Popular Antique Dolls
It is common for people who collect antique dolls and other toys to look for the best quality and absolute genuine articles. They want the best appearance for their money and do not mind paying what it takes to have the real thing.
People collect dolls of every kind, from the early Victorian era to the one and only Barbie. They may be bought for collection, religious or traditional reasons. Often a mother will pass her favorite doll down through generations of daughters, hoping that it will mean as much to them all as it did to her.
They can be found in all sizes, shapes, colors and prices. They might be made out of rags, rubber, porcelain or plastic. They might have long hair or they might have short hair, blue eyes or green, dark skin or light. The amount of differences is not easily counted.
The most highly sought after antique doll today would be the Victorian era porcelain doll. They are all fitted with the most beautiful clothing, custom made to that time period, and unique facial patterns that are not seen on dolls made today. They can be expensive but the genuine article is priceless to collectors.
The authenticity and the age of the doll will be revealed by the body and any markings that the manufacturer has added. A doll that is from the Victorian age will have a marking on the back of the neck. A doll book will help deduce what the symbols and markings mean. Those who produce copies of these dolls are aware of these markings and will reproduce them but the marking is not the only indication a collector will look for to determine if it is genuine.
There are usually signs of wear on the body of older dolls that collectors will recognize upon inspection. A doll book will give suggestions on other things to look for on the body that newer collectors may not recognize until they have a little more experience knowing what they are looking for.
Invest in a good book that will go in-depth on the subject to make it easier to test for authenticity. It will give suggestions on styles, materials of production, fabrics used and other characteristics that make an antique doll unique. There are some that were marked with the name of the manufacturer and the date of production. Since this is very rare, a book is the best aid until experience eliminates the need for it.
Below is Popular antique dolls on eBay. Popular doll shown by watchcount, indicating number of interested person or users watching this particular dolls. Use search box below to find doll you like.