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Snoop around the house of a doll collector, and, somewhere, you will find piles of books.  Books about dolls, books on doll identification, and books on doll valuation.  Sometimes, for the crafts-oriented doll person, you will even find books on creating dolls and doll clothing.  Doll books are nearly as essential for doll collectors as are the dolls are themselves, since a collector needs to be educated in order to learn where to find dolls and how to price them--this is especially true of dolls that must be purchased from the secondary market.

In 2001, a large number of doll books were released.  Some of these books, including books on Darci, R. John Wright, Terri Lee and Nippon dolls, are books on topics that have never had an entire book devoted to them previously!  Here, you will find reviews of some of these books, as well as a list to most of the doll books that were released in 2001. 

Darci, Cover Girl:  Identification and Price Guide
By Grace L. Simms 

OK, I'll admit it--I just don't "get" Darci.  I look at her like many of the doll collectors in their 50s and 60s look at vintage Barbie collectors--with the "hey, is that REALLY a doll people collect" attitude.

Which, of course, is ridiculous, since Darci has come into her own as a collectible as people who played with her as a child are starting to collect her!  Darci was produced from only 1979 to 1981, but this comprehensive book looking at the world of Darci (and friends) is 112 pages long!  The author, Grace Simms, is a long-time Darci and fashion doll collector who played with Darci as a child, and who had the first comprehensive Darci site on the Internet.  

The book is a must-have for fashion doll collectors and collectors of 70s/80s dolls.  There are many photos of dolls, clothing, accessories, and advertising memorabilia.  The price chart in the back of the book is handy (mint Darci items start at $5.00 for a mint pair of shoes up to $250 for a NRFB "Red Dazzle" Department Store Special Darci).   Most Darci collectors will be VERY appreciative, and the book is a fabulous education for collectors new to Darci.  The book has a suggested retail of $19.95.

Terri Lee Dolls: Identification and Price Guide
By Peggy Wiedman Casper 

Interest in Terri Lee dolls has skyrocketed in the past few years, and so this new book devoted solely to Terri Lee dolls is a timely addition to doll collectors' libraries.   Terri Lee dolls are real "love them or hate them" dolls because of their unique, pouty faces.  Produced from 1946 through 1957, Terri Lee dolls are especially popular with collectors now in their 50s.  The dolls were first made in composition, and then hard plastic and vinyl.  In 1999, the dolls were reintroduced and are sold through Knickerbocker and Ashton Drake.  

This book covers the entire world of Terri Lee from the first composition dolls through the 2001 reproductions.  The book is very comprehensive, and the amount and quality of the historical material included is outstanding.  The historical materials include old catalogs, advertisements and price lists.  I would have liked to see the current prices of the dolls in a handy chart as in the Darci book, but values are  instead included as part of the descriptions for each doll.  The descriptions are full of interesting information on Terri Lees and their outfits, the photos are well done, and I highly recommend this book to all collectors of mid-20th century dolls.  The book has a suggested retail of $24.95.

Characters of R. John Wright:  An Unauthorized Identification and Price Guide
by Shirley  Bertrand

This hardcover book details the dolls of renowned doll artist R. John Wright.  Its delightful to have a reference in one volume of all the outstanding cloth character dolls that Mr. Wright has produced, and Shirley Bertrand has done an excellent job in amassing information on Mr. Wright and his dolls.  My favorite part of the book is a timeline that shows Mr. Wright's work in chronological order.  However, I was disappointed in the quality of the photos used in the book--some of the colors are a bit muddy, and some of the focus unclear.  Nevertheless, if you collect cloth dolls, or collect the works or R. John Wright, or simply want to know more about Mr. Wright and his dolls, this book would be a wonderful addition to your doll books.  The book has a suggested retail of $29.95. 

Miniature Mannequins:  Identification and Price Guide
By Doris Mixon 

This is not an area of doll collecting that I have lots of knowledge about.  But, as a fashion doll collector, I found the book and the miniature mannequins fascinating.  The book was my first extensive exposure to them.

Doris Nixon, the author, describes the fashion mannequins as such:

"During the depression years, when everything was at a premium, sewing was an essential way of life.  Then, during the World Wars, sewing was a way to help save material that was sorely needed for the war effort.  It was during these bleak times that the display and sewing mannequins became popular items.  These mannequins were used to promote sewing and fashion as well as to conserve space and fabric.  A regular-size adult outfit could use a precious amount of material while a miniature display mannequin would only require maybe 1/2 yard at best.  Children were taught to be self-sufficient and thrifty by using sewing kits....."

Indeed, many of the items in the book are sewing kits made for children that include miniature mannequins.  Vintage mannequin patterns are also included, as is information on some modern doll mannequins.  The photos and information of the fabulous Theatre de la Mode" from the end of WWII is history that every fashion doll collector should know.   The book has a suggested retail of $24.95

4th Fashion Doll Makeovers:  Learn From The Artists
By Jim Faraone 

This is the fourth book in the popular series by doll makeover artist, Jim Faraone.  One of the joys of theses books, even if you aren't a fashion doll makeover artist, is in seeing the creativity of the various artists as they transform well-known dolls.  This edition includes everything from Kelly (Barbie's little sister) as a mermaid, to Gene in authentic kimonos, to (my favorite!) a Barbie made into a stone fountain.   The back "how to" section includes how to make molded hairstyles, beaded hairstyles, flowered hair, fairy wings and gloves. The how-to sections are always very popular with dollmakers and artists, and down the line I would like to see a one-volume book that includes all the how-tos from the series, plus some additional previously unpublished how-tos.  The book has a suggested retail of $22.95.  

Bridal Fashions Victorian Era with Original Illustrations
By Hazel Ulseth & Helen Shannon 

As a dollmaker, all I can say is WHAT an absolutely wonderful book.  This book contains detailed illustrations and information about wedding wardrobes and proper wedding etiquette from the 1880s to 1908.  Advertisements from the Delineator, Ladies Home Journal and other Victorian magazines are also featured.

Historical bridal gowns are always a popular topic for dollmakers and costumers, and this book will help both groups get the details just so.  Over 270 illustrations PLUS a pattern for a doll bridal wardrobe for a 22" doll are included.   This book has a suggested retail price of $19.95.

Part II:  List of Doll Book Releases for 2001

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