As many collectors know, the products of the legendary Steiff company provided the earliest inspiration for R. John Wright creations. Now, 25 years after the first R. John Wright children dolls appeared, the story has come full circle with an exciting new collection of Steiff children dolls combining the best of the old and the new!

The Premiere Series will consist of the four children dolls shown above. Measuring approximately 17" tall, fully jointed and made entirely of felt, the dolls feature molded faces sculpted by R. John Wright to evoke the early child dolls produced by the Margarete Steiff Toy Factory in the early 1900's. With hand painted features, inset glass eyes, and mohair wigs, and individually sewn fingers, the dolls are dressed in detailed clothing and accessories made of the finest materials in designs reflective of their German heritage.

The first doll in the series, handsome Lukas
is outfitted in a fully lined double-breasted
felt jacket, felt shorts with embroidered straps,
felt undershirt and tie, fully lined laced felt cap,
custom-woven wool socks with tassels and fine
hand-cobbled leather boots.

Sophie, the first female doll in the series, comes
with silk ribbons in her hair. She is costumed
in a felt dress with muslin sleeves and collar,
a laced felt weskit, floral cotton apron, custom
made stockings and undergarments and leather
tie shoes. On one arm Sophie carries a custom-
made handwoven basket with tiny felt flowers.

The third doll in the series, Mathias (pronounced
"Ma-tee-ess") sports a tailored muslin shirt with
pockets and felt tie, authentically detailed lederhosen
pants made of real leather, traditional "loferl" or
split socks made of pieced felt, hand-cobbled leather
shoes with fold over tongues and a felt brimmed hat.

The fourth doll is lovely Katharina. She is costumed
in a rose colored shantung silk blouse with plaid cotton scarf, felt belt
with decorative braid trim, floral cotton skirt, cotton
apron with pin tucks, cotton undergarments and stockings
and leather strap shoes. On her head Katharina wears a
woven wreath of tiny individually-sewn felt flowers.

The Steiff Kinder will be produced by R. John Wright Dolls in a numbered worldwide limited edition of just 500 pieces each. The first two dolls in the series, Lukas and Sophie, will be released in 2007. The second two dolls, Mathias and Katharina, are scheduled for release early in 2008. As a guarantee of authenticity, each will feature the trademark Steiff button in ear as well as the customary brass 'RJW' button. The Steiff Kinderwill come beautifully boxed with accompanying signed and numbered certificate of authenticity. Matched number sets will be offered subject to availability.

The Steiff Kinder will be distributed exclusively by Steiff and sold through Steiff dealers worldwide. Please contact Steiff for further information. Don't miss out on this historic premiere collection!