Collectibles, Rituals or Decorations? Dolls Are Indeed Versatile

Barbie doll collections and American girl doll collections are but two areas of interest in one of the most active of all collecting genres, second only to stamp collecting. Doll collectors routinely gather across the United States at extensive trade shows where prize pieces are displayed,

bartered and sold. Enthusiasts dedicate whole rooms in their homes to their collections, and in fact, sometimes give over the whole house to their miniature "friends."

Starting a Doll Collection

First, decide on the genre of doll in which you are interested. A good rule of thumb for any collector is to collect what you love. Find something that is interesting and appealing to you. Find dolls you know you can acquire in your area with relative ease at antique shops, specialty or toy stores and even at garage sales or flea markets.

Physically check the dolls you are going to purchase. Make sure they are free from any physical defect or manufacturing error. (Be aware that some dolls are more valuable in their original packaging, which makes close examination impossible.)

Keep your doll collection well organized and maintain records on where and when you purchased a piece, what you paid for it, and any pertinent information about its history. These facts are important if you decide to sell or trade a doll from your collection.

Buy a sturdy display case or other appropriate shelving for your collection. You want to display your pieces but you also want to protect the dolls from dust and from the hands of careless visitors. Many times items in a Barbie doll collections, for instance, are most valuable when they are in absolute mint condition.

Top Tips for a Successful Doll Collection

The three rules of a successful doll collection are education, goal setting, and caution.

Educate Yourself

The more you know about the dolls in which you are interested the more effectively you will be able to build a black doll collection or a Barbie doll collections that will be a source of personal pleasure to you as well as having an intrinsic value. Guidebooks and reference sources are available at your local library or bookstore and many good sources can be located online.

Set Your Goals

Have some idea of what you want to accomplish with your collection. You can always "raise the bar higher" when you achieve your initial goals but in general you want to set reasonable goals for yourself in terms of availability and budget.

Beware of Overpricing

Be wary of doll collections for sale at higher prices than prevailing market values. Part of educating yourself is learning how to assess the value of the dolls in which you are interested in order to protect yourself from unscrupulous dealers who over-charge.

Continue to: An Inventory of Popular Barbie Doll Collections

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