I Hunt Trolls! Hobby or Addiction?

I just love the Dam things! Before you start ranting about my language, I mean they are really Dam Trolls! And I bet you had a different kind of troll in mind didn't you? I really don't know why anyone would label an internet "pain in the butt" a troll because trolls are so Dam cute! For those of you who do not know, the cute little trolls I hunt, were created by Thomas Dam, back in the 1950's, and is a tiny whimsical doll.

Come on admit it, most of you have had one of these adorable wild haired creatures at some point in your life. Who knew they would become such a collector's craze and a hobby for some of us slightly "hippyish" type people? Thomas Dam carved the first troll out of wood as a toy for his children. Strange to think that an act of neccessity (apparently he was to poor to buy toys) would lead to the Troll craze of the 1960's.

I had them when I was young, but I never became so fascinated with them until I was older. They are so cute, with their little cherub faces and big eyes. Who could resist that shock of long wild hair that shoots straight up from the top? You can find them with hair of any color you can imagine, and some colors you wouldn't even want to imagine!

Folks used to think that if you blew on the troll's hair and made a wish, it would come true. They are even supposed to be good luck. Hey, check a bingo hall and you'll see a whole family of trolls lined up in front of people's bingo cards. But don't touch them, because you might pull back a set of nubs instead of fingers! Folks are very protective with their trolls.

Hunting Trolls for a Hobby:

I go on the hunt for trolls wherever I am. Yard sales and thrift stores are a troll hunter's paradise! When I stumble across a whole box of trolls for 50 cents each, I am as excited as if I have hit the lottery. I even have flea markets and used stores that call me when they get some trolls. My family knows that a new (old) troll is the perfect gift for me, no matter what the occasion.

My trolls have to have clothes on. Many of them were naked with a tiny gem at the belly button. Those are overlooked when I am on a hunt. Most of those are newer knock offs and I am particular about my trolls. I have been known to strip a troll to its nakedness, just to see the markings on its feet before I buy it. I don't care if it is only 50 cents or a buck. I have to see if it is a Dam troll or a Russ troll.

Dam trolls are the most coveted and hard to find, but i do have a few prized ones. Russ trolls were mass marketed by Russ Berrie and Company well after the first Dam trolls appeared and a law suit later questioned trademark infringement, as the dolls were copied from Thomas Dam's trolls. So see, they do have an interesting history, and they are very cute!

My Troll Collection:

I love the many different whimsical dress styles the trolls arrive in. I have trolls dressed up in just about any thing from burlesque to babies! I have a set of wedding trolls, complete with a tiny ring bearer! I have sports trolls, business trolls and just plain cute trolls. I have holiday trolls to match every decorating season in our home.

My office where I write is over run with them, but that doesn't stop me from continually hunting them when I am out. I am obsessed with finding authentic Thomas Dam trolls, and squeal with delight when I find one in a thrift store or flea market. Of course, I don't do it too loudly, there might be another troll hunter scouting out the same area! Russ trolls are easier to come by, so that is what most of mine are. If you find a Dam troll, let me know, I want it!

The craze of troll hunting and collecting goes way back, and there are many blogs and web sites dedicated to troll hunting and collecting. Why we do it is any one's guess, but come on admit it, they are Dam cute aren't they!