Doll Identification: More Help

Other resources for identifying dolls
Online websites do not cover everything, of course, and are only one reference tool to use for identifying dolls.

Identifying dolls
http://collectdolls.about.com/cs/howtos/ht/howtoidentify.htm
http://totallykidsworld.blogspot.com/2006/02/how-to-identify-your-doll.html
Abbreviations & terminology
Composition vs. hard plastic: http://tinyurl.com/3awzs6
Composition, hard plastic, & vinyl: http://tinyurl.com/ydznclk
Dating modern toys: http://bigredtoybox.com/cgi-bin/toynfo.pl?info_datingmodtoys
Describing for resale: http://www.angelfire.com/tx3/dollchat/nenitpicks.html
Identifying doll materials: Glossary
Identifying for resale (eBay guides):

http://tinyurl.com/nk93t

http://tinyurl.com/kesn5
Marks, antique:

http://www.angelfire.com/tx3/dollchat/dollmarks.html/

German: http://www.puppenmarken.de/kopfmarken.htm
Marks, composition: http://www.dollreference.com/composition_doll_marks.html
Marks, hard plastic & vinyl:

http://www.dollreference.com/hard_plastic_doll_marks.html

1950s to 1960s: http://www.goldenrosedolls.com/

Other resources for identifying dolls
You searched the websites, and still can’t find your elusive doll?
Here’s how to find more help:

EBay Dolls Discussion Board
Post a new topic with a photo of your doll on the eBay Dolls Discussion Board. The board has many friendly doll experts who volunteer their knowledge. The board has a thread explaining how to post photos.

Doll Reference Forum Board
Ask the experts at Doll Reference. This resource provides information about more dolls than any other website.

Books
Books and magazine articles are often the most complete and detailed resources for identifying dolls. If the book you need is too expensive or out of print, check your local library. If the library doesn’t have the book you need, ask about its inter-library loan services. See Doll Reference Books.

Online searches
Use a search engine like Google, Bing, or Web Crawler to find:

● Online sellers and eBay auctions that might have the same doll for sale.

● Groups or chat/message boards dedicated to collecting your particular doll.

● Collector websites that I missed. (Send me a comment about it, please? Thanks.)

EBay auctions
Search for both current and completed auctions in the eBay Dolls category.
Tip: If you don’t find the doll at first, try searching current auctions again, and check the box labeled “Search title and description.” Sellers usually include the marking or manufacturer name in the description, but not always in the title.

Check the facts!
Double-check the ID with at least two different sources when possible. Websites, books, eBay auctions, or online sellers’ sites can contain errors. Not all doll sellers are knowledgeable experts, and people do misstate facts or make unintentional mistakes.

Pricing
Condition is everything. Book values are merely a guideline to prices, and usually a book lists values for only mint-condition dolls. Book values are out of date by the time a book is published. To estimate current market values, check completed eBay or other online sellers for dolls in the same condition as yours. Keep in mind that any collectible is only worth what someone is willing to pay; an asking price for an unsold item does not necessarily reflect a current market value.


Know what to call it: Abbreviations & terminology
http://www.collectdolls.about.com/library/weekly/aa030600a.htm
http://www.dmcginley.com/
http://www.dollcastlemagazine.com/glossary.asp
http://www.dollinfo.com/dollese.htm
http://www.hersmine.com/glossary.htm
Barbie abbreviations and terminology: http://tinyurl.com/38gtms
Glossary of doll materials:

http://www.antiquedolls.co.nz/doll_tips_1.htm

http://justaboutdolls.homestead.com/material.html

http://www.sowatzka.com/gary/tips.htm

http://tinyurl.com/nk93t

http://www.welcome.city.yokohama.jp/eng/doll/4000.html

Gofun:

http://www.artjapan.com/TEBIKI-E/6.html

http://tinyurl.com/yjmtzh2

Paratex / rubber: http://www.vintagedollcollector.com/rubber.htm
Selling: http://www.angelfire.com/tx3/dollchat/nenitpicks.html


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