Have you ever thought that dolls can be collectibles too? Yes, dolls are very famous and renowned among antique collectors and dealers as they can be very valuable.
Whether you are a collector or you have played with dolls, you must know how beautiful they are. This is why they are considered the most adorable collectibles of all time. They usually fall into three categories such as vintage, antique, and modern.
Let’s explore some of the valuable collectible dolls such as as Barbie, Raggedy Ann, Andy, or Cabbage Patch dolls and where you can buy them.
Table of Contents
What Dolls Are Collectibles?
When we use the word antique or vintage, what normally comes to our mind is any item that is hundreds of years old. But this is not always the case, some items that are rare and are even 30-40 years old can be considered antique, if they are no longer in the making.
As far as the dolls are concerned, some of the doll models are exceptionally rare since they were made for a short period and are no longer available in the market.
There are numerous kinds of lovely modern dolls available today. Some are even replicas of vintage dolls. Therefore, to find an antique and collectible doll, you need to know the age of the doll and its manufacturer as well.
So, if you come across where you are sure that the doll is considered antique, then you can add it to your valuable collection of antiques.
How To Identify An Antique Doll?
Similar to the other collectibles and antique items, collectible dolls are also identified by some of their characteristics and features. The more you know about the dolls and their manufacturers, the easier it will be for you to identify them.
Identification of any collectible has always been at the top for the dealers and the collectors as they know its importance.
Here are some of the tips that will help you identify the collectible dolls:
- First of all, know that many of the antique dolls, or you can say most of them, were made to resemble adults. They came with removable clothing. Some brands even offered extra pairs of clothing with these.
- However, some of the dolls looked like children. But the prices of every doll now would depend on its condition, popularity, its age, and the brand that manufactured the doll is also very vital.
- Brands usually help in identifying not only the doll but also the price of an old doll. There are some limited editions of the dolls. So they are rare now; the more limited an edition of a doll by the brand is, the more costly it is.
Brands of the Antique Collectible Dolls
Identifying the brands of the dolls can also be very helpful in identifying them. Here are some of the brands mentioned that manufactured old dolls.
1. German dolly-faced dolls
These dolls were manufactured between 1870 and the 1930s. German Dolly-Faced Dolls were made of bisque and porcelain. These were hand-made dolls that showed no expression on their faces.
It is rare today to find these dolls in good condition. You can find these dolls on Ruby Lane, and they cost around 100 to 200 dollars. But if they are intact and in good condition, then they can be more expensive.
2. Raggedy Ann and Andy Dolls
A very famous and noteworthy name in the doll brands is Raggedy Ann and Andy Dolls. They started to appear in the market in the early 1900s and were also among the first of all dolls that appeared in storybooks.
These dolls had red hair and a simple scarecrow expression on their faces. They were first made in 1915 and are still in production after so many years.
The prices of these dolls also differ according to their condition. The better-conditioned doll will fetch more price than the others.
The very famous Annabelle Doll is also a product of Raggedy Ann and Andy Dolls.
3. French BeBe Dolls
These dolls were designed after the children with porcelain and bisque heads. French BeBe Dolls are the most embellished and decorated dolls.
They came with detailed outfits, shiny velvet, and silks, along with many accessories such as stockings, shoes, hats, purses, and many more. The price of these dolls depends on their rarity, popularity, and condition.
These dolls can be found on Ruby Lane.
4. Mama Dolls
Mama Dolls are among the earliest talking dolls and were first created around 1915. These dolls came with two distinctive features: a speaking mechanism that sounded “MAMA” when the doll was turned on, and the other was a leg joint that made children walk on the doll.
The manufacturing of these dolls caused a spark in the United States and soon became one of the greatest trends of the 1920s.
The price of these dolls also varies depending on the condition and can be found in physical and online antique and vintage stores.
Brands Of Vintage Collectible Dolls
The dolls manufactured between 1930 and the 1980s are considered vintage dolls. The dolls from this period are also considered a great collectible today by many dealers and collectors.
These dolls are very famous among children and vintage lovers. This is because they left a very strong and lasting impact on American culture. Dolls like strawberry shortcake and Barbie are known the most as they have been featured as the lead roles in many movies.
These dolls have been effective in many movies over the past decades, for clothing designs, toys, and as well as in storybooks for children.
Some of the famous brands of vintage old dolls include
1. Strawberry shortcake
These dolls were created in 1979 and exhibited after the American greetings cards. These dolls were unique in their making as they featured different food themes and were given the fragrance that matched the theme.
These dolls expanded and included some of the other dolls as well, such as Huckleberry Pie and Cherry Cuddler. Some of these dolls are now coming back into production, so you need to know which one is antique and which is the modern version of the doll.
Dolls for dollhouses today can be in different price ranges. A used doll can cost around $10, whereas a new doll house can fetch around 1200 dollars on eBay.
2. Barbie
Barbie dolls are very famous among children after their creation. They came into the market in 1959 and soon became a hot commodity for collectors as well as children.
These dolls come with different accessories and have various limited and princess forms. They are a necessity and a must-have for a girl child today.
The plastic Barbie dolls have sisters, careers, and even animals as pets. The prices of these dolls vary depending on the condition and the rarity. However, the original Barbie produced in 1959 is worth 27 450 dollars.
3. Madame Alexander
The very first making of the celebrity dolls is credited to Madame Alexander. These dolls included
- Scarlett O’Hara
- Dale Evans
- Margaret O’Brien
- Shari Lewis
These dolls have very distinctive wide eyes and round faces. They come in a variety of charms and also have a plastic head. The price of these dolls also varies like the other dolls.
4. Chatty Cathy
These dolls featured freckles, short curly hair, blinking eyes, and talked when the mechanism of the sound was pulled. These dolls appeared in 1959 and have a child-like look with a downy dress. Many versions of these dolls were made.
Similar to the other collectibles, the price of these dolls also varies. An unused Chatty Cathy doll with the box would be around 350 to 750 dollars today.
5. Cabbage Patch Kids
These dolls were a major trend in the 1980s. It was due to the reason that they came up with a vast range, and each doll was unique and a hand-made original that came with signed birth certificates. This attracted the attention of the collectors and dealers.
Cabbage Patch Kids dolls had plastic faces and cloth-made bodies. Each of their features was unique and different from the other dolls. Their hair was of yarn. Some of these dolls can even fetch a thousand dollars today.
What Are Porcelain Dolls?
Europe was the first among the others to create porcelain dolls during the second half of the 19th century. They first became a very popular child toy, but later on, they began to be a very valued collectible.
As the name indicates, porcelain dolls are made up of porcelain clay from head to toe. They are known for being very flexible, strong, long-lasting, and beautiful. They are also called the China dolls, which is a substitute term for porcelain.
Today many antique porcelain dolls are in museums and or at trade shows for display. To look for the originality of the dolls, you can make a thorough search on the porcelain doll brands so that you may not end up in any scam.
Here are some of the very valuable porcelain dolls
1. Antique German Doll
It is a lovely antique German doll that features the Civil War era dress from the 1860s. It has a soft body and porcelain legs, head, and hands. This doll costs around 1000 t0 3500 dollars.
2. Duck House Heirloom Porcelain Doll
This is a limited edition from the collection of the Heirloom Doll Series. It comes with the original box and packaging and also the authentication certification. It makes it easier to identify if the doll is original or not.
3. Linda’s Little Ladies Doll
This is a very cute and lovely little doll named Willow by Linda’s Little Ladies Doll. It is a hand-made doll made from the old dolls found in Germany and France. It has glass eyes and a full head covered with natural golden-brown hair.
Golden hair has always been a trademark of the dolls. They make the doll look more pretty, as you can see in Willow.
The most valuable porcelain doll
What do you think can be the cost of the most valuable porcelain doll? Pretty sure you cannot think of a price as high as $300,000.
Yes, it is true; the most expensive doll ever sold was a Bisque doll by Albert Marque in 2014, which was worth 300,000 dollars.
Value guide to the collectible dolls
The value for the collectible, antique, and vintage dolls is the same as it is for the other old items. The price range of the dolls differs from one doll to another depending on the condition, brand, and rarity.
A doll in better condition can fetch more money than a doll with a missing hand or a leg.
Before deciding on the value of the doll, you need to know the time when the doll was manufactured, whether it is a popular item among collectors or not, and in what condition the doll is.
Here is the list of some of the dolls by very famous makers that cost thousands of dollars.
1. Tete Jumeau in Beautiful Silk Ensemble
This is a very pretty French doll in a classic Tete Jumeau look. It is a perfect accessory to display in your room and give it a classic and vintage look. It has wide and bright glass paired eyes and golden hair. The head is covered with a beautiful cap that makes it more attractive.
You can find this doll at Ruby Lane. It is in very good condition with no cracks, hairlines, or chips. This classic item can be a wish of every antique collector. So if you want something classy in your collection, this is the best option for you.
The doll is worth $4300, which shows the rarity and the condition of the doll. It is an expensive doll, but if it falls under your price range and you buy it. You will not regret it at all.
2. Francois Gaultier French Doll
This doll is the epitome of perfection and beauty. This bisque doll has a very refined composition of its body and looks so confident. It will increase the beauty of the area where you will display it.
This girl doll is perfect for your daughter. It looks intelligent and thoughtful, which is a very rare element in the dolls to be depicted with such perfection. Her perfect upright figure gives a sense of encouragement and confidence to the young ones.
The doll’s condition is very good, with no chips, cracks, or hairlines. However, one of the earlobes was rebuilt. The price of the doll is $3975. It is still a bit high, but it’s worth it.
3. Kammer & Reinhardt 115A
This is a very cute precious innocent pouty face doll by Kammer and Reinhardt. This German doll comes with a teddy bear in its hands. It is all dressed up in a pink playsuit.
The condition of this doll is excellent. The head is in perfect condition with no cracks or hairlines. There are no signs of repair or restoration. It is a must-buy for those who are willing to spend a lot on collectibles.
The price of this doll is $2750 on Ruby Lane. So if you want to get this doll, be quick and get your hands on it before it’s gone.
4. Closed-Mouth Antique Tete Jumeau French Doll in Rose Silk Frock
It is a very beautiful classic Tete Jumeau French Doll. Her head is all covered in blond hair with a beautiful lacy hat on her head. The watery blue eyes call for the attention of the collectors.
It also has a hidden hairline which makes the price difference. So think carefully before you intend to buy this piece. But still, it will be a beautiful addition to your collection of antiques. You can also buy this for your daughter; she surely will love this gift.
This doll is free of any cracks, damage, or restoration. The costume of the doll is also in good condition. It is worth $2500.
5. Francois Gaultier FG Scroll in Pink Frock
This doll is dressed all in pink and looks elegant and attractive. It has blonde curled-up hair and a beautiful silk head cover hat, making the doll even more beautiful.
She has an open mouth that makes her look more serious, and you can even see her teeth all bright and shiny. But it sure will bring a huge smile to your face whenever you see it.
The price of this doll is $2350, a bit expensive but worth it.
Where to buy collectible dolls?
The most important question that comes to every collector’s mind is where to buy the required vintage or antique item they are looking for. When you look for the old stuff, the first place you need to visit is an antique and vintage store.
You must be very familiar with your surroundings; if not, then ask some of your friends or acquaintances whether or not they know a place from where you can buy some antique and old collectible dolls.
The first thing you need to do is a thorough search about the item you will find and the physical shops that may have antique dolls in their storage. If not, you are always welcomed to the online stores where you have a large variety of antique dolls by different brands.
Following are some of the places where you can find old dolls online
1. Ruby Lane
It is an online market of collectibles where you can spot a number of vintage and antique stuff being sold at different prices.
As far as the dolls are concerned, they have a wide range of collectible dolls at different prices. The prices depend on the condition, rarity, and popularity. They have both cheap and expensive dolls.
All you need to do is go through their dolls section, scroll and find what attracts you the most. The prices of each doll are mentioned, and the description of it is also given. It makes it easier to decide about your purchase.
2. Ann Marie’s Antique Dolls
This is an amazing place to find dolls of every kind online. It has both the old and new collectible dolls.
Go to the website; it will give you an option about what kind of doll you are looking for. Select your desired option, and then look for the antique doll you want the most. Prices are mentioned with every doll, so it is easier for you to decide according to your budget.
3. Amazon
It is one of the greatest online e-marketplaces where you buy and sell items you want. You can also find old and vintage collectibles here.
It is a very simple process to find your desired product on amazon. Enter the search keywords regarding your query, and it will give you results. Prices are mentioned with every old doll available. This makes it easy for you to decide in your price range what to buy.
4. eBay
The first online antique and vintage marketplace that comes to the mind of every collector is eBay. It deals with a variety of old and vintage items.
If you do not know any other specific place to search for dolls, you can always go to eBay and find antique dolls. It also gives the price with every item, so it is better to look for your budget and then buy.
5. Etsy
This is another online marketplace where there is a huge place for antique and old items. Thousands of items are sold every day.
So, you can look on their website, and you can find collectible dolls easily. All you have to do is go to their website and find those dolls that come under your price range.
Find Your Antique Doll Today
By this point, we hope that you have learned everything you need to know about valuable collectible dolls and places where you can look for these antique items.
If you still have any query left unanswered, free to contact us via email or through your comment.
If you have any suggestions, let us know so that we can serve you better.
![Where To Sell Antique Furniture In 2022 [Ultimate Guide]](https://www.jacquelinestallone.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Etsy-Your-Place-To-Buy-And-Sell-All-Things-Handmade-600x450.jpg)
