Frequently Asked Questions
Appraisals, Identification & Value
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Please do not email us with questions regarding the age or condition of your doll, because we will not respond.
Can
you identify my doll for me?
Due to the huge volume of emails received, Debra Gulea cannot
offer online appraisal or identification services. However, Debra
is happy to offer an appraisal of your doll if you bring it into
the shop. We also sell doll
books,
which may assist you in your own research. For more information,
please visit our Appraisals page.
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Can you help me decide
if I should buy a doll from someone else?
No. I do not get involved in sales between other parties, and
I will not provide you with a list of doll dealers who I think are
reputable and ones that I suspect are not. I am a NADDA
dealer and I always recommend buying from a NADDA dealer. NADDA
is an elite organization with just 65 members worldwide. Many NADDA
members are considered authorities on antique dolls, and have written
books and articles on dolls. All NADDA members must adhere to a
Code of Ethics. Though membership in NADDA is not a guarantee of
integrity, it is the only organization that admits for membership
only dealers with years of experience in selling antique dolls,
and makes an effort to regulate the business practices of these
dealers. No matter where you buy (online, at a show, or in a doll
shop), you are wise to buy from a NADDA dealer. Enter
here to visit the NADDA web site.
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I just bought a doll
from someone else.
Can you tell me if I paid a fair price?
No. Once again, I do not get involved in sales between other
parties. Though I offer appraisals of antique dolls at the shop,
I will not appraise a doll that you just purchased from another
source. If you are interested in learning about doll prices, you
might find buying a price guide to be helpful. Check out our Books
page for a listing of available titles.
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I just bought a doll
from someone else. Could you look at it & tell me if it's in
good condition?
No. I will not check to see if the doll you purchased from another
source is free of cracks, chips, & repairs. This again goes
under my policy of not getting involved in sales between other parties.
I am looking to buy
a particular antique doll. Can you help me locate it?
Possibly. Please email
Debra with information on the doll you'd like to buy, and you
will be notified if such a doll becomes available for sale through
Debra's Dolls in the future. Please include size, maker, and condition
for the doll you desire.
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How do I learn more
about antique dolls?
There are many ways in which you can enhance your knowledge
of antique dolls. Read as many doll books as you can, attend doll
shows & doll related events, join a doll club affiliated with
UFDC, and check out our Articles pages
for interesting articles on antique dolls. If you have a specific
question regarding an antique doll, email Debra for assistance.
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Should I buy an antique
doll that is damaged, or one that has been restored?
There is nothing wrong with buying a damaged or restored antique
doll. However, the doll should be represented accurately, with all
repairs or restorations noted, and should be priced accordingly.
A bisque doll with a damaged or repaired head is usually worth about
50% less than a perfect example. An eye chip typically reduced the
value 10-15%. Wig pulls, piercing hole flakes, and mold flaws (in
my experience) do not reduce the value of a doll, nor does discreet
touchup repainting on a doll's body. However, a totally repainted
body usually devalues the doll $100.
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How important is
it that the head is original to the body?
Though it is most desirable for an antique doll to retain its
original body, it is totally acceptable for an antique doll head
to be on an appropriate body. In order for the body to be appropriate,
it must be the correct type of body that is typically found with
the head, and of the correct size and era. Some dolls, including
German china head dolls, were frequently sold by the factories as
heads alone. In the case of these heads, an appropriate body would
be a homemade cloth body that is of the right period and size.
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What is original
clothing, and how important is it that a doll has it?
Original clothing does not just mean antique clothing or clothing
from the same period as the doll. Rather, the term means clothing
that was originally worn by that exact doll. The clothing can be
either homemade by the dollís first owner or her family,
or factory made clothing that was sold with the doll. Most antique
dolls do not retain their original clothing. If the doll is no longer
wearing its original clothing, it should be costumed in antique
clothing from the same period during which the doll was manufactured.
Because antique dolls that retain their original clothes and shoes
are rare, they typically command 50% or more in price. A doll that
is in new clothing is not as valuable as one wearing antique or
original clothing. All of the dolls sold by Debra's Dolls wear antique
or original clothing. If you have an antique doll that is not appropriately
dressed, we have many antique doll dresses, shoes, and clothing
accessories currently available for sale. Visit our Dresses
& Shoes page, or go to Hats &
Accessories.
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How do you determine
the value of an antique doll?
There are many factors that help to assess the value of an antique
doll, including type, rarity, condition, and originality. The visual
appeal of a doll also can add to its value. There are many price
guides on the market, and these are helpful in determining a typical
value range. However, these books should be viewed as guides only,
because prices of dolls vary greatly.
To find out about available
price guides, go to our Books page.
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Do you appraise antique
dolls?
Yes, Debra's Dolls has been offering doll appraisal services since
1995. Debra Gulea is a member of NADDA
, a UFDC judge,
and a columnist who writes about antique dolls and their current
market values for DOLLS
Magazine (through 2005). Doll appraisals can be done in your
home or at the shop. For more information, visit or our Doll
Appraisals Page. Please note that, due to the volume of requests
received on a daily basis, and because all dolls must be examined
in person to accurately access condition and value, Debra's Dolls
does not offer on-line appraisal services.
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Will my doll go up
in value?
Antique dolls will go up in value over time if they are well
maintained. Prices for antique dolls have steadily risen during
the last 50 years. Some dolls have gone up astronomically in value,
whereas others have increased at a slower rate. It is impossible
to predict how much any given doll will be worth in the future.
Vintage dolls and new dolls produced by well-established doll firms
are also considered by many to be solid investments.
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Should I have my
dolls insured?
It is always a good
idea to insure your doll collection. Affordable doll insurance is
available to members of UFDC.
If your insurance company requires a written appraisal prior to
insuring your dolls, please visit our Doll
Appraisals Page for information on having your doll appraised
by Debra Gulea.
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Please do not email us with questions regarding the age or condition of your doll, because we will not respond.
Still have a question?
Email Debra.
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