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Snow White with the inner box removed from the outer box, and the front lid of the inner box removed, and placed next to the back of the inner box. The CoA has been removed from under the inner box, and place in front of the inner front lid. Closeup of CoA. It has a blank edition number: - / 4100. The text in the CoA doesn't include the word heirloom. Instead it uses the word keepsake.
Here are photos of Snow White's inner box taken out of the outer box. That way the doll can be displayed without the front flaps getting in the way or taking up display space. It slides out of the outer box smoothly, but it helps if two people do the job, especially if the inner box is a tight fit. One person holds the outer box steady while the other pulls the inner box out. The inner box is entirely enclosed, and is the same hexagonal shape as the outer box. There is even images of paparazzi on the sides and back of the inner box. The front of the inner box contains the clear plastic viewing window, and slides off easily off the back of the inner box. The Certificate of Authenticity in under the inner box, between the bottom of the inner front lid and the bottom of the back of the inner box. The display doll has a blank edition number on the CoA. There are packaging ties and tabs showing in the back of the inner box, but they are not too unsightly. With the viewing window taken off, the doll is in clear view. She is on a raised platform, with steps in front, covered in red velvet. Looking her accessory purse close up, I can finally see a large letter S in the middle of the ornate golden pattern. Also I noticed for the first time her upper lipstick pattern, which has U shaped indentation in the middle, with sharp corners, which I find a little strange.
I have measured the box for these dolls. It is 16.5'' H x 12'' W x 6'' D. That compares with the original Designer cases that were 15'' H x 7'' W x 7''D. The 2017 Designer cases were 15'' H x 9'' W x 9'' D. The regular 17'' LE Doll boxes are 19'' H x 11'' W x 6'' D. To put the box size in perspective, if you put the six dolls in this series in their boxes side by side, they take up six feet or 72 inches. If you put the 10 original Designer Princess dolls in their cases side by side, they take up 70 inches, or a couple of inches less than the six dolls of the Premiere Series.
If you wish to have the dolls visible, there is a problem because the front panels don't bend all the way back to the sides,so they either take up a lot of room to the sides and/or the front. If you want to remove the front panels, then they are attached to the outer box, so you have the find room to store the outer box, since it won't slide behind the inner box. So in effect there is a problem very similar to the slip cover problem that the original Designer dolls had.
The schedule of releases (for the US and Canada):
Snow White, 10/6/2018, LE 4100
Cinderella, 10/13/2018, LE 4400
Jasmine, 10/20/2018, LE 4000
Ariel, 10/27/2018, LE 4500
Tiana, 11/3/2018, LE 4000
Belle, 11/10/2018, LE 4500
They will cost $109.95 each.
The official announcement was made by the ShopDisney Facebook page the morning of Monday September 10, 2018 with a video of the dolls:
Disney Designer Collection: The Premiere Series
ShopDisney announcement
2018-09-10 9:32 am
Introducing, Disney Designer Collection: The Premiere Series. Inspired by the runways and red carpets during each beloved Disney heroine's theatrical debut, each doll's iconic fashion and accessories are carefully designed to capture a moment in fashion history.
Each doll releases every Saturday from October 6 to November 10 online at 12AM PT and through in-store lottery.
More photos and information at the ShopDisney website:
Disney Designer Collection: The Premiere Series
The UK Shop Disney Facebook page also announced the series the same day, with different release dates and procedures than the US/Canada stores.
Disney Designer Collection is proud to introduce The Premiere Series
The Disney Designer Collection is proud to introduce The Premiere Series, inspired by the runways and red carpets during each theatrical debut. Disney Designer Collection - Premiere Series – Snow White will be the first doll to be released from the series on 9th October and will be £95. There will be a global edition size of 4100, with 929 available to Europe. These will be available in selected stores* and online from 8am. Limited to 1 per Guest per household.
Release dates as follows:
Cinderella – 16/10
Ariel – 30/10
Belle – 13/11
Jasmine – 27/11
Tiana – 11/12
*Champs Elysees Paris, Lakeside West Thurrock, Oxford Street London, St Enoch Glasgow, Metro Centre Tyne & Wear, Bullring Birmingham, Grand Arcade Cardiff, Manchester Arndale, Westfield White City, Liverpool, Bluewater, Grafton Street Dublin, Puerta Del Angel Barcelona, La Vaguada Madrid, Juan De Austria, Parque Sur, Milan, Rome, Florence, Naples, Colombo, Munich, Stockholm.
For more info: Disney Designer Collection
Global Research Editor's Note
We bring to the attention of our readers the following text of Osama bin Laden's interview with Ummat, a Pakistani daily, published in Karachi on September 28, 2001. It was translated into English by the BBC World Monitoring Service and made public on September 29, 2001.
The authenticity of this interview, which is available in recognized electronic news archives, is confirmed.
Osama bin Laden categorically denies his involvement in the 9/11 attacks.
Bin Laden's statements in this interview are markedly different from those made in the alleged Osama video tapes.
In this interview, Osama bin Laden exhibits an understanding of US foreign policy. He expresses his views regarding the loss of life on 9/11. He also makes statements as to who, in his opinion, might be the likely perpetrator of the September 11 attacks.
This is an important text which has not been brought to the attention of Western public opinion.
We have highlighted key sections of this interview. It is our hope that the text of this interview, published barely a week before the onset of the war on Afghanistan, will contribute to a better understanding of the history of Al Qaeda, the role of Osama bin Laden and the tragic events of September 11, 2001.
Michel Chossudovsky, May 9, 2011
Full text of September 2001 Pakistani paper's "exclusive" interview with Usamah Bin-Ladin
Ummat (in Urdu), Karachi, 28 September 2001, pp. 1 and 7.
Ummat's introduction
Kabul: Prominent Arab mojahed holy warrior Usamah Bin-Ladin has said that he or his al-Qa'idah group has nothing to do with the 11 September suicidal attacks in Washington and New York. He said the US government should find the attackers within the country. In an exclusive interview with daily "Ummat", he said these attacks could be the act of those who are part of the American system and are rebelling against it and working for some other system. Or, Usamah said, this could be the act of those who want to make the current century a century of conflict between Islam and Christianity. Or, the American Jews, who are opposed to President Bush ever since the Florida elections, might be the masterminds of this act. There is also a great possibility of the involvement of US intelligence agencies, which need billions of dollars worth of funds every year. He said there is a government within the government in the United States.
The secret agencies, he said, should be asked as to who are behind the attacks. Usamah said support for attack on Afghanistan was a matter of need for some Muslim countries and compulsion for others. However, he said, he was thankful to the courageous people of Pakistan who erected a bulwark before the wrong forces. He added that the Islamic world was attaching great expectations with Pakistan and, in time of need, "we will protect this bulwark by sacrificing of lives".
Following is the interview in full detail:
Ummat: You have been accused of involvement in the attacks in New York and Washington. What do you want to say about this? If you are not involved, who might be?
Usamah [Osama bin Laden]: In the name of Allah, the most beneficent, the most merciful. Praise be to Allah, Who is the creator of the whole universe and Who made the earth as an abode for peace, for the whole mankind. Allah is the Sustainer, who sent Prophet Muhammad for our guidance. I am thankful to the Ummat Group of Publications, which gave me the opportunity to convey my viewpoint to the people, particularly the valiant and Momin true Muslim people of Pakistan who refused to believe in lie of the demon.
I have already said that I am not involved in the 11 September attacks in the United States. As a Muslim, I try my best to avoid telling a lie. I had no knowledge of these attacks, nor do I consider the killing of innocent women, children, and other humans as an appreciable act. Islam strictly forbids causing harm to innocent women, children, and other people.
Such a practice is forbidden ever in the course of a battle. It is the United States, which is perpetrating every maltreatment on women, children, and common people of other faiths, particularly the followers of Islam. All that is going on in Palestine for the last 11 months is sufficient to call the wrath of God upon the United States and Israel.
There is also a warning for those Muslim countries, which witnessed all these as a silent spectator. What had earlier been done to the innocent people of Iraq, Chechnya, and Bosnia?
Only one conclusion could be derived from the indifference of the United States and the West to these acts of terror and the patronage of the tyrants by these powers that America is an anti-Islamic power and it is patronizing the anti-Islamic forces. Its friendship with the Muslim countries is just a show, rather deceit. By enticing or intimidating these countries, the United States is forcing them to play a role of its choice. Put a glance all around and you will see that the slaves of the United States are either rulers or enemies of Muslims .
The US has no friends, nor does it want to keep any because the prerequisite of friendship is to come to the level of the friend or consider him at par with you. America does not want to see anyone equal to it. It expects slavery from others. Therefore, other countries are either its slaves or subordinates.
However, our case is different. We have pledged slavery to God Almighty alone and after this pledge there is no possibility to become the slave of someone else. If we do that, it will be disregardful to both our Sustainer and his fellow beings. Most of the world nations upholding their freedom are the religious ones, which are the enemies of United States, or the latter itself considers them as its enemies. Or the countries, which do not agree to become its slaves, such as China, Iran, Libya, Cuba, Syria, and the former Russia as received .
Whoever committed the act of 11 September are not the friends of the American people. I have already said that we are against the American system, not against its people, whereas in these attacks, the common American people have been killed.
According to my information, the death toll is much higher than what the US government has stated. But the Bush administration does not want the panic to spread. The United States should try to trace the perpetrators of these attacks within itself; the people who are a part of the US system, but are dissenting against it. Or those who are working for some other system; persons who want to make the present century as a century of conflict between Islam and Christianity so that their own civilization, nation, country, or ideology could survive. They can be any one, from Russia to Israel and from India to Serbia. In the US itself, there are dozens of well-organized and well-equipped groups, which are capable of causing a large-scale destruction. Then you cannot forget the American Jews, who are annoyed with President Bush ever since the elections in Florida and want to avenge him.
Then there are intelligence agencies in the US, which require billions of dollars worth of funds from the Congress and the government every year. This funding issue was not a big problem till the existence of the former Soviet Union but after that the budget of these agencies has been in danger.
They needed an enemy. So, they first started propaganda against Usamah and Taleban and then this incident happened. You see, the Bush administration approved a budget of 40bn dollars. Where will this huge amount go? It will be provided to the same agencies, which need huge funds and want to exert their importance.
Now they will spend the money for their expansion and for increasing their importance. I will give you an example. Drug smugglers from all over the world are in contact with the US secret agencies. These agencies do not want to eradicate narcotics cultivation and trafficking because their importance will be diminished. The people in the US Drug Enforcement Department are encouraging drug trade so that they could show performance and get millions of dollars worth of budget. General Noriega was made a drug baron by the CIA and, in need, he was made a scapegoat. In the same way, whether it is President Bush or any other US president, they cannot bring Israel to justice for its human rights abuses or to hold it accountable for such crimes. What is this? Is it not that there exists a government within the government in the United Sates? That secret government must be asked as to who made the attacks.
Ummat: A number of world countries have joined the call of the United States for launching an attack on Afghanistan. These also include a number of Muslim countries. Will Al-Qa'idah declare a jihad against these countries as well?
Usamah: I must say that my duty is just to awaken the Muslims; to tell them as to what is good for them and what is not. What does Islam says and what the enemies of Islam want?
Al-Qa'idah was set up to wage a jihad against infidelity, particularly to encounter the onslaught of the infidel countries against the Islamic states. Jihad is the sixth undeclared element of Islam. The first five being the basic holy words of Islam, prayers, fast, pilgrimage to Mecca, and giving alms Every anti-Islamic person is afraid of it. Al-Qa'idah wants to keep this element alive and active and make it part of the daily life of the Muslims. It wants to give it the status of worship. We are not against any Islamic country nor we consider a war against an Islamic country as jihad.
We are in favour of armed jihad only against those infidel countries, which are killing innocent Muslim men, women, and children just because they are Muslims. Supporting the US act is the need of some Muslim countries and the compulsion of others. However, they should think as to what will remain of their religious and moral position if they support the attack of the Christians and the Jews on a Muslim country like Afghanistan. The orders of Islamic shari'ah jurisprudence for such individuals, organizations, and countries are clear and all the scholars of the Muslim brotherhood are unanimous on them. We will do the same, which is being ordered by the Amir ol-Momenin the commander of the faithful Mola Omar and the Islamic scholars. The hearts of the people of Muslim countries are beating with the call of jihad. We are grateful to them.
Ummat: The losses caused in the attacks in New York and Washington have proved that giving an economic blow to the US is not too difficult. US experts admit that a few more such attacks can bring down the American economy. Why is al-Qa'idah not targeting their economic pillars?
Usamah: I have already said that we are not hostile to the United States. We are against the system, which makes other nations slaves of the United States, or forces them to mortgage their political and economic freedom. This system is totally in control of the American Jews, whose first priority is Israel, not the United States. It is simply that the American people are themselves the slaves of the Jews and are forced to live according to the principles and laws laid by them. So, the punishment should reach Israel. In fact, it is Israel, which is giving a blood bath to innocent Muslims and the US is not uttering a single word.
Ummat: Why is harm not caused to the enemies of Islam through other means, apart from the armed struggle? For instance, inciting the Muslims to boycott Western products, banks, shipping lines, and TV channels.
Usamah: The first thing is that Western products could only be boycotted when the Muslim fraternity is fully awakened and organized. Secondly, the Muslim companies should become self-sufficient in producing goods equal to the products of Western companies. Economic boycott of the West is not possible unless economic self-sufficiency is attained and substitute products are brought out. You see that wealth is scattered all across the Muslim world but not a single TV channel has been acquired which can preach Islamic injunctions according to modern requirements and attain an international influence. Muslim traders and philanthropists should make it a point that if the weapon of public opinion is to be used, it is to be kept in the hand. Today's world is of public opinion and the fates of nations are determined through its pressure. Once the tools for building public opinion are obtained, everything that you asked for can be done.
Ummat: The entire propaganda about your struggle has so far been made by the Western media. But no information is being received from your sources about the network of Al-Qa'idah and its jihadi successes. Would you comment?
Usamah: In fact, the Western media is left with nothing else. It has no other theme to survive for a long time. Then we have many other things to do. The struggle for jihad and the successes are for the sake of Allah and not to annoy His bondsmen. Our silence is our real propaganda. Rejections, explanations, or corrigendum only waste your time and through them, the enemy wants you to engage in things which are not of use to you. These things are pulling you away from your cause.
The Western media is unleashing such a baseless propaganda, which make us surprise but it reflects on what is in their hearts and gradually they themselves become captive of this propaganda. They become afraid of it and begin to cause harm to themselves. Terror is the most dreaded weapon in modern age and the Western media is mercilessly using it against its own people. It can add fear and helplessness in the psyche of the people of Europe and the United States. It means that what the enemies of the United States cannot do, its media is doing that. You can understand as to what will be the performance of the nation in a war, which suffers from fear and helplessness.
Ummat: What will the impact of the freeze of al-Qa'idah accounts by the US?
Usamah: God opens up ways for those who work for Him. Freezing of accounts will not make any difference for Al-Qa'idah or other jihad groups. With the grace of Allah, al-Qa'idah has more than three such alternative financial systems, which are all separate and totally independent from each other. This system is operating under the patronage of those who love jihad. What to say of the United States, even the combined world cannot budge these people from their path.
These people are not in hundreds but in thousands and millions. Al-Qa'idah comprises of such modern educated youths who are aware of the cracks inside the Western financial system as they are aware of the lines in their hands. These are the very flaws of the Western fiscal system, which are becoming a noose for it and this system could not recuperate in spite of the passage of so many days.
Ummat: Are there other safe areas other than Afghanistan, where you can continue jihad?
Usamah: There are areas in all parts of the world where strong jihadi forces are present, from Indonesia to Algeria, from Kabul to Chechnya, from Bosnia to Sudan, and from Burma to Kashmir. Then it is not the problem of my person. I am helpless fellowman of God, constantly in the fear of my accountability before God. It is not the question of Usamah but of Islam and, in Islam too, of jihad. Thanks to God, those waging a jihad can walk today with their heads raised. Jihad was still present when there was no Usamah and it will remain as such even when Usamah is no longer there. Allah opens up ways and creates loves in the hearts of people for those who walk on the path of Allah with their lives, property, and children. Believe it, through jihad, a man gets everything he desires. And the biggest desire of a Muslim is the after life. Martyrdom is the shortest way of attaining an eternal life.
Ummat: What do you say about the Pakistan government policy on Afghanistan attack?
Usamah: We are thankful to the Momin and valiant people of Pakistan who erected a blockade in front of the wrong forces and stood in the first file of battle. Pakistan is a great hope for the Islamic brotherhood. Its people are awakened, organized, and rich in the spirit of faith. They backed Afghanistan in its war against the Soviet Union and extended every help to the mojahedin and the Afghan people. Then these are very Pakistanis who are standing shoulder by shoulder with the Taleban. If such people emerge in just two countries, the domination of the West will diminish in a matter of days. Our hearts beat with Pakistan and, God forbid, if a difficult time comes we will protect it with our blood. Pakistan is sacred for us like a place of worship. We are the people of jihad and fighting for the defence of Pakistan is the best of all jihads to us. It does not matter for us as to who rules Pakistan. The important thing is that the spirit of jihad is alive and stronger in the hearts of the Pakistani people.
Copyright Ummat in Urdu, BBC translation in English, 2001
Detailed photos of the Olaf's Frozen Adventure Anna Limited Edition Doll. I got her from my local Disney Store on release day, Tuesday December 12, 2017, along with Elsa. I was the only one waiting for the dolls before the store opened. She is #1234 of 7000, which I think is a really cool number.
I like her a lot more than I thought I would from the stock and leaked photos. I don't think she looks goofy, even with her smirk. But I do think that her in box pose is very awkward. The nicest thing I've discovered about the doll is that she has lavender tights, which compares nicely with the green tights of FF Anna.
I show her in box, and with all the covers removed. I will debox her later. I show her next to my deboxed Frozen Fever Anna doll, who I think is closest to her in design among the Anna LE dolls.
Anna Doll - Olaf's Frozen Adventure - Limited Edition
US Disney Store
Released online and in-store 2017-12-12
$119.95
Item No. 6003040900405P
The Rundāle Palace, Latvia.
What you're seeing here is part of the recreation of the interior of the Rundāle Palace, Latvia.. The restoration cost over 8 million Euros, which, when you see the results, doesn't seem nearly enough to produce the splendors one encounters at every turn.
What's not clear to me is whether any of decoration is original and restored and how much is brand new. This always frustrates me because I'm hung up on the concept of authenticity. I'll just come right out and say I don't get the same satisfaction from replicas that I do from originals.
One way to resolve this conundrum is to say this is an authentic replica of an 18th century palace that was, as the text below explains, "demolished in 1812 during the Franco-Russian [Napoleonic] War," and then "demolished [again in 1919] by the men of the Bermondt-Avalov army," which was commanded by a Cossack warlord who decided to take over newly-independent Latvia instead of fighting the Bolsheviks.
Still, this begs the question of the meaning of such a place. A hot take is that it's an expression of Latvian nationalism. However, in the 18th century this region was ruled by Germans and then by Russians. Most ethnic Latvians were serfs. Perhaps the nationalist message is that the Latvians, once free from the rule of Baltic Germans, Czarist Russians, Nazis and the Soviets, had the wherewithal to recreate a palace once owned by an overlord and make it their own. To further make the point, the compound is now a major tourist attraction, so interiors once intended solely for the aristocracy, royalty and their hangers-on and servants are today filled to the brim with tourists like us.
Is is also a acknowledged center for the study of 18th-century interior design? The devil is in the details, and I haven't yet had time to delve into that.
If you're wondering why the point of view in these photos is from the top of the windows to the ceiling, it's because there were mobs of visitors that made it almost impossible to photograph whole walls, much less floors.
Here is the whole history of the construction of the palace from the palace's informative Web site. I recommend visiting it if for no other reason than to see the rooms devoid of visitors. Also, there's a section on the restoration.
The name of Rundāle comes from the German place-name Ruhenthal (Valley of Peace).
The Rundāle Palace built during the 16th century was located on the northern side of the pond. It can be seen in the design of F. B. Rastrelli as a small square field with towers in the corners.
Rundāle Manor was already created at the end of the 15th century. It belonged to the Grotthus family from 1505 to 1681 and the palace was mentioned in the list of Livonian castles in 1555.
Facade finishing components have been found in the territory of the palace – cast fragments and fragments of coats of arms carved in stone dating to the middle of the 17th century. In 1735 Ernst Johann von Biron bought the Rundāle property for 42 000 thalers.
The old palace was completely torn down, and the stones, bricks and even the mortar were used in the construction of the new palace.
Duke Ernst Johann died in 1772, and the palace was inherited by his widow Duchess Benigna Gottlieb; during her time orchards were formed around the palace. Duke Peter did not come to Rundāle often, he mostly resided in the smaller Vircava Palace near Jelgava.
In 1795 Duke Peter gave up his throne and the Duchy of Courland and Semigallia was added to the Russian Empire. Catherine II gave Rundāle Manor as a present to Count Valerian Zubov who died in 1804.
During the distribution of inheritance Rundāle became the property of his brother Prince Platon Zubov, the last favourite of Catherine II.
During the time of Zubov the palace was refurnished, however the building itself remained untouched, only entrance porticos were added to the central building and several fireplaces were built inside.
The palace was demolished in 1812 during the Franco-Russian War – mirrors were smashed, silk wallpaper was torn down, the library given as a present from Catherine II was destroyed.
Prince Platon Zubov died in Rundāle Palace on 7 April 1822. His widow married Count Andrey Shuvalov, and Rundāle Manor belonged to this family until the agrarian reform of the Republic of Latvia in 1920.
The Shuvalovs rarely stayed in the palace, excluding the time period from 1864 to 1866 when Count Pyotr Shuvalov was the governor-general of the Baltic region and used Rundāle Palace as his official summer residence.
During this time unsuccessful renovation of the palace rooms was carried out, however during the 1880’s careful renovation of the interior design was performed. At the end of the 19th century part of the palace’s furniture and works of art was taken to Saint Petersburg.
During the time from 1915 to 1918 a German army commandant’s office and an infirmary was established in the palace. In 1919 the palace was demolished by the men of the Bermondt-Avalov army.
The palace was renovated in 1923 and some of its rooms were used as the primary school of Rundāle Parish. In 1924 Rundāle Palace was handed over to the Latvian Union of Disabled Veterans, but in 1933 it was taken over by the Board of Monuments which started the renovation of the building and the restoration of some of the rooms, and the western building was constructed for the needs of the primary school.
In 1938 the palace was handed over to the State Historical Museum that was planning to create a church art and decorative art museum there. The palace was also open to the public during World War II.
In 1945 a grain storage was formed in the halls of the palace, and the palace was closed to the public after that.
In 1963 some of the palace’s rooms were given to the Museum of Regional Studies and Art of Bauska, but in 1972 a permanent Rundāle Palace Museum was created and its main aim was to renew the whole ensemble of the palace by mainly orientating towards the condition of the palace during the second part of the 18th century.
The first restored rooms in the eastern building of the palace were opened to the public in 1981, gradually being followed by new interiors. Restoration of the palace was finished in 2014.
Construction history
Count Ernst Johann von Biron bought the Rundāle manor complex on 26 June 1735. In August of the same year the court architect of Russia Francesco Rastrelli came to Courland. From September until December agreements were being concluded with carpenters, masons, brickmakers, construction material suppliers, potters – stove makers.
The construction project was ready in January of 1736. The eight pages of the project are located in the graphic art collection “Albertina” in Vienna. It consists of a situation plan, two floor plans, a sketch of four facades and the altar of the palace church.
The first construction period from 1736 to 1740.
On 24 May 1736 the foundation-stone of the palace was set. Construction of the foundation was completed on 6 July, whereas on 13 October the central building was built to the level of the windowsill of the second floor. The construction of 12 brick-kilns and 12 brick storages was finished in June. 268 masons were working in the palace, but Rastrelli requested 500 men.
Construction was stopped on 1 November due to cold.
The construction works were restarted on 12 April 1737. On 28 May the central building was finished, and on 18 June covering was started to be placed on the side buildings, whereas the construction of the central building roof was finished at the end of June.
When the works were stopped on 10 October, one side building was roofed over, and the other one was covered with a temporary roof. The foundations of the stables were also ready. The bricklaying works were finished on 1 October 1737.
After Biron was elected Duke, he ordered to simplify the building. The finishing materials were produced by the master carpenters and woodcarver A. Kamaev of the Imperial Construction Bureau of Saint Petersburg, master potter I. Ushakov of the Neva brick factory with his team and painters I. Mizinov, I. Pilugin and I. Yevdokimov. Austrian potters were working in Vircava. The finishing materials were also being produced in Saint Petersburg.
In 1738 the volume of work in Rundāle decreased, as construction works of Jelgava Palace began. Some of the produced components were also taken to Jelgava. However, the works were moving forward – chimneys and room arches were being built, roofs were being finished.
From 14 June, when the construction of the main residence in Jelgava began, the construction works in Rundāle were moving at a slower pace. Master carpenter Eger had finished oak-wood panels for 33 rooms, as well as 13 oak-wood parquet floors. Ceilings boards were put up in the rooms, so that the plastering works could be started. In September the carpenters started working on the outside staircases. The construction of the gate tower was also started.
Entwurf von Rastrelli: die Nordfassade des Schlosses Rundāle mit dem Torturm
Rastrelli’s design, nothern facade of the palace with the gate tower.
In 1739 the interior plastering works were supposed to be carried out, but the Duke ordered to decrease the amount of plasterers and to simplify the work. Stucco formations were made only for the main staircase rooms and halls, the other rooms were left with smooth ceilings. Only ten craftsmen were working in Rundāle.
On 1 February after the order of Empress of Russia Anna Ioannovna all of the Saint Petersburg Construction Office masons were sent to Courland.
The components made for Rundāle, including carved doors, panels, parquet, Austrian potter stoves, plafonds painted on canvas and cast-iron facade decorations made by Bartolomeo Tarsia that can be seen in the Jelagava Palace facade, were transported to the main residence in Jelgava.
N. Vasilyev assisted Rastrelli in managing the construction works. Russian chamberlain Ernst Johann von Buttlar was in charge of finances and organisation and he was sending reports to Saint Petersburg regarding the work process.
In 1740 the woodcut altar of the palace church was transported to Jelgava. Supposedly the room decoration in the palace had been finished, but not all of the wall panels had been mounted and some of the stoves were also not set up, as a lot of the materials were in storage.
Work was stopped after the palace revolution of 20 November in Russia and the arrest and exile of Duke Ernst Johann. The prepared finishing materials and construction components were sent to Saint Petersburg, and some of the built-in components, such as doors, wall panels and parquet, were broken.
Overall more than a thousand different profession craftsmen and workers were employed in the construction works of the palace.
The second construction period from 1764 to 1770.
In 1762 Ernst Johann von Biron was granted mercy and returned to Courland in January of 1763.
In January of 1764 Johann Gottfried Seidel was appointed the court architect of the Duke, but in August Francesco Rastrelli returned to work for the Duke and was appointed to the position of main administrator of the Duke’s buildings.
During this time he arranged his construction designs and carried out general supervision of the Duke’s construction works.
The unfinished gate tower was torn down and the stable building construction was started. Latvian carpenters and woodworkers were sent from the Duke’s domain manors to Rundāle up until 1768. In 1765 woodworker Blanks, sculptor Zībenbrods, locksmith Šreibfogels, gold plating master Johans Endress, potter Šēfers, locksmith Horstmanis and coppersmith Mēmels were working in the palace.
In 1766 Severin Jensen from Denmark started working as the court architect. His style can be seen in the gateposts and in the stable buildings, which obtained a semicircular shape in contrast to Rastrelli’s rectangular design. A dating – 16 May 1766 – has been made in the keystone of the northern facade window.
In 1768 the gate was built and the forgings were placed.
The palace interior planning was changed slightly. By merging five smaller rooms the grand dining-room – the Grand Gallery – was created, whereas a dance hall known as the White Hall was created in the place of the palace church. Both front staircases, the Small Gallery, the lobby and galleries of the first floor were preserved from the original interiors of the first construction period.
The stucco decorative finishing of the interiors was carried out by the Berlin sculptor and stucco marble master Johann Michael Graff together with his team – his brother Josef and assistants Bauman and Lanz – from 1765 to 1768.
Sculpturesque decorations were made in twenty-seven rooms, but in two rooms of the Duke’s apartments and in the hall – synthetic marble panels. Works were started in the central building first.
The Marble Hall and the marble panel of the Gold Hall in which the dating has been engraved on the door lining, were finished in 1767. In July of 1768 Graff received payment for his final works – the White Hall, Oval Cabinet, Duchess’ Boudoir and vases for the 22 stair banisters.
The ceilings were painted by the Italian painters Francesco Martini and Carlo Zucchi from Saint Petersburg. They started working in August of 1766, but only the name of Martini is mentioned in documents starting with March of 1768. Francesco Martini received his last payment in March of 1769.
Ceilings of eight rooms, as well as the walls of two rooms were painted. One of the ceiling paintings got destroyed. The repainted wall paintings were later uncovered in the Grand Gallery and in the second study of the Duke.
The Duke came to Rundāle Palace in April of 1767 and stayed there until December with interruptions, although the finishing works were still in progress. The palace was also inhabited in 1768. The final works were carried out in 1770 when a fellow of J. M. Graff placed mirrors in the White Hall.
20.04.2018
(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...
Unlike many of Stagecoach's Volvo B10Ms, N405 LDF never worked in Hampshire during its career, which ran from its delivery to Gloucestershire in 1995 to its withdrawal from South Wales two decades later. In preservation, one of its first major outings was to the Winchester running day in March 2017. It's pictured on the outskirts of Alresford bound for Bishop's Sutton, effectively working the modern-day 64 which was operated by B10Ms on occasion.
Deboxing my Limited Edition Blue Gown Cinderella 17'' doll. In order to remove the front cardboard lid from the box, the gold ribbon in the back has to be untied. Then the front lid can be slid off the rest of the box. Under that is a clear plastic window that forms the front lid of the inner box. There is white decoration and text on the bottom of the plastic lid that is similar to that of the outer cardboard box lid. There is less obstruction of the doll than in the previous 17'' LE doll boxes, especially around the sides. Then the front plastic lid and outer rear cardboard lid are removed, leaving the doll and accessories attached to the cardboard backing, that forms the rear of the inner box.
The box of the Blue Gown Cinderella is the same size as most of the other LE 17'' doll boxes, but has a sightly different design. The front plastic window divided are into three sections, being angled on the left and right of the center section, and the front cardboard lid is shaped the same way. There is a golden ribbon on top of the box to serve as a carrying handle. In the back there is another golden ribbon that is tied into a large bow, which you have to untie to take off the front lid from the rear of the box.
One of Cinderella's glass slippers is attached to the backing, behind and to the right of the doll. It was partially hidden by her hair, so I moved the hair out of the way before taking photos of the doll after the outer lids were removed. The Certificate of Authenticity is taped to the back of the cardboard backing, rather than inserted between the bottom of the backing and the outer box.
I got my Blue Gown Cinderella Limited Edition 17'' Doll today (Friday March 13, 2015) at my local Disney Store. She is #2352 of 4000. She costs $129.95, $10 more than the recently released Frozen LE dolls, and with tax added came out to $140.35.
I got to the store at 6:30 am, and was the only one there until about 8 am, when two more people showed up. At about 9:15 am, a CM gave out line cards to the five people waiting. At store opening at 10 am, there were seven people waiting for the 12 dolls. I had to give up the line card when I purchased the doll.
I will show the doll boxed, during deboxing and fully deboxed.
Cinderella Limited Edition Doll - Live-Action Film - 17''
US Disney Store
Released in store and online 2015-03-13
Sold out online 2015-03-13
$129.95
Item No. 6070040901175P
Blue beauty
Cinderella makes a stunning entrance in an elegant gown inspired by her appearance in the ballroom scene of Disney's new live-action film. This finely detailed limited edition doll is presented in a scenic display for a lasting keepsake.
Magic in the details...
Please Note: Purchase of this item is limited to 1 per Guest.
• Limited Edition of 4000
• Includes Certificate of Authenticity
• Ball gown features three layers of twilight-hued organza with cascading rhinestones
• Shimmering butterflies and jewels embellish the softly draped organza neckline
• Cinderella's iridescent high-heeled slippers accented with sparkling butterflies
• Glamorous hair with rhinestone accents
• Rooted eyelashes
• Fully poseable
• Display stand included
• Comes in elegant window display packaging with butterflies, gold satin bow and carrying strap
• Inspired by Disney's live-action movie Cinderella
The bare necessities
• Ages 6+
• Plastic /polyester
• 17'' H
• Imported
Deboxing my Limited Edition Ariel 17'' Doll. First the front cardboard cover or lid is taken off, by sliding it off the box. There are no seals to break. Underneath is a clear plastic cover through which the doll is clearly seen in an unobstructed view. Next the back lid is removed, then the clear plastic cover. Ariel is still attached the cardboard backing and doll stand. Under the cardboard backing is the Certificate of Authenticity. My doll is #1633 of 6000.
First look at my Limited Edition Ariel 17'' Doll. I got her along with the Limited Edition Prince Eric 18'' and Ursula 17'' Dolls from my local Disney Store on the release day, October 1, 2013. They are all sold out online, and probably in stores, too. My store had 5 Eric dolls and only 4 Ursula dolls. Photographed boxed, during deboxing and fully deboxed. Photographed boxed, during deboxing, and fully deboxed.
Box notes:
Disney's
The Little Mermaid
Make Disney's The Little Mermaid part of your world with our Limited Edition Ariel Doll. Sure to make a splash, this glamorous Ariel Doll features sumptuous details from head to fin! Standing 17'' tall with a long posable mermaid tail, Ariel's ensemble features luxurious accessories - encrusted with iridescent seashells, pearls and gemstones. Her tail cascades with layers of dual-tone teal and purple taffeta, embroidered and beaded to create a water-droplet effect. With her signature hair styled in a finger-wave curl, Ariel is captivating and stylish. Designed and crafted by Disney Store artists, this legendary, limited edition doll is a must-have for Disney fans and collectors alike.
Limited Edition Ariel Doll - 17''
US Disney Store
Pre-Order Date Online and In Store: July 29, 2013
SOLD OUT Online: July 30, 2013
Released October 1, 2013
Pre-ordered July 29, 2013
Received October 1, 2013
#1633 of 6000
Limited Edition Ariel Doll - 17''
$99.95
Item No. 6070040900893P
SOLD OUT
Shell wish
The Little Mermaid creates waves of excitement with our spectacular Limited Edition Ariel Doll. From her starfish hair clip to her rhinestone encrusted fin, the undersea Princess has never looked more glamorous. Make her part of your world.
Magic in the details...
Available to own October 1, 2013
Please Note: Each Guest will be limited to ordering a maximum of one of this item per order.
•Limited Edition of 6000
•Includes Certificate of Authenticity
•Detailed shell top with rhinestones and danglling shells
•Tail features cascading layers of dual-tone teal and purple taffeta embroidered and accented with rhinestones to create a water-droplet effect
•Waistband circled in shells
•Poseable tail with rhinestone-encrusted satin tail
•Hair is styled with finger-wave curl accented with a starfish hairclip
•Fully poseable
•Display stand included
•Comes in elegant window display packaging
•Celebrating the return of Disney's classic The Little Mermaid to DVD and Blu-ray disc
The bare necessities
•Ages 6+
•Plastic /polyester
•17'' H
•Imported
Safety
WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD - Small Parts. Not for children under 3 years.
From Walt Disney's 1959 Production of "SLEEPING BEAUTY"
Original One of a Kind Production Art Drawing
Fairy
Large Image
Certificate of Authenticity (COA)
16 Field Animation Paper, 13" x 16", unframed & unmatted
Sleeping Beauty is a 1959 animated feature produced by Walt Disney and originally released to theatres on January 29, 1959, by Buena Vista Distribution. The sixteenth animated feature in the Disney animated features canon, it was the last fairy tale produced by Walt Disney (after his death, the studio returned to the genre with 1989's The Little Mermaid).
Set in the 14th century of a fairy-tale world, the newborn Princess Aurora is named after the Roman goddess of the dawn because she fills the lives of her mother and father, King Stefan and Queen Leah, with sunshine. While still an infant, she is betrothed to the also-young Prince Phillip, son of King Hubert. At her christening, the good fairies Flora (dressed in red/pink), Fauna (in green), and Merryweather (in blue) arrive to bless her. Flora gives her the gift of beauty while Fauna gives her the gift of song. But before Merryweather could give her blessing, Maleficent appears on the scene, expressing disappointment in not being invited to Aurora's christening ceremony and curses the princess to die when she touches a spinning wheel's spindle before the sun sets on her sixteenth birthday. Fortunately, Merryweather's blessing weakens the curse so that instead of death, Aurora, would fall into a deep sleep until she is awakened by true love's kiss. Though King Stefan decreed all spinning wheels in the kingdom burned, the three good fairies know Maleficent couldn't be stopped that easily and sneak Aurora away with them to a woodland cottage until her sixteen birthday lapses, passing themselves off as her aunts and swearing off magic to conceal themselves.
Years later, Aurora, renamed Briar-Rose, had grown into a gorgeous young woman with the blessings that Flora and Fauna bestowed to her. She does not care about her looks despite being very beautiful but she awaits love, as she is a very romantic girl. By that time, Maleficent is vexed at her minions' incompetence and sends her raven Diablo to look for Aurora. On the day of her sixteenth birthday, the fairies attempt to make Rose a gown and a cake. When their attempts end in disaster they decide to use their wands, resulting with an argument by Flora and Merryweather over the color of the gown that catches Diablo's attention. Meanwhile, Aurora gathers berries while singing to her animal friends; this attracts the attention of Prince Phillip, now a handsome young man, as he is out riding his horse in the woods. When they meet, they instantly fall in love. Realizing that she has to return home, Aurora flees from Phillip without ever learning his name. Despite promising to meet him again, the fairies reveal the truth of her birth to her and take her to her parents and her betrothed's family.
Unfortunately, Maleficent uses her magic to lure Aurora away from her boudoir up a vacant room of the palace, where a spinning wheel awaits her. Fascinated by the wheel with Maleficent's will enforcing it, Aurora touches the spindle, pricking her finger and completing the curse. The good fairies place Aurora on a bed with a red rose in her hand, and place all in the kingdom in a deep sleep until the spell is broken as King Hubert tries to tell Stefan of his son being in love with a peasant-girl. At that time, Prince Phillip arrives at the cottage, but is captured, bound and gagged by Maleficent's minions and taken to her castle, "The Forbidden Mountain", to prevent him from kissing Aurora until he is an old man. However, the fairies sneak into Maleficent's stronghold and free the prince. Armed with the magical Sword of Truth and The Shield of Virtue, Phillip braves all obstacles to reach Stefan's castle prior to battling Maleficent when the sorceress turns herself into a gigantic Dark Fire-Breathing Dragon. The sword, blessed by the fairies' magic, is plunged into the dragon's heart, causing the evil sorceress to fall to her death from a cliff. Phillip climbs to Aurora's chamber, and removes the curse with a kiss. As the film ends, the prince and princess both happily learn that their betrothed and their beloved are one and the same. They arrive at the ballroom, where Aurora is happily re-united with her parents, and she an Prince Phillip dance a waltz. However, they are unaware of the fact that Merryweather and Flora are still in disagreement of the color of her dress and that the color changes from blue to pink. The last color to appear is pink.
There was more than a hundred people waiting outside the Disney Store this morning. Fortunately most of them were after the Mickey merchandise, and I got picked in the raffle for Jasmine. Several collectors that I knew were also there, but none of them got picked. I selected the first doll that was handed to me at the register, since she looked perfect. I didn't bring my camera, so no photos from the release. She is #425 of 4000. I show her boxed, and with the inner box taken out and the front viewing window taken off. She is very beautiful and my second most favorite doll from the series. She is first one that I managed to get from the store raffle, so I could take her home on release day. I will debox her tomorrow.
Jasmine Disney Designer Collection Premiere Series Doll - Limited Edition
US Disney Store
Released online and in stores 2018-10-20
Sold out online in less than 5 minutes
$109.95
Item No. 6003040900545P
Deboxing my LE Wedding Cinderella. Closeup of the Certificate of Authenticity. #450 of 500.
On my second attempt to get the the Limited Edition Wedding Cinderella 17'' Doll from eBay, I finally got her! I got her with the help of a fellow collector. She is #450 of 500, and was originally sold by the Japan Disney Store. There is a Japanese sticker on the bottom of the box. She was shipped double boxed, and very well packed. She arrived in perfect condition.
She is very beautiful, and has a serene expression, rather than the grumpy pout of the LE Ballgown Cinderella doll. Her lips have a slight smile, which is part of why she has a more pleasant expression than the other doll, who shares the same face mold. She is glancing in the opposite direction of the Ballgown Cinderella, and her skin has a matte surface, rather than the shiny pearly surface of the Ballgown doll. Her pale yellow wedding gown has many differently sized and colored rhinestones enhancing the printed floral pattern. There are also several small jeweled plastic butterflies in the skirt, hidden amongst the flowers. The decorations continue throughout the back of the dress. There are also faux pearl buttons on her sleeves and on the back of her bodice. Her skirt is very full with a long train, and is in three differently colored layers. Under her skirts is a 3/4 length single layer tulle petticoat. Attached to her hair is an oversized pale yellow sheer chiffon veil. She has golden earrings and a jeweled golden tiara. Her wedding ring is a floral design with five golden beads; it is pinned to her hand. She has the old style legs, with fixed ankles. She is wearing simple ivory heels, with no decorations.
I will be posting a full set of detailed photos of this doll. She will be shown boxed, during deboxing, and fully deboxed, both by herself and with other Disney Store dolls.
Cinderella Limited Edition Royal Wedding Doll - Live Action Film - 17''
US Disney Store
$500.00
Item No. 6003040901179P
Released and Sold Out online March 13, 2015 (US and Europe)
Released and Sold Out online April 3, 2015 (50 units sold in Japan)
Purchased second hand April 17, 2015
Received April 21, 2015
#450 of 500
Butterfly
The Disney Store presents the Disney Film Collection Limited Edition Cinderella Wedding Doll. Inspired by her royal wedding in the new Disney live action film, this heirloom bride is a stunning vision to behold in her bejeweled ivory gown.
Magic in the details...
Please Note: Purchase of this item is limited to 1 per Guest.
• Numbered Limited Edition of 500
• Certificate of Authenticity
• Bridal gown of shimmering pale gold organza layered over ivory satin
• Gown embellished with delicate floral artwork, multicolored rhinestones, and sculptured, jeweled butterflies with iridescent wings
• Pearl buttons enhance the back of the gown and sleeves
• Flowing, full-length chiffon veil
• Golden tiara with intricately sculptured and jeweled pearlescent flowers
• Pearl toned wedding ring
• Delicate floral earrings
• Molded ivory shoes
• Display stand included
• Meticulously designed and crafted by Disney Store Artists to ensure every detail was captured
• Arrives in a dramatic full-length window presentation box with fold open ''doors'' and magnetic closure
• Inspired by Disney's live-action movie Cinderella
• Part of the Disney Film Collection
The bare necessities
• Intended for adult collectors - Not a child's toy
• Plastic / polyester
• 17'' H
• Imported
Safety
WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD - Small Parts. Not for children under 3 years.
I recently received the Disney Movie Club's Elsa pin. It was available free with purchase for VIP members, or $4.95 for other members. It is 1 1/2 inches high by 1 1/4 inches wide. It came with a very nice Certificate of Authenticity resembling a greeting card. It is part of their Special Limited Series of collectible pins featuring Disney characters, and was released in late October 2014. The pin's nameplate matches the design of the Frozen logo on the Disney Store Limited Edition 450 Jumbo Frozen pin, so I also show them side by side.
(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 my Limited Edition Ursula 17'' Doll. First the front cardboard cover or lid is taken off, by sliding it off the box. There are no seals to break. Underneath is a clear plastic cover through which Ursula is clearly seen in an unobstructed view. Next the back lid is removed, then the clear plastic cover. Ursula is still attached the cardboard backing and doll stand. Under the cardboard backing is the Certificate of Authenticity. My doll is #303 of 2000.
First look at my Limited Edition Ursula 17'' Doll. I got her along with the Limited Edition Prince Eric, Ariel 17'' Dolls from my local Disney Store on the release day, October 1, 2013. They are all sold out online, and probably in stores, too. My store had 5 Eric dolls and only 4 Ursula dolls. Photographed boxed, during deboxing and fully deboxed.
Box notes:
Disney's The Little Mermaid
Disney Store proudly presents the worldwide Limited Edition Ursula Doll. With its elaborate details, this beautifully designed doll magically captures Ursula's stylish demeanor and villainous spirit. Her finely detailed sweetheart bodice features rich velvet with embellished black rhinestones, while her signature silver-streaked hair is swept up to reveal her intricately sculpted golden seashell earrings and necklace. Designed and crafted by Disney Store artists, this legendary, limited edition doll is a must-have for Disney fans and collectors alike.
Limited Edition Ursula Doll - 17''
US Disney Store
Released and SOLD OUT on 2013-10-01
Product Information:
Limited Edition Ursula Doll - 17''
$99.95
Item No. 6070040900909P
Fair trade
Dive to mysterious fathoms below to strike a bargain for our Limited Edition Ursula Doll. Poor, unfortunate souls will lose their voice upon viewing the sea witch's irresistable velour costume, sequined tentacles and sparkling faceted gems.
Magic in the details...
Please Note: Each Guest will be limited to ordering a maximum of one of this item per order.
• Limited Edition of 2000
• Certificate of Authenticity
• Sweetheart bodice in rich velvet with embellished black rhinestones
• Soft plush tentacles with sequined detailing
• Layered tulle underskirts
• Golden seashell earrings
• Fine golden chain necklace with seashell pendant
• Rooted, styled hair and eyelashes
• Fully poseable
• Display stand included
• Comes in elegant window display packaging
• Celebrating the return of Disney's classic The Little Mermaid to DVD and Blu-ray disc
The bare necessities
• Ages 6+
• Plastic / polyester
• 17'' H (on stand)
• Imported
Safety
WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD - Small Parts. Not for children under 3 years.
Closeup of the Certificate of Authenticity.
The Art of Jasmine Limited Edition Decorative Plate. I bought it at the D23 Expo 2015, from the popup Disney Store, on the second day of the Expo (Saturday August 15). It was also available on the third and last day of the Expo (Sunday August 16). It also comes with a display stand and a hand numbered Certificate of Authenticity. The plate is 14 inches in diameter and 1 1/2 inches deep. It was limited to 500 copies, and cost $69.95. My copy is #248 of 500. It was also available online after the expo, but sold out quickly.
I had a great evening out yesterday evening shooting with a group of employees from Pandora. I've been a huge fan of the online music service since very early on when they started up and it was fun to meet a number of their employees yesterday in person. I've discovered some great music using Pandora.
We met up at Jack London Square and then shot along the traintracks down in West Oakland ending up finally at Heinold's First and Last Chance Saloon for a beer. Heinold's is the oldest business in Oakland and the oldest bar in California. Jack London used to tend bar there back in the day.
Nice getting to meet you all from the Pandora team and they'll be more photos of mine to follow down the road. To see my photos and others from the walk, check out the tag photowalking070709.
As an aside, I also participated in an interview with the Cameradojo Podcast last week. It was a great interview where I talked a lot about my workflow, my photography and especially about my goals, motivation and ambitions. If you want to check that photography podcast episode out you can get it here.
Deboxing my pre-ordered Anna Limited Edition DVD Doll (that is the name of the doll on my Disney Store receipts). First the front cover is removed, revealing the clear plastic front of the inner box. The Certificate of Authenticity is below the plastic cover. She is #3923 of 5000.
I just got my pre-ordered Anna and Elsa Limited Edition dolls from my local Disney Store. I also got my pre-ordered Frozen Blu-ray/DVD movie combo. They had very few other Frozen items for sale, the male dolls (Classic Hans and Kristoff, and plush Kristoff) and the plush Anna and Elsa dolls. No girl's Anna or Elsa costumes, Classic Anna or Elsa dolls, or baby Sven. There were perhaps 50 people lined up in front of the entrance before the store opened at 10 am. I also got a second pre-ordered Anna from another local store today. I will take detailed photos of all my dolls, boxed, during deboxing, and fully deboxed.
Anna Limited Edition Doll - 17'' - Frozen
US Disney Store Product Page
Updated 2014-03-18
SOLD OUT
$99.95
Item No. 6070040901012P
Snow wonder
Anna wraps up warm against the Kingdom of Arendelle's eternal winter in the beautifully detailed costume. Inspired by Frozen, this stunning limited edition doll is designed and crafted by Disney Store artists. See more
Magic in the details...
Please Note: Each Guest will be limited to ordering a maximum of one of this item per order.
• Limited Edition of 5000
• Includes Certificate of Authenticity
• Burgundy wool cape with satin lining, embroidered detailing, rhinestone accents, and pom-pom trimmed collar
• Norwegian fur-trimmed bonnet
• Satin blouse with embroidered detailing on cuffs
• Black velvet bodice with gold binding. embroidery and rhinestone accents
• Blue velvet skirt with rosemaling embroidery
• Teel knit mittens
• Embossed boots
• Braided hair
• Rooted eyelashes
• Fully poseable
• Display stand included
• Comes in elegant window display packaging
• Inspired by Disney's Frozen
The bare necessities
• Ages 6+
• Plastic /polyester
• 17'' H
• Imported
Deboxing my Snow White and the Hag Doll Set. The slipcover is removed, then the hard plastic cover, leaving the dolls in clear view. They are attached to the cardboard backing, plastic supports and dolls stand by wires, rubber bands and plastic ties.
Detailed photos of my Snow White and the Hag Doll Set, the first in store release of the 2015 Disney Fairytale Designer Collection. I got it today in my local Disney Store raffle. The set is #2595 of 6000.
Snow White's in box pose is stiff, with her face pointing up too much, and her curly hair messy, especially on the right. She has the 2012 Classic Princess style body, with hard plastic legs, external hinge knee joints, and ball jointed ankles. She has golden yellow flats, matching the color of her skirt. She has a full length velvet cape with satin lining.
The Hag (or Witch) has a unique body and limbs. Similar to the DFDC Beast doll, she has an awkward stance if free standing. In fact, my doll's right leg cannot be straightened completely and her fixed ankles are bent, so her natural standing pose is stooped, making her stand about 10 inches tall. In the box pose, her feet is raised by plastic forms, so if they are removed for deboxing, her feet dangle in the air if she is reboxed. She doesn't have ankle joints, so she cannot point her toes to reach the floor of the display stand.
They did a fabulous job making the Hag an accurate representation of the animated movie character. I also like Snow White's anxious expression, which is appropriate for being next to the evil Hag. I did the best I could to make Snow's hair neater, but it is still messier than I would like. Her curly hair is heavily stiffened with hair product, so it was not easy for me to rearrange her hair using my fingers.
Snow White and the Witch Doll Set - Disney Fairytale Designer Collection
US Disney Store
Released in store 2015-09-29
Released online 2015-09-30
Purchased in store 2015-09-29
#2595 of 6000
$129.95
Item No. 6003040901262P
Rotten to the core
The Evil Queen, in her guise as the Witch, tempts Snow White with a red apple in this limited edition doll set. With finely detailed costumes, the pair are part of the Disney Fairytale Designer Collection's heroes and villains series.
Magic in the details...
Please Note: Purchase of this item is limited to 1 per Guest.
As part of the Disney Fairytale Designer Collection's heroes and villains series, Snow White and the Witch were carefully crafted by artists inspired by Disney's classic 1937 movie. Reimagined in exquisite detail, these limited edition dolls were brought to life with thoughtful attention, and uniquely capture the essence of the fairytale characters, creating a one-of-a-kind set that will be a treasured keepsake of collectors and Disney fans.
• Global Limited Edition of 6000
• Includes Certificate of Authenticity
• Snow White's red velvet cape features a satin lining
• Bodice features intricate gold embroidery with embroidered red rose, high white collar, and puff sleeves
• Golden skirt decorated with a delicate flower pattern, embroidered detailing, and jeweled accents
• Dramatic make-up
• Rooted hair and eyelashes, with red satin ribbon
• Witch's wine-colored shawl features subtle two-tone pattern, and fringed hem
• Black hooded outfit with lace overlay, and red satin lining
• Black ankle boots
• Rooted white hair
• Red apple in her hand
• Basket of green apples
• Dolls sold in a special keepsake display case with intricate details on the base, including a golden plate with the names of Snow White and the Witch
• Includes special Disney Fairytale Designer Collection Gift Bag
• Part of the Disney Fairytale Designer Collection
* Intended for adult collectors -- Not a child's toy.
The bare necessities
• Plastic / polyester
• Snow White: 11 1/2'' H
• Witch: 10''
• Imported
I bought the newly released Disney Parks Aurora LE 17 inch doll from World of Disney in Downtown Disney, Disneyland today. She was released on Christmas Day. She is a pink version of the blue Disneyland 60th Anniversary Aurora LE doll (which was released in 2015). The design of the doll and the box are essentially the same as the previous doll. Her price is $10 more, at $129.99 versus $119.95. She is part of the new Diamond Castle Collection.
There are various differences between the new and old Disney Parks Aurora dolls besides the color of the outfit. The most significant is the lack of Certificate of Authenticity in the new one. The old one was LE 3000, and had a individually numbered CoA, as well a number stamped on the back of the doll.
There are no rhinestones in the bodice. Instead there are small faux pearls. She is wearing gold heels, versus the silver heels of the blue Aurora. She also has gold crown and necklace with gold gems, with a rose in the center, versus the silver crown and necklace of the 60th Anniversary Aurora.
As with the original Parks Aurora, there is no display stand. There is glitter throughout the skirt and cape, and it does shed quite a bit. The dark pink velvet cape is detachable from the dress, via two small velcro fasteners in the back of her bodice. The organza skirt is quite stiff and allows the doll to free stand, even without a display stand. The white satin underskirt is attached to the outer organza skirt.
Stranger 98/100 - Quay
“You gotta go make some moves as far as making a legacy for yourself before you leave the Earth.”
Meet Quay.
What advice would you give to your younger self? “Whatever you plan on doing in the future as a passion or a career or job, whatever, just make sure you go hard… 110%.”
Have you always done that? “Lately I have… not always.”
What made you clue in to that? “Because reality sinks in, and you realize you can’t just sit around procrastinating. You gotta go make some moves as far as making a legacy for yourself before you leave the Earth… because you know you have to go at some point.”
What is your biggest challenge right now? “Trying to make it music-wise. I make music so… Trying to make it as an artist today with so many more emergent artists coming out every day… it’s kinda hard.”
Tell me about your music…. “Basically, I just talk about my lifestyle. I don’t talk about killin’ people and none of that stuff that the majority of these people who make rap music or hip-hop music talk about nowadays. I talk about things that people can relate to.”
So authenticity is important? “Exactly.”
What are your goals? Where do you want to be in ten years? “I just want to be living comfortably… as little worries as possible.”
If you could put a billboard up in Charlotte, what would it say? “It would say something about unity… not just one’s own race, but all races. If you look at society today whites they stick together with they own race, not to say that they don’t help others, but… that’s how it just go… races stick together. But, if it all comes together… I think the world will be a better place as far as unity goes.”
Technical Notes: I used a reflector to add light to Quay’s face. I did my best to reduce the glare in his glasses, but I couldn’t find an angle where there wasn’t a lot of glare.
This picture is #98 in my 100 strangers project. Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page
This photo also appears in The Human Family Page
Please note: Technical discussion about know-how and know-why!
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Valais Alps, Mischabel range, from left to right: Alphubel, Täschhorn, Dom, Nadelhörner.
Standing on the Rhone Glacier or the Furka Pass, you have a phenomenal view of the Rhone Valley, with the High Valais Alps on the horizon, including the Mischabel range, the peak of the Matterhorn and the majestic Weisshorn. However, there is also exactly 68.37 km of air between the pass summit and the Täschhorn, with all the consequences that normally occur: air shimmer, haze, fog and in some cases poor light. Is it still worth taking a photo?
YES AND NO! As is almost always the case, it depends on whether you can achieve the necessary level of detail in the photo using all the tools at your disposal before and after taking the shot. Of course, it's best to take such a documentary photo in foehn weather conditions, using a tripod and a higher-priced (high-resolution) lens, in RAW. You can use a polarising filter (caution!) and do a series of exposures (HDR), but ultimately you have to leave everything else to the ‘art of the computer’ in post-processing.
No sooner said than done. There is no one-size-fits-all switch, and almost without exception, all relevant profiles lead to an even worse result than the muddy RAW/DNG file itself. So you have to fight your way through manually with a lot of back and forth, trial and error. I have to ask myself how dominant the foreground, which is only illuminated by side lighting, should be, and how I want to depict snow and glacier ice WITHOUT COLOUR CAST and with the appropriate sky. An image with a significantly shorter focal length can provide guidance here.
The final result is therefore a ‘photo edit’ without the use of AI; however, all other controls (exposure, colour temperature, contrast, sharpness, brightness, etc.) were pushed to their limits. In ‘analogue’ photography, this would not have been possible, of course, but in the digital world we have the right tools to do so. My guiding idea was: how would I see the Mischabel group at a significantly shorter distance with a normal focal length or a slight telephoto lens? And now I have an answer that tells us what is possible when necessary, and what, for example, a Canon L lens or comparable lenses from other manufacturers can do better than optics whose laboratory measurements cannot compete with professional and significantly more expensive lenses. I thought that this could be communicated to colleagues interested in technology in a photo community. Anyone who wants to is welcome to join the discussion.
Thoughts are free.
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EXIF data added manually:
Archive image, Canon EOS 5DII, EF 100-400 f4.5-5.6 L IS USM, ISO 200, 400mm, 1/800sec, f9.
D23 Snow White LE Doll with front cover and rear covers off. The doll is still attached to the backing, which is free standing. The Certificate of Authenticity (CoA) is removed from underneath the backing, and placed in front of the doll.
Here are detailed photos of my D23 Exclusive Snow White Limited Edition Doll. She is 17 inches tall, comes in an ornately decorated double cardboard box, with a large plastic viewing window in the front, and smaller ones on the left and right sides and the top. My doll is #106 of 1023. I got her first hand from the Disney Store at the 2017 D23 Expo, on her release day, Saturday July 15, 2017. She costs $119.95 plus tax, the usual price for Disney Store LE 17'' inch dolls of animated movie characters. She is the third release by Disney of a Snow White LE 17 inch doll.
I will make a full review of this doll when I debox her. But for now, here are some observations. As with the first two LE Snow White dolls, she has a variation of her iconic Princess blue, yellow and red dress. She has a blue bodice with golden embroidery, puffy red sleeves with blue bands over them, and full length blue satin sleeves below that. Around her neck is a wide white satin collar with another golden lace collar over that. She has a red satin ribbon and bow in her hair, with the bow moved off center towards her right side. Her skirt is golden yellow satin, with embroidery and gemstone embellishment. Her shoes are glittery golden pumps with bow decorations, matching the color of her dress. She has a deep red velvet cape with red satin lining. She has petticoat with golden lace trim. Some of these details are very similar to those of the D23 Golden Designer Fairytale Snow White 12 inch doll from 2013.
Her face shares the same mold as the previous two LE Snow White 17 inch dolls. But two details make her face quite different from those two. One is that she has painted teeth, even though the face mold has a closed mouth. The other is that she has a 'normal' skin color, both in face and her body, that is close to that of the DS singing or classic Snow White dolls. The other LE Snow White dolls have very pale complexions, paler than any other LE dolls besides the Elsa dolls. That paleness fits in with her name and description as having skin as white as snow, and made the 2009 DS and 2015 Shanghai Snow White LE dolls unique among other Snow White dolls.
Deboxing the 2015 LE Elsa Doll. First the front cardboard lid is removed, revealing a clear plastic window underneath. Then the plastic window and rear cardboard lid are removed, leaving the doll attached to a free standing cardboard backing. The Certificate of Authenticity is removed from below the backing, and placed in front of the doll.
The Limited Edition Elsa Doll, released in stores in North America on March 3, 2015. My doll is #2942 of 5000. She is in jeweled purple felt (made from faux wool). This is the outfit she wore as an 18 year old when saying good bye to her parents before their overseas journey. She is wearing ice blue jeweled satin gloves, which help repress her ice powers. Her hands are clasped together. Her pose and look are that of a sternly repressed nature. She is standing in front a purple window of the Castle, which is closed, as she is closed to the outside world.
She is wearing black flats with floral decoration. Her jacket is pinned to her dress, which I left alone, as it helps to keep the jacket from opening up. There was a large amount of tissue paper stuffing under her skirt. I had to remove her from the doll stand before I could remove the tissue.
She has shiny pearlescent skin, and her skin tone is between that of Coronation Elsa and Snow Queen Elsa. Her hair is slicked down in the front and is in a bun in the back. There is gold tinsel in her hair, even in her side burns.
Limited Edition Elsa Doll - Frozen - 17''
Released in stores 2015-03-03
Purchased in store 2015-03-03
Released online 2015-03-04
Sold out in 10 minutes
$119.95
Item No. 6070040901176P
Wintry wonder
The Disney Store proudly presents the worldwide Limited Edition Elsa Doll. A regal vision, draped in sumptuous dark purple velvet from head to toe, Elsa is costumed as seen at the beginning of Disney's feature film Frozen.
Magic in the details...
Please Note: Purchase of this item is limited to 1 per Guest.
• Limited Edition of 5000
• Certificate of Authenticity
• Rich velvet costume with bejeweled and embroidered accents
• Jacket features iridescent appliquéd details and fine metallic gold trim
• Skirt features beautiful golden trim, dazzling gemstones, and richly embroidered satin appliqués
• Faux leather belt with shining metallic embroidery
• Satin mittens with jeweled accents
• Glittering rooted hair and eyelashes
• Fully poseable
• Display stand included
• Comes in elegant window display packaging
• Meticulously designed by Disney Store artists to ensure every detail was captured
• Look for our Limited Edition Anna Doll - Frozen - 17'', sold separately
The bare necessities
• Ages 6+
• Plastic / polyester
• 17'' H
• Imported
Safety
WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD - Small Parts. Not for children under 3 years.
Deboxing LE Alice. She was already freed from the backing, and most of the factory restraints removed. But I show her as if I was deboxing her from scratch. I also remove most of the remaining restraints. She is in her original box, with both front covers removed, so we can see Alice in the clear. She is standing, supported by the included doll stand. The Certificate of Authenticity (CoA) is removed from underneath the inner box, and shown in front of the doll. It is protected by clear plastic.
I purchased this beautiful Limited Edition Alice in Wonderland 17'' Doll from eBay. She was originally released in 2011 by the Disney Store. She is #241 of 500. She is photographed alone, and with LE Snow White.
She came already deboxed, but with several factory restraints still remaining on the doll. She came with the original box and CoA. The doll and box are in excellent condition. The base of the doll stand has some yellowing, and the rubber band securing the tea cup to Alice's hand is also yellowed. Some of the side curls near her head are slightly undone, due to the hair product becoming less stiff.
She is long golden yellow hair with gold tinsel highlights, that is mostly straight. She has a flat black bow on the top of her head. She has short curvy eyelashes sparsely rooted above her eyes, that match the painted lashes. She has the same head mold as the Limited Edition Snow White 17'' doll, so is smaller than the other dolls in the series. Her lips are a pale pink, her eyes are deep blue. Her dress is violet with alternated layers of satin and lace in the skirt. She has a double layer stiff white tulle petticoat. She has white stockings that go past her knees. She has her iconic black shoes with straps; they have high heels.
She is slightly shorter than Snow White, by about 1/4 inch, and matches Merida as the shortest Princess doll in the series, at 16 1/4'' tall on the doll stand. Snow White's doll stand is 1/4 inch thicker than Alice's, so that makes Snow White 1/2 inch taller on the doll stand. I think Alice and Snow are the two most beautiful dolls in the series, including their face, hair and outfits. Because Alice is only LE 500, compared to the LE 5000 Snow White, she is much more expensive than Snow in the secondary market. That is one reason why it has taken me so long to get her, but I am glad that I finally did.
Deboxing the 2015 LE Anna 17'' doll. First the front cardboard lid is removed, revealing a clear plastic window underneath. Then the plastic window and rear cardboard lid are removed, leaving the doll attached to a free standing cardboard backing. The Certificate of Authenticity is removed from below the backing, and placed in front of the doll.
Detailed photos of the my Limited Edition Anna 17'' Doll. She was purchased at my local Disney Store on release day, March 3, 2015. She is #0962 of 5000.
She is in the green outfit she wears at the ending scenes of the movie. It is the same outfit as the skating outfit, except that there are ice skating blades added to her boots. Her outfit has a grayish green satin bodice that has has jewels in its border. Under that is a sheer blue organza blouse, which has heart shaped clasps in the collar. The most impressive part of her outfit is her olive green felt skirt, that is jeweled and has rosemaling on along the hemline. The green satin hem is also jeweled. The skirt has a pleated panel in the front and the back, that when expanded makes the skirt much wider. Underneath is a thin tulle petticoat, that isn't stiff enough to help keep the skirt full. She has no underwear except for the painted on panties. She has light olive green boots, with the same embossed pattern as the boots of the Snow Gear Anna dolls. The entrance to Arendelle Castle is the background image in the box.
She has shiny pearly skin, but otherwise has a normal skin tone. She has dual braids similar to the LE Snow Gear Anna doll, but the braids are thicker and they have the addition of tinsel to make them sparkle. The tinsel consists of copper foil coiled around a black thread. On my doll a considerable amount of the tinsel has separated from the top of her hairdo, and makes her hair look messy or frizzy.
This doll is by far my favorite of all the Frozen LE dolls in this release.
Limited Edition Anna Doll - Frozen - 17''
US Disney Store
Released in stores 2015-03-03
Purchased in store 2015-03-03
Released online 2015-03-04
Sold out in 10 minutes
$119.95
Item No. 6070040901177P
Forever friend
The Disney Store proudly presents the worldwide Limited Edition Anna Doll. This exquisitely designed doll captures Anna's free spirit and affinity for adventure, in her costume as seen at the end of Disney's feature film Frozen.
Magic in the details...
Please Note: Purchase of this item is limited to 1 per Guest.
• Limited Edition of 5000
• Certificate of Authenticity
• Finely textured and detailed
• Wool-like skirt adorned with sparkling gemstones and a richly embroidered rosemaling pattern around the hem
• Fitted satin bodice featuring metal stud details
• Satin blouse trimmed with an elegant gold stitch culminating at her royal brooch
• Glittering rooted braids and eyelashes
• Fully poseable
• Display stand included
• Comes in elegant window display packaging
• Meticulously designed by Disney Store artists to ensure every detail was captured
• Look for our Limited Edition Elsa Doll - Frozen - 17'', sold separately
The bare necessities
• Ages 6+
• Plastic / polyester
• 17'' H
• Imported
Safety
WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD - Small Parts. Not for children under 3 years.
Deboxing the Harrod Aurora dolls. After opening up the box, the plastic covers over the two dolls are removed, leaving the dolls in clear view. They are attached to the cardboard backing and plastic spacers. The Certificates of Authenticity are removed from under the inner boxes, and place in front of the dolls. They both say 32 of 100, as did the shipping carton.
Opening the box. First the front cover is opened, revealing the two dolls facing each other in their own inner boxes. The hinges are made from thin cardboard. Then the cover is folded flat against the side of the box. The two inner boxes are then unfolded, so we can get a clear view of the Pink and Blue Aurora dolls. They are angled towards each other. The box halves have clear plastic covers, bordered by white designs and are without any text. Then the front cover is unfolded from the side of the box, to show the text on the inside. Finally the sections are fully unfolded, so the dolls and inner cover are facing straight ahead.
I purchased the special Harrods Limited Edition Aurora Doll Gift Set directly from Harrods on Tuesday, October 21, 2014. It was sold only by Harrods of London, and limited to 100 sets. The regular releases was on October 7 and 8. I first heard about the Harrods dolls on October 13, and it took a week of sleepless nights and persistent calling to finally get the dolls. It was shipped last Friday, Oct 24, and delivered to my home today Monday Oct 27.
The Harrods Aurora Doll Set consists of 17'' Princess Aurora dolls in Pink and Blue variations of her gown. The dolls are by the Disney Store, but with special embellishments over the "regular" releases (that were LE 5000 for the Pink, and LE 4000 for the Blue). They are in a unique box which opens up like a book, with the dolls enclosed in separate inner boxes, and facing each other like mirror images. They are #32 of 100.
The Aurora Doll Set was packed expertly by Harrods, with the original DS shipper box wrapped in heavy duty bubble wrap, then fitted inside a Harrods shipper box with no wriggle room. The receipt was on the top of the box, which showed the original price, the VAT that was removed, then the shipping charge and handling charge added. The total was 505.58 British pounds, or $817.85, which is just slightly more than the retail price of 500 pounds. That is more than three times the cost of the regular LE Aurora dolls (which retailed for $119.95).
I will post detailed photos of the set boxed, during deboxing, and fully deboxed. I will also post comparison photos with the ''regular'' LE Aurora dolls.
There's an aching authenticity to some homes, every perfect square of siding and chinked crack in the stone foundation. Four panes per window, each shadow cast in a cross on the floor inside. Don't mind time, someone has to hold back to the beginning. Your last set of shingles are thinning, and I'm sure you're already taking on water – I hope someone knows you're not beyond repair. I grew up like a stranger to history, staring down homes that sat empty even longer than I've existed. Now, I slow up on the shoulder, lean over and greet them through the passenger window. I wonder if any will outlive me.
Deboxing my Limited Edition Prince Eric 18'' Doll. First the front cardboard cover or lid is taken off, by sliding it off the box. There are no seals to break. Underneath is a clear plastic cover through which the doll is clearly seen in an unobstructed view. Next the back lid is removed, then the clear plastic cover. Eric is still attached the cardboard backing and doll stand. Under the cardboard backing is the Certificate of Authenticity. My doll is #79 of 1500.
First look at my Limited Edition Prince Eric 18'' Doll. I got him along with the Limited Edition Ursula and Ariel 17'' Dolls from my local Disney Store on the release day, October 1, 2013. They are all sold out online, and probably in stores, too. My store had 5 Eric dolls and only 4 Ursula dolls. Photographed boxed, during deboxing and fully deboxed.
Box notes:
Disney's
The Little Mermaid
Disney Store proudly presents the worldwide Limited Edition Prince Eric Doll. Inspired by nautical fashion, this sea-loving, blue eyed mariner is bedecked in an ivory and navy blue uniform, embellished with gold embroidery, buttons, and trim. Golden epaulettes and shiny black boots complete his charming attire. Designed and crafted by Disney Store artists, this legendary, limited edition doll is a must-have for Disney fans and collectors alike.
Limited Edition Prince Eric Doll - 18''
US Disney Store
Released and SOLD OUT on 2013-10-01
Purchased in store on release day.
#79 of 1500
Product Information:
Limited Edition Prince Eric Doll - 18''
$99.95
Item No. 6070040900910P
See worthy
Voyage to a charming seaside kingdom for a breathtaking glimpse of our Limited Edition Prince Eric Doll. Handsome in his nautical dress uniform with intricate golden trims and detailing, you'll want to make him part of your world forevermore.
Magic in the details...
Please Note: Each Guest will be limited to ordering a maximum of one of this item per order.
• Limited Edition of 1500
• Certificate of Authenticity
• Ivory and navy blue twill uniform
• Golden filigree embroidery, buttons and trim
• Golden fringed epaulets
• Shining black boots
• Elegant sword with golden trims
• Rooted, styled hair
• Fully poseable
• Display stand included
• Comes in elegant window display packaging
• Celebrating the return of Disney's classic The Little Mermaid to DVD and Blu-ray disc
The bare necessities
• Ages 6+
• Plastic /polyester
• 18'' H
• Imported
Safety
WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD - Small Parts. Not for children under 3 years.
Deboxing LE Alice. She was already freed from the backing, and most of the factory restraints removed. But I show her as if I was deboxing her from scratch. I also remove most of the remaining restraints. She is in her original box, with both front covers removed, so we can see Alice in the clear. She is standing, supported by the included doll stand. The Certificate of Authenticity (CoA) is removed from underneath the inner box, and shown in front of the doll. It is protected by clear plastic.
I purchased this beautiful Limited Edition Alice in Wonderland 17'' Doll from eBay. She was originally released in 2011 by the Disney Store. She is #241 of 500. She is photographed alone, and with LE Snow White.
She came already deboxed, but with several factory restraints still remaining on the doll. She came with the original box and CoA. The doll and box are in excellent condition. The base of the doll stand has some yellowing, and the rubber band securing the tea cup to Alice's hand is also yellowed. Some of the side curls near her head are slightly undone, due to the hair product becoming less stiff.
She is long golden yellow hair with gold tinsel highlights, that is mostly straight. She has a flat black bow on the top of her head. She has short curvy eyelashes sparsely rooted above her eyes, that match the painted lashes. She has the same head mold as the Limited Edition Snow White 17'' doll, so is smaller than the other dolls in the series. Her lips are a pale pink, her eyes are deep blue. Her dress is violet with alternated layers of satin and lace in the skirt. She has a double layer stiff white tulle petticoat. She has white stockings that go past her knees. She has her iconic black shoes with straps; they have high heels.
She is slightly shorter than Snow White, by about 1/4 inch, and matches Merida as the shortest Princess doll in the series, at 16 1/4'' tall on the doll stand. Snow White's doll stand is 1/4 inch thicker than Alice's, so that makes Snow White 1/2 inch taller on the doll stand. I think Alice and Snow are the two most beautiful dolls in the series, including their face, hair and outfits. Because Alice is only LE 500, compared to the LE 5000 Snow White, she is much more expensive than Snow in the secondary market. That is one reason why it has taken me so long to get her, but I am glad that I finally did.
i don't "do" smiles, for the most part. i've mentioned it before, there's a weird lack of authenticity when someone smiles for the camera, it's subtle and most people don't notice it, but when i see someone smiling for the camera i cringe. So no smiles. Unless they're real. As in, when I've got someone cracking up because of something i've just said.
Which dovetails perfectly with this shot, which finds Andrea indeed busting up because of something, i remember not what, i've just said. All i remember is wanting to take advantage of the ways the shadows were falling, and making the most of my time with her, while Tod was otherwise engaged explaining to some old dude why all these Polaroid Freaks were hanging out in the park.
To make things even better, rare as it is to find a smile worthy of photographing, it's even more rare to catch Andrea in a raw moment for the camera. Usually she's quite controlled in front of the lens, having had one shoved in her face many many times, i would imagine. Any shot with Andrea, by its very nature, veers towards perfection, but i count myself lucky to catch her in between consciously perfect poses.
The inner doll box, taken out of the outer box. The Certificate of Authenticity is under it, between the front and back covers.
I received my Disney Designer Collection Premiere Series Snow White Limited Edition Doll today. I had ordered her online at the release day, shortly after 12 AM in the morning of Saturday October 6, 2018. She is #1301 of 4100. She came in a shipper box that is approximately the same size as the LE 17 inch doll shippers. It original shipping label said GIRLS TOYS LE PR DSGN SNOW DOLL F18, and CART #: 01298. There was a small piece of masking tape stuck to the side of the box with the actual edition number (matching the CoA): 1301. Inside there was another corrugated cardboard box snugly fitting in the outer shipping box. Inside that was the actual doll box, which was covered with tissue paper, and fit snugly in the inner shipping box, with cardboard caps on the top and bottom of the doll box. The shipper box was undamaged in transit, as was the inner box and the doll box itself.
The doll box has folding panels in the front with magnetic closure, with a large design sketch of Snow White and the year 1937 in large numerals. In the background are photographers in silhouette snapping photos, and a red carpet. The back of the box has angled corners, making for a hexagonal shaped box. The sides and back of the box also has images of Snow White. The top of the box has a clear window with the title of the collection in gold lettering. Inside the front covers are replicas of the movie poster, invitation and tickets to the premiere of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Carthay Circle Theatre in Los Angeles, on December 21, 1937. The doll is behind a rectangular viewing window extending almost the full width and height of the box.
The inner box containing the doll and front viewing window can be slid out from the outer box. It is entirely enclosed, so can be displayed as is, without having to deal with the front covers either covering up the doll, or taking up space in front or to the sides of the inner box. The doll is on top a red carpet that has steps in front, and is flocked cardboard.
The doll herself is by far my favorite of the current Designer Premiere Series. I'm slightly biased because Snow White is my favorite Disney Princess, and am so happy that she turned out so well. I think her gown and accessories are very beautifully designed and produced. It also is very fitting for Snow White, and would be something she would wear to the premiere of her own movie.
I show her boxed, with the inner box removed from the outer box, and finally with the front viewing window removed from the inner box.
I will fully debox her tomorrow and post photos here when I do.
(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...
Ariel and Ursula boxed, with the covers off. The dolls are attached to the cardboard backing behind them. Ariel is sitting on a pile of flat plastic rocks, while Ursula is supported by a doll stand with a metal post and flat upper piece forming her seat.
I got the Ariel and Ursula Doll Set on Tuesday October 20, 2015, at my local Disney Store's raffle. I was 17th of 18 called, so I'm very glad I was able to get her in store. There was about the same amount of people who were there for the Snow/Hag set, so about 10 people missed out today. My set is #4185 of 6000. I will show this set boxed, during deboxing, and fully deboxed. I took the set I was given. I noticed that Ariel's eyelashes were not at the same angle between her two eyes, but it didn't bother me enough to ask for another set. There were no other noticeable defects in the set.
I have deboxed Ariel, and found to my surprise that the pile of rocks is totally separate from the display case, and is free standing. Ariel is supposed to free sit on the rock stand, and stay in position just by the friction of her sequined tail on the uneven surface of the top rock. It also helps if the floor of is rough (like a carpet) rather than the smooth surface that I was using for the photoshoot. Next, I was pleasantly surprised is that she has the old Designer Princess body, so rubber legs and swivel waist joint. As I expected, her hair is heavily gelled to keep her curls, but not as heavily as the 17'' LE Ariel from 2013. So only the bottom third of her curls are stiff. There were a couple of stray hairs stuck in her neck joint (ouch!) and some short hairs (like trimmings) that I had to remove from her face and chest. She is pretty, but not drop dead gorgeous as were the previous two Designer Ariel dolls (from 2011 and 2013). I also don't like her see through top. It has a rough surface, so her hairs kept on getting caught in it. Her sequined tail is pretty, but I really like her fins, which are wired to stiffen them.
I also compare Designer Ariel side by side with the OOAK Ariel made by a fellow collector, who used the 2014 Classic Ariel as the base.
Fourth release of the 2015 Disney Fairytale Designer Collection is Ariel in mermaid form and Ursula in sea witch form. She sold out online a few hours after the release.
Ariel and Ursula Doll Set - Disney Fairytale Designer Collection
US Disney Store
Released In Store 2015-10-20
Released Online 2015-10-21
Sold Out Online 2015-10-21
$129.95
Item No. 6003040901260P
Tail of wonder
Ariel is paired with the wicked sea witch Ursula in this limited edition The Little Mermaid set. Part of the Disney Fairytale Designer Collection's heroes and villains series, the finely detailed duo feature exquisite costumes.
Magic in the details...
Please Note: Purchase of this item is limited to 1 per Guest.
As part of the Disney Fairytale Designer Collection's heroes and villains series, Ariel and Ursula were carefully crafted by artists inspired by Disney's The Little Mermaid. Reimagined in exquisite detail, these limited edition dolls were brought to life with thoughtful attention, and uniquely capture the essence of the fairytale characters, creating a one-of-a-kind set that will be a treasured keepsake of collectors and Disney fans.
• Global Limited Edition of 6000
• Includes Certificate of Authenticity
• Ariel's diaphanous bodice is adorned with intricate embroidery and sparkling rhinestones
• Tail features iridescent sequins with translucent fins accented with glitter
• Rooted red hair
• Dramatic make-up and rooted eyelashes
• Ursula's black faux leather bodice and outer tentacles are studded with black rhinestones
• Purple underside of tentacles are accented with sequins
• Gold shell earrings and gold shell necklace
• Rooted white hair
• Rock accessory
• Dolls sold in a special keepsake display case with intricate details on the base, including a golden plate with the names of Ariel and Ursula
• Includes special Disney Fairytale Designer Collection Gift Bag
• Part of the Disney Fairytale Designer Collection
* Intended for adult collectors -- Not a child's toy.
The bare necessities
• Plastic / polyester
• Ariel: 16'' H
• Ursula: 11'' H
• Imported
1897 - 20-year old C.C. Hudson leaves Spring Hill Farm in Williamson County, Tennessee, seeking fortune in the emerging textile town of Greensboro, North Carolina. He finds work in an overall factory, sewing on buttons for 25 cents a day.
1904 - Hudson’s workplace closes. He and a few others buy several of the sewing machines. C.C. Hudson and his brother, Homer, form the Hudson Overall Company, operating from a loft above Coe Brothers Grocery on South Elm Street in Greensboro.
1919 - Sales of Hudson overalls are booming. The company moves to larger headquarters and changes its name to Blue Bell Overall Company.
1926 - Big Ben Manufacturing of Kentucky purchases Blue Bell for $585,000. The name of the merged companies remains Blue Bell; headquarters remain in Greensboro.
1936 - Blue Bell introduces Super Big Ben Overalls, featuring 100% Sanforized fabric that reduces shrinkage to less than 1%, setting a new standard for the industry.
1943 - Blue Bell acquires Casey Jones Company, a manufacturer of work-clothing, and, with it, the rights to Casey Jones’ rarely used brand name – Wrangler.
1947 - Wrangler authentic western jeans, designed by celebrity tailor Rodeo Ben, are introduced to the American consumer. Professional rodeo cowboys Jim Shoulders, Bill Linderman and Freckles Brown wear-test the 13MWZ and endorse the Wrangler name for durability, quality and authenticity.
1948 - Jim Shoulders, World Champion Cowboy, signs on as an official endorsee of Wrangler. He goes on to win a total of 16 world championships, including five All-Around, seven Bull Riding and four Bareback Riding World Titles.
1962 - Blue Bell opens a plant in Belgium and the Wrangler brand is successfully launched in Europe.
1963 - Newsweek magazine coins the word "teenager" and features a Wrangler–clad girl on the cover.
1974 - The Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association officially endorses Wrangler jeans.
1982 - Wrangler brand becomes the primary sponsor of professional driver Dale Earnhardt and the legendary blue-and-yellow "Wrangler Jean Machine." Wrangler becomes the first apparel company to have significant involvement in NASCAR as Dale wins the first three of his seven NASCAR championships this year.
1986 - Blue Bell mergers with VF Corporation of Pennsylvania, making VF one of the two largest jeans makers in the world, with 25% of the $6 billion market.
1992 - Wrangler supplies clothing for the cast of "Pure Country" starring George Strait in Wrangler jeans as Dusty Chandler, a super star in the country music world.
1994 - Wrangler moves into its new world headquarters on North Elm Street in downtown Greensboro.
1996 - One out of every five pairs of jeans sold in America features a Wrangler label.
1997 - The 13MWZ, the official jean of the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association, celebrates its 50th birthday. The Wrangler spirit celebrates its 100th year in business.
2003 - VF Jeanswear adds two new brands to the Wrangler family: RIGGS WORKWEAR® by Wrangler®, a line of premium work clothes, and Wrangler® ProGearTM, hunting apparel for the serious sportsman.
2004 - Wrangler® Jeans Company becomes the official jean of Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and the No. 8 race team. It’s a new generation of Wrangler.
2005 - Aura from the Women at Wrangler® debuts, offering 120+ fits and revolutionizing the way women shop for jeans. Consumers are also treated to a new premium brand with the launch of Genuine Wrangler®.
2007 - Wrangler endorsee James A. "Jim" Shoulders, known as the Babe Ruth of Rodeo, passes away. His passing ends a 58-year partnership with the brand, the longest sports licensing endorsement in the history of professional sports.
2008 - Wrangler partners with AQHA (American Quarter Horse Association) to develop The Ultimate Riding Jean™.
Our Daily Challenge - BUTTON/BUTTONS
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caerphilly big cheese
Y Cantref Breiniol, is the Cardiff based branch of Regia Anglorum. We typically represent the native Britons of the period, who the Saxons named ‘Welsh’.
Our group is often hired for displays by local councils, museums and other such bodies. For small local shows we can be hired directly. For large scale displays, Regia as a whole can be hired.
We focus on both military displays, using blunted steel weapons and on civilian craft displays, appropriate to the period.
All Regia groups strive to maintain a high standard of authenticity. We make the majority of our own costumes and assist new members in learning about the period.
Deboxing my LE 2500 Elsa 17'' Doll. First the front cardboard box lid is removed, revealing the doll behind a clear plastic cover. Next the bottom box lid is removed, then the plastic cover removed, leaving the doll in the open, but still attached to the cardboard backing. Now she can be photographed without the glare from the plastic cover. Between the plastic cover and the bottom of the cardboard backing is the Certificate of Authenticity. My doll is #102 of 2500.
Notes on the back of the LE Elsa's box:
From the Movie Disney Frozen
Disney Store proudly presents the worldwide Limited Edition Elsa doll. With its intricate details, this beautifully designed doll magically captures the beauty and spirit of Elsa, from Disney's newest feature film Frozen. Inspired by the movie, Elsa's side-swept braid is adorned with intricate snowflake jewels. Sheer organza sleeves lead to a sweetheart bodice and an elongated sheer dress overlay. Shimmery ice-blue snowflake embroidery and rhinestones embellish her gorgeous gown. Designed and carefully crafted by Disney Store artists, this limited edition doll is a must-have for Disney fans and collectors alike.
Certificate of Authenticity and Display Stand included.
First look at the Limited Edition Anna and Elsa 17'' Dolls, that I just brought home from the Disney Store. I camped out outside my local Disney Store at 6 am, waiting for them to open at 10 am. At about 7 am a group of three other adults and one child joined me in front of the store. I'm happy that the mall opens so early (for mall walkers), so I didn't have to wait outdoors. The leader of the group, a fellow collector, also got the Harrods LE 100 doll set. He and his daughter and granddaughter were also there with me at the same store for the release of TLM LE dolls. A CM was nice and let us have a closeup look at the dolls around 8:30 am (from behind the store's metal gate). We were surprised that no other people joined us in line before the store's opening at 10 am.
The dolls are LE 2500, and cost $99.95 each. They will be photographed boxed, during deboxing, and fully deboxed. They will also be posed with other comparable dolls, especially the Harrods LE 100 Anna and Elsa dolls.
Product information from the US Disney Store website:
Elsa Limited Edition Doll - 17'' - Frozen
Released online and in store on November 20, 2013
SOLD OUT online in about 15 minutes
$99.95
Item No. 6070040900950P
Ice dream
Elsa will provide chills of excitement with this spectacular limited edition doll. Designed and crafted by Disney Store artists, and inspired by Disney's Frozen, Elsa's side-swept blonde braid cascades over her finely detailed gown.
Magic in the details...
Please Note: Each Guest will be limited to ordering a maximum of one of this item per order.
• Limited Edition of 2500
• Includes Certificate of Authenticity
• Sheer organza sleeves
• Sweetheart bodice detailed with reflective ''icicles''
• Elongated sheer dress overlay
• Gown detailed with shimmery ice-blue snowflake embroidery, and rhinestones
• Braided blonde hair is adorned with intricate snowflake jewels
• Rooted eyelashes
• Fully poseable
• Display stand included
• Comes in elegant window display packaging
• Inspired by Disney's Frozen
The bare necessities
• Ages 6+
• Plastic /polyester
• 17'' H
• Imported
Deboxing the Harrod Aurora dolls. After opening up the box, the plastic covers over the two dolls are removed, leaving the dolls in clear view. They are attached to the cardboard backing and plastic spacers. The Certificates of Authenticity are removed from under the inner boxes, and place in front of the dolls. They both say 32 of 100, as did the shipping carton.
Opening the box. First the front cover is opened, revealing the two dolls facing each other in their own inner boxes. The hinges are made from thin cardboard. Then the cover is folded flat against the side of the box. The two inner boxes are then unfolded, so we can get a clear view of the Pink and Blue Aurora dolls. They are angled towards each other. The box halves have clear plastic covers, bordered by white designs and are without any text. Then the front cover is unfolded from the side of the box, to show the text on the inside. Finally the sections are fully unfolded, so the dolls and inner cover are facing straight ahead.
I purchased the special Harrods Limited Edition Aurora Doll Gift Set directly from Harrods on Tuesday, October 21, 2014. It was sold only by Harrods of London, and limited to 100 sets. The regular releases was on October 7 and 8. I first heard about the Harrods dolls on October 13, and it took a week of sleepless nights and persistent calling to finally get the dolls. It was shipped last Friday, Oct 24, and delivered to my home today Monday Oct 27.
The Harrods Aurora Doll Set consists of 17'' Princess Aurora dolls in Pink and Blue variations of her gown. The dolls are by the Disney Store, but with special embellishments over the "regular" releases (that were LE 5000 for the Pink, and LE 4000 for the Blue). They are in a unique box which opens up like a book, with the dolls enclosed in separate inner boxes, and facing each other like mirror images. They are #32 of 100.
The Aurora Doll Set was packed expertly by Harrods, with the original DS shipper box wrapped in heavy duty bubble wrap, then fitted inside a Harrods shipper box with no wriggle room. The receipt was on the top of the box, which showed the original price, the VAT that was removed, then the shipping charge and handling charge added. The total was 505.58 British pounds, or $817.85, which is just slightly more than the retail price of 500 pounds. That is more than three times the cost of the regular LE Aurora dolls (which retailed for $119.95).
I will post detailed photos of the set boxed, during deboxing, and fully deboxed. I will also post comparison photos with the ''regular'' LE Aurora dolls.
Deboxing my LE 2500 Elsa 17'' Doll. First the front cardboard box lid is removed, revealing the doll behind a clear plastic cover. Next the bottom box lid is removed, then the plastic cover removed, leaving the doll in the open, but still attached to the cardboard backing. Now she can be photographed without the glare from the plastic cover. Between the plastic cover and the bottom of the cardboard backing is the Certificate of Authenticity. My doll is #102 of 2500.
Notes on the back of the LE Elsa's box:
From the Movie Disney Frozen
Disney Store proudly presents the worldwide Limited Edition Elsa doll. With its intricate details, this beautifully designed doll magically captures the beauty and spirit of Elsa, from Disney's newest feature film Frozen. Inspired by the movie, Elsa's side-swept braid is adorned with intricate snowflake jewels. Sheer organza sleeves lead to a sweetheart bodice and an elongated sheer dress overlay. Shimmery ice-blue snowflake embroidery and rhinestones embellish her gorgeous gown. Designed and carefully crafted by Disney Store artists, this limited edition doll is a must-have for Disney fans and collectors alike.
Certificate of Authenticity and Display Stand included.
First look at the Limited Edition Anna and Elsa 17'' Dolls, that I just brought home from the Disney Store. I camped out outside my local Disney Store at 6 am, waiting for them to open at 10 am. At about 7 am a group of three other adults and one child joined me in front of the store. I'm happy that the mall opens so early (for mall walkers), so I didn't have to wait outdoors. The leader of the group, a fellow collector, also got the Harrods LE 100 doll set. He and his daughter and granddaughter were also there with me at the same store for the release of TLM LE dolls. A CM was nice and let us have a closeup look at the dolls around 8:30 am (from behind the store's metal gate). We were surprised that no other people joined us in line before the store's opening at 10 am.
The dolls are LE 2500, and cost $99.95 each. They will be photographed boxed, during deboxing, and fully deboxed. They will also be posed with other comparable dolls, especially the Harrods LE 100 Anna and Elsa dolls.
Product information from the US Disney Store website:
Elsa Limited Edition Doll - 17'' - Frozen
Released online and in store on November 20, 2013
SOLD OUT online in about 15 minutes
$99.95
Item No. 6070040900950P
Ice dream
Elsa will provide chills of excitement with this spectacular limited edition doll. Designed and crafted by Disney Store artists, and inspired by Disney's Frozen, Elsa's side-swept blonde braid cascades over her finely detailed gown.
Magic in the details...
Please Note: Each Guest will be limited to ordering a maximum of one of this item per order.
• Limited Edition of 2500
• Includes Certificate of Authenticity
• Sheer organza sleeves
• Sweetheart bodice detailed with reflective ''icicles''
• Elongated sheer dress overlay
• Gown detailed with shimmery ice-blue snowflake embroidery, and rhinestones
• Braided blonde hair is adorned with intricate snowflake jewels
• Rooted eyelashes
• Fully poseable
• Display stand included
• Comes in elegant window display packaging
• Inspired by Disney's Frozen
The bare necessities
• Ages 6+
• Plastic /polyester
• 17'' H
• Imported
(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 my Limited Edition Blue Gown Cinderella 17'' doll. In order to remove the front cardboard lid from the box, the gold ribbon in the back has to be untied. Then the front lid can be slid off the rest of the box. Under that is a clear plastic window that forms the front lid of the inner box. There is white decoration and text on the bottom of the plastic lid that is similar to that of the outer cardboard box lid. There is less obstruction of the doll than in the previous 17'' LE doll boxes, especially around the sides. Then the front plastic lid and outer rear cardboard lid are removed, leaving the doll and accessories attached to the cardboard backing, that forms the rear of the inner box.
The box of the Blue Gown Cinderella is the same size as most of the other LE 17'' doll boxes, but has a sightly different design. The front plastic window divided are into three sections, being angled on the left and right of the center section, and the front cardboard lid is shaped the same way. There is a golden ribbon on top of the box to serve as a carrying handle. In the back there is another golden ribbon that is tied into a large bow, which you have to untie to take off the front lid from the rear of the box.
One of Cinderella's glass slippers is attached to the backing, behind and to the right of the doll. It was partially hidden by her hair, so I moved the hair out of the way before taking photos of the doll after the outer lids were removed. The Certificate of Authenticity is taped to the back of the cardboard backing, rather than inserted between the bottom of the backing and the outer box.
I got my Blue Gown Cinderella Limited Edition 17'' Doll today (Friday March 13, 2015) at my local Disney Store. She is #2352 of 4000. She costs $129.95, $10 more than the recently released Frozen LE dolls, and with tax added came out to $140.35.
I got to the store at 6:30 am, and was the only one there until about 8 am, when two more people showed up. At about 9:15 am, a CM gave out line cards to the five people waiting. At store opening at 10 am, there were seven people waiting for the 12 dolls. I had to give up the line card when I purchased the doll.
I will show the doll boxed, during deboxing and fully deboxed.
Cinderella Limited Edition Doll - Live-Action Film - 17''
US Disney Store
Released in store and online 2015-03-13
Sold out online 2015-03-13
$129.95
Item No. 6070040901175P
Blue beauty
Cinderella makes a stunning entrance in an elegant gown inspired by her appearance in the ballroom scene of Disney's new live-action film. This finely detailed limited edition doll is presented in a scenic display for a lasting keepsake.
Magic in the details...
Please Note: Purchase of this item is limited to 1 per Guest.
• Limited Edition of 4000
• Includes Certificate of Authenticity
• Ball gown features three layers of twilight-hued organza with cascading rhinestones
• Shimmering butterflies and jewels embellish the softly draped organza neckline
• Cinderella's iridescent high-heeled slippers accented with sparkling butterflies
• Glamorous hair with rhinestone accents
• Rooted eyelashes
• Fully poseable
• Display stand included
• Comes in elegant window display packaging with butterflies, gold satin bow and carrying strap
• Inspired by Disney's live-action movie Cinderella
The bare necessities
• Ages 6+
• Plastic /polyester
• 17'' H
• Imported
Deboxing the Alice and Queen of Hearts Doll Set. The slipcover and clear acrylic cover have been taken off. The dolls are still attached to the cardboard backing, the plastic supports, and the built in doll stands.
I bought the Alice and Queen of Hearts Doll Set at my local Disney Store on release day, October 4, 2016. It is numbered 0989 of 6000. I was called fifth out of ten persons who entered the raffle for 18 doll sets. They called names to determine the order in which we would go to the registers. The Designer doll display was moved from the floor to behind the counter. They still had Cinderella and Lady Tremaine doll sets available. I inspected the first set that was handed to me. Alice had slightly irregular eyelashes, but not enough to bother me. I didn't notice any other defects, so I took the set. I didn't bring my camera, so I didn't take any photos in the store.
Here are photos of the set boxed, and with all the covers off. I will debox the set at a later time, and post photos here.
I think Alice is a very beautiful doll, and I'm glad Disney finally made a Designer Alice. The most surprising thing I noticed about Alice are her shoes, which are very realistic looking. I like the Designer Queen of Hearts' crown, but it is nowhere as realistic looking as the crown on the LE 17'' Queen of Hearts.
Alice and The Queen of Hearts Doll Set - Alice in Wonderland - Disney Fairytale Designer Collection
$129.95
Item No. 6003040901410P
US Disney Store
Released in store 2016-10-04
Released online 2016-10-05
Purchased in store 2016-10-04
#0989 of 6000
Head turner
Disney's Fairytale Designer Collection pairs heroes and villains in lovely limited edition doll sets. You'll lose your head for the simply mad embroidered and bejeweled detailing in costumes for our classic Alice in Wonderland set.
Magic in the details...
Please Note: Purchase of this item is limited to 1 per Guest.
Our Disney Fairytale Designer Collection brings together beloved heroes and villains in a series inspired by your favorite animated film classics. Disney Store artists have captured the timeless struggle between good and evil in magnificent detail, conveying both the wonderful wickedness and bold, heroic spirit of these unforgettable characters. Rich, evocative and dramatic, the Disney Fairytale Designer Collection will be a treasured keepsake for collectors and the young at heart.
• Global Limited Edition of 6000
• Includes Certificate of Authenticity
• Set of two Disney Fairytale Designer Collection Dolls*
• Alice wears an exquisite floral patterned dress
• Satin apron features elegant floral embroidery with shimmering gems, plus delicate lace trim
• The Queen's knife-pleated collar boasts ornate golden lace
• Heart-shaped bodice features an ornate embroidered floral pattern with rhinestone accents
• Delicate embroidery and gems ornament the Queen's skirt
• Includes heart-shaped scepter
• Gem set crown
• Rooted, styled hair and eyelashes
• Displayed in a deluxe keepsake case with intricate details on the base, including a golden name plate
• Includes special Disney Fairytale Designer Collection Gift Bag
• Celebrating the 65th Anniversary of Walt Disney's animated classic Alice in Wonderland (1951)
• Part of the Disney Fairytale Designer Collection
* Please note: Intended for adult collectors. Not a child's toy.
The bare necessities
• Plastic / polyester
• Alice: 10'' H
• Queen of Hearts: 12'' H
• Case: 15'' H x 7'' W x 7 1/4'' D
• Imported