The Knickerbocker Company (full name L.L. Knickerbocker Company, Inc.) was one of the companies that owned the Magic Attic Club line during its lifetime, from 1997 to 2001.
They purchased the line from Georgetown Collection and later sold it (and all their assets) to Marian.
Company Data[]
The Knickerbocker Toy Company can be traced back to the mid-19th century and was founded by a New York family of Dutch immigrants named Van Whye. Not much is known of the company's early history, though it's believed the family changed the company name to Knickerbocker (a nickname for Dutch New Yorkers) at some point early on. While the brain maintained relevance (including licensed deals with Disney, Raggedy Anne, Hanna Barbera, and Hollie Hobby) investments in dolls for the 1982 movie Annie did not go as planned, resulting in losses. The company faltered and eventually sold their Applause toys division to Wallace Berrie & Company and all other assets to Hasbro, ending the initial run of the company.
In 1986, Louis L. Knickerbocker and his wife Tamara revitalized the brand by selling dolls and teddy bears under the Knickerbocker Toy Company name. The eventually consolidated their various businesses under the name L. L. Knickerbocker.
Magic Attic Club History[]
In 1997, the Knickerbocker Company bought the Magic Attic Club doll line from the initial creators, the Georgetown Collection. The founders, Gretchen Springer and Jeff McKinnon, left the company at this time, but the headquarters remained in Maine and little changed initially other than releasing additional accessory sets--called accessory kits--in 1997 for the characters. Later in 1997, Rose Hopkins was introduced along with her collection and a new group adventure book that served as her debut book, Trapped Beyond the Magic Attic.
In 1998, Knickerbocker returned dolls repaired through the Magic Attic Club Doll Hospital with hospital sets and released a newsletter, The Mirror, for children. At the same time of these releases, the company also began to experience financial difficulties. Author Sheri Cooper Sinykin has been quoted as stating the people working with Knickerbocker were not as "full of excitement and enthusiasm" as Georgetown Collection when it came to the dolls. Knickerbocker released Porcelain Dolls of Heather, Rose, and Megan that retailed for $140 and had limited editions of 10,000 each; however, due to lack of interest and low sales no further porcelain dolls were released.
In 1999, Knickerbocker filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, indicating further financial struggles. The company was relocated from Maine to the Knickerbocker headquarters in California. Images and quality of the catalogs changed, resulting in smaller pictures with flashier colors. Costs for the Magic Attic Club Doll Hospital went up to $20 for repairs. Only one new adventure book was released which starred Megan, Megan and the Borealis Butterfly, and the associated collection. New items also included a 12" bear aimed at children, a cookie-making set, and pop-up Christmas books (which were three of the four A Pop-Up Christmas Classic Series illustrated by John Patience and not specifically written for the line).
A unique version of Heather Hardin was sold through the JC Penny catalog dressed in a unique blue dress to celebrate the upcoming Year 2000 millennium (along with dolls of Alison McCann, Rose Hopkins, some related outfits, and JC Penny advertised furniture and a pink bike).
In 2000, the themes of the line fully pivoted. Items released focused on general outfits and accessories for all characters with outfits based on modern day fashions, with no new adventures or related outfits released. Several existing outfits and collections were discontinued, including all bedroom collections (other than individual nightgowns, which were also later discontinued). The Baby Magic Attic Club line was also released, which consisted of three 14" baby dolls and a related collection; these dolls had no connection to the 18" dolls other than the name.
In 2001, Knickerbocker changed the meet outfits to a new set for each character, the 2001 Starter Outfits. They also released Chloe as a new member of the club for Holiday 2001, who was met with mixed reception. Chloe received biographical data on the website, but had no stories or books and no individual items other than her accessories.
Rumors began to surface that Knickerbocker was looking for a purchaser of the Magic Attic Club Brand, including offering the line to the sculptor of the dolls, Robert Tonner, who declined due to lack of interest. Many items began to sell at massive discounts including bundles aimed at retailers and consumers, with some sales up to 80% off of initial cost.
In October 2001, Brian Blosil and actress Marie Osmond purchased all of Knickerbocker's assets and brands, which included the Magic Attic Club line. They renamed the company for the Magic Attic Club line to Marian, and Knickerbocker ceased to exist as a company.