One of the things that fascinates me about doll collecting is the interplay between doll-loving and doll-collecting. What I mean is that most people who collect dolls today first started out as doll lovers. On the other hand, we could say that those who are doll lovers today will probably be the doll collectors of tomorrow. A love of dolls will naturally encourage a love of collecting them, and those who collect dolls will deepen in their appreciation and love for them.



When it comes to doll collecting many people think of porcelain collectible dolls. These dolls are usually quite delicate (not the thing for children) and very beautiful. And they hearken back to a bygone era, a time when sophistication and refinement were highly valued. As well, miniature porcelain doll kits are valued -- not only by collectors, but also those who make clothing and accessories for their dolls.

You can see this also at work among those who collect doll houses. What are the doll houses that are most highly valued -- the most collectible? They are the doll houses that are in an older style -- perhaps a Victorian house with a big wrap around porch. Again there is that nostalgia thing going on. It's interesting that even folks designing a dollhouse on their computer at home will choose a dollhouse design that represents a building from the past. After all, how many doll houses have you seen that resemble a modern skyscraper, or split-level ranch house in the suburbs?

Another interesting area of doll collecting is the collecting of Amish doll furniture. Amish doll furniture is highly collectible due to its high quality -- being manufactured by authentic Amish craftsmen. Amish doll furniture is renowned for its high quality and attention to detail. There is nothing about Amish doll furniture that looks mass-produced, that's for sure.

And when it comes to collectible dolls, who hasn't heard of Franklin mint dolls. Who hasn't seen an advertisement on TV or in a magazine for one of these dolls -- a TV personality like Lucille Ball or Princess Diana? And, just like their advertisements say, these dolls are almost certainly going to rise in value. If you have an opportunity to pick up a Franklin mint doll in good condition at a very good price, you should jump at the chance.

And when it comes to nostalgia, many ladies today are trying to recapture their childhood by collecting Betsy McCall dolls. These dolls were first publicized in McCall's Magazine in the early 50s -- and they are highly sought after today -- not only the dolls but also Betsy McCall dolls accessories as well.

I wanted to take a moment to tell you about the American Girl Company. They are making a line of doll clothes that perfectly match outfits (which they also make available) for little girls to wear. Little girls seem to love this concept, as it allows them to dress their dial-up to look just like themselves -- sort of like having a little sister with you at all times. And while I'm talking about the little kids, we shouldn't forget other areas of collecting such as Bratz dolls, my little pony and similar products. These will, no doubt prove to be quite collectible in the future -- so make an effort to include them in your doll collection while they are inexpensive to purchase.

Perhaps no better example of the desire to go back to an earlier era can be found then in the area of primitive doll collecting. These are very humble-looking dolls, just the same in appearance as dolls seen on the American frontier a century and a half ago. They do not make use of the fancy fabrics or elaborate accessories that accompany modern dolls (like Barbie dolls or Bratz dolls), yet they are in such great demand that often times they are difficult to find.

So whatever your interests you are sure to find an area of doll collecting which will interest you. And here's an extra bonus -- years from now, when you're old and gray, you can sit down with that special young girl in your life and explain to them what it is all about. Who knows -- they too made be a future doll collector...