Porcelain Collectible Dolls: What Every New Collector Should Know

The art of making doll has been alive since prehistoric or ancient times. Through the ages, dolls have been crafted from a variety of materials including wood, stone, clay, papier mache, wax and fabric. Perhaps the most popular and beloved type of doll is the porcelain doll. Porcelain was introduced in the early 1800s and is made from china or bisque fired at extremely high temperatures. Plastic became a popular material for dolls around the time of World War II. These days, plastic dolls are the most popular in toy stores (thanks to Barbie) while porcelain collectible dolls are sought after by doll collectors of all kinds, from the hobbyist to the investor.

One of the most appealing things about collecting dolls is the incredible variety from which you can choose. Some people prefer a particular style or brand of doll. Others collect many different types of porcelain dolls. You can find dolls designed to look like babies, children, and adults. You can find international dolls and dolls that are designed around a particular theme. There are even dolls modeled after famous celebrities and fictional characters. For example, you can definitely find porcelain dolls modeled after the characters in Gone With the Wind. You may even be able to find quite a few different Scarlett O'Hara porcelain dolls in various styles of dress, as she was quite the fashionista.

You can find new dolls to collect, like those offered from Marie Osmond and Madame Alexander. If you are a fan of the QVC or HSN shopping networks, you may be able to find programming on there devoted to porcelain dolls where each doll is introduced and offered for sale. Maybe you want to collect antique dolls. If so, your method of shopping may be a bit different. Good places to search for antique dolls include antique stores, secondhand shops and the Internet. Ebay is often a treasure trove of collectible dolls from most any time period imaginable.

It is important to keep your porcelain collectible dolls in good condition so they will retain their value or even gain value in the future. Dolls that will not be displayed should be wrapped in acid-free tissue paper and packed away in a box. Store your dolls in a cool, dark location far from heat, light and moisture. For dolls that are on display, make sure they are out of the reach of children and pets. You may want to put your best collectibles in storage when youngsters are around and put out the dolls you don't mind them playing with. For display pieces you want to keep safe and clean, consider a sturdy display case.



Doll Doctor

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