Doll collecting is a popular hobby amongst both old and young. The types of these endearing toys one can collect are many, some prefer those made from china or plastic, while others are drawn to the heart-warming appeal of soft dolls, stuffed and made with cloth such as the iconic Raggedy Ann and Andy. Collectors should be aware of factors that influence the price of these playthings and they should also know how to properly care for and preserve them.
The time period the doll dates from can impact its market price, but not necessarily, the doll's condition and the artist who created it all also count. As a rule, antique and collectible dolls attract higher prices, but newer ones can sometimes cost even more. The educated buyer will be familiar with details which are indicative of quality such as clothing, stitching, hairstyle, and features.
Things like being played with and simply aging can cause a doll to develop a crack, hole, or worn-out spot, but in most instances such minor flaws can be fixed by someone who specializes in toy restoration. Valuable dolls with signs of wear or damage can often be bought for a great, low price and then restored to their former glory.
The popularity of a specific doll is another key factor that influences its worth. Those who wish to purchase for resale need to do their research and consult books which indicate typical prices, however it should be understood that these are normally for mint condition dolls, therefore a lower price can be anticipated for those with signs of wear or minor damage.
Cloth dolls can be both cherished collectibles in an adult's collection or the loveable pal of a child. Whatever role they play, it will eventually be a good idea to clean them. This must be done cautiously however, to avoid ruining the doll's appearance. Proper cleaning can help freshen up the doll's looks and preserve its condition.
Prior to cleaning, it's advisable to try to determine what materials the doll has been made from. Labels, if they are still intact will normally provide this information, but if these are gone some cautious investigation be needed to reveal the most suitable cleaning approach. Taking a damp cloth and lightly dabbing the doll's back will help determine if the fabric's dyes are prone to bleeding, if they do water cannot safely be used on the doll.
If the doll's exterior proves to be washable, the stuffing will need to first be removed unless it happens to be polyester. The outside of the doll's body can be washed with a mild baby shampoo or fine washables detergent, thoroughly rinsed to remove all residue, wrung out, and then hung on a drying rack. Once fully dried, the doll's stuffing can be replaced and the seam where it was taken out can then be neatly stitched back up.
It's even safe to machine wash a doll in the gentle cycle with hot water and ordinary laundry detergent as long as it's in decent shape and is made from cotton fabric with polyester stuffing and acrylic yarn hair. Drying in the clothes dryer on low heat is also acceptable if there are no plastic parts on the doll, but line-drying is better.
The time period the doll dates from can impact its market price, but not necessarily, the doll's condition and the artist who created it all also count. As a rule, antique and collectible dolls attract higher prices, but newer ones can sometimes cost even more. The educated buyer will be familiar with details which are indicative of quality such as clothing, stitching, hairstyle, and features.
Things like being played with and simply aging can cause a doll to develop a crack, hole, or worn-out spot, but in most instances such minor flaws can be fixed by someone who specializes in toy restoration. Valuable dolls with signs of wear or damage can often be bought for a great, low price and then restored to their former glory.
The popularity of a specific doll is another key factor that influences its worth. Those who wish to purchase for resale need to do their research and consult books which indicate typical prices, however it should be understood that these are normally for mint condition dolls, therefore a lower price can be anticipated for those with signs of wear or minor damage.
Cloth dolls can be both cherished collectibles in an adult's collection or the loveable pal of a child. Whatever role they play, it will eventually be a good idea to clean them. This must be done cautiously however, to avoid ruining the doll's appearance. Proper cleaning can help freshen up the doll's looks and preserve its condition.
Prior to cleaning, it's advisable to try to determine what materials the doll has been made from. Labels, if they are still intact will normally provide this information, but if these are gone some cautious investigation be needed to reveal the most suitable cleaning approach. Taking a damp cloth and lightly dabbing the doll's back will help determine if the fabric's dyes are prone to bleeding, if they do water cannot safely be used on the doll.
If the doll's exterior proves to be washable, the stuffing will need to first be removed unless it happens to be polyester. The outside of the doll's body can be washed with a mild baby shampoo or fine washables detergent, thoroughly rinsed to remove all residue, wrung out, and then hung on a drying rack. Once fully dried, the doll's stuffing can be replaced and the seam where it was taken out can then be neatly stitched back up.
It's even safe to machine wash a doll in the gentle cycle with hot water and ordinary laundry detergent as long as it's in decent shape and is made from cotton fabric with polyester stuffing and acrylic yarn hair. Drying in the clothes dryer on low heat is also acceptable if there are no plastic parts on the doll, but line-drying is better.
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