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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 Vintage Strawberry Blonde Doll Wig Waves Curls Sz 13  US $9.95
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 Rare Antique Celluloid Strung Doll Oooh Sooo Cute US $9.99
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 Antique 3 1 2 Bendable Cloth Dollhouse Sz Doll US $35.00
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 BEAUTIFUL 13 JAPANESE MALE DOLL W GLASS EYES FR REPAIR US $50.00
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 25 in Wax over Doll wax arms legs Blue Glass Eyes US $103.50
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 Small Whitework Drop Waist Dress 4 ANTIQUE BISQUE DOLL US $19.99
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A lot of what you can find depends upon how the paper dolls were stored and what quality of paper and ink they were originally made with.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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Vintage 50 R DEP German Bisque Composition 11 Doll WOW | |
5 Bids | US $9.00 | 5h 51m |
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Vintage Strawberry Blonde Doll Wig Waves Curls Sz 13 | |
1 Bid | US $9.95 | 6h 24m |
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Rare Antique Celluloid Strung Doll Oooh Sooo Cute | |
0 Bid | US $9.99 | 10h 41m |
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Antique 3 1 2 Bendable Cloth Dollhouse Sz Doll | |
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US $35.00 | 11h 33m |
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Sweetest cloth papier mache baby doll org outfit | |
0 Bid | US $18.00 | 12h 45m |
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How to Dress a Doll c1908 Toy Sewing Patterns REPRO | |
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US $19.95 | 13h 2m |
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BEAUTIFUL 13 JAPANESE MALE DOLL W GLASS EYES FR REPAIR | |
0 Bid | US $50.00 | 13h 2m |
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RARE CHILD SIZE 32 JUMEAU GIRL BISQUE DOLL COMPO WOOD | |
3 Bids | US $730.00 | 13h 41m |
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Exquisite 17 Emile Jumeau Reproduction by Lindolleys | |
0 Bid | US $275.00 | 14h 3m |
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RARE CHILD SIZE 36BOY BISQUE DOLL KAMMER REINHARDT | |
1 Bid | US $699.99 | 14h 50m |
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.
