayed true to the source materials from Disney so as to portray the perfect recreation of Elsa's elegance. With precise and detailed sculpting, this statue faithfully captures the look of confidence and elegant posture of Elsa.

Coupled with professional paint work and special paint materials, all details on the statue are accurate reproduction of the color scheme as seen in the animation. As she stands atop of her pearl luster base, Elsa is ready to unleash her powerful cryokinetic magic. Want to witness that breathtaking world of ice?

Come to Beast Kingdom and join Elsa in a return to the stunning scenery in the world of Frozen!

Product Features

1/4 scale

Previews Exclusive statue!

Features details from the film

Stands on her ice base!

Box Contents

Elsa of Arendelle 1/4 scale statue

More images at the manufacturer's Facebook page announcement of the figure:

MC-005 Frozen Elsa

Then I started unpacked the other doll boxes, one by one, and looked at their CoA. The next was Jasmine and Aladdin, who were also #012. Then Belle and the Beast, then Ariel and Eric. Finally the last one I uncovered was Snow White. I was very shocked that its number was not #012, but #4508! It was clear that this was a mistake by the Disney Store, and that this Snow White set was never meant to be part of the pre-orders. However, the curious thing is that the price sticker on the Snow White set's cover sleeve showed the pre-order price of $649.75, the same as that of the other doll sets.

I next picked one of the doll boxes, and started to unpack it. It turned out to be the Rapunzel and Flynn set. After I took it out of the carton, I slipped off the cardboard cover sleeve, and turned it around to look at the Certificate of Authenticity (CoA) at the back. It was #012 of 6000! This is by far the lowest LE number that I have ever gotten. Plus 12 is a very cool number on its own, and is also exactly 1/500 of the edition size.

I was very anxious to see what the edition number really was. First step was to open up the shipping carton. Inside was the five doll sets, each in their own carton. The two sets at the ends were also covered in bubble wrap. Included in the side were the five DFDC gift bags, and the packing slip.

The original shipping label, from the manufacturer to the Disney Store warehouse. From previous experience with LE pre-orders, the Carton #00008 meant that I had a VERY low edition (serial) number. There might be an offset from this, so it might not be exactly 8, but it should be very close to that. My heart started pounding at this point.

The shipping carton was very large and heavy. It was 42'' x 18'' x 8'' and weighed 28 pounds. It came from the Disney Store warehouse in Memphis, Tennesse, from where the DS ships almost all their merchandise.

My pre-order for the Disney Fairytale Designer Collection (DFDC) Doll Set just arrived at my home today. It consists of all five doll couples in the collection, in one very large shipping box. I will show the entire set during the process of unpacking them from the shipping cartons, and showing the dolls themselves in their display cases. I will not debox any of these dolls. I have been deboxing ''spares'' of these dolls, as they were released once every two weeks, since August 20, 2013. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get the Ariel and Eric set today at the store raffle, so will order my spare set tonight online. I had pre-ordered this collectioin at the D23 Expo on August 9, 2013.

My first surprise is that I got a very low edition number for the set, only #12 of 6000! The second surprise is that all the dolls but Snow White and the Prince had this low number. The Snow White set unfortunately was #4508 of 6000. I will certainly contact the Disney Store Guest Services to see what can be done about this discrepancy.

Disney Fairytale Designer Collection Doll Set - Pre-Order

US Disney Store

Went live at 2013-08-12 12:13 AM PDT

Product information:

Disney Fairytale Designer Collection Doll Set - Pre-Order

$649.75

Item No. 6070040900920P

Reserve by clicking Pre-Order now! We expect this item to be available by 10/15/2013. You will be notified via email when it is ready to ship.

Once upon a time . . .

Inspired by Disney's heritage of fairytales comes this spectacular set of limited edition collectible dolls. Featuring exquisite costumes, the set of five Disney Princesses and their beaus will be cherished happily ever after.

Magic in the details...

Available to own October 15, 2013

Please Note: Each Guest will be limited to ordering a maximum of one of this item per order.

The Disney Fairytale Designer Collection was carefully crafted by artists inspired by Disney's true heritage of the fairytale beginning with their 1937 classic, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Celebrating the magical moment in the fairytale when the couples fall in love, five Disney Princesses and their beaus have been reimagined in exquisite detail with these limited edition dolls. Brought to life with thoughtful attention, they uniquely capture the essence of the fairytale couple, creating a one of a kind set that will be a treasured keepsake of collectors, Disney fans, and every princess at heart!

•Global Limited Editon of 6000

•Includes Certificates of Authenticity

•Includes five sets of couples, with each couple coming in its own display case

•Sets include, Snow White and the Prince, Rapunzel and Flynn Rider, Jasmine and Aladdin, Belle and the Beast, Ariel and Eric

•Each set presented in a special keepsake display case with intricate details on the base, including a golden plate with the name of the specific Disney Princess and their partner

•Part of the Disney Fairytale Designer Collection

* Intended for adult collectors -- Not a child's toy.

The bare necessities

•Plastic / polyester

•Disney Princesses: 11 1/2''

•Princes: up to 13'' H

•Imported

You walk the streets and you see some stupid protesters, do-gooder activists, hippies, oh damn, whatever thing you can think of that makes you want to throw up. You sneer at that thing or person. You say to yourself, society is going to hell. You say to yourself, but I know better. You say to...

manwithoutfather.com/2016/06/20/does-rejecting-societal-i...

While ive said many times before im a stamp freak .. i love the manner and fonts of the 18th century

especially serifed lettering .

While the Japanese repro's are a good platform from the originals there is always room for modifications , which im always up for those challenges ..

The barrel bands being one that needed

rounding out ...

and of course "surcharging" basically property markings as well as inspectors marks .

while as fledgling armory and inspectors marks would have been in 1777 and after

where a letter was sent explaining men who served their time of enlistment have been walking off

with arms belonging to the state and measures needed to guard against the taking of state property ..therefore surcharging was instituted .

Where the order from commissioner of stores ordered that all arms and accouterments belonging to the state where have the surface to receive the (impression) markings belonging to the state ..

a rough quote.. but basically the ballpark . So encampments had branding and stamping of equipment when sufficient to mark property.

The term Lock, stock and Barrel is born of this .

So with a naked bare Musket , i jumped at the chance to learn a trade of the time .

i didn't have the money for a full blacksmith set up or any blacksmith set up at all. but i did make do with other means of enough heat to do small work .

I jumped at the chance to learn stamp making a small niche that seamed over looked in re enacting ..

For some time we needed someone to make a property stamp and the company

hired a gunsmith to make us a stamp with the words U.STATES.

and everything and anything that had a surface received the impression

first was our stocks on our muskets and it looked fantastic . also the the size and style also matched for some of the congress pattern cartridge boxes those received a stamp on the inside as well.

But i discovered it still seemed barren ...after reading books on the subject i found more than just stocks had impressions of the U.S. but Locks and bayonets . as well as many other pieces that were not privately owned .all property marked U.S. or U.STATES or in some rare cases UNITED STATES.

so i gathered some patterns and made metal stamps with varying degrees of size and styles of serifed lettering of U's and S's

While my musket was the guinea pig my first U was good just a hair wide but i was too anxious

with the stamp completed my first impression was a piece of leather which looked great .

then i tried a piece of brass , the lighting was such i could not really noticed that the U

was a little on the wide side.. But i could not wait i grabbed my three pound mallet

and lock plate and scored a good hit nice and hard perfect placement .

Then i took my S stamps and placed it more to the left as some picture showed ..these were not done with two figured stamps but with single figured stamps ..however some were two figured .

the finished lock plate look convincing and good . not a deliberate mirror image but something as a respectable copy .

The true stamp of approval some years later.. would be at Strawberry bank New Hampshire.

where i was informed a collectors gathering of some New Hampshire State surcharged muskets

where on display

So i had to go .

i looked at some of the examples and i cant remember if they had any bayonets to examine

after talking to some i told them my drive for authenticity and the chance that no one else was doing , i thought i found a void in the hobby and showed them my musket

one collector was actually heated over it ..

instead of explaining myself i turned heels and walked away and basically took it as a great compliment .

however some time had passed and most for some reason weren't all that keen on the idea of stamping an expensive musket .

I am learning not everyone in a hobby is willing to go as far as one can with learning or even being authentic . Some people are just content with interpretation or hobby.

Again like with the "Stiles" thang, but its like some New Haven railroad guys are they're content with the one artifact used by the New Haven, but could care less who made the piece, if its complete or if it was or wasn't used anywhere else .

The amount and time to hand make a metal stamp was anything more than a passing fancy

as much as i liked doing it my eyesight is failing me i got down to the smallest metal stamp so far 1/8 of an inch . tho 3/32 was the norm ..

i never found many people who were as ape over this aspect as i was, so stamp and die making that died too. which is fine since the eyes are failing me anyway.But it was fun at the time and something not many people have been doing.

This musket will be up for sale as well.

Actually i remember a CSX engineer who wanted a 1795 Springfield musket which the Charleville was patterned from anyway

Deboxing Shanghai Snow White. First the inner clear plastic box is removed from the outer cardboard box. Then front plastic cover is removed. The plastic covers are held together at the corners with tabs, and are rather flimsy. The doll is attached to a thin cardboard backing, which is attached to the rear of the plastic box by the tabs of the plastic support behind the doll. The Certificate of Authenticity is under the inner box, which is also the usual place for the CoA of Disney Store LE 17'' dolls. There is printing on only one side of the CoA, which is in both English and Chinese.

My Shanghai Disney Resort Grand Opening Limited Edition Snow White 17'' Doll that was ordered more than three weeks ago has finally arrived! She was packed very well, and is in perfect shape. She is #381 of 1200.

Closeup of the Designer Belle Doll's serial number stamp.

Disney Princess Designer Belle Doll has the back of her gown opened up to reveal her serial (edition) number (1489 of 8000) stamped on her lower back. Of course, it matches the number printed on the doll's Certificate of Authenticity.

Then I started unpacked the other doll boxes, one by one, and looked at their CoA. The next was Jasmine and Aladdin, who were also #012. Then Belle and the Beast, then Ariel and Eric. Finally the last one I uncovered was Snow White. I was very shocked that its number was not #012, but #4508! It was clear that this was a mistake by the Disney Store, and that this Snow White set was never meant to be part of the pre-orders. However, the curious thing is that the price sticker on the Snow White set's cover sleeve showed the pre-order price of $649.75, the same as that of the other doll sets.

I next picked one of the doll boxes, and started to unpack it. It turned out to be the Rapunzel and Flynn set. After I took it out of the carton, I slipped off the cardboard cover sleeve, and turned it around to look at the Certificate of Authenticity (CoA) at the back. It was #012 of 6000! This is by far the lowest LE number that I have ever gotten. Plus 12 is a very cool number on its own, and is also exactly 1/500 of the edition size.

I was very anxious to see what the edition number really was. First step was to open up the shipping carton. Inside was the five doll sets, each in their own carton. The two sets at the ends were also covered in bubble wrap. Included in the side were the five DFDC gift bags, and the packing slip.

The original shipping label, from the manufacturer to the Disney Store warehouse. From previous experience with LE pre-orders, the Carton #00008 meant that I had a VERY low edition (serial) number. There might be an offset from this, so it might not be exactly 8, but it should be very close to that. My heart started pounding at this point.

The shipping carton was very large and heavy. It was 42'' x 18'' x 8'' and weighed 28 pounds. It came from the Disney Store warehouse in Memphis, Tennesse, from where the DS ships almost all their merchandise.

My pre-order for the Disney Fairytale Designer Collection (DFDC) Doll Set just arrived at my home today. It consists of all five doll couples in the collection, in one very large shipping box. I will show the entire set during the process of unpacking them from the shipping cartons, and showing the dolls themselves in their display cases. I will not debox any of these dolls. I have been deboxing ''spares'' of these dolls, as they were released once every two weeks, since August 20, 2013. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get the Ariel and Eric set today at the store raffle, so will order my spare set tonight online. I had pre-ordered this collectioin at the D23 Expo on August 9, 2013.

My first surprise is that I got a very low edition number for the set, only #12 of 6000! The second surprise is that all the dolls but Snow White and the Prince had this low number. The Snow White set unfortunately was #4508 of 6000. I will certainly contact the Disney Store Guest Services to see what can be done about this discrepancy.

Disney Fairytale Designer Collection Doll Set - Pre-Order

US Disney Store

Went live at 2013-08-12 12:13 AM PDT

Product information:

Disney Fairytale Designer Collection Doll Set - Pre-Order

$649.75

Item No. 6070040900920P

Reserve by clicking Pre-Order now! We expect this item to be available by 10/15/2013. You will be notified via email when it is ready to ship.

Once upon a time . . .

Inspired by Disney's heritage of fairytales comes this spectacular set of limited edition collectible dolls. Featuring exquisite costumes, the set of five Disney Princesses and their beaus will be cherished happily ever after.

Magic in the details...

Available to own October 15, 2013

Please Note: Each Guest will be limited to ordering a maximum of one of this item per order.

The Disney Fairytale Designer Collection was carefully crafted by artists inspired by Disney's true heritage of the fairytale beginning with their 1937 classic, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Celebrating the magical moment in the fairytale when the couples fall in love, five Disney Princesses and their beaus have been reimagined in exquisite detail with these limited edition dolls. Brought to life with thoughtful attention, they uniquely capture the essence of the fairytale couple, creating a one of a kind set that will be a treasured keepsake of collectors, Disney fans, and every princess at heart!

•Global Limited Editon of 6000

•Includes Certificates of Authenticity

•Includes five sets of couples, with each couple coming in its own display case

•Sets include, Snow White and the Prince, Rapunzel and Flynn Rider, Jasmine and Aladdin, Belle and the Beast, Ariel and Eric

•Each set presented in a special keepsake display case with intricate details on the base, including a golden plate with the name of the specific Disney Princess and their partner

•Part of the Disney Fairytale Designer Collection

* Intended for adult collectors -- Not a child's toy.

The bare necessities

•Plastic / polyester

•Disney Princesses: 11 1/2''

•Princes: up to 13'' H

•Imported

Detailed photos of the Disney Designer Collection Cruella De Vil and Dalmatians doll set. This was the first separately sold set to be released. I was the one and only person to enter the raffle for the doll today. At 1:10 pm, they brought out two doll sets from the back room for me to choose from. I picked the first one, because of her neater hair. They happened to be consecutively numbered. Mine was #2531 of 6000, and the other was #2532.

Cruella is decked out in a off white fur coat, red gloves, a black animal claw purse, black beaded necklace, black leatherette gown with black gems in the bodice, and red shoes. She appears to have the same body as D23 Designer Mulan. That is the same construction as a 2012 Disney Princess Classic 12 inch doll, with hinged knees and ball jointed ankles. She stands about 11 1/4 inches tall on the display stand.

There are detailed and accurate figures of seven of the Dalmatians from the movie. They include the parents Pongo and Perdita, and five of their puppies. They all have unique poses and expressions. The parents have cloth collars and hanging dog tags. The puppies have molded collars and tags.

Cruella De Vil and Dalmatians Doll Set - Disney Designer Folktale Series - Limited Edition

$129.95

Item No. 6003040900374P

US Disney Store

Released Online 2017-09-19 at 12:01 PM PST

Released In Store 2017-09-19 at 1:10 PM after a raffle between 12 and 1 PM (local time)

#2531 of 6000

© Carlos Alvarez Montero

35 years old - Mexico City (Mexico)

Bio:

Carlos Alvarez Montero lives and works between New York and Mexico City. His work focuses on the relationship between appearance and the creation of identity. His work has been published in publications such as Time Magazine, Newsweek, The Fader, Vice, Neo2.

Description of the work:

This work named “Covers (adopt & adapt)” is a series of portraits of people who are constructing their identity but because of the lack of rapport with their social, cultural and geographical situation, they need to adopt ideas, styles, signs and/or symbols from a part of a world different than their own. By adapting them to their specific circumstances they create a new meaning that fits their specific needs and situations. So they create a new characteristic and original code that separates them from everyone else, reaffirming their individuality giving them certain aura of authenticity.The title makes reference to two of the existing meanings of the word “cover”: the first as in the cover of a book in relation with the old expression “Don’t judge a book by its cover”, the second from the cover version of a song, a reinterpretation of a music piece created by adapting the original into a different context (rhythm, style, language) than the one it was first conceived.

Nike Air Force 1 High 07 Statement Game, Men’s Size 10, White, Blue, 315121-414, UPC 00823233499010, 2017, Men’s high-top sneaker, NBA Pack, Nike’s on-court apparel, full-grain leather upper, Straps made from Headband Materials, semi-fuzzy Nike logo straps, NBA logo tabs on the heels, NBA logo is also stitched on the heels, ankle strap, Nike Air unit in the midsole, signature ankle strap, solid Air Force 1 sole, Nike Swoosh Branding, Nike Air Branding on tongue tag, high padded ankle collar, Full-length Phylon midsole, Rubber sole with pivot pattern for traction, White foam midsole, Perforated toe, heel Air-Sole unit, encapsulated Air technology, Rubber outsole, Basketball, Classic Retro, Lace closure, reddealsonline, eBay shoes, Authenticate, Authenticity Guarantee

DLD*women (Digital-Life-Design) Conference is taking place for 2.th time in Munich, from 29 to 30th June 2011 "Innovation & Authenticity"

偽日記，活版鉛字與影像書寫創作-陳文祺個展

Authenticity Temporal Memory – Chen Wen-Chi Solo Exhibition

展 期：2015/03/3 - 2015/03/28

開幕酒會：2015/03/7 (六) 19:00

展覽地點：VT Artsalon 非常廟藝文空間 (台北市新生北路三段56巷17號B1)

網 址：http://www.vtartsalon.com/

聯絡電話：02-2597-2525

EMAIL：info@vtartsalon.com

「若時間是這一片海，我們在記憶中推引與淹沒。」

陳文祺，現任實踐大學媒體傳達設計學系（所）主任。「偽日記」是陳文祺繼2012年在北美館的「物自體」與海馬迴「物自體 2 Agape」個展後全新系列影像裝置創作。此次將在VT非常廟藝文空間展出數量高達100件的影像裝置，作品懸空浮出牆面，以標本盒凝結影像與文字的圖文日誌，呈現出記憶中的真實時空狀態。作品延續藝術家以往創作脈絡，討論時空與人的存在關係，回應時空與記憶之於人如蟻穴的生物樣態。

在「偽日記」中，藝術家將活版鉛字結合黑白影像，將旅行於五個城市的觀察與內心的感受諸之筆墨的表達方式；在裝置中記錄著無法辨識的時間、空間與不曾存在的真實記憶， 作品體現後設認知（metacognition）如何成形為人為的偽造，影像的作舊感混淆並打破時間感，它從未橫跨過去與未來的視野，也不存在於現在。活版鉛字復刻出墨味與字模，一字一魂的敲打墨印於無酸厚紙，凹陷的墨字詩句是活字的殘留物，文字於紙上的再現與陷痕則提煉出冶字的藝術性與非快的慢品味。

在陳文祺的「偽日記」中探討著時間的飄渺與無常性。「偽」人為也，若以人為中心，人為的一切無一真實；過去曾是真理的今天可能成了謬誤，而今天是為謬誤的在明日可能是真理。對於真實，人們早已似回應納西瑟斯（Narcissus）的回聲（echo）中迴響空谷；「偽日記」中對於影像的真實如同記憶的可信度，看似完整與客觀的拍攝，經由書寫，讓時空的思維向度迷失在認知夾縫中。此系列作品完全回應創作者將影像視為「死亡的印記」的一貫創作脈絡，100見裝置懸浮於半空，適切地貼近觀看與閱讀，於此刻你我所觀賞到的時空回音都凝結在每件沈甸甸的木盒中，最終置入鏡面般金屬盒內封印。影像日記中書寫著京都、東京、上海、曼谷、臺北的切片，在今日數位化的介面，古拙的影像與文字顯現方式煙霧化了此刻觀注究竟是何年代。陳文祺透過日記般回數記憶的寫作，將內心感受與對物、我的關注與歷程，皆透過自成一格的筆法遊戲的或抑鬱的敘述回應在每一個鉛字與紙墨的撞擊；每篇文字梳理自身理性及感性的景緻。觀眾若有勇氣拋開時間上的限制，閱讀每一篇日記裡的視點與時空概念，圖、文、語言的邏輯思辨將在觀看作品的當下生津。

時間的靜默是真實的感受，萬物與時間是凝結的，弔詭的是時間與記憶糾纏。時間與空間不是扁平的影像，當感知能夠製造與複製，攝影恰是複製時空的影像片段，文字勾畫已過去的感受，而鉛字本為大量複製的特質，在「偽日記」裡成了宛如標本般的印刻在畫面中。然而真實是，即使我們認為這一切的凝結，時間也重來沒有停滯過，一切記錄都是真實無關，只是製造著真實的過去。藝術家反覆辯證著影像和時空關係，將在此複合向度之下提供觀者在影像與冶字的思緒蜂室。

Authenticity Temporal Memory - Chen Wen-Chi Solo Exhibition

Exhibition：2015/03/3 - 2015/03/28

Opening：2015/03/7 (Sat) 19:00

Location：VT Artsalon (B1, No.17, Ln.56, Sec. 3, Xinsheng N. Rd, Taipei, Taiwan)

Website：http://www.vtartsalon.com

Tel：02-2597-2525

EMAIL：info@vtartsalon.com

"If time is that sea, we are pushing the lead and lost in the memory."

Chen Wen-Chi currently the Chairman of the department of Communication Design at Shih Chien University. "Authenticity Temporal Memory" is a new series of photographic installation works that follows up on Chen Wen Chi’s last two solo exhibitions, "the thing itself" in the Taipei Fine Art Museum and "the thing itself 2 Agape" in Fotoaura institute of photography. The exhibition in VT Artsalon will feature 100 installation works suspended out from the surface of the walls. The specimen boxes are the vessel for images and diary entries, recreating the actual state of time and space for the memory. This series is a continuation of the artist’s previous works; discuss the relationship between time, space and human existence.

In “Authenticity Temporal Memory” the artist juxtapose letterpress type with black and white image, using expressive words to presenting the feelings and travel observation of the five cities; in the installation time is not recognized, space and real memory that did not exist, works reflect metacognition, how it become something artificially created, the distressed effect of the image provide a sense of confusion in time, it has never cross the boundaries between past and future not does it exist in the present. Moveable lead types carve out the shape and the feel of ink, hitting and printing out one character at a time onto on acid-free card, verses of character depressed in ink are the remains of movable type. The texts reproduced on paper are the artistic marks and the aesthetics of “non-fast”

“Authenticity Temporal Memory” explores the ephemeral and impermanence. "False" is manmade, nothing is real in anything manmade; the truth in the past may become a fallacy today, the fallacy of today may be the truth of tomorrow. Toward reality people already seem to respond with a narcissus voice echoing in the Valley; “Authenticity Temporal Memory” is true to image as the credibility of memory, seemingly objective shooting after writing, once again become lost in the cracks of time and space. This series follows on the concept of the "Flesh is the prison of the soul" series, 100 installation works is suspended in mid-air, allowing a appropriate distance for seeing and reading, the heavy wooden box we see, will in the end be sealed into a mirror finished metal box. Photographic diary with slices of Kyoto, Tokyo, Shanghai, Bangkok, Taipei, confused the viewer of today's digital-oriented world, to what time and period we are looking. Chen Wen-Chi through the act of diary writing, express his feelings and concern with history, each text contain their rational and emotional landscape. If viewers can put aside time constraints, read every diary in space-time, conceptual, logical, speculative point of view, text, language of the work will flow in the current time.

Quiet times are real feelings, everything is condensed with time, time and memory entangles. Time and space are not flat images, they can be produced and reproduce, photography is precisely replicated time and space footage, text outline of past experience, large scale duplication quality of lead type, in " Authenticity Temporal Memory" has become specimen like engraved onto the screen. But truth is, even if we think that all is frozen, time has never stopped, all records are unrelated to reality, just a creation of a real past. Artists repeated assess the relations between images and space-time, providing the viewer a composition of images and words under the rule of a conceptual dimension.

eco designer Alessandro Acerra Acerra

www.hinu.it info@hibu.it

Eco moda d’autore Alessandro Acerra

Alessandro Acerra, dà il via a un collezionismo della moda, sotto il segno del riciclaggio & dell’autenticità. Cura dei dettagli, design ricercato e pregio dei materiali riciclati sono gli elementi distintivi della linea di moda. Le magliette sono fatte a mano una per una con massima cura e rifinitura finale ad ago, ogni esemplare è disegnato, ritagliato e cucito assemblando tessuti differenti. Alessandro elabora i soggetti, sceglie le stoffe, le ritaglia e imbastisce per poi cucirle. Sono “ eco ” perché le stoffe provengono da scarti sartoriali o da rimanenze di produttori famosi, tessuti che nascono per capi di lusso destinati alle passerelle modaiole milanesi vengono recuperate, mescolate per poi rivivere in nuova forma con un sano messaggio sociale. Progettati come quadri da indossare sono espressione di prezioso lusso, sono vere e proprie opere d’arte e allo stesso tempo oggetto di consumo: le si può indossare, sporcare, lavare oppure appendere al muro come quadri come consiglia lo stesso eco designer. Ogni t-shirt è diversa dall’altra e ha con sé un certificato di autenticità che ne garantisce l’unicità (una targhetta e la firma interna al capo e il numero di serie personale esprimono il pregio e il lusso di ogni capo, per soddisfare i collezionisti più esigenti).

Capi unici che cercano di combattere l’omologazione di massa portata dalla globalizzazione che valorizzano ogni singolo individuo. Ogni dettaglio, dalla creazione del prodotto alla spedizione, viene curato personalmente da Alessandro Acerra che non ama lasciare nulla al caso, come ogni artista che si rispetti. Anche il packaging estroso è frutto di un riuso, infatti vengono confezionate nei contenitori della pizza da asporto. Una scelta non casuale, ma espressione del legame al territorio italiano. La testimonianza contemporanea della più raffinata professionalità artigiana italiana. Simbolo di una delle poche cose che ancora rappresenta l’Italia nel mondo per qualità e produzione. Vero è proprio cibo per gli occhi!

www.hibu.it info@hibu.it www.alessandroacerra.com/Main.swf

AUTHORIAL ECOLOGICAL FASHION

Alessandro Acerra commenced a new concept of fashion, through the development of personal interpretation of the definition of recycling and authenticity.

The distinctive features of his fashion line are the fine details, the originality

of the design and the quality of the recycled materials. Each t-shirts is made with extreme care and realized in an exclusive way with the artist personal final finishing made by needle. The items are designed, cut out and sewn using different tissues. Alessandro draws the subjects, chooses the materials and paste everything together with his skilful touch. HIBU collection is 'eco' because each piece comes from remnants of famous brands or artigianal sartories. The clothes were once thought to be used by the famous Milan fashion catwalks and then recovered by Acerra, realizing today another art-form with an healthy message inherited. The items are paintings to be worn, they are an expression of luxury, they are at the same time real art work and consumerist objects. In fact you can wear, stain and clean them or simply hang them up to the wall like pictures, as the author himself advises. Each t-shirt is different from the others. Each one carries a certificate of authenticity which assure its uniqueness: there have a little tag, the signature of Alessandro Acerra and the serial number, expressing the good quality and the luxury of each article in order to satisfy even the most exacting collectors. Wearing a HIBU t-shirt tries to give a meaning to each individual, crating a personal fingerprint against the homologation generated by mass production and globalization. Alessandro Acerra personally takes care of all the details, from the concept of his masterpiece to the despatch of the product.

Even the package is excentric as you will receive the 'eco' t-shirts wrapped into “take-away pizza's boxes”. A choice which is not random, but it comes from the artist need of underlining his connection with both Italy and his substainable activity.

The ecological creations of Acerra are then a symbol of those elements which still nowadays represents Italy world-wide as quality and professionality. It derives from the choice of comes from a recycling as well.

On the grass of the show field, the 1950 Ford F‑1 sits with its hood open, the turquoise paint worn into a soft patina that tells its own story. Rust freckles the fenders, the chrome has dulled into a gentle sheen, and the truck carries the kind of authenticity that restorations can’t quite recreate. It looks like it has lived a life — and that’s exactly what makes it compelling.

The 1950 model belongs to the very first generation of Ford’s now‑legendary F‑Series, built from 1948 to 1952. These trucks were the first Ford pickups designed from the ground up as trucks — not adapted from passenger cars.

Ford marketed them as the “Bonus Built” trucks — stronger, roomier, and more modern than anything they’d made before. Most 1950 F‑1s came with one of two engines: 226 cu in Flathead Inline‑Six (95 hp),

239 cu in Flathead V8 (100 hp)

Both were simple, durable, and famously easy to work on. The flathead V8, in particular, became a cultural icon — the heartbeat of early hot‑rodding.

The truck in this photo, with its hood open and engine exposed, still carries that straightforward mechanical honesty. No plastic covers, no electronics — just metal, belts, and the kind of engineering you can understand at a glance.

Unlike the glossy restorations elsewhere in the field, this truck wears its age openly. The turquoise paint has softened into a matte finish, the rust blooms in organic patterns, and the metal shows the kind of texture that only decades of weather and work can create.

This isn’t neglect — it’s a choice. Patina trucks have become a movement of their own, valued for their authenticity and the way they preserve history without erasing it.

In 1950, this F‑1 would have been a farm truck, a shop truck, or a delivery truck — built to haul, tow, and endure. Today, it sits in the sun as a piece of rolling history, admired not for perfection but for presence.

The person sitting beside it adds a human note — a reminder that these trucks were companions in daily life, not just machines. They carried lumber, tools, produce, families, and stories.

Thank you kindly for visiting—faves and comments are always deeply appreciated! ~Sonja

Deboxing Shanghai Snow White. First the inner clear plastic box is removed from the outer cardboard box. Then front plastic cover is removed. The plastic covers are held together at the corners with tabs, and are rather flimsy. The doll is attached to a thin cardboard backing, which is attached to the rear of the plastic box by the tabs of the plastic support behind the doll. The Certificate of Authenticity is under the inner box, which is also the usual place for the CoA of Disney Store LE 17'' dolls. There is printing on only one side of the CoA, which is in both English and Chinese.

My Shanghai Disney Resort Grand Opening Limited Edition Snow White 17'' Doll that was ordered more than three weeks ago has finally arrived! She was packed very well, and is in perfect shape. She is #381 of 1200.

Ursula

I got my pre-ordered Designer dolls today from UPS. They came in a huge box, 50 inches long and weighing 40 pounds. It was the original manufacturer's shipper, and the label said Cart #186. Inside the shipper the five doll sets were in individual cartons. I opened Ariel and King Triton first, and saw that it was numbered 188 of 6000, as were all the others. They were all in near perfect shape, with no glaring defects or messy hair. I show photos of each set in the order that I opened them. Then group photos of all five sets, placed side by side.

The front and rear covers have been removed. The doll is attached to the cardboard backing, which is free standing. The Certificate of Authenticity is taken from underneath the backing, and placed in front of the doll.

I got a spare Saks Fifth Avenue Holiday Snow White Limited Edition 17 inch Doll from a fellow collector. Her hair was a little messy on the right side (her left), so I opened up the case to fix it the best that I could using my fingers. She is #857 of 1000. I will leave her mint in box.

The Belle and Beast Doll Set with the front and rear covers removed. The dolls and accessories are attached to the backing and plastic supports. The Certificates of Authenticity are removed from under the backing, and placed in front of the dolls.

Detailed photos of my Belle and Beast Limited Edition 17 Inch Doll Set. I got it second hand, after my Disney Store order was cancelled. It looks in perfect condition, and is #107 of 500. There are two Certificates of Authenticity, one for each doll, with the same number.

The box is very similar in construction to the Jasmine and Aladdin Platinum Wedding Doll Set. I love the poses of the dolls in the box, but I will debox them anyway, as is my custom. I need to know how they look freed from the factory restraints, from all angles.

Qamea Resort & Spa, Qamea Island, Fiji

The Qamea Beach Club was built from the ground up in 1982 by the Frank and Jo Kloss, a California couple from the Silicon Valley, For the Kloss's, the road to Fiji was roundabout, beginning aboard a sailboat moored in Sausalito, followed by a search through the Pacific for the perfect island. In 1982 the Kloss's yacht ended up on Qamea, than a completely undeveloped island. They built Qamea from scratch in the early 80's importing everything by boat from the bigger island of Taveuni. The original 12 traditional thatched bures and the open-air burekalou (a temple turned dining room and bar) were built with the authenticity of an island hideaway (barefoot luxury) with the absence of television, telephones and room service. Jo Kloss was known as the Mother Qamea and is one of Fiji's flamboyant expatriates. In her bathing suit and sula -- Jo Kloss held court on many afternoons, spinning tales about Qamea Resort's eccentric celebrity guests. In 1989 room rates at Qamea Beach Club were US $155 per couple per night.

In 2002 the American Ron Eckstrom-French and the New Zealander Bryce Earwaker co-owned the Qamea Resort and Spa. Bryce Earwaker has been a realtor in New Zealand for 25 years owning 3 offices incorporating 45 agents/brokers. The Qamea Resort caters to a maximum of 34 adults (no children), with only 17 bures nestled among swaying coconut palms and gardens on Qamea Island which is the 12th largest island in Fiji. Qamea Resort sits on 100 acres of tropical landscaped gardens with jagged volcanic South Pacific mountains soaring behind the resort. Qamea Resort fronts a private white sand beach and is known as one of the most spectacular resorts in Fiji’s northern island group. There are no roads, street lights, honking horns...just the sounds from the bird songs, lapping waves and the gentle breezes. The 17 Fijian-inspired bures (rooms) sit some 20 feet off the powdery white sand beach. Inside the thatched-roof bures, with their 20-foot ceilings and unobstructed lagoon views, are man-made amenities such as king-size four-poster beds, hand-polished mahogany floors, outdoor showers and locally created artworks. Accessible only via boat the resort emphasizes privacy, gourmet dining, a spa, fresh water swimming pool and activities featuring diving, snorkeling and hiking. At Qamea an important guest activity is a lively pre-dinner happy hour. The resort does not have a dock or jetty. Guests arrive by motor boat from the island of Taveuni - and hop off the boat in to a foot or so of the warm Pacific Ocean.

In an interview from 2005 Bryce Earwaker said the main reason they bought Qamea - was because it had an untouched Fijian feeling, which was very indicative of the country with great beaches facing the sun. The more remote it is, the more real the experience. There are about 1000 people who live in villages on the island, leading a peaceful life of subsistence. Perhaps the fact one of the richest men in the world, Malcolm Forbes, owned the neighboring island until he died, says it all. When Bryce first arrived, the resort had a 12 per cent occupancy rate. They soon discovered why. Guests weren't particular enamored with the overwhelming tropical heat without the benefit of air conditioning.

Experience in the hospitality trade combined with his real estate background prepared Bryce for the expense of upgrading the resort to attract the discerning American clientele. So he went shopping in Suva and bought a "reasonably-priced air con system". The electrician arrived to install it and Bryce was told the existing generator couldn't cope with the new system, so he'd have to purchase a new one. It cost him $60,000 to triple its capacity. When the electrician returned, he brought more bad news. The whole place would have to be rewired for another $38,000. And so it went on. At this stage Bryce resigned himself to a total budget blowout. He has since completely rebuilt all 12 bures and added another five. "You name it, we did it. Everything was renovated, replaced, re-watered, re-powered, re-sewaged ...". Occupancy is now at 85 per cent, and hopefully when it comes to sell it will be worth the investment. According to Earwaker "We're in the fantasy business. We've got to find out their fantasy when they arrive and deliver it. We list all the activities in a newsletter each day. There are sporting, boating and snorkelling activities, the spa and private beaches. We take people on picnics and tailor activities to their dreams." "No children are allowed at the resort. We define ourselves as a luxury, romantic, dive, soft adventure-type resort in tune with the cultural/village experience." They have a consultant New Zealand chef who sets the menus, while the Guinot-licensed spa staff are French trained. In terms of sustainability, Qamea has eliminated plastic water bottles and all guests receive a personalised water bottle that they can then take home as a memento of their time in Fiji.

The resort's Jungle Spa was launched in 2008 and consists of five free standing treatment bures and a relaxation bure built into the side of a cliff under the jungle canopy. The spa is owned and managed by the resort and has five highly-trained local spa therapists. It features Guinot products.

Unlike most island resorts that depend upon expensive desalination or undependable rain water, the Qamea Resort is fortunate to have access to unlimited fresh spring water which is stored in a 100,000 litre storage facility, The water is pure and requires minimal filtration. Electrical power is supplied by four modern diesel generators, the most recent of which was installed in December 2016. They are controlled by computer switchgear, ensuring a backup supply at any time.

Since 2017 Lars Wahlquist and Krista Espelien are the resort General Managers. They are married and both are PADI scuba instructors. Krista is from Minnesota and a Hamline University graduate. Lars and Krista met in Thailand working at the same dive school in 2011.

As of 2018 the 100-acre Qamea Resort is for sale as a free-hold property. Only 9% of the land in Fiji is free-hold.

Compiled by Dick Johnson / January, 2019

Porcelain tea cup with gold trim by Norman Rockwell - 1982. It has the Norman Rockwell Museum Seal of Authenticity stamp on the bottom. Someone didn't want it so they took it to Kent Recycle Center in Carmel, New York and it can be yours free!

Deboxing Iracebeth. First the front cover is removed, by untying the large satin ribbon in the back, and pulling the front cover off. Iracebeth is still behind a clear plastic window, which has text and graphics around the border, printed in white. Then plastic cover is removed, and the inner cardboard backing is removed from the box. The doll is now in the clear. The Certificate of Authenticity is under the backing, and is placed in front of the doll.

Detailed photos of the Iracebeth The Red Queen Limited Edition 17'' Doll, by the Disney Store, from the live action Alice Through the Looking Glass. I bought her first hand from my local Disney Store Thursday June 2, 2016, after intentionally skipping the release on Monday May 30. She costs $129.95, and is #1159 of 4000. As of July 10, 2016, she is still available online.

Iracebeth is in her red ribbon dress. The box is very similar in design to the Live Action Cinderella Limited Edition ball gown 17'' doll (2015).

Iracebeth The Red Queen Limited Edition Doll - Alice Through the Looking Glass - 17''

$129.95

Item No. 6003040901369P

US Disney Store

Released in store 2016-05-30

Released online 2016-05-31

Purchased in store 2016-06-02

#1159 of 4000

Imperious elegance

Iracebeth The Red Queen will claim the throne of your collection. Inspired by her appearance in Disney's live action film Alice Through the Looking Glass, this detailed limited edition doll is presented in a scenic display.

Magic in the details...

• Limited Edition of 4000

• Includes Certificate of Authenticity

• Iracebeth's skirt crafted from loops of ribbon

• Shimmering golden detailing

• Elaborately embroidered pants and shirt

• Golden bead trim at collar

• Fully sculptured armor and scepter

• Richly colored rooted hair in signature heart-shaped style

• Rooted eyelashes

• Fully poseable

• Display stand included

• Comes in elegant window display packaging with red satin bow and carrying strap

• Inspired by Disney's live action movie Alice Through the Looking Glass

The bare necessities

• Ages 6+

• Plastic /polyester

• 17'' H

• Imported

Deboxing Designer Jasmine. The clear acrylic cover of the case has been removed, so she is now in the open. She is still attached to the cardboard backing and plastic spacer by wires, rubber bands and plastic tacks. She is also supported by the built-in doll stand.

First look at the Disney Princess Designer Collection Jasmine Doll. She was released in October 2011, and I got her from eBay shortly afterwards, so It's been more than a year and a half since I got this doll. But I have not yet deboxed her, and this the first time I am doing a full photoshoot of her. I will photograph her boxed, during her deboxing, and fully deboxed.

My Designer Jasmine doll is a limited edition doll that was produced and sold exclusively by the Disney Store, and is numbered 5645 of 6000. She is based on the heroine from the Disney animated feature Aladdin (1992). She comes in an acrylic case with a built-in doll stand, with a base that has a golden filigree design, and a golden metallic nameplate. There is also a cardboard cover for the case that I have not photographed here.

She is 11 1/2'' tall, and has the same body as the other Designer Princess dolls, with jointed neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists, waist, hips and knees (internal). She has rubber legs and fixed ankles, with feet angled for high heels.

She has jet black, 12'' long hair tied into a floor length pony tail. There are two golden elastic hairties in the upper and middle part of the ponytail, and the lower portion of her hair has loose curls. It is very soft and shiny. There were a few stray hairs, but I left them alone and did not comb it, as I thought her hair was neat enough as it was out of the box. She has light brown skin, and a unique face sculpt that is very pretty and movie accurate. She has large dark brown almond shaped eyes that are glancing towards her right. She has light blue-green eye shadow, and thick black eyebrows. She has rooted eyelashes, that are tapered in length from short to long, then at the ends there are very long curved antenna like lashes. She has a small straight nose, full dark purple lips in with a closed mouth smile. She has very pale red rouge on her cheeks.

Her three piece gown is made of bright blue-green satin and light blue organza. Her bodice is cropped short to reveal her midsection (including her belly button), and consists of light blue organza embedded with golden gems, draped over her upper arms, and gemmed blue-green satin lower and back sections. Her blue-green satin skirt is floor length and is figure hugging, flairing out at the bottom. It is hemmed and there is a light blue polyester lining. There is a very wide overskirt of the double layered light blue satin. I is open in front, but can be wrapped around to completely cover her inner skirt, or can be folded to reveal her inner skirt.

She is wearing light blue-green high heeled shoes, which match the color of her skirt.

Her accessories include earrings, a chain belt with pendant and Aladdin's lamp. The earrings are large golden triangles with gold colored gems. Her belt is made of fine gold chain, with a large round jeweled pendant just below her waist that gathers the strands of the chain together, the remainder of which fall almost to the floor. In her right hand is a golden lamp that is bejeweled with yellow gems. The top of the lamp is removable (it is held in place with rubber bands, which I left in place).

There were no real surprises revealed by deboxing her, although it was nice to see the full extent of her overskirt. I was also glad to take her out of her awkward head pose, which was a common problem among the Designer Princesses. One thing I didn't like was that her top was a little too short, and revealed her waist joint (that enables her to spin her upper body around 360 degrees). Tugging on her top didn't move it enough to hide the joint in the front. As a consequence, her waist joint moved very freely, and her upper body tended to turn whenever she was handled, aided by her long hair. Also her long luxurious hair is very heavy, so tends to pull her backwards slightly when she is posed on the display stand. Designer Rapunzel has a similar problem. Her very wide floor length overskirt and floor length hair make it difficult to rebox her neatly, which is a common problem with the Designer dolls with very wide floor length skirts.

© Carlos Alvarez Montero

35 years old - Mexico City (Mexico)

Bio:

Carlos Alvarez Montero lives and works between New York and Mexico City. His work focuses on the relationship between appearance and the creation of identity. His work has been published in publications such as Time Magazine, Newsweek, The Fader, Vice, Neo2.

Description of the work:

This work named “Covers (adopt & adapt)” is a series of portraits of people who are constructing their identity but because of the lack of rapport with their social, cultural and geographical situation, they need to adopt ideas, styles, signs and/or symbols from a part of a world different than their own. By adapting them to their specific circumstances they create a new meaning that fits their specific needs and situations. So they create a new characteristic and original code that separates them from everyone else, reaffirming their individuality giving them certain aura of authenticity.The title makes reference to two of the existing meanings of the word “cover”: the first as in the cover of a book in relation with the old expression “Don’t judge a book by its cover”, the second from the cover version of a song, a reinterpretation of a music piece created by adapting the original into a different context (rhythm, style, language) than the one it was first conceived.

Curated by Susan Hapgood and Cornelia Lauf, an exhibition of artist certificates. The exhibition focuses on the little known territory of certificates that serve as deeds for artworks, legal statements, and fiscal invoices that can both embody the artwork itself and refer to it at the same time.

www.saltonline.org/en#!/en/359/in-deed-certificates-of-au....

uben Aubrecht, Judith Barry, Robert Barry/Stefan Brüggemann, Hemali Bhuta & Shreyas Karle, Pierre Bismuth, Marinus Boezem, George Brecht, Daniel Buren, André Cadere, Marcel Duchamp, Maria Eichhorn, Urs Fischer, Dan Flavin, Andrea Fraser, Liam Gillick, The Felix Gonzalez-Torres Foundation, Hans Haacke, Edward Kienholz, Yves Klein, Joseph Kosuth, Sol LeWitt, Ken Lum, Piero Manzoni, Gordon Matta-Clark, Josiah McElheny & Allan Kaprow, Jonathan Monk, Robert Morris, Antoni Muntadas, Yoko Ono, Cesare Pietroiusti, Adrian Piper, Emilio Prini, Robert Projansky & Seth Siegelaub, Raqs Media Collective, Robert Rauschenberg, Sharmila Samant, Joe Scanlan, David Shrigley, Daniel Spoerri, Haim Steinbach, Superflex, Rirkrit Tiravanija, Ben Vautier, Lawrence Weiner, Franz West, Ian Wilson, Cerith Wyn Evans, Carey Young, Andrea Zittel, Heimo Zobernig

This is my Limited Edition Maleficent 12'' Doll. She was released in 1998 by Mattel for the 40th Anniversary of Walt Disney's Sleeping Beauty, and is the fifth doll in the Great Villains Collection. She is photographed boxed, during the deboxing, and finally fully deboxed.

Text of the box notes:

With the magical powers of a fairy and the vicious heat of a dragon, there's no villain more spellbinding than Maleficent from walt Disney's animated classic, Sleeping Beauty. Now, she's back with a vengeance as a Limited Edition Collector Doll in celebration of the 40th anniversary of this timeless film.

Maleficent is dressed for destruction in an authentically detailed reproduction of her look from the film. Her 17'' shimmering black taffeta cape sizzles around her like fire, while her velvety, viallainous horns reflect the evil of her dragon-like soul.

Maleficent carries a sinister black raven on her shoulder and a magical ''jeweled'' staff in her hand, truly casting a spell of doom.

This Limited Edition Maleficent is Fifth in a Series of Collector Dolls inspired by great Disney Villains. Each doll from the Great Villains Collection is showcased in surroundings that capture an unforgettable moment from the film.

Certificate of Authenticity, reply card and doll stand included.

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