Discover the Babies that Love You Back tm
The heartwarming feeling of holding a baby can be brought to life when one of our little bundles is placed in your arms. Our babies are not only beautiful, but they make you feel good. They are "The Babies That Love You Back!"

For nearly two decades, these babies, originally designed by the late Lee Middleton Urick, have established a precedent in quality and "love-ability", unsurpassed by any other doll maker. Today, doll artists Reva Schick, Mavis Snyder, Eva Helland and Linda Henry Boving, along with our creative team at Lee Middleton Original Dolls, Inc., continue to build a living memorial to the talent and sprit of its founder. These babies are seldom purchased for display. More often they find homes with collectors of all ages who just love and enjoy them. Once introduced to a Lee Middleton Original Doll, your heart will melt and an emotional bond will form as they become part of your family.

A BRIEF HISTORY

It All Started At A Kitchen Table...

Lee Middleton sculpted her first dolls to look like her own two children, and soon, relatives 
and friends asked Lee to sculpt dolls that looked like their children. Word spread quickly 
about Lee's talent and she soon found herself in charge of an unexpected "cottage industry." 
Supply and demand forced Lee to continuously find larger locations for production. In 1989, 
Lee opened a manufacturing facility in Belpre, Ohio. The facility produced more baby dolls a 
year than any other manufacturer in America, and the Mayor of Belpre declared the city to be 
"The Baby Doll Capital of the World." 

In 1985, the doll community not only embraced Lee's creations, but also nominated her unique 
work for national awards. Doll Reader Magazine nominated Lee's first vinyl baby doll, "First 
Moments," for a "Doll of the Year" award. This honor helped establish vinyl as a collectible 
medium. Soon, sales expanded to new venues and Lee Middleton Original Dolls released new 
dolls that looked even more realistic, thus creating tales of mistaken identity. Concerned 
adults who saw "babies" trapped inside hot cars called rescue squads and shoppers would 
scold parents for leaving their "babies" on store counters.

Unexpected Tragedy, Unexpected Fortune...

Lee Middleton Original Dolls continued to lead the vinyl doll industry for more than a decade, 
but in 1997 an unexpected shock forced employees to examine the future of the company. Lee 
suddenly died of a heart attack. Company officials had little time to mourn Lee's death. They 
had to find another doll artist who could create the lifelike faces that made Lee's dolls tops in 
the industry. Be it divine intervention, or a just a stroke of good luck, a little known Canadian 
doll artist would soon take Lee Middleton Original Dolls in a whole new direction.

In 1998, a death in the family almost kept Canadian doll artist Reva Schick from showing her 
dolls at the International Toy Fair in New York. Fortunately for Lee Middleton Original Dolls, 
Reva's sisters-in-law recognized her talent and insisted that they show the dolls for her. At 
Toy Fair, several companies expressed interest in Reva's work, but only Lee Middleton 
Original Dolls was a perfect fit for Reva. Just like Lee, Reva has a strong religious 
background and credits her artistic talents to God. Lee always tucked a tiny Bible into each 
doll box, and Reva wanted to be the one to continue that tradition.

Reva's success as a doll artist for Lee Middleton Original Dolls was almost immediate. In 
1998, she was nominated for a "Doll of the Year Award" by Doll Reader Magazine and was 
nominated for an "Award of Excellence" by Dolls Magazine. At the International Collectibles 
Exposition, she won for "Best New Doll Artist" and her doll, "Hearts and Flowers," was named 
"Best New Doll." Today, Reva has a phenomenal 37 highly coveted and prestigious awards 
and nominations. She even goes on national doll signing tours where she meets thousands of 
fans.

And The Love Continues...

Lee Middleton Original Dolls may only be a household name for the serious doll collector, but 
every year, more kids and kids-at-heart discover the joy and wonder of the company's 
incredibly lifelike dolls. Even celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Demi Moore, and Donna 
Karan consider themselves fans of Lee Middleton Original Dolls. Lee Middleton may have 
started her company at a simple kitchen table, but her concept has grown, and with the 
beautiful work of Reva Schick, will continue to grow for many years to come.

(leemiddleton.com)

Lee Middleton Artists

Lee Middleton Urick 1941--1997
The late Lee Middleton Urick, Co-Founder of Lee Middleton Original Dolls, Inc. was  a trendsetter in the collectible industry and a creator of a line of incredibly life-like baby dolls.

Lee a self taught artist, was also resourceful in developing her own techniques for sculpture and doll production. she introduced the "porcelain look" in vinyl collectibles, and created the first vinyl dolls to be considered truly collectible.  She pioneered and developed the life-like baby concept, which added to the realistic appearance of her dolls.  Even as her company expanded, Lee Middleton remained adamant that each doll bears the special, personal touches that set her creations apart. Every doll leaves the factory with its own tiny Bible tucked inside, which Lee considered an extension of her Christian values and "giving credit where credit is due." That credit extends even to her extensive list of honors including multiple Doll of the Year and Dolls of Excellence nominations and awards.  As Lee explained, "I'm just a re-creator. There is only one Creator."



Reva Schick

Born in Kelowna and raised in Vernon, both in British Columbia, Reva drew and made paper dolls as a child and also remembers dressing the dolls in glamorous clothing. "We couldn't afford dolls, so I had to make my own." she says.  

Reva claims her creative ability is something I have that's a God given talent. I can't explain to anyone what the characteristics of a doll face are, or about its dimensions. Once I start sculpting, whatever expression comes out, comes out!" 

Reva and her doll sculpts have received numerous nominations and awards, beginning with her first awards in 1998 for "Best New Doll" and "Best New Doll Artist" at the International Collectibles Exposition. She has continued to garner DOTY (Doll of the Year) Awards and Dolls Awards of Excellence for her beautiful doll creations. From the moment Reva joined forces with Lee Middleton Original Dolls, Inc., the magic of her sculpting was recognized by the industry and collectors alike.

Eva Helland

Until her debut with Lee Middleton Original Dolls, Eva Helland has been known in the doll industry for creating one-of-a-kind babies. Eva's interest in making dolls started in first grade. "I had an interest in dolls, not in paying attention in class. Oh, I played the game and pretended to watch the teacher, but I kept clay in my desk so I could make dolls," Eva says. 

Eva is well known in the collectible industry for her one-of-a-kind babies. Over the years, Eva's reputation as a creator of dolls with amazingly life-like features has kept her quite busy. People have their names on waiting lists for years, so they can own a one-of-a-kind sclpt by Eva Helland. Her work was nominated for two 2001 doll Awards of Excellence, winning one for "Fusse One." Eva is excited about Lee Middleton Original Dolls producing her dolls in vinyl. "I see that my dolls are going to go out to more people, and I'll get pleasure from knowing that," she says.

Linda Henry Boving

"Just think, I get to play with dolls and bears all day and get paid for it!" exclaims Linda Henry Boving. Playtime has always been a source of delight and wonder for this internationally renowned doll and bear artist. Linda was always an art enthusiast throughout high school. Her parents encouraged her artistic endeavors and she studied art in college. Although Linda has had work experience in many fields, she considers herself to be an artist first and foremost. As fate would have it, she returned to her artistic roots at Lee Middleton's kitchen table, sculpting a doll's head in the late 1970's.   

Linda Henry's artistic star rose during the late 1980's and 90's. She began sculpting for Lee Middleton Original dolls, Inc. in 2000 and her doll, Home Tweet Home, won a Doll of the Year (DOTY) Industry Choice award in February 2001.

Mavis Snyder

As children, Mavis snyder and her sister often received the same type of baby dolls as Christmas gifts. Her sister's dolls were promptly placed on a dresser and remained pristine, neat and pretty. Mavis expressed her love for the dolls she received by "wearing them out with love," she remembers. She continued to express her love for dolls later in life, this time by creating them. "Tudi Lynn," a toddler, that was her first design in a series of 10 dolls called Porcelain That Lives, was nominated for a Doll of the Year Award (DOTY),
"Ricci" won two DOTY Awards in 1993--one for "Artist Porcelain II," the second for "Doll Face of the Year,".

Designing a baby look was a new experience for me, but I've found the learning experience has been a wonderful challenge that has certainly boosted my creativity," Mavis says.

LEE MIDDLETON ORIGINAL DOLLS, INC. WINS SIX DOLL OF THE YEAR INDUSTRY'S CHOICE AWARDS


Six original dolls designed by Lee Middleton Original Dolls, Inc. of Westerville, Ohio were awarded the prestigious Doll of the Year (DOTY) Industry's Choice by a panel of industry representatives recently at the IDEX Show in San Francisco. The contest, sponsored by DOLL READER magazine, recognizes exceptional design and manufacture of dolls.

"Small Wonder, Life's Little Lessons, Baby Is Growing Every Day" and "Playtime Wonder" both by Reva Schick, will be listed on the official ballot as one of Industry's Choice winners in the Children's Play Doll category while "Cotton Tails" by Reva Schick, and "Little Fishies", by Eva Helland, are in the Collectible Baby Doll category. "Our Pride & Joy" and "Happy Birthday, Teddy!" both by Reva Schick, were nominated in the Collectible Vinyl/Plastic Doll $125-$225 category. 

DOLL READER magazine, a PRIMEDIA Magazine and Internet Group publication based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, is The Ultimate Authority on doll collecting. For more information, please call 1-717-657-9555.

About Lee Middleton Original Dolls, Inc: 

Lee Middleton Original Dolls, Inc., America’s largest baby doll manufacturer, is recognized as the manufacturer of amazingly life-like, hand-sculpted collectible vinyl dolls. Winner of numerous industry awards for the quality of design and production, Lee Middleton Original Dolls are manufactured with meticulous attention to detail -- from initial design stage to completion. In addition to the Lee Middleton Artist Studio Collection™ of limited edition dolls, the company also produces the Wonder™ Play Babies, My Own Baby™ dolls, Bearly Babies™ mohair bears and a figurine line, Times to Cherish ™. For inquiries about Lee Middleton Original Dolls, Inc., contact the firm at 480 Olde Worthington Rd., Westerville, OH, 43082, 800.242.3285 or visit Lee Middleton’s website at www.leemiddleton.com. Lee Middleton Original Dolls, Inc. is a subsidiary of The Middleton Doll Company, a NASDAQ company (DOLL).

HISTORY OF LEE MIDDLETON

TAKEN FROM LARRY KOON'S LEE MIDDLETON BOOK
& PRICE GUIDE
The Evolution of "The Babies That Love You Back"

One could say that the origins of the highly successful Lee Middleton Original Dolls, Inc., company took root in Springfield, Ohio, where, as a young girl, Lee becomes fascinated by art as a means of self-expression and self-definition. "When I was old enough to think about the future," Lee once recalled. "I knew I wanted to be in the creative arts somewhere. I spent every moment I could learning about art, enjoying painting, writing, photography and crafts. I never was really interested in anything else."

Her local high school offered no formal art courses, so she enrolled in Mechanical Drawing, the closest alternative available. Over the years her encouragement of her parents and siblings, Lee developed her own special style of painting and sculpting. Basically a self taught artist, Lee did take a few classes at Scottsdale, Arizona, Artist's School. To ensure the real-life quality of her work, she became an avid student of anatomy, fascinated by the forensic sculpture techniques of crime and police laboratories. As a result, her anatomical studies and artistry brought warmth and sweetness to each doll creation as she drew upon her own wonderful family life as a doting mother and grandmother. "All of my dolls bear a family resemblance," she commented at one time. "You can always tell who their mother was. They say that most dolls resemble their artist a lot!" 
In the late 1970s, at her kitchen table in Wheaton, Illinois, Lee began creating porcelain dolls, inspired by her two children, daughter Brynn and son Michael. These successful sculptures led to commissions for one-of-a-kind portrait dolls and, what began as a hobby, eventually evolved into a doll making career for this talented artist.

With her then-husband, Lloyd Middleton, Lee formed Kingdom Doll Originals and promoted her dolls at local and regional shows, marketing them directly to the consumer. At this time, Lee's plan was to work from home and create only as many dolls as she could produce herself.

Not surprisingly, her business became very successful and, as it continued to grow, she was besieged with inquires from gift and doll shop owners. Her dolls were so realistic they wanted to purchase them wholesale to carry in their shops. The demand became such that Lee had to create a "cottage industry" with family members and other helpers working from their homes. Eventually the "kitchen table assembly line" was replaced by head-quarters in the old Tri-County Bank in Coolville, Ohio.

Lee and her company took over many of Coolville's available buildings. Eventually she spearheaded the construction of a 34,000 square foot manufacturing facility that combined a state of the art production plant with a beautiful pastel "gingerbread" facade that looked for all the world like a larger-than-life doll house. With the growth of her facilities, and a name change to Lee Middleton Original Dolls, Inc., Lee became a major employer in her town of Belpre, Ohio, on the banks of the Ohio River.

The steady growth of the company was propelled by the shining success of Lee's First Moments baby dolls. Initially they were created in porcelain, but in 1984, were offered in the breakthrough medium of vinyl. As the company's Director of Marketing Mark Putinski explains, "The vinyl's are what really jumped the sales and allowed the company to grow and expand. Originally, vinyl was not a collectible medium. Our breakthrough gave collectors an opportunity to buy an artist's doll at an affordable price."

The granddaughter of an inventor, Lee was always resourceful in developing her own techniques for sculpture and doll production. She introduced the "porcelain look" in vinyl collectible, for example, and created the first vinyl dolls to be considered truly collectible. Her "Baby Skin" vinyl dolls are so lifelike that it seems the dolls almost breathe. Yet she was characteristically modest about her personal creative process.

"I just start with a ball of clay and it just kind of happens," Lee said of her sculptural method. "I refer to photos quite extensively. I specialize in babies, from birth to one year. I do some toddlers and adults. But the most challenging and rewarding work is to create newborns properly. They're hard to sculpt because the anatomy is so different. Quite often, when you start to do babies, they look too old, because you're not disciplined to work in an infant structure. It takes a lot of discipline to make the doll look younger and younger. I'm still working on that! Every new head is a real challenge to see how young I can get."

One of the reasons for the success of Lee's baby dolls is their extremely lifelike look and feel, crafted from her "Baby Skin." Their expressions and poses from pouty lips and wide open or "fast asleep" eyes to curled up toes and hands in adorable little fists charmed collectors all over the country. Her babies are also weighted to feel like a new baby. 
The realistic look of the Lee Middleton babies inspired a unique feature on the popular company tour. Thousands of people visit the factory each year to see how the dolls are made and visit the company store. There they find a nursery, just like the ones for newborns in hospitals. "Nurses" assist the visitors as they dress in visiting gowns and choose their babies for "adoption". Official adoption certificates and photographs of the happy occasion make a visit to the Middleton facility unforgettable. A tiny Bible accompanies each doll as he or she leaves for a new home a special touch underlying Lee's strong and abiding Christian faith. 
In an interview before her untimely death in 1997, Lee commented, "When I see a man who loves children so much, he can sit there holding and rocking one of my 'babies' with tears in his eyes, I know that man has a rate and special quality. I am happy for his wife and the children, who will one day call him 'Daddy'. And I am happy that my work has been able to reach that part of him."

Lee's unexpected death on January 30, 1997, saddened her admirers who were deeply moved by the woman who so lovingly created these precious works of art. Yet in honor of Lee and her indomitable spirit, Lee Middleton Original Dolls lives on and prospers. Many of Lee's own designs are still in production and the firm's fruitful alliance with the gifted Reva Schick keeps more dolls coming with the "Middleton touch" the lifelike look that causes double-takes and encourage many a collector to fall in love with his or her own new "baby".

Lee Middleton Urick was the first doll maker to create truly lifelike babies; the first to bridge the gap between porcelain and vinyl with highly collectible vinyl dolls and the first to obtain a "UL Classification" from Underwriter's Laboratory for a safe and collectible baby doll. This was for My Own Baby and underscored the use of this doll for children ages three and older, as a child's first collectible play doll, thereby spanning the gap between toys and collectibles. These dolls are unique in that they combine the exceptional quality of a limited edition collectible doll with the "play value" of a child's baby doll.

In addition to her artistry awards, over the years, Lee earned numerous honors of entrepreneurship, including the Small Business Person of the Year award for the State of Ohio in 1989.

For nearly two decades, Lee Middleton's superb artistry captivated doll collectors nationwide. Her wonderfully realistic dolls are so lifelike that grown men have been sent for rescue squads to "save the baby" from a locked car. They have been counted as passengers on airplanes, rescued from store countertops and adopted by many collectors as true members of the family. 

In addition, these dolls are being used in Red Cross certified baby-sitting and parenting classes to teach proper infant handling. They have appeared on NBC's top rated television show "ER" as infants in the long shots in the emergency room setting.

Lee Middleton Urick's inspirational spirit continues at Lee Middleton Original Dolls, Inc., through Our Doll Family, her collector's club, which debuted shortly after the artist's death. "Lee left us a legacy of beauty and quality which is unparallel in the doll business," says Jim Armour, Chief Operating Officer of the company. "We will use this legacy as the foundation upon which to build a living memorial to talent, creativity and spirit of its founder, Lee Middleton." Lee Middleton Original Dolls are truly a testament to this doll maker who established a precedent in quality and "love-ability" unsurpassed by any other doll maker.

These wonderful lifelike "Babies That Love You Back" are a testimonial to their creator, Lee Middleton Urick, and her memory lives on through them.