Collecting Antique Dolls

Collecting antique dolls is a leisure activity that a lot of women grow into or want to if they had the time or and the money. A collection of antique dolls in a gorgeous show case is a very attractive asset, but collecting antique dolls is not as simple as it may sound.

Well, to delineate that properly, it depends what you would like the antique dolls for. As with any leisure activity that has the potential to make the collector money, it is not simple to get it right, but if you just want to delight in your collection you will have an simpler time of it.

Millions of women collect ancient dolls, but it is unlikely that many of them really make any money out of their leisure activity, because you have to study and the professional competition is fierce. It is the same as collecting coins or stamps: you can have a gorgeous collection of gorgeous commemorative stamps or coins that is worthless in monetary terms, because there were too many of that sort or that year manufactured, whereas you could have a collection of a dozen drab stamps worth a million.

Therefore, if you want to start a collection of antique dolls, the first thing to do is visit the library and borrow some books on the subject. If there are no illustrations, you can probably find some photos on the Net in order to afford identification simpler.

One of the first things you require to acquaint yourself with is the names of the most well-known manufacturers of dolls in the 150 years of the Nineteenth and early Twentieth Centuries. Learn the names of the firms, the names of the dolls and an average cost.

If you come across what you reckon is a excellent deal at a car boot or yard sale, do not get place off by a tatty appearance. lots of dolls lead a tough life, but they can be repaired pretty easily and there are many dolls’ hospitals if you need expert help, advice or specialist parts like eyes or buttons. The original clothing can be repaired or replaced and the doll would still be valuable if it is rare, well loved or sought after.

You know, some things are not particularly rare but are still costly because they capture the imagination of a fantastic deal of people. Baby Boomer toys from the Fifties and Early Sixties will nearly certainly buy this status when the Boomers retire and maybe start a collection.

Look out for antiques fairs to help you buy more first hand knowledge. There are often specialized antiques fairs in largish towns and one sort of honest is antique toys, in which the section on antique dolls is certain to feature quite prominently. It is very functional to be able to see the dolls ‘in the flesh’ so to speak in order to know what you should be looking out for while browsing.

Books, photos and the Net are useful resources, but there is no replacement for hands-on experience and talking with collectors and dealers who are passionate about collecting antique dolls.

Owen Jones, the writer of this article, writes on a variety of subjects, but is now concerned with Silver Cross Dolls Prams. If you want to know more, please go over to our website at Doll Prams.