Collecting Antique Baby Dolls

The word authentic is often connected to expensive, but this is a misconception. True if you collect antique baby dolls, these could be pricey. Well, it depends on the kind of doll that you want. There are some antique baby dolls that can be bought for only a few hundreds of dollars.

If you're lucky, you may even get these for less. Here is a list of some antique baby dolls that can be obtained by antique baby dolls collectors on a tight budget. These are great dolls with good quality and good history behind them.

One example is the Armand Marseille. These are antique German dolls that is said to be one of the best antique baby dolls on the market today. They are extremely common which some collectors believe make it a non-rarity but there are still other collectors who go for these kinds of antique baby dolls.

Just with all the manufacturers of authentic German dolls, there are Armand Marseille dolls that have been restored. Collectors who buy antique baby dolls specifically the Armand Marseille make sure that the dolls they get have authentic parts. These are pricey though but there are Armand Marseille dolls that can be purchased below $500.

Another popular antique baby dolls for collectors are the Kestner Shoulderhead Dolls. These are well loved and popular German made bisque dolls. The rarer the Kestner Shoulderhead Doll is, the more expensive it is.

If the collector of antique baby dolls are on a budget, there is still another option for them. They can look for the lovely shoulderheaded versions and buy these instead. Though the classic trademark of the Kestner Shoulderhead Dolls have their mouths open. The less pricey antique baby dolls of this kind have their mouths closed.

Collectors also pay close attention to the features, painting, and the material of the Kestner Shoulderhead Dolls. These should be made of bisque which make it really authentic.

The third most popular antique baby dolls for collectors are the antique dollhouse dolls. These are made from papier mache, wax, wood, bisque, and china. They are small and the models of the bisque dolls vary.

The best thing about this doll is that a lot of collectors do their best to get their hands on these kinds of antique baby dolls therefore they are vastly produced. They are also cheaper compared to the other dolls because these can be bought for $200 to $300.

The German toddler dolls were manufactured in the 1900s and were originally display dolls. Nowadays, these are considered to be antique baby dolls for collectors. They usually come with a rocking chair or an old cradle.

Discover where to buy cheap antique baby dolls online. Learn more about antique porcelain dolls at my site.

Posted under: Creating a Reborn Baby Saturday, October 2nd, 2010

Why Antique Dolls are Popular Collectible Items

Antique Dolls are popular collectible items. They were a majority of liking of little girls and children. In olden days, children often played with these dolls by dressing and redressing them. The antique dolls have sometimes bodies worn out that are patched or re-patched. Antique dolls have to be handled with care and some of them can become really cute toys for kids who are still interested in playing with dolls.

It is difficult to purchase antique dolls over the internet. The modern dolls like the Barbie collection are easily available that are painted in a standard way, with standard manufactured clothing. Where as the antique dolls are unique with respect to their clothing and looks. Thus, it becomes necessary to have a personal look on the dolls before purchasing them. If you are a novice in case of antique dolls, then you must follow certain tips as follows;

The first thing that strikes the mind while starting to collect antique dolls is its condition. It is obvious that the body of the dolls can be worn out, with some patching work done. Replacement of body parts such as the eyes, wigs and other parts can be expensive and finding the appropriate clothing. Reproduction of clothes and shoes are widely available if an undressed doll is purchased. It is just that it is cheaper than the others are. For this, study of antique dolls in necessary, to properly shop for its accessories. Antique Doll Collector is a good magazine that has all the concerned details regarding the dolls and their dealers.

The prices for antique dolls have a good range, i.e. it can be purchased by anyone as the prices are equal to or less than current artist made dolls. Many of the German made dolls are in the range of $200 to $500.

While selecting antique dolls one should be careful of the hairline cracks and other imperfections. They can tend to increase in magnitude as days pass. It should be considered mainly if you have an expectation of re-selling it. However, minute damages are not visible when the dolls are at display. Therefore, before purchasing them a thorough scrutiny should follow.

Clothing, shoes and accessories are another section to concentrate. Try purchasing an original doll with its garments, shoes, hats and other stuffs. It can be expensive to look out for each accessory individually and it should suit the looks of the doll.

The inspection should cover all these tips along with some other important aspects such as
* Make use of lights and torch to inspect any cracks or damage. If possible, remove the wig and the pate and have a look at the head properly. Any dark patches may indicate restoration work, so avoid those dolls.
* Inspect the eyes if they have been reset. It should match the overall structure of the doll.
* See the integrity of the costumes, check for any moth holes on the fabric of the cloth.
* An important consideration for the overall value of the doll is, whether it has an appropriate body. The dealers very often keep changing the body parts to attract customers depending on their likings. So look out for it before buying the antique doll.
* Finally, just try to glance the overall doll and determine what its overall impression is. It can be considered by keeping the price tag in mind.

Muna wa Wanjiru Has Been Researching and Reporting on Antiques for Years. For More Information on Antique Dolls, Visit His Site at Antique Dolls

Posted under: Creating a Reborn Baby Saturday, October 2nd, 2010