Emily Dolls

It is difficult to say why exactly people collect dolls. Many leading psychology experts have considered the question, but haven't been able to come up with anything. But it is beyond doubt that one great factor behind our liking for certain types of dolls is their 'cute appeal' so to speak. Scientists and philosophers say that this may be a direct result of how mammals evolved. Since mammals are born helpless, their survival depends on a strong protective urge in the parents. This is probably what works within us when we are moved by the cuteness of helpless babies. Emily dolls are a prime example of how this type of appeal can be true not only of actual newborns but also of collectible dolls.

The Emily doll from Ashton Drake is one of its series of extremely life-like baby dolls. It is a creation of their reputed artist Linda Webb. In fact, it is her first work with the original Baby Emily series that gave rise to the now well-known So Truly Real™ collection, of which the current Emily dolls are a part.

The Emily doll, as indeed all other members of the So Truly Real™ collection, is made to look and feel as much like the original thing as possible. In order to create this effect, Ashton Drake uses a specially treated vinyl for the surface, which they have trademarked as RealTouch Skin™. This material is able to imitate very closely the actual texture, configuration and feel of the skin of a baby girl. The imitation is so successful that it is often impossible to realize, even when you have it in your arms, that it is not a real child but a manufactured object. Much of the appeal of the Emily doll lies in this striking verisimilitude.

The artist Linda Webb specialized in the representation of babies and very young children in her creations. She modeled her work mainly upon the babies she observed during her visits to several hospital nurseries. Emily dolls, as well as many other baby series she created, depict a very young girl child, supposedly bearing the name Emily (for what else could be the reason for the series nomenclature), closely wrapped in nappies and diapers, lying asleep or awake, at different stages of her early childhood, from newborn to about a year old.

If you're looking for a baby boy instead, be advised that Emily has a brother called Alex, and he's no less a best seller than his more famous sister.

The making of realistic or life-like dolls is one of the many trends in the industry. Collecting them is also a specialized hobby which is not suited to everyone's tastes. The aesthetic value of ultra-realistic dolls is a matter that has generated many positive and negative opinions, but there is no doubt that this type of dolls holds a special place in the minds of many collectors. Also, it is undeniable that the Emily dolls, as well as other members of the So Truly Real™ series by Ashton Drake set the standard in a way that will be hard to match or surpass by other manufacturers.