Antique Paper Dolls
When most people think about antique dolls, they think about china dolls, porcelain dolls and dolls that you can touch and move. Most people do not consider paper dolls as a type of antique dolls but although they are more rare then traditional antique dolls, they do exist and have a following of collectors.
As with any kind of antique dolls that you may be interested in starting a collection of, condition is very important with antique paper dolls. Because of the damaging affects that age, elements and time have on paper; it can be very hard to find these types of dolls that are in good shape.
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 ANTIQUE GERMAN BISQUE HEAD CLOWN MECHANICAL SQUEAK TOY  US $172.26
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 Antique French Eden Bebe Doll US $515.99
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 Anitque Paper Mache Doll with Blonde Hair US $49.95
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 COLLECTABLE AUSSIE DOLL MAGAZINE WINTER Worldwide POST US $2.95
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 Antique Composition Boy Dollclothes cry boxnice US $15.99
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 SOLID CORK PATE 4 ANTIQUE FRENCH DOLL BRU FG JUMEAU US $25.00
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A lot of what you can find depends upon how the paper dolls were stored and what quality of paper and ink they were originally made with. The antique books of paper dolls that have the cut out dolls and accessories can represent specific eras, and also celebrities.
One of the most popular and valuable paper doll collections are of famous personalities such as Marilyn Monroe. Antique paper dolls such as that can go for a lot of money at auctions, and hold a lot of value as long as they are in good condition.
Some of the first paper dolls were made in Germany and did not start production in the United States until the 1920’s. Flat sheets were used that were usually heavier stock than regular paper and made of more sturdy material.
The antique paper dolls were usually created for children to play with, unlike most regular antique dolls that were made for collecting and showcasing.
For that reason, it is more difficult to find antique paper dolls in as good as condition as other types of dolls. It is possible however, to track down and find mint condition paper dolls that are still all intact in their packaging and book.
If you can find ones that have weathered well and are not damaged extensively, you can expect to pay a high price for them, but they will also hold a lot of value and make excellent additions to your doll collections.
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ANTIQUE GERMAN BISQUE HEAD CLOWN MECHANICAL SQUEAK TOY | |
12 Bids | US $172.26 | 52m |
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Antique French Eden Bebe Doll | |
11 Bids | US $515.99 | 1h 1m |
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Anitque Paper Mache Doll with Blonde Hair | |
1 Bid | US $49.95 | 1h 24m |
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COLLECTABLE AUSSIE DOLL MAGAZINE WINTER Worldwide POST | |
0 Bid | US $2.95 | 9h 28m |
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SLIP AND BLOOMER SET TO FIT SEELEYS FB12 | |
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US $13.95 | 14h 6m |
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ARTICLE PICSINFO RARE ADVERTISING LENCI DOLLS | |
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US $9.95 | 15h 56m |
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1840s Vintage Paper Mache Doll | |
0 Bid | US $1,000.00 | 16h 1m |
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Antique Composition Boy Dollclothes cry boxnice | |
0 Bid | US $15.99 | 17h 12m |
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Turtle Mark 11 Celluloid Doll Germany | |
0 Bid | US $9.99 | 17h 37m |
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ARMAND MARSEILLE OLD DOLL FOR PARTS REPAIR BEAUTY | |
2 Bids | US $31.00 | 19h 3m |
If you can come across and find complete sets of paper dolls that still have all of the clothing cutouts, accessories and dolls, you can have a very valuable piece of a collection.
Even if there is some wear and tear on the book or packaging of the set, if the pieces are all intact and not ripped or torn around the cutout edges, you can expect it to still hold value. Going to auctions, trade shows and flea markets can be excellent ways to find paper doll collections.
