When shopping for dolls online, you may come across a variety of doll conditions. There is no unified system of doll conditions agreed on by all collectors, dealers and web sites where dolls are sold, although there are many definitions in general use. Here, you can explore what many of those doll condition really mean--doll conditions greatly affect value. Somee types of dolls, such as Barbie, may even have their own system of grading.
1. Factory Fresh
A Factory Fresh doll is one that appears just as she was the day she left the factory. The doll has all of her original clothing which is crispy mint, her original tag or tags, her hair is in it original set. There are absolutely no flaws. If the doll is an antique, she looks as she did when Madame Jumeau finished costuming her. If she is a modern doll, she also comes with any original packaging and/or box.2. Mint
Mint is perfect--the doll should also have her original clothing, original packaging if modern, original hair set, and no scratches or other damage to the doll herself. Nothing should be replaced or restored on a mint doll. A Mint doll may not, perhaps, have all her original tags, or be quite as crispy, brand-new looking as a factory fresh doll, but a Mint doll is otherwise the top-of-the-heap condition wise.3. Near Mint
Near Mint is a difficult term; either a doll is mint or she isn't! But, I think Near Mint can fairly be used in situations where the doll is perfefct with one minor flaw. For instance, a doll that is mint but with a small crease or two on the back of the clothes, or an antique doll with a small scratch on the orignal surface of her composition body can be described as Near Mint.4. Excellent
An Excellent doll may not have the perfection of a mint doll, but it is still a doll in fantastic condition, with no major flaws. A doll in Excellent condition will still display beautifully, and she should not show wear from play.5. Good
A Good doll has flaws. She may have visibly been played with. She may have some wear. Perhaps somem minor crazing on a compositon doll, or a bit of fading on a vinyl doll. Perhaps a piece or two of original clothing or accessory is missing on a modern doll. However, a Good doll will still display well in a cabinet without any work needing to be done to the doll.6. Fair
A Fair doll generally needs a little work before display. Also, a Fair doll can have large flaws. The original outfit might be missing from the doll The doll may need a good cleaning. The doll definitely has been played with. A Fair doll is nonetheless a salvageable doll, which eventually with love and care can be displayed.7. Poor
A Poor doll has seen a hard life. She may have been dragged through the mud by her loving owner--and still look like it. She most likely doesn't have her original clothing or even any clothing fromd the appropriate time period. Her hair may have been cut at some point. A Poor doll is salvageable for your collection--but only barely, and she'll never probably ever even look as good as even a, well, Good condition doll. Not all poor dolls are useless; a poor Barbie doll lacking face paint and with bad hair can be transformed.8. Parts-Only
These are the dolls that the dog ate. Or which got caught in the vaccum. Or that a loving brother took apart for science experiments. Dolls which are parts-only generally are missing something important--like a limb, or eyes. Ususally these dolls are good for. well, doll parts. Parts-Only dolls are great for doll restoration artists--they can use them for spare parts, or to practice their craft. .9. NRFB, MOC, MIP and Similar terms
Besides various doll conditions, you may also see descriptors which tell you something about the doll's original packaging. Some of these phrases are as follows:
NRFB: Never Removed From Box
MOC: Mint On Card
MIP: Mint In Package
MIB: Mint in Box (mint doll, mint box, but doll was at sometime removed from the original box)
