“Collectible” is an extremely broad term, and can encompass practically anything. People collect some of the strangest things you could imagine. However, one thing that is collected more commonly than anything else is dolls. Dolls make up such a huge percentage of collectibles that they are what people think of first almost all of the time when you mention collectible items. If you collect dolls, or you are thinking about collecting dolls, you should educate yourself as much as possible about them. One of the things you should learn about is how to make sure that your investment doesn’t go to waste. If you care for the doll properly, you can keep it in pristine condition, and possibly sell it at a later date for a profit.
When you purchase the doll, you should not take it home and rip it out of the packaging. If possible, leave the packaging in perfect condition. You will want to take the doll out after you first buy it though, so that you can prepare it for a long shelf life. First, remove any tape from the hair bows that the doll has. If you leave these pieces of tape on, they will leave residue on the fabric that could be devastating to the resale value of your doll. Along these same lines, you should remove anything from the packaging that might cause rust. This includes small pieces of metal that come in the packaging. If rust invades the packaging, the entire thing could be destroyed.
The next steps will depend on how long you plan on keeping the doll. If you go to a hobby store, you can find tissue paper that is meant to be packed in along with the doll. It is known as acid free tissue paper. If you strip the clothes off of the doll and wrap it with this paper before replacing the clothes, the fabric’s integrity will be maintained for a much longer time, and will allow you to keep the doll on a shelf for long lengths of time. Without the tissue paper, dyes from the clothes of the doll could bleed into its “skin”, making it look strangely pigmented to whatever color clothes it is wearing. While clothes can be replaced, the body of the doll is the most important part.
The eyes of the doll are frequently problematic. If the eyes move free, or are the variety that close when horizontal, you should treat them with a special mixture. Get a bit of isopropyl alcohol, and mix it with one half of the amount of water. Lay the doll down horizontally and treat the eyes with the solution. Cover it up with a thin layer of the solution, and then allow it to drain out. Wipe the entire thing down with a cotton cloth, and get it completely dry. Now the eyes will be perfectly clean and free of any pieces of dirt or dust that could have ruined them in the long run. You don’t want your doll coming out of the box with one eye stuck half-shut. Your doll would look perpetually drunk.
Next, the best thing you can do is put the doll on a shelf and forget about it. If you are hoping that the doll will eventually be worth money, you shouldn’t hold your breath. Very rarely do dolls end up being worth money. If you bought it in the first place, it should have been for a personal love and affinity for dolls, rather than any desire to make money. Dolls are not a good investment, and your money would be better spent playing the stock market. But, if you have a passion for dolls then there is nothing wrong with hoping that the price increases over time. And if it does, your doll should be perfectly preserved, thanks to the methods that I have described.
Showing posts with label Vintage Doll Collecting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vintage Doll Collecting. Show all posts
Monday, January 25, 2010
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Vintage Collectible Dolls - 4 Steps to Collecting Vintage Dolls
It seems most everyone is collecting something these days from antique cars to salt and pepper shakers, and doll collecting is one of the most popular. In fact, doll collecting is the second largest collectible category - stamp collecting is #1. Does that mean it's too late for you to get started with your collection? Of course not, but you do have to do a little more work to find vintage collectible dolls at bargain prices. There are 4 important steps you need to take to get your doll collecting off on the right foot.
1. What Kind of vintage collectible dolls are you going to collect?
Once you start looking, you are going to find there are hundreds of choices and you might want to narrow it down to few particular dolls. For instance, dolls made by a particular manufacturer such as Mattel, or cloth, wood, composition, plastic, or porcelain dolls are some of the possibilities. Another choice is to collect dolls by name like Barbie, Madame Alexander, Ginny, Crissy... Even then, some of these dolls can be narrowed down to a particular era, style, or character. Your decision may depend on how easy it is to find the particular dolls you want to collect.
2. Where do you find the vintage collectible dolls you want to collect?
During the 1970's and 1980's, it was pretty easy to find doll treasures at garage sales. And, because the sellers did not know they had a valuable collectible doll, you could get them for just a few dollars or even pennies. You may still find a special doll you are looking for at a garage sale, but with more people aware of their value, you are more likely to find them in vintage specialty shops and on the internet. Other good places to look are estate sales, flea markets, and auctions like eBay. Whether you are buying a doll you can see and touch or from a picture and description, always try to make sure the doll you are getting is authentic.
3. How do you know the vintage collectible dolls you are buying is original?
Sometimes it may be difficult to determine whether a doll is an original. You have to know what to look for, and there are books available with this information. Dolls will often have markings, on their back or neck, and may include the manufacturer and the year and country where it was manufactured. Another way to identify the dolls authenticity is to know the characteristics and original clothing of the particular doll. You also want a doll that has been taken care of and is in good condition.
4. How do you take care of your vintage collectible dolls?
Once you have your dolls, you will want to enjoy them and to continue to take very good care of them. If you are lucky enough to find a vintage doll in it's original clothing - keep it! Vintage dolls dressed in modern clothing are not as valuable as dolls that are all original. It is very important that you always keep your dolls away from sunlight or bright light of any kind for that matter. Not only does the light cause fading, it can also cause deterioration. A climate controlled room provides the best environment. Rooms that are too hot or too cold and rooms that are damp can cause dolls to mold, mildew, warp or crack. Storing dolls in plastic containers can also cause them to mold and mildew. The best way to store your dolls is usually inside a closed cabinet to prevent dust from collecting on them, possibly ruining their hair and clothes.
Above all, your doll collecting adventure should be fun. If you do your homework you will feel more confident with each doll you add to your collection. Take proper care of your vintage collectible dolls, and they should bring you as much joy as the little girls who loved them in the past.
To learn more about doll collecting and start your on adventure, check out my website: http://www.vintagecollectibledolls.com
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Find Collectibles, Antiques, Heirlooms and Art - Online Auctions or Offline
Every one of us has that special something that has been in the family for as long as we can remember. It could be an antique jar, a vase, or whatever. As far as we know they have been handed down from generation to generation waiting there patiently for the day that an auction decides how much it’s really worth.
Valuable items such as collectibles, antiques, and rare objects like heirlooms are a part of a country’s culture. They tell us what kind of people a certain place has and what kind lifestyle they had. These valuables are often times overlooked because of the influx of technology.
But one thing remains certain, they are constantly being sought after by people who understand and value these items. People who look at it as a very important part of the story a certain family has to tell and the lifestyle they are projecting. Most of these items are locked away in a cold and dark corner waiting for the day they can once again be part of a family's heritage.
The good thing about having a lot of these rare collectibles is that they tend to get more and more expensive as the years pass, because they aren’t just good to look at. They are part of history and the part of the culture. And the good thing about it is if these items are kept in mint condition, they can benefit the people taking care of them with monetary rewards. One good place to know just how much value there is in taking care of things of the old, are events like an auction.
In an auction, people who really understand and have a deep appreciation for valuable and rare things come together to translate into monetary considerations the effort of people taking good care of things of the past and other memorabilia of the past generations. In an auction people that know what they want put up a very fierce contention for things they are sure to cost them a lifetime to get. Paintings and art pieces of master artists are sold for millions and millions because the people bidding for it know that after the auction, it will be priceless. And priceless is a word that can easily be negotiated.
There are a lot of benefits that can be derived from an auction, and both the person with the rare item and the treasure hunter of sorts can see it, especially when the stakes are getting higher at every bid. Owners that bring their rare collectibles and antiques to an auction are rewarded for their diligence in taking care of the items.
An auction can be very good to a person that knows how to take care of his paintings of great contemporary artists because these are the top sellers in any auction. People who bring in previously hard to find items are rewarded by the auctioneers with persistence and lots of money.
Meanwhile, people who seek to complete their collections of Van Gogh paintings flock to an auction in the hopes that his own collection would be complete and they themselvescan put up an auction and try to sell their hard work to other people. These treasure hunters are the modern day Indiana Jones that seek to recover the works of an almost forgotten time. The completion of a collection is like their lifetime achievement.
David Arnold Livingston is an entrepreneur with many years of successful business experience. For tips on finding the ideal auction resources, he recommends: Fast Moving Auction
Valuable items such as collectibles, antiques, and rare objects like heirlooms are a part of a country’s culture. They tell us what kind of people a certain place has and what kind lifestyle they had. These valuables are often times overlooked because of the influx of technology.
But one thing remains certain, they are constantly being sought after by people who understand and value these items. People who look at it as a very important part of the story a certain family has to tell and the lifestyle they are projecting. Most of these items are locked away in a cold and dark corner waiting for the day they can once again be part of a family's heritage.
The good thing about having a lot of these rare collectibles is that they tend to get more and more expensive as the years pass, because they aren’t just good to look at. They are part of history and the part of the culture. And the good thing about it is if these items are kept in mint condition, they can benefit the people taking care of them with monetary rewards. One good place to know just how much value there is in taking care of things of the old, are events like an auction.
In an auction, people who really understand and have a deep appreciation for valuable and rare things come together to translate into monetary considerations the effort of people taking good care of things of the past and other memorabilia of the past generations. In an auction people that know what they want put up a very fierce contention for things they are sure to cost them a lifetime to get. Paintings and art pieces of master artists are sold for millions and millions because the people bidding for it know that after the auction, it will be priceless. And priceless is a word that can easily be negotiated.
There are a lot of benefits that can be derived from an auction, and both the person with the rare item and the treasure hunter of sorts can see it, especially when the stakes are getting higher at every bid. Owners that bring their rare collectibles and antiques to an auction are rewarded for their diligence in taking care of the items.
An auction can be very good to a person that knows how to take care of his paintings of great contemporary artists because these are the top sellers in any auction. People who bring in previously hard to find items are rewarded by the auctioneers with persistence and lots of money.
Meanwhile, people who seek to complete their collections of Van Gogh paintings flock to an auction in the hopes that his own collection would be complete and they themselvescan put up an auction and try to sell their hard work to other people. These treasure hunters are the modern day Indiana Jones that seek to recover the works of an almost forgotten time. The completion of a collection is like their lifetime achievement.
David Arnold Livingston is an entrepreneur with many years of successful business experience. For tips on finding the ideal auction resources, he recommends: Fast Moving Auction
Collectible Dolls - How Rare?
In this article we're going to discuss exactly what determines how rare a collectible doll is and how its value is determined.
Collectible dolls are a strange paradox. The reason that dolls are collectible is because back when they were new, they weren't.
How many times have you heard a friend say something like, "I had one of the very first Barbie Dolls. If I had kept it I'd be rich right now". Well, the truth of the matter is, if every girl who bought a Barbie Doll back in 1959 when they first came out had kept it in its box and never played with it then none of these dolls would be worth anything. The reason Barbie is worth so much money is because back then little girls bought the dolls, took the dolls out of their boxes, played with the dolls and ultimately tossed the dolls in the garbage or gave them away either when they became too old to play with them or the dolls themselves simply just fell apart from use.
So an early doll that has become as popular as Barbie has become, if found in its original box and unopened, which is pretty unlikely, would get a lot of money at an auction. How much money? Last figures for an early Barbie doll are estimated at about $2,500. This is actually down quite a bit from the heyday of collectible selling when you could get close to $10,000 for a series 1 Barbie Doll from 1959. We have since come back down to reality.
But is this reality? The early Barbie Dolls sold for a few dollars. How can something that sold for a few dollars be worth thousands today? Well, it all comes down to supply and demand. If something is low on the supply side and enough people want it then the price is going to skyrocket. And for whatever reason, people love old things, the same old things that they used to throw away.
But it isn't just old popular dolls that are worth money. They may be rare because there aren't a lot of them left around. But some dolls are rare and worth a lot of money because there were never very many of them to begin with. While maybe not as many people would be interested in these dolls because they weren't that popular to begin with, the die hard collectors still go crazy over these items. So a collectible doll like 1967's Mike Hazard, Double Agent, will still bring in about $1,500 in an auction if unopened in the original box. Why? Because finding one of these is as unlikely as finding life on Mars.
Of course not every old doll brings in thousand dollar price tags. If the doll was in great supply but for some reason never caught on at all then most likely the doll won't be worth much today. In the case of Mike Hazard there just weren't many made to begin with.
There are those who will argue that this whole collectible craze is just that, crazy. And then there are those who's lives wouldn't be the same without this stuff as many people actually have built businesses around buying and selling collectibles. As they say, one man's peanut butter is another man's lobster tail.
Michael RussellYour Independent guide to Collectible Dolls
Collectible dolls are a strange paradox. The reason that dolls are collectible is because back when they were new, they weren't.
How many times have you heard a friend say something like, "I had one of the very first Barbie Dolls. If I had kept it I'd be rich right now". Well, the truth of the matter is, if every girl who bought a Barbie Doll back in 1959 when they first came out had kept it in its box and never played with it then none of these dolls would be worth anything. The reason Barbie is worth so much money is because back then little girls bought the dolls, took the dolls out of their boxes, played with the dolls and ultimately tossed the dolls in the garbage or gave them away either when they became too old to play with them or the dolls themselves simply just fell apart from use.
So an early doll that has become as popular as Barbie has become, if found in its original box and unopened, which is pretty unlikely, would get a lot of money at an auction. How much money? Last figures for an early Barbie doll are estimated at about $2,500. This is actually down quite a bit from the heyday of collectible selling when you could get close to $10,000 for a series 1 Barbie Doll from 1959. We have since come back down to reality.
But is this reality? The early Barbie Dolls sold for a few dollars. How can something that sold for a few dollars be worth thousands today? Well, it all comes down to supply and demand. If something is low on the supply side and enough people want it then the price is going to skyrocket. And for whatever reason, people love old things, the same old things that they used to throw away.
But it isn't just old popular dolls that are worth money. They may be rare because there aren't a lot of them left around. But some dolls are rare and worth a lot of money because there were never very many of them to begin with. While maybe not as many people would be interested in these dolls because they weren't that popular to begin with, the die hard collectors still go crazy over these items. So a collectible doll like 1967's Mike Hazard, Double Agent, will still bring in about $1,500 in an auction if unopened in the original box. Why? Because finding one of these is as unlikely as finding life on Mars.
Of course not every old doll brings in thousand dollar price tags. If the doll was in great supply but for some reason never caught on at all then most likely the doll won't be worth much today. In the case of Mike Hazard there just weren't many made to begin with.
There are those who will argue that this whole collectible craze is just that, crazy. And then there are those who's lives wouldn't be the same without this stuff as many people actually have built businesses around buying and selling collectibles. As they say, one man's peanut butter is another man's lobster tail.
Michael RussellYour Independent guide to Collectible Dolls
Start A Collection
A couple of years ago, I was just at the point of exploding. I had been taking care of everyone but me, and one Saturday afternoon when I couldn’t take it anymore, I laid the kids down for naps and woke my husband up from his, and told him I would be back in a couple of hours and asked him to keep the laundry going if you wanted clothes to wear to work on Monday. I jumped in the car and off I went.
I got about two blocks before I pulled over and turned off the car. I looked at myself in the rearview mirror and said, “Where are you going?” I had no idea what I wanted to do. I hadn’t done anything just for pleasure in so long, I couldn’t remember what I really enjoyed. As I sat there thinking, I remembered all the time my mother spent cleaning and rearranging her antique dishes collection. She loved those dishes, and whenever she needed her space you would find her with them or out scouring for more.
I started my car and headed for the nearest flea market. As I was driving, I thought about different things that I might like to collect. Now, just a couple of years later, I have quite a few collections of my own, including antique dishes, and I have my own peace and happiness from something I created just for me.
Choosing What You Want To Collect
To begin your collection, thing about some of the things that interest you. Decide if you want to collect items just for the enjoyment of collecting or if you would be more interested in collecting items that may become valuable investments.
For example, if you are doing it strictly for your enjoyment, you may think about a specific animal you like. I have a very large cow collection taking over my kitchen. My sister redecorated a room in her house in the trendy fruit motifs, and she now has quite a collection of fruit décor items.
Other ideas are teapots, hats, movie memorabilia, buttons, pens, angels, fairies, t-shirts, or candles. Anything that captures your fancy can get you started. My husband has a matchbook collection that he takes great enjoyment from. He just gets a kick out of unusual matchbooks from different locations.
If you would prefer something that will increase in value, you may be more inclined to collect items such as antique dishes, comic books, Disney memorabilia, stamps, coins, or any of the collectible lines that are available today, for example, Boyd’s Bears, Precious Moments, SnowBabies or Dea Capodimonte of Naples, Italy.
Chasing Down Great Deals
Once you have decided what to collect, the joy of the hunt begins. My favorite places to go for my treasures are always the places where I can find the ultimate deals. Yard sales, flea markets, consignment shops and thrift stores are always my first stops. It is amazing what wonderful things you can find for next to nothing.
In recent years, collectors have had the joy of a whole new market opening up to them via the Internet. With the Internet, you have access to the entire world rather than just your local area. Online auctions are an incredible resource for finding items to add to your collection – and getting some great deals.
Researching Your Collectibles
There are quite a few good collectibles shows on television, such as “Flea Market Finds” on HGTV, “The Incurable Collector” on A&E, and of course, “The Antiques Roadshow”. If your hobby becomes a passion, you will want to invest in a good price guide. There are specialized guides for specific items and general guides that cover a wide range of objects. It is important to look for a guide that gives you product background, company information and a history of the item. I always look for the price guides that provide detailed pictures and information about markings, number produced and year of production. Also, make sure to buy the most current guide available. Browse some guides at your local library first, to get a feel for what you’re looking for before you choose which one to buy.
Lisa Lambson is a married, mother of four that recently left the workforce to freelance.
"I made this choice to show my children that there are ways to support your family independently and maintain your family presence the way that you choose. I want my children to understand that they do not have to be caught in a job they don't like waiting to be downsized. I choose to use my passion for writing to teach them to never give up on their passions."
Lisa has been published in print in a magazine named Balance that, unfortunately, is no longer published and in a newspaper for work at home moms called Connecting At Home. She also has numerous articles published and circulating on the internet on hundreds of websites. She can write about any topic and there is nothing she loves more than to learn something new or meet someone new to get to know. Her work stands for itself as she works carefully, quickly and pays great attention to detail. http://216.147.57.116/index.shtml
I got about two blocks before I pulled over and turned off the car. I looked at myself in the rearview mirror and said, “Where are you going?” I had no idea what I wanted to do. I hadn’t done anything just for pleasure in so long, I couldn’t remember what I really enjoyed. As I sat there thinking, I remembered all the time my mother spent cleaning and rearranging her antique dishes collection. She loved those dishes, and whenever she needed her space you would find her with them or out scouring for more.
I started my car and headed for the nearest flea market. As I was driving, I thought about different things that I might like to collect. Now, just a couple of years later, I have quite a few collections of my own, including antique dishes, and I have my own peace and happiness from something I created just for me.
Choosing What You Want To Collect
To begin your collection, thing about some of the things that interest you. Decide if you want to collect items just for the enjoyment of collecting or if you would be more interested in collecting items that may become valuable investments.
For example, if you are doing it strictly for your enjoyment, you may think about a specific animal you like. I have a very large cow collection taking over my kitchen. My sister redecorated a room in her house in the trendy fruit motifs, and she now has quite a collection of fruit décor items.
Other ideas are teapots, hats, movie memorabilia, buttons, pens, angels, fairies, t-shirts, or candles. Anything that captures your fancy can get you started. My husband has a matchbook collection that he takes great enjoyment from. He just gets a kick out of unusual matchbooks from different locations.
If you would prefer something that will increase in value, you may be more inclined to collect items such as antique dishes, comic books, Disney memorabilia, stamps, coins, or any of the collectible lines that are available today, for example, Boyd’s Bears, Precious Moments, SnowBabies or Dea Capodimonte of Naples, Italy.
Chasing Down Great Deals
Once you have decided what to collect, the joy of the hunt begins. My favorite places to go for my treasures are always the places where I can find the ultimate deals. Yard sales, flea markets, consignment shops and thrift stores are always my first stops. It is amazing what wonderful things you can find for next to nothing.
In recent years, collectors have had the joy of a whole new market opening up to them via the Internet. With the Internet, you have access to the entire world rather than just your local area. Online auctions are an incredible resource for finding items to add to your collection – and getting some great deals.
Researching Your Collectibles
There are quite a few good collectibles shows on television, such as “Flea Market Finds” on HGTV, “The Incurable Collector” on A&E, and of course, “The Antiques Roadshow”. If your hobby becomes a passion, you will want to invest in a good price guide. There are specialized guides for specific items and general guides that cover a wide range of objects. It is important to look for a guide that gives you product background, company information and a history of the item. I always look for the price guides that provide detailed pictures and information about markings, number produced and year of production. Also, make sure to buy the most current guide available. Browse some guides at your local library first, to get a feel for what you’re looking for before you choose which one to buy.
Lisa Lambson is a married, mother of four that recently left the workforce to freelance.
"I made this choice to show my children that there are ways to support your family independently and maintain your family presence the way that you choose. I want my children to understand that they do not have to be caught in a job they don't like waiting to be downsized. I choose to use my passion for writing to teach them to never give up on their passions."
Lisa has been published in print in a magazine named Balance that, unfortunately, is no longer published and in a newspaper for work at home moms called Connecting At Home. She also has numerous articles published and circulating on the internet on hundreds of websites. She can write about any topic and there is nothing she loves more than to learn something new or meet someone new to get to know. Her work stands for itself as she works carefully, quickly and pays great attention to detail. http://216.147.57.116/index.shtml
Antique and Vintage Items of Our Past
Have you ever wondered why you are attracted to antique items of the past? Or maybe it's an entire era. Have you ever touched and antique and imagined what it would be like to have use this object? It is my opinion and belief that we are attracted to antiques because we have used the item in a past life or have lived in that era. For me I am attracted to and love the rennesaince age . Ask yourself what era attracts you in a nostalgic way? The same way we feel about objects of our childhood in this current life time can also attract us to objects and era's of past lifetimes. For me , I love the rennesaince age and the art and craftmanship of handmade items.
Blacksmithing , knife making handmade pottery , wood carvings, paintings and just the over all playfulness and creativity of this age bring back memories and even inspire me to create in this lifetime.
When I attend estate auctions , I can actually feel the presence of the past owner and get a sense of who they were and what they were like , just by looking and touching the many household contents, from buttons to niknaks. There is also a certain respect I feel about the objects I buy from thier estate. The feeling is a bit different about antiques I collect for myself and the objects I buy from estate sales to include in my store. Still I am honored to offer these items to others who collect them or who can make use of them. To me it carries on the spirit of the previous owners and keeps that era and technology alive in the hearts of many. What we collect , says allot about us as a person. It can reveal life issues we need to resolve as well as past lives we have lived. Exploring the antique world can be very enlightening.
Blessings
Donna Scales
Donna Scales/ Psychic CounselorOwner operater of :Http://http://www.Sleepythoughts.com and http://stores.ebay.com/Bruces-Blades
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Donna_Scales
Blacksmithing , knife making handmade pottery , wood carvings, paintings and just the over all playfulness and creativity of this age bring back memories and even inspire me to create in this lifetime.
When I attend estate auctions , I can actually feel the presence of the past owner and get a sense of who they were and what they were like , just by looking and touching the many household contents, from buttons to niknaks. There is also a certain respect I feel about the objects I buy from thier estate. The feeling is a bit different about antiques I collect for myself and the objects I buy from estate sales to include in my store. Still I am honored to offer these items to others who collect them or who can make use of them. To me it carries on the spirit of the previous owners and keeps that era and technology alive in the hearts of many. What we collect , says allot about us as a person. It can reveal life issues we need to resolve as well as past lives we have lived. Exploring the antique world can be very enlightening.
Blessings
Donna Scales
Donna Scales/ Psychic CounselorOwner operater of :Http://http://www.Sleepythoughts.com and http://stores.ebay.com/Bruces-Blades
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Donna_Scales
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