Nancy Pyle

Doll collecting is a popular hobby for many young girls. Many of us started collecting when we were children. Our parents saw to that, starting us off at birthdays and Christmas. And why not? Most girls take to their new friends easily. In the days of yesteryear, these dolls were mostly the fancy variety in their pretty dresses, but nowadays they can come in all shapes, sizes, and species. There is a large market for them all. Not that I would ever sell mine.

My parents gave me my first doll one Christmas. It was a pretty, little thing with blond hair and a bonnet on its head. I’m sure many of you remember the type. And there were many more where that came from too. I was doll collecting before I ever knew it. Dolls serve many different purposes in a child’s life. They are trusted companions at bedtime, keeping us safe from all closet monsters. They have wonderful manners at any pretend tea parties we decide to throw in their honor. They are even tight-lipped confidantes, privy to our most private thoughts and secrets. It’s no wonder we get so attached to our doll collection.

When I was growing up, there wasn’t the variety of dolls that you see today. We did have different versions of them, but nothing like this. They still make the handcrafted porcelain dolls, which I am grateful for. Those are the most valued members of my own collection. I even have some that my parents never gave me. I picked up a few antique dolls when I started getting serious about my doll collection in my early twenties.

But veering away form those kinds of dolls, there is also the classic, teddy bear. Some would argue whether this counts or not, and say that it has no place in a doll collection. Personally, I think a nice bear or two fits in perfectly in mine. They have many stuffed animals that I could say the same thing about, actually. It seems that there is no limit to the imagination when it comes to new, creative dolls. They even have the ugly variety these days. That’s not a critique. They are specifically made to be ugly. But I don’t discriminate against them because of it.

Doll collecting is a big market today. Most of the time, I am only interested in adding to my collection and not selling anything off. I love them all too much. But it is good practice to take care of them either way. If you may want to sell them one day, then it will keep the value intact. If you would never dream of parting with them then proper care will ensure that your dolls will be around for you to enjoy for as long as possible. Here are some hints about proper care, which is especially vital if you think you might one day want to sell a piece or two of your doll collecting memorabilia.

Taking good care of your dolls will greatly affect the price that you can get for them. It is a simple process really -

They should be enclosed in a display case.This will help to keep the dust and moisture out. Both of which are the enemy of any doll collecting enthusiast.

Do not put this case in direct sunlight ever.

Make sure your doll collection is stored in a cool, dry place.

Doll collecting is a cherished hobby for tens of thousands of people. Just looking at them may remind them of their care-free childhoods, as it does for me. You have to love the simple time in our lives that is our youth, and anything that brings us back to that, if even for a moment. No matter what you have in your own doll collection – elephants, teddy bears, babies, or girls, enjoy them all. That is the main point. But don’t forget to take good care of them along the way either. If you take care of your doll collection it will  give you many years of happiness, as mine has for me.