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Jones Publishing Lifetime Achievement Award

The Jones Publishing Lifetime Achievement Award is truly a recognition from our industry for contributing to our industry. --Joe Jones, Jones Publishing President

Jones Publishing, parent company of DOLLS and Teddy Bear Review, created the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002 to honor a person, company or team from the collectible doll, teddy bear or soft-sculpture animal field who has made an extraordinary difference and positively influenced the industry over a significant period of time. The honor is only presented when it is warranted. Therefore, the Jones Publishing Lifetime Achievement Award will not necessarily be given annually. Some years, there may even be no award recipient; other years, there might be more than one company or person receiving the honor. Here, we introduce you to the deserving recipients. See past winners below.

Virginia Turner In 2007 Virginia Turner was honored for her stellar, longtime dollmaking career with a Lifetime Achievement Award. The artist began making dolls in 1980, and by 1983, they’d splashed onto the scene at Toy Fair. In 1994 Turner created dolls for the Hamilton Collection, now known as Ashton-Drake Galleries. By 1997, Turner made her first appearance on QVC, where her dolls were sold for the next five years. By 2007 when she received Lifetime Achievement Awards, she’d decided to scale back operations and focus on smaller editions.	Virginia Turner took home the coveted Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.

Wendy Lawton Collectors were first drawn to Wendy Lawton's exquisite creations in 1979 when she sold her very first portrait doll and opened The Doll Cottage in Oakland, California, with her mother, Ruth Smith. More than a quarter of a century later, they are delighted to find that each new release demonstrates the same outstanding quality and attention to detail. For this reason, Jones Publishing is proud to present Wendy Lawton with a Lifetime Achievement Award. As Joe Jones, president of Jones Publishing and publisher of DOLLS magazine explains, "Longevity is certainly an important factor, but paramount is the recipient maintaining or increasing the quality of product. That's clearly the case in Wendy's instance." To date, the Lawton Doll Company has produced more than 250 editions, numbering about 75,000 dolls total. Behind this prolific body of work, is an artist with a truly wonderful spirit and a warm heart. Congratulations on an esteemed career, and thank you for the joy your work has brought to a countless number of collectors!	Lifetime Achievement Award winner in 2006 Wendy Lawton is all smiles as former DOLLS editor Nayda Rondon presents her the award.

R. John Wright From the very first simple doll they created in 1976 to the modern masterpieces in felt they produce today, the distinctive works of John and Susan Wright have earned this talented pair a prominent place in the pantheon of doll artists. Their range of work--dolls, bears and animals--makes R. John Wright Dolls one of the few companies to effectively bridge the gap between these various fields. And they do it with distinctive style and that hallmakr "R. John Wright" look which discriminating collectors have come to cherish and covet over the years. Congratulations on an illustrious career, and than you for the priceless enjoyment your work has given to countless number of collectors!	Joe Jones (left) presented R. John Wright with the prestigious award at the 2005 Expo Banquet.

Alexander Doll Company
Well-known for its Wendy, Cissy and other wonderful collectible dolls, the Alexander Doll Company was honored at the 2004 Doll & Teddy Bear Expo. The company has been delighting collectors of all ages for more than 80 years.

The staff of the Alexander Doll Company was honored to receive the award in 2004. Alexander President Gale Jarvis, holding the award, accepted it on behalf of the company.

Hildegard Günzel
Since the 1970s, Hildegard has been wowing collectors with her beautiful porcelain dolls. She has also created a line of original teddy bears that are equally desired. The 2003 Lifetime Achievement Award winner is a teacher and friend to many.

Thomas Boland (left) and Joe Jones (right) presented Hildegard Günzel with the prestigious award in 2003.

Joyce Murch
The recipient of a 2003 Lifetime Achievement Award, Joyce has shown extraordinary dedication to porcelain dollmaking. The former editor of Doll Crafter magazine, she is a talented dollmaker and respected teacher.

Joyce Murch was honored at the 2003 Discover! convention in Washington, D.C.

Steiff
The German company began producing plush animals in 1880 and is credited for designing the first jointed, mohair teddy bear in 1902. Today, Steiff’s products are not only children’s playthings, but are also highly sought-after collectible items. The company received the award at the 2002 Doll & Teddy Bear Expo.

Martin Frechen (right), former president of Steiff North America, accepted the award from Joe Jones on the company’s behalf.

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