Don't Get Ripped Off Buying Vintage and Antique Dolls

If you're reading this, you probably love dolls as much as I do. There's something about these inanimate objects that's truly captivating and that can bring a lot of happiness into the life of a collector. So many aspects of the hobby are satisfying and rewarding, not the least of which is the thrill of the hunt. Unfortunately, there are plenty of unscrupulous dealers out there ready to take advantage of potential buyers who've fallen in love with a doll and don't know how to properly evaluate one. Only careful study and experience can turn you into a savvy doll buyer, but if you follow these guidelines you can avoid getting ripped off most of the time.

Find a current price guide for dolls and bring it with you when you shop. Book price should apply only to a mint, all original doll, and even then it's generally too much to pay. Plan to stay below book price unless a doll is exceptional and you cannot live without it.

Don't buy any doll you can't see in good light. Antique stores are often murky places without proper lighting, and the same applies to doll shows where multiple dealers peddle their wares. There's nothing wrong with bringing a flashlight with you when shopping these places. Ask to examine the doll with your flashlight if you can't see it well with what's available.

If the doll is modern, (i.e., from within the past 20-30 years), look for near mint condition, unless you enjoy "TLC" dolls that you restore. Why? Because it's not hard to find modern dolls in perfect condition or nearly so. Why accept one that's anything less when you don't have to?

Ask to see the doll without its clothes. Some dealers will allow you to hold and undress the doll yourself; some will undress the doll and show it to you. Some will refuse. This is a reasonable request, and my advice is to politely move on if a dealer says no to it. An exception is in the case of an old, fragile doll or one with clothing so elaborate that removing it will be a major ordeal. In these situations, the dealer should be able to inform you about the condition underneath the clothing and guarantee that there will be no surprises should you buy the doll.

Carefully examine the doll's head. In the case of antique bisque head dolls, most of the doll's value is in the head. Cracks, chips, and areas of missing or flaking paint all detract from a doll's value. Is the wig original to the doll? Antique dolls had either mohair or human hair wigs, and their original wigs will not look factory fresh (speaking of wigs, dealers should not be surprised if you ask to look underneath the wig to check the head for damage). If the doll has sleep eyes, gently tilt the head back to see if they work. Look into the eyes to check for cracks, scratches, and other damage. If the eyes are cloudy, it's possible they are covered with a waxy mold that has grown over them from inside the doll's body. Yes, ewwww!

Look over the doll's body. Are there any broken or chipped areas? Marks? Do the arms and legs move as they should? Are the fingers intact? Do all the parts look original to the doll? Older dolls frequently have replaced body parts or repairs to existing ones. The older the doll, the more likely this will be, but the doll should be priced accordingly. You can suspect a replaced part or repair whenever the doll's flesh color doesn't match perfectly.

If the doll is from the 1950s and hard plastic, hold it up to your nose. You may detect an odor similar to sour milk. If so, the urea in the doll's plastic is breaking down and causing an odor that can turn into an overpowering stench of vomit. This is almost impossible to eliminate once it gets started. Pass on dolls that have a whiff of this unless your nose doesn't care. It's also wise to smell cloth dolls or ones with cloth bodies to check for mold.

Carefully examine the clothing. Are there any stains or tears? Any missing buttons? Is the clothing original to the doll? Does it have a manufacturer's tag? Is the doll wearing shoes and undergarments that are original to the ensemble? Is the outfit complete? You can always ask if you don't know these answers, though some dealers may not answer you honestly. In the case of antique dolls, all original dolls can still be found but collectors have to look hard for them, and they will pay accordingly. Most antique dolls have been redressed. Personally I prefer to see these old beauties in antique clothes from their time period or at least ones made from antique materials in an appropriate style. Of course, this is a matter of taste, but be aware that clothes do greatly affect value. A beautiful antique outfit complete with shoes and hat can add hundreds of dollars to a doll's value; don't pay top dollar for a doll in an ensemble dripping with polyester lace and wearing shiny new shoes.

So there you have it - my best advice for avoiding getting ripped off when shopping for vintage and antique dolls! These pointers by no means represent all you need to know to avoid paying too much for a doll, but they are a good start for the beginner who can only absorb so much information. If you apply these suggestions and continue to read all you can about your hobby, you should be able to avoid some major disasters. Doll collecting is an expensive hobby, and few of us can afford to throw our money away! Always examine dolls carefully to build a beautiful collection you can enjoy for a lifetime.