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DOLL COLLECTING
by Carol Kindler
Deja Vu Collectibles, Inc.
                                                   Doll collecting is a popular activity for adults and children.  When a
                                                   person discovers that their mom had thrown out their "Betsy," the
                                                   hunt is on for an identical doll.  Sometimes it is a hunt for the doll
                                                   she did not get as a child. Sometimes it can be for the love of dolls or
                                                   the art of doll making.

                                                   Dolls bring back warm memories of the past.  A favorite doll was more than a plaything.  It was a friend
                                                   and confidant.  Dolls bring back a few sad memories too -- I hear many stories of how favorite dolls were
                                                   pulled apart or "scalped" by younger brothers or given to a younger sister or cousin.

                                                   Doll collecting falls into two categories:  antique/vintage and new/contemporary dolls.  Within these
                                                   groups is all the fun!  Collections are built around themes, types of fabric, manufacturers, ethnicities,
                                                   movie and cartoon characters, famous personalities, time periods, mechanical dolls, advertising
                                                   promotions, cloth, artist's dolls, babies, boys, and men.

                                                   A collection can start with just one doll.  You do not need a lot of money to start a collection.  Many
                                                   nice dolls can be found at yards sales and junk shops.  Of course, these dolls will need a lot of TLC.
                                                  They will need washing, new clothes, new hairdos, or hair.  I recommend consulting a doll
                                                   identification book to see what the doll looked like when new.  One can check if the outfit is the
                                                   original or how to comb the hair.  Doll books will give you background on each doll, who made it, and
                                                   if the doll is part of a set.  Doll guidebooks will give you the dollar value.  You can find the doll books
                                                   and guidebooks at most large bookstores.  If you have a collection, you will need the values for
                                                   insurance purposes.  Many policies do not cover doll collections under the general policy.  You will
                                                   need to get extra coverage.  Doll collecting is a good investment.

                                                   Many doll collectors find joining a club to be lots of fun as well as helpful.  Members share ideas, doll
                                                   "finds", new methods of doing hair, painting faces, and much more.  I belong to the Center City Doll
                                                   Club.  Twice a year the Center City Doll Club donates dolls and toys to shelters with children.
                                                  This Community outreach is way of "giving back" the joy you have from your dolls.

                                                   The Center City Doll Club welcomes new members.  The club meets on the third Tuesday of each
                                                   month at "Happily Ever After" 1010 Pine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107.  If you do not live in
                                                   Philadelphia, write to us.

                                                   Dolls stores can help you locate a special doll.  My store, Deja Vu Collectibles, has a large selection
                                                   of vintage dolls.  I keep a "wish list" for my customers and call when the doll is found.  Along with
                                                   selling vintage dolls, I do doll repair and dressing, and will recreate vintage costumes using a
                                                   pattern and vintage fabric -- it is always a pleasure bringing an old doll back to life.


COLLECTORS' CORNER
Inside Deja Vu Collectibles, Inc.
Deja Vu Collectibles, Inc.,
Philadelphia, PA
Photos for this article provided by
Carol Kindler