Email Your Guide

Like all the Guides at About.com, I'm a real person. You can email me at collectdolls.guide@about.com with any questions, suggested links, or other suggestions you may have...but first, please take a minute to read my Frequently Asked Questions--your question may already be answered!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Doll Collecting

Q.  Can you help  me identify my doll?  I don't know what it is.

A.  Although I cannot take identification requests via e-mail, collectors will be happy to help you identify your doll in our Doll Forum (bulletin boards).  Place your identification request, with as much information as possible about your doll, in the "Help Me Identify My Doll" folder.  At minimum, tell us the size, material  and age (if known) of the doll, plus any doll markings, costuming, and the type of eyes and hair.  

Q.  Can you tell me what the value of my doll is?

A.  I cannot handle doll appraisals through this site, due to the large amount of mail generated.  Additionally, it is very difficult to do appraisals through e-mail, since for older dolls, variations in condition cannot properly be ascertained without personally inspecting the doll.  I will not be able to respond to any requests for doll appraisals or valuations.

Q.  Then, how can I find out the value of my doll?

A.  There are two articles here that may help you.  The first is How To Identify Your Doll and the second is How To Value Your Doll.  Additionally, there is an online Dolls Price Guide.
You may be able to find the value of your doll by locating your doll in one of the many doll value books that are published, taking into careful account the actual condition of your doll.  If your doll is not common, and you cannot find it in any reference books, your local doll shop may appraise dolls, or, you can bring your doll to a doll show or auction that advertises doll appraisals. 

Q.  The "book value" of my doll is $300, but the highest offer a dealer will give me for the doll is $50--why?

A.  The "book value" of most 20th century dolls is for a doll in mint, unplayed with condition.  For dolls from the 1960s forward, 50% of the value is often subtracted if the original packaging is missing from a doll.  More is subtracted if the doll is dirty, paint has wear or defects, hair is mussed, or if the doll is missing any clothing or accessories. So, it is possible that your doll is not in unplayed with condition.  Additionally, most dealers will only pay a collector 40 to 60% of the "book value" for a mint, unplayed with doll, since dealers are buying your doll for resale.  They cannot give you a "book" price.  Collector to collector deals yield prices closer to "book."

Q.  Why doesn't your site cover "x" doll?

A.  There have been thousands of types of dolls manufactured in the last few hundred years, and I don't know them all (yet!)!  Please e-mail me, and let me know what additional dolls you would like me to cover on the site, or place your request in the Doll Forum.

Q.  How can I get a link for my site on the Collecting Dolls site?

A.  Just send me an e-mail at collectdolls.guide@about.com, with the name and URL of your site (or, your favorite site) clearly identified.  I will visit the site, and, if the site has something wonderful to offer the Doll Collecting community (great information, great graphics, great shopping).   Link requests are adddressed in the order they are received.