American Girl

In 1986 a woman named Pleasant Rowland founded Pleasant Company. Her company produced and sold three eighteen inch historical dolls. They were called Samantha, Kirsten, and Molly. Their time periods were 1904, 1854, and 1944 respectively. Along with the dolls, Pleasant Company also sold historically correct outfits and accessories to accompany each doll. Also produced were books that depicted stories about each character. In 1991 Pleasant Company introduced Felicity, their fourth doll. She was set in 1774 and her collection also included extra outfits and accessories. Addy, a doll that was set in 1864, was added in 1993. Josefina, depicted in 1824, was added in 1997. In 2000, Kit was added to the collection. She is a Depression era doll set in 1934. In 2002, Kaya was launched. She is a Native American girl set in 1764.

In 2004, Samantha's best friend Nellie was added along with American Girl's first movie, Samantha: An American Girl Holiday. Felicity's friend, Elizabeth, was added in 2005. American Girl also made another movie, Felicity:An American Girl Adventure. Just this past Christmas, Emily, friend to Molly, was added along with the latest movie, Molly: An American Girl on the Homefront, which was set in 1944.

At some point Pleasant Company officially switched its name to American Girl. This is also the reason that older dolls are marked with "Pleasant Company" on the neck, while newer ones say "American Girl".

I will try to post more about American Girl soon.

Visit www.americangirl.com for more info.