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My Thoughts On Doll Collecting
One of the things that fascinates me about doll collecting is the interplay between doll-loving and doll-collecting. What I mean is that most people who collect dolls today first started out as doll lovers. On the other hand, we could say that those who are doll lovers today will probably be the doll collectors of tomorrow. A love of dolls will naturally encourage a love of collecting them, and those who collect dolls will deepen in their appreciation and love for them.
One of the things that fascinates me about doll collecting is the interplay between doll-loving and doll-collecting. What I mean is that most people who collect dolls today first started out as doll lovers. On the other hand, we could say that those who are doll lovers today will probably be the doll collectors of tomorrow. A love of dolls will naturally encourage a love of collecting them, and those who collect dolls will deepen in their appreciation and love for them.
When it comes to doll collecting many people think of porcelain collectible dolls. These dolls are usually quite delicate (not the thing for children) and very beautiful. And they hearken back to a bygone era, a time when sophistication and refinement were highly valued. As well, miniature porcelain doll kits are valued—not only by collectors, but also those who make clothing and accessories for their dolls.
Another area of intense interest in doll collecting is the collecting of dollhouses. Some folks—primarily those who are handy with tools—will go ahead and make their own doll houses from scratch, using one of the many available doll house plans. You can even utilize the power of your home computer to draw up doll house plans—and in that case you don’t even have to bother constructing it, but can just simply view it on your computer screen.
Speaking of nostalgia—and there’s certainly nothing wrong with being nostalgic—Amish doll furniture is highly sought after by doll collectors today. Nice furniture pieces are usually very simply made, yet the high quality of the workmanship makes these pieces truly elegant, and very sought after by collectors.
And when it comes to collectible dolls, who hasn’t heard of Franklin mint dolls. Who hasn’t seen an advertisement on TV or in a magazine for one of these dolls—a TV personality like Lucille Ball or Princess Diana? And, just like their advertisements say, these dolls are almost certainly going to rise in value. If you have an opportunity to pick up a Franklin mint doll in good condition at a very good price, you should jump at the chance.
And when it comes to nostalgia, do you see all of the fuss that is being made about Betsy McCall dolls and accessories? These dolls are not even a century old—not old at all by doll collecting standards—and yet these dolls are highly sought after. The explanation? Again—nostalgia. Many women first remember seeing these dolls pictured on the cover of McCall’s Magazine (from hence the name), so they easily relate to them.
There are some doll manufacturing companies that are doing some truly innovative things: take the American Girl Company. They make an innovative line of daughter and doll matching outfits. When you purchase one of these clothing outfits for your daughter or granddaughter, you can purchase a matching set of clothes and accessories for a dull as well. And speaking of daughters and granddaughters, let’s not forget the contemporary dolls such as Bratz dolls and Barbie dolls—you see their television commercials and TV shows all the time; they are a big hit with the kids.
Perhaps no better example of the desire to go back to an earlier era can be found then in the area of primitive doll collecting. These are very humble-looking dolls, just the same in appearance as dolls seen on the American frontier a century and a half ago. They do not make use of the fancy fabrics or elaborate accessories that accompany modern dolls (like Barbie dolls or Bratz dolls), yet they are in such great demand that often times they are difficult to find.
So whatever your interests you are sure to find an area of doll collecting which will interest you. And here’s an extra bonus—years from now, when you’re old and gray, you can sit down with that special young girl in your life and explain to them what it is all about. Who knows—they too made be a future doll collector…