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 | High: Antique Dolls can run $20-$500, and can cost many thousands of dollars |
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| | | Dolls, doll clothes and doll accessories reflect the time, culture and society in which they were created. From 1880s France to Native American traditions to Mattel's factories, dolls have been constructed out of a wide variety of materials, ranging from rags to fine cloth, from porcelain to hard plastic or high quality vinyl and more. A doll collection may evoke fond memories, be beautiful to look at or simply be fun to own. | | |
| Typical costs: | - The value of a doll is based on its age, condition, outfit and desirability. . Original clothing both makes a doll more attractive and more valuable. Although some people purchase brand-new dolls in hopes that they'll eventually become collectible, generally collections are made up of older dolls that are no longer being manufactured.
- Many antique bisque dolls (commonly but incorrectly called porcelain dolls) sell for $20 -$500 depending on rarity and construction materials, but can be $1,000 -$10,000 or more, and a few have sold for $50,000 -$200,000 or more. Cheaply made bisque dolls from China sell for $2 -$10, even in pristine condition.
- Vintage Barbie dolls can be worth $100 -$800 or more if they're in pristine condition with their original outfits and accessories, but a missing necklace, shoe or other item can drop the price $100 -$200 or more. "Played with" dolls are worth considerably less than those in "mint" condition, and (like many collectibles) some models are more valuable than others.
- Any type of doll can be collected, and many books describe (and price) some of the most popular collectible dolls, from baby dolls to Kewpie dolls and more. The books average $10 -$30, but can run $50 -$100 or more, and may be available in local libraries.
- Often there's a nominal admission fee ($5 -$15) for collectors to attend doll conventions or shows. These offer an opportunity to hear presentations on varied aspects of doll collecting, see a wide range of dolls for sale, and meet other collectors who share an interest in a particular doll.
- Overall, a typical collector might spend anywhere from $40 -$400 a month on this hobby, according to a spokeswoman for the United Federation of Doll Clubs.
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Additional costs: | - If interest in a particular doll drops off, a collection may actually drop in value. The No. 4 Ponytail Barbie was worth about $400 in 1999, and about $300 in 2008. If cared for properly, antique dolls generally hold their value, although they don't necessarily appreciate over time. Generally, collectors choose dolls because they enjoy them and like looking at them, not as an investment.
Discounts: | - Garage/estate sales and thrift shops are potential low-cost sources of collectible dolls. Also, ask friends and family members if they have any dolls tucked away.
Shopping for doll collecting: | |
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Article updated August 2008 |
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