LA JOLLA, CALIFORNIA.- FIRST COLLECTIONS -- Dolls and Toys of the World has opened at Mingei International Museum in Balboa Park. The exhibition includes dolls and toys from around the world � France, England, Japan, India, Mexico, Russia, Italy, Turkey, Panama and the United States of America. It will continue into Spring 2005. On display at the exhibition's entrance are cast iron banks, part of Mingei International's recently acquired Sefton collection, among which are a Punch and Judy Show and Jonah and the Whale. Just inside the gallery, twelve child-sized, French carousel animals � giraffe, elephant, polar bear, fish, crocodile, rooster, swan, lion, tiger and three dogs, encircle a Christmas tree crowned with an origami star.

Also on view is a variety of Matryushkas � Russian nesting dolls, ranging in size from tiny to giant. Besides the often seen peasant mother motif, the dolls are decorated with folk tale illustrations and scenes from nature as well as czars, heroes, statesmen and those icons of contemporary culture, The Beatles.

Six miniature rooms, two of which are decorated for the Holidays, are to be seen along with dollhouses and Wednesday's Palace, a fairy dwelling. In addition there are Russian folk toys, Japanese toys and dolls, a big American toy train, antique wind-up toys and a much-loved Teddy Bear.