Marl & B Barbies & Collectibles

Where it all began
Long-time doll dealer and show promoter Marl Davidson. owner of Marl & B recently spoke with your Guide about life as a doll dealer and doll show promoter. Marl has been a doll dealer for over 22 years. Her introduction to dolls was when she started collecting Madame Alexander for her daughter Kimee and got then introduced to the Cabbage Patch dolls. Marl "thought they were so cute, and I found myself in the middle of the craze. In the midst of all of that commotion, someone offered me a small, yet impressive Barbie collection. I had heard a great deal about Barbie and had a real good feeling about her." So, Marl bought the small collection of Barbies, and the rest is history!" From that point on (about 22 years ago) Marl became a doll dealer specializing in modern and vintage Barbie®. However in the last few years Marl has expanded her line to include Gene®, Tyler Wentworth, Integrity Toys, Dressmaker Details, Randall Craig, Sybarite and other modern fashion dolls which have been part of the recent fashion doll renaissance.

Marl is a collector as well as a dealer and her favorite dolls are Sybarites and Fashion Royalty. Marl says that these dolls are her favorites "because each has their own charm and personality. However, if Marl could only have ONE doll in her collection, the doll she would pick would be a "pristine #1 brunette with bright red lips and pink skin."

The "Joe and Marl" Doll Shows

On top of her busy web site sales, Marl used to be one of the promoters of the popular "Joe and Marl" shows. Joe is Joe Blitman, a well-known fashion doll dealer on the West Coast. Regarding the "Joe and Marl" shows, Marl told me how they got started and what it is like to do the shows:

"Back in 1992, Joe Blitman phoned me up and said he was gonna do a show in New York, and I said, "Not without me you're not!" I went, and Joe went, and we had such a blast, we decided to do another one, and that one was so much fun, we were hooked." Every show is different, because the people and places are a little different at each location. It's a family affair for me. Dale drives the stuff to the show, everything except Las Vegas, or if he is not available, I take six trunks on the plane. I've never lost my Barbie trunks going to a show, just my clothes."

Marl explains further how much of a family affair the shows are: "My children, Scott and Kimee, and my sisters Nanny, and Linda come to help out. My mother, Irene, made it to Las Vegas. Sometimes show day is so wild, we eat room service, which is grilled chicken sandwiches, Caesar salad and maybe, a bottle of wine. Whenever we can, we try to get out to a local restaurant." Unfortunately for Marl and family, busy shows don't always allow for such luxuries!

Selling a #1 Barbie

According to Marl, the most exciting thing that can happen at a show is to sell a Number One Barbie. She says: "it's not the money involved, it's the way the customer reacts. It is just absolutely too great to see the look on someone's face when they get this doll you know they have been dreaming about owning! The glow that comes from the brand new owner of a perfect Number One is something we only get to see a few times, and it makes up for any bad days we might have."

Marl admits that she does shop the shows when she gets a chance. Usually, she says that she has a list of things her customers have asked for, but she also keeps her eyes open for other special goodies. In an exceedingly exciting moment, Marl "recently found "Glimmer Glamour" -- a Sears exclusive mod outfit, circa 1968! It is so rare, I never expected to see one!"

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