Friday, April 8, 2011

Vintage & Antique Dolls: What To Do?

Huge 1930's Madame Alexander Doll

One of the areas that I enjoy but know little about is dolls. As a girl I tended to play with my older brothers Matchbox cars and build fairy houses in the woods. Dolls just wouldn't have survived outdoors on the 350 acres my parents were caretakers of.

Hard Plastic Baby Doll

I think dolls know this and thus gravitate towards me. They turn up in most estates and while I'm thrilled to see them lurking in trunks all wrapped up in quilts, I never can say "oh look, it's such & such." Pulling a doll up out of that steamer trunk means hours on the web and reading in books trying to identify her.

1930's Shirley Temple Composition Doll

Add to that the emotional ties owners have to the dolls and the pressure ratchets up. I hear sweet stories about the doll being a favorite given by Daddy that is rare, one of a kind, and very valuable. When I hear these stories I get so nervous. I want the dolls current value to live up to the high emotional price the owner has put on it.
1920's Frozen Charlotte Doll

I don't like to have things restored, because I know most collectors would rather be in charge supervising that task themselves. So I end up with old dolls in gently played with condition, old dolls in horrid condition and old dolls that were never played with and just admired. I offer them in as found condition.

Antique Ideal Doll, Metal Eyes

When it comes to vintage & antique toys, I am in heaven. I just need to take the time to learn more about dolls so I can smile when I see them instead of worrying. It feels like a massive task, but I'm going to try!

1970's Madame Alexander Doll

4 comments:

  1. you probably already know it I use this site a lot for dolls
    http://dollreference.com/

    unless they are german or french then I go to their websites.

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  3. Delete my post I was wrong.. check this article out.. she looks more like a margaret with her face.
    http://www.antiquedolls-collectors-onlineadvisors.com/Madame-Alexander-Dolls.html

    she is a beauty I never had dolls as a kid, more trucks and cars kind of girl but can sure appreciate them when well made.

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  4. The bottom doll you have posted. She looks exactly like the one I am trying to find that I had as a child. Do you know anything about her? Can you show a pic of her entire outfit?

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