Dolls can be categorized by era (antique dolls, vintage dolls, modern dolls) or by material (bisque, wood, wax). You will also find themed dolls (celebrity dolls, Alice in Wonderland dolls) as well as dolls sorted by their function (play dolls, collector dolls, utility dolls). Then, there are ways to describe dolls by types such as baby dolls, fashion dolls, or ball-jointed dolls. It can all be a bit overwhelming, especially for the beginner. Yet, if you break down the vast world of dolls, you can begin to see patterns and similarities. Let’s explore the types of dolls available and look at popular examples within each category. For instance, wood dolls are among the oldest with some dating back to the 1500s, though finding any of these made through the 1700s is quite rare. Wax dolls came onto the scene around the end of the 1700s and most you will encounter are truly antique. Fast forward a century to the invention of celluloid in the 1870s, when dolls made from this revolutionary material replaced the easily breakable porcelain dolls. Those were quickly followed by composition dolls, but vinyl dolls along with those made of hard plastic quickly took over the doll market in the 1900s. Yet, for all the dolls that are considered collectible today, bisque and porcelain dolls are among the most common, desired, and varied on the market. Some can be considered true antiques while others are modern creations. If you’re just beginning your collection, understanding the differences between bisque and porcelain will be a worthy endeavor. Doll collectors avidly collect both vintage Barbies (from 1959 through 1972) and modern Barbies (from 1972 through today). Whether you collect either or both, there’s no doubting that Barbie and her family are icons of the doll world. When they were released in 2001, Bratz dolls quickly became the new Barbie among young girls. Though it may be too early to forecast their worth on the collector’s market, they are popular and you might consider adding a few to your collection. Gene Marshall dolls are another larger fashion doll that was released in the 90s. You’ll also want to look for those adorable vinyl babies known as Lee Middleton Dolls. Yet, few dolls to come out of the last few decades can rival the initial popularity and long-term collectibility of the Cabbage Patch Kids. They took the world by storm in the 80s and some of the originals or rarer dolls can be valued quite high. During this time, the market saw the release of many dolls and almost all of these remain collectible today. You might find very large Boudoir Dolls from the 20s through 40s that were designed to sit on their owner’s bed. Also, there are the adorable Shirley Temple dolls which spanned most of the 20th-century. The 1950s saw the release of classic American dolls like the popular Betsy McCall dolls. The 60s ushered in iconic talking dolls such as Chatty Cathy. Effanbee dolls are another that you’ll want to consider. Production on these started in 1912 and the dollmaker has released many popular dolls throughout the century. Look for the early dolls in mint condition as the later dolls are very soft on the market today. Kewpie dolls are talked about frequently and the wide-eyed cuties have been made by many companies throughout the 20th-century. Look for antique and vintage Kewpies as these continue to be strong on the market. Half Dolls are another interesting creation from the early 1900s. These legless dolls were not meant as play toys, but beautiful decor for dressing tables, tea cozies, and the like. Some Half Dolls are very collectible and, depending on the maker, have a very nice value. Antique bisque dolls such as those made by Armand Marseille are very collectible as well and they vary greatly. Yet, if you’re looking for that masterpiece for your collection, seek out the stunning designs of Jumeau Dolls. There are a number of these French fashion dolls and bebes on the market and some can easily top thousands of dollars.
