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American Girl officially announced plans today to say farewell to Samantha Parkington, one of the company’s original historical characters introduced in 1986. Samantha’s complete product collection, including her best friend Nellie™, will soon be removed from American Girl’s catalogue, Web site, and retail stores and placed in the American Girl Archives™. However, as stories are at the heart of the company’s mission to celebrate girls, the Samantha books will still be sold on americangirl.com, at American Girl’s retail stores, and at bookstores nationwide.

“As one of American Girl’s most beloved characters, Samantha has been a friend and role model for millions of girls since her debut in 1986,” says Ellen L. Brothers, president of American Girl. “Moving Samantha to the American Girl Archives allows us to preserve her honored place in American Girl’s history and make it possible for us to introduce new characters and product offerings for our customers to enjoy.”

To commemorate Samantha and the impact she’s had on girls for more than 22 years, American Girl is inviting fans to share their favorite Samantha memories at americangirl.com/stories. Visitors to the Share Your Samantha Memories site can post their cherished Samantha stories, read tributes from other Samantha fans, and celebrate her legacy as a friend to girls everywhere.

Samantha, a kindhearted girl of privilege living with her wealthy grandmother in 1904, has captured girls’ imaginations with her compelling story of compassion and friendship in turn-of-the-century America. Although Samantha will be moved to the American Girl Archives, she retains her place within American Girl’s family of historical characters-nine-year-old heroines that give girls today a glimpse of what life was like growing up during important times in America’s past.

For more details visit the Official American Girl web site

Visit the World Collectors Net American Girl Doll pages