PIPPI LONGSTOCKING™RIDES AGAIN! MADAME ALEXANDER® ADDS A NEW VERSION OF THE LITTLE GIRL WITH THE BIG ©

Madame Alexander® is pleased to introduce a gang of new characters based upon Charles Schulz's Peanuts® comic strip, one of the most popular and beloved strips of all time. Ever since Schulz first inked his corps of comic kids in 1950, the world has embraced the wry, loveable, fallible and always funny characters he presented in his endearing drawings. To the delight of Peanuts® fans, this year, Madame Alexander® welcomes handsculpted dolls of Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, Sally and Snoopy Huggums into the ever-growing Treasured Friends collection. Pippi Longstocking™, another Treasured Friend, reappears on the scene bigger and better than ever, as a 16-inch poseable cloth doll, that fans of Astrid Lindgren's children's classic will love.

It is true that it always does seem to rain on his parade, and perhaps, as his friends often say, he is sometimes a little "wishy-washy," but Charlie Brown is also one of the most recognizeable comic book characters of all time. And though he may never win the love of the little red-haired girl, the new 10-inch Charlie Brown doll is sure to capture the hearts of collectors everywhere. Charlie wears his signature outfit of a yellow cotton t-shirt printed with that familiar "zig-zag" stripe across his midsection and black shorts. On one hand he wears his baseball glove and on his nearly-hairless head is a cream and black baseball cap. Charlie Brown also comes with a plush version of his pet beagle, Snoopy, that fearless, extroverted World War I Flying Ace with the rich fantasy life. Like all of the new Peanuts Gang characters by Madame Alexander®, Charlie Brown is handsculpted, his face perfectly catching the likeness of Schulz's hero. The smiling expression on Charlie's face confirms that though he is an inveterate worrier given to endlessly pondering the Meaning of Life, he is also an eternal optimist. So, maybe one day he will win the little red-haired girl after all.

Lucy Van Pelt has a strong personality. Bossy, crabby, loud and self-assured, she dispenses advice freely - but not for free. With the introduction of Madame Alexander's new 10-inch Lucy doll it can be said with confidence that "The Doctor is in." Even Schroeder, who, to Lucy's chagrin, prefers Beethoven's charms to her own, might admire her in her royal blue cotton dress with short puffed sleeves and a pleated, flounced skirt. On her feet are socks and white sneakers and her handsculpted features and hair are pure, authentic Lucy. Lucy comes complete with her "Psychiatric Help 5¢" booth backdrop.

Lucy's brother, Linus, is a marvelous living paradox. The intellectual of the Peanuts Gang, Linus can make philosophical revelations while sucking his thumb and holding his ever-present security blanket. The new 10-inch Linus doll from Madame Alexander® is a wonderfully faithful version of the Peanuts problem-solver in his signature short-sleeved red and white striped t-shirt, black shorts, white socks and black shoes. His handsculpted face bears the smiling expression of one who still believes in the Great Pumpkin and he holds his light blue security blanket in one hand.

Charlie Brown adores his little sister Sally, an uninhibited and precocious little girl who dislike of homework is as strong as her unrequited crush on Linus. The new 10-inch Sally wears her signature deep pink, polka-dotted dress, an outfit as vivid as her personality. The dress has short puffed sleeves and a dropped waistline with a flounced skirt and on her feet are white socks and sneakers.

The new 12-inch Snoopy Huggums™ doll is a wonderful new addition to the Madame Alexander collection. On this sweet baby's soft, squeezable body she wears a pastel one-piece fleece romper with a lace-edged pale pink Peter Pan collar and bands of pink at the wrists. The white legs have elasticized bottoms and are also finished with a pink border and the sleeves are pale mint green. On the pale yellow chest is an appliqué of Snoopy waving, and a pale pink satin bow is centered beneath. On her feet are soft and fleecy black and white Snoopy slippers that perfectly capture his mischievous grin.

Independent, strong, and irrepressible, freckle-faced Pippi Longstocking™ made grown-ups nervous. Licensed from Nelvana, last year Madame Alexander® introduced Astrid Lindgren's unconventional heroine to collectors everywhere with the 8-inch Pippi Longstocking Doll. For 2001, a new, poseable 16-inch cloth Pippi is even more irresistible. She is a symphony of color in a turquoise apron with a large yellow pocket worn over a bright pink dress. Typically clad in mismatched pink and yellow striped socks, she also wears large pale blue boots on her feet. Pippi wears her flaming red hair in her signature style - plaited into two braids that stick straight out on either side of her head! Her painted features reveal her infectious smile and winning personality and the wire armature in her arms and legs allows for full poseability.

The Alexander Doll Company, a New York-based company with a factory in Harlem, is now celebrating its 78th Anniversary, continuing the tradition, elegance and innovation of Madame Alexander® dolls with a full line of fine quality, handcrafted collectible dolls, baby dolls and play dolls. The company has created a series of "firsts" that have shaped the doll industry and has always been a pioneer of style and quality in this community. The Alexander Doll Company is the only remaining major manufacturer of handcrafted dolls in America.

For More Information Contact: Sally Fischer Public Relations, 212/246-2977