Collectibles: Obama Girls Are Now Beanie Babies

Maker says Sweet Sasha & Marvelous Malia not meant to represent new first daughters

We told you numerous times by now that the great bulk of Barack Obama memorabilia will likely never accrue any serious monetary value. From Franklin Mint coins to newspaper front pages, there is just too much of it in circulation - meaning there is a lack of the scarcity that usually accompanies items that command big dollars from collectors. But we're not at all sure what to make out of Beanie Babies bearing the names of the newly minted first daughters. The Obama girls have already won the hearts of many Americans and now seven-year-old Sasha and 10-year-old Malia have truly become real dolls. Or have they?

More from The Associated Press:

The company that made Beanie Babies a top toy craze is hoping for another winner with dolls named "Sweet Sasha" and "Marvelous Malia."

Now where have we heard those names before?

Ty Inc. has released the 12-inch plush dolls as part of the company's "TyGirlz Collection," introduced in 2007. The Sasha doll has pigtails and wears a white and pink dress with hearts. The Malia doll has a side ponytail and a long-sleeve shirt with capri pants.

The Oak Brook-based company chose the dolls' names because "they are beautiful names," not because of any resemblance to President Obama's daughters, said spokeswoman Tania Lundeen.

"There's nothing on the dolls that refers to the Obama girls," Lundeen said. "It would not be fair to say they are exact replications of these girls. They are not."

Public figures have a legal right to control their how their images are used, but Lundeen would not comment on legal issues or if the company's lawyers have become involved with the dolls.

"I'm not an attorney. I can't answer that," she said.

The dolls have "real doll hair" and the suggested retail price is $9.99, Lundeen said. The dolls were introduced in early January and a limited supply has been shipped to retailers.

In the real world, 7-year-old Sasha and 10-year-old Malia have been the focus of intense interest. A throng of reporters followed their first day at school. News reports detailed what they wore on Inauguration Day.

That fascination will make the Ty dolls a success, said Denise Gary Robinson, president of DollsLikeMe.com, an online specialty doll boutique that specializes in ethnic dolls, toys and gifts.

"Girls all over the world, of all colors, will be looking for these dolls. They want to identify with these two girls," Robinson said.