Collecting

Why collect?
What to collect
How to collect
Reality 101

Why Collect?

There are probably just as many reasons why people collect dolls, as there are different kinds of dolls to be collected. But, if you ask most doll collectors what got them started in the hobby most of them will tell you it was the wonderful memories of time spent with their childhood doll(s). Many of them started by trying to replace just one doll that they loved and cherished as a child. In many cases, Mom or Dad had long since discarded this wonderful childhood friend - never dreaming that their now grown, adult child would one day spend months, maybe even years, trying to replace this little piece of their youth.

Of course, there are other cases where a person started collecting by trying to find the doll they did not have as a child. This may have been due to financial difficulty, a special wish whispered only to Santa (but never to Mom and Dad) or any number of reasons. But, it is particularly true in the case of men.

I have had many male doll collectors tell me that, as boys they had to sit by the side and watch as their sisters, female cousins or neighbors enjoyed hours of fun - not only with their dolls but also with the tons of wonderful accessories that went along with them. It was simply out of the question for a boy to play with "girl toys". However, I truly believe that this little "cultural snafu" has created a special breed of doll collector. In my experience, these men are among the most knowledgeable collectors I have ever had the good fortune to meet.

Regardless of how a collector starts - the doll they had, the doll they didn't have or the one that just managed to catch their eye - most will agree that it all started with just one doll. However, something magical - something nobody plans on - happens along the road between "I have to find her!" and "Now I've got her!". All along that road - at the antique shops, the auction houses, the flea markets & the garage sales - you see other dolls. Dolls that are nothing like what you're "really" looking for. Or, maybe, they are close to what you're looking for - a blonde when you "need" a brunette, a red dress instead of blue, 12" when you know yours was 18". Somehow, these "other" dolls become special too. Besides, you've been searching for weeks (maybe months) and you still haven't found "it". You may as well have something to show for your time and effort. What the heck, she's cheap enough! Before you know it, you've got a dozen (or two) of these "other" dolls and by the time you find "your doll" it's too late - you're hooked! You are now an "official" doll collector. You couldn't stop now even if you wanted to - which you don't!

Top

What to Collect

There is no rhyme or reason to why a person chooses to collect a particular doll or category of dolls. Which dolls to collect is a strictly personal decision. While some people collect dolls they had as a child others may collect dolls that their children had. It may be bride dolls, ballerina dolls or nun dolls; dolls produced by a certain manufacturer or dolls of a certain size and

construction that catch a collectors eye. Why? Who knows? Why ask why?

It makes little sense to anyone else as to why I love the dolls that were designed & sold for my mother's - and even my grandmother's - generation. But, that's the fun of it! In this day & age of logic & reasoning; schedules & organization your collection may well be the one thing that has no boundaries, limits or "cast in stone" rules. You alone will determine it's size and content. It can be exactly what you want it to be. (O.K. - so maybe your pocket book gets some say in the matter but we're not even going to think about that!)

Top

How to Collect

There is only one tried & true rule to doll collecting. The rule is simple but is sometimes hard to follow. But, I promise you that if you follow it, you can not possibly go wrong. The golden rule of doll collection is: only buy what you like. Sounds easy, right? Wrong! Too many people are concerned with monetary value - what's hot & what's not. With every purchase they are already wondering if the doll will go up in value. Why would someone want to collect like that? Collecting is supposed to be a hobby. It's supposed to be fun and relaxing. Aren't there enough things on your mind without worrying what your dolls are worth on any given day? If, however, you collect only the dolls that you truly adore, the simple joy and pleasure you get every time you look at them or proudly show them to a friend will far outweigh the purchase price. No matter what you paid for a particular doll, you will have had your "money's worth" long before the day comes - should the day come - when you decide to resell her.

Besides, if you are like most collectors, you collection will "change direction" at least a few times. Sooner or later you will have completed the collection you set out to build and need a new "addiction". (Hey, you can't just stop collecting simply because you already have every Miss Revlon doll known to man - can you?) By this time, you've more than likely already decided on or even started buying the dolls that will make up this "new" collection. Perhaps you've found something you actually love more than the dolls you originally started out to collect. (Who knew it was even possible?) Whatever the case, the collection you end up with will very likely be much different than the one you initially intended. When your collection takes a "right hand turn" (And it probably will), you may need to "weed out" a few dolls. If for no other reason, the old "storage space" monster is probably rearing his ugly head by now. Out with the old & in with the new. The first to go will naturally be the ones you don't really "love". You know what I'm talking about - the dolls you bought as "investments". Unfortunately, they probably haven't had time to go up in value. Worse yet, they may even have gone down in value! Now what?

Top

Reality 101

Dolls are not an investment! Oh, they can be - but don't count on it! As with any other collectible, supply and demand rule the "market". At any given time, a doll's value is influenced by a number of factors. Condition and rarity to the side, the two major circumstances that will affect price the most are the number of interested buyers and the number of dolls - in like condition - available to those buyers. If John Doe finds a long ago abandoned store or warehouse full of unsold store stock, mint in the box "XYZ" dolls tomorrow - the "XYZ" doll you paid top price for yesterday will drop in value the minute that find hits the market. Don't laugh - it happens all the time.
If you are going to insist on collecting for profit rather than fun, always remember that quality is better than quantity. Rare, unusual or highly desirable dolls in mint, boxed & tagged condition have always and will always command the highest prices. Of course, to build a collection of this caliber you will need a few things:

every dollar you can possibly get your hands on.
every scrap of doll related information you can find.

Top