Doll Collecting - How to Identify Your Vintage Doll
Do you have vintage dolls from your childhood that you would like to identify? Have you found a doll at a yard sale or thrift store, and would like to know more about her? Some dolls can be identified by their makers mark. Others are more difficult to identify; not all dolls were marked, and some companies sold their molds to other doll manufacturers, creating a host of "look-alikes."
Marked Dolls
Many of the well-known doll manufacturers marked their dolls, so the first thing to do is look for markings. Most markings are on the back of the dolls neck, right underneath the hairline, or on the dolls back. However, some dolls may have marking on the inside of their arms or the soles of their feet.
If the doll has her original clothing, that should be checked for identifying marks, too. Many doll manufacturers sewed tags into their dolls clothing, stating who the doll was or what company made her. Other dolls clothing had the dolls name embroidered or silk-screened directly onto the fabric, such as some Madame Alexander Maggie and Cosmopolitan Miss Ginger outfits.
Even once you find a dolls markings or a tag in her clothing, you may need to research the marking before you can find out anything about the doll. For example, many American Character dolls were marked simply "A.C." If you dont know much about dolls, you may not know what that means. And even if a doll is marked more legibly -- i.e. Madame Alexander dolls were frequently marked "Alexander" or "Mme. Alexander" -- you will still need to do some research before you know which doll it was.
Unmarked Dolls
Unfortunately, many vintage dolls were not marked. Identifying these dolls require a little more work to identify them.
Research the doll. There are many doll reference books on the market, many of which provide detailed color photographs and descriptions of the different dolls. Search every one of these books you can get your hands on, comparing your doll to the pictures and descriptions.
Use online resources. You can also research your doll online, as there is a host of websites that can help you identify your doll. Many collectors who are passionate about their hobby have set up sites about vintage dolls and collecting. In addition, eBay provides an excellent resource, where you can view pictures of dolls as well as their prices at auction.
Ask an expert. If youve searched and searched and just cant identify your doll, it might be time to ask an expert. You can take your doll to a doll hospital or store and ask if they know what it is. Doll shows and sales can be a valuable resource, as youll find many people there who know and are passionate about all kinds of dolls. You can also have the doll appraised, and hope that the appraiser can tell you something about your doll.
Persistence Pays Off!
If you are trying to identify a doll, there are many resources available to you. No matter what your doll is, there is sure to be someone who knows something about her. Be creative and persistent, and your efforts will pay off!
Katharine Swan is a longtime doll collector and enthusiast. Also a freelance writer, she has written many articles on collecting and repairing vintage dolls. Her ebook, How to Restring a Strung Doll, can be purchased for only $2.99 at http://dollstringing.katharineswan.com
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