Middleton Dolls

The late artist Lee Middleton, founder of Lee Middleton Original Dolls, Inc., developed her own techniques for sculpture and collectible doll production. She introduced the "porcelain look" in vinyl collectible dolls and later created the first vinyl dolls to be considered truly collectible. Working from home, Lee Middleton began her doll-making career in 1978. The sheer volume of orders for her fine doll creations encouraged Lee to create a local cottage industry in southern Ohio. Eventually, Lee spearheaded the construction of a 34,000-square-foot facility in Belpre.

As her company expanded, Lee remained adamant that each baby doll bears the special, personal touches, which set her creations apart. Every collectible doll is packaged with its own tiny Bible tucked inside. Lee considered the Bibles an extension of her Christian values and a way of "giving credit where credit is due." She often commented, "There is only one Creator. I am merely a re-creator." Lee set the stage for the firm's first period of outstanding growth. For nearly two decades, her superb artistry captivated collectible doll collectors nationwide. Her unexpected death on January 30, 1997, saddened her admirers.

In honor of Lee and her indomitable spirit, Lee Middleton Original Dolls, Inc. lives on and thrives. The firm's alliance with gifted collectible doll artists Reva Schick, Eva Helland, and Mavis Snyder insures the continuing development of incredibly life-like baby dolls, which create intense emotional bonds between collector and doll. The growth of the firm is reflected in its commitment to building generations of doll collectors. The Artist Studio Collection appeals to adult doll collectors while its Middleton Play Babies are designed for children.