Dolls and Dollmaking Supplies Galore!

Through countless years, dolls have been treasured by collectors young and old. Dolls have been created using everything from papier-mâché to metal. One of the factors to consider when selecting the right dolls for your collection then is a matter of picking which type of material is most appealing to you. Of course, you don't need to limit yourself to just one type, you can collect multiple types as you expand your collection! Here's a rundown on the most common types, and some of the specialty dolls:

• Cloth dolls: A collectible doll that is made of cloth. Cloth dolls usually have flat cloth faces with hand-painted features, hair made of yarn, and clothes made by hand. Some of the better known cloth dolls are the Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls.
• Composition dolls: These are usually made of a mixture of sawdust, paper, glue, and plaster of paris. Madame Alexander dolls, one of the more famous line of composition dolls, include Tiny Betty dolls and Little Betty dolls, Betty dolls, Wendy Ann dolls, and Princess Elizabeth dolls.
• Bisque dolls: Made of unglazed tinted porcelain, these collectible dolls feature color added prior to firing in a kiln. German and French examples of bisque dolls are widely sought after because they are usually fired multiple times, giving them a warm, rich color that collectors love.
• Hard plastic dolls: Simply made of flesh-toned painted hard plastic, these dolls became widely popular in the 1940's and 50's. Hard Plastic dolls normally have sharp, well defined features, which is one of the reasons hard plastic dolls are favored by many collectors.
• Metal dolls: Widely made German and US doll-makers beginning in the 1880's, metal dolls may be made entirely of metal, or they may just have a metal head. Metals commonly used include silver, tin, pewter, and brass.
• Papier-Mâché dolls: Made from a mix of torn or shredded paper, glue, and water, papier-mâché dolls are fragile. As a result, finding them in good condition can be difficult, but for the avid doll collector, well worth the hunt.
• Porcelain dolls: Manufactured by firing pure clay, porcelain dolls derive their collectible qualities from the translucence of the porcelain material, giving them a very elegant appearance.
• Vinyl dolls: Modern mass-produced vinyl dolls are made of a soft vinyl plastic, and are relatively inexpensive. They make a great place for the beginning doll collector to get their collection started on a low budget.
• Wood dolls: This special class of dolls date back to primitive times. Wood dolls frequently are carved from basswood, linden, or soft pine. Many of these exist as folk art pieces.
• Barbie dolls: Barbie dolls have been favored by young girls and mature collectors for several generations. They are widely popular with collectors because Barbie dolls have a large variety of themes and designs,which keep them always interesting and fun to have around.
• Madame Alexander dolls: While antique Madame Alexander dolls can be quite pricey, the modern versions offer themes like The Wizard of Oz, storybook characters, and high fashion at prices that are a fraction of the price, making them another good choice for beginning to intermediate collectors.
• Lee Middleton dolls: If you are looking for a line of inexpensive collectible dolls, Lee Middleton “baby dolls” might be just what the doll doctor ordered! These dolls feature fine workmanship and very limited production runs, making them a collectors favorite.
• Adora dolls: Here's another line of “baby dolls” that appeal to both young and mature collectors. Adora dolls come in all races, hair, and eye colors, making them appealing to a broad range of collectors. Adora also has a more limited, expensive line of dolls for serious collectors.
• Robert Tonner dolls: The multiple lines of dolls available in the Robert Tonner series of dolls include the Tyler Wentworth dolls, Kitty Collier dolls, Betsy McCall dolls,and Tiny Betsy McCall dolls. These highly collectible dolls run the gamut from fashionable ladies to cute children to nostalgic reproductions.

Whatever types of dolls you decide to collect, there is no doubt that you will enjoy this unique and quiet pastime, and will have many enjoyable hours searching, fixing and displaying your collection.

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