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Our family tended to buy dolls in the costumes of various countries. Most of the 30 or so I now have are at least 50 years old and do not have manufacturer information. What's the best way to find a good home for them. We don't necessarily want to sell them.
Same question for about 10 story book dolls in original boxes. They have never been undressed or played with other than careful holding.
Thank you.
Any library would love them
You are very kind soul to pass along these dolls and the lovely karma they come with.
I have a few suggestions...do you have a college with international studies (like we do with the University of Pittsburgh? If so, perhaps they would take them for a case display. If you are nearby Pittsburgh, here is a link to the nationality rooms that the school boasts! They are pretty amazing to tour. www.nationalityrooms.pitt.edu/
If not, do you have a children's museum? They also may like them for a display.
If not, do you have a children's hospital or rehab? They may take them for giving to children who do not have a doll to love.
If you had the energy to parse them out by country/nationality, you could contact the local ethnic centers for each nationality or nationality churches (we have tons of these in Pgh) and maybe they would want the one that matches their culture either for display to to use in a raffle or such.
Post back what you decide!!
Wishing you all the best in your quest!!
Sounds like a really nice collection of vintage dolls.
I believe that I would do a little more research before deciding how to best donate these dolls as I feel sure you do not wish to hand them out by only one or two dolls to any single location.
I would like to sell my Vanessa Ricardi dolls. All are NIB. Years 1998-2000. Where is the best place to sell and determine their value? eBay has listings, but not of my dolls.
eBay is still the best place to determine the value of most any doll even if they do not have your particular dolls. Current listings can tell you what a seller is ASKING but sold listings can tell you what someone was really willing to pay and completed listings can tell you what did not sell - at least over the last 30 days. You may have to keep checking but if prices are low (or high) for dolls in your series/years/condition then most likely that will be the close value of yours. Dolls of almost any kind are very slow sellers (an eBay seller may have a doll listed for weeks/months/years) and very difficult/fragile and expensive to ship.
We do not know what dolls you have and general information is too vague so you may have to continue the search with your dolls "in hand".
Here is a site that will give you a little information:
dollreference.com/
eBay current listings for Vanessa Ricardi Dolls:
www.ebay.com/
This is for eBay completed listings:
www.ebay.com/
This site will show you what some of this series actually sold for:
I am not going on the internet but here I am. I have maybe $10 I would like to get rid of anything from a Shirley Temple Madame Alexander and a few others that are porcelain. I'm not real concerned about the value I just wanted to get rid of them and not give them to Goodwill. So if you could contact me the easiest way is celll 314 497 5580
I got a Palitoy 3042 walking talking doll round 50 years old. I am just wondering would anybody know its value?
I have several porcelain dolls for sale. How do I go about selling them?
My mother bought me this doll years back. It is a vintage 16" porcelain Vanessa Doll Collection Series 1995. It is dressed in a red and black coat and skirt. I was wondering how much it could go for now.
I was thinking I could probably sell it for $200.00, but I wanted to know if that is way over or under the price range I should aim for.
I have scoured the internet and I have yet to find 2 exact replicas of this doll. The only other replica I found was taken off of the market and I am wondering if it is because it was worth nothing at all or if it is truly worth a lot.How do I sell porcelain dolls?
If they are mass-produced, sell as a lot on eBay for a good price. Expensive dolls should be sold individually
I have a collection of dolls from around the world. What would be the best way for me to sell them? They range from 15-20 years old.
By Peg R
I would some research on line to determine a price value range. Then you can start with ebay and Amazon. Maybe check with local doll clubs.
Check the markings on the back of the doll. You will have to remove the clothing. If there are no markings, it is probably mass-produced and has little value. If it does have markings, www.dollreference.com is a good place to start your research.
How do I find a good place to sell some Barbie dolls? I have three Marylin Monroe Barbie dolls, Day in the Sun, Hollywood Cast Party, and Publicity Tour. They are still in their cases, they have never been opened. They are also their third, fourth, and fifth series. If anyone has suggestions for selling them please advise. Thank you.
By Jesica A. from Rocklin, CA
The advantages of Craigslist is you get cash and local people only see it. The advantages of eBay is that the world sees it and unless you put a "buy it now" option, bidding wars ensue for things two or more people want. Put Barbies in eBay and you will find thousands, but it will also give you an idea of what they are selling for. I have sold 18 on eBay over the last 12 months, so it's a toss up as to which one I like best.
Sandi
I have sold a lot on ebay, not dolls but Cookie Jars. But honestly if you don't really raise the price to make money out of it, the shipping cost kills you. I have a large collection of Special Edition Barbies and "Gone with Wind" Porcelain Figurines from Bradford Editions. Just not sure what to do. Craigslist is most likely the best option to afford the high shipping costs.
Due to difficult economic times, I am selling off things to bring in some money. I have several collector dolls from places such as Ashton Drake Galleries, Danbury Mint, Franklin Mint, that are closed issues now. Where is the best place to try an sell them? eBay doesn't seem to bring good sales for collector items.
By nvfostermom from Las Vegas, NV
I have a friend who needed to sell her stuff she had the best luck at community flea markets or church sales.
Look on ebay and look at sold only to see what your type of doll has recently sold for. The post the for sale on Craigslist in your area. You might need to keep re-posting every week. Craigslist is free and the best way to sell. Selling on ebay is OK but you take a risk on the price and dolls aren't selling so good right now plus you have the packaging and shipping issue. You might have better luck selling all the dolls together as a 'lot', people seem to really like this. You won't get what you paid, so just decide on an amount and post them. Don't let greed get in the way of cash in hand.
I have a Patty Play Pal doll that is 58 yrs. old I would like to sell it . Can you point me in the right direction?
I have a boxed 20" Ashton Drake Gallery doll with certification of authenticity. It's a real life like doll with baby clothes. I wish to sell it either directly or to a collector,not via eBay or gumtree. Please can you give me some advice? Thank you.
By Lee
Thank you for your post and interest in Ashton-Drake dolls. Unfortunately, we no longer have a secondary market for retired dolls. You may want to check eBay or visit an antique/doll shop to get a value for your ballerina doll. Good luck! Thank you, Chris
I have a doll, Emily, of American Girl, Mary Kay collection. She is 18 inches, she is #4 of 50, from 1993.
She is in her original outfit and in like new condition, no box.
By Linda
I have a least 10 collectible dolls for sale. I'm Melbourne Florida. I need to know the value. They are 10 to 15 years old.
By Debra Carree from Melbourne, FL
Check out answers on Thrifty site. Go to the top right of your screen and put porcelain dolls in search area... lots of information.
I am trying to sell four dolls. Their names are: Brook D-24, Victoria Ashlea, Megan #46026, and Kristal # 0099 1200. Any suggestions?
By Luther
Google their worth. Then, see what people are selling them for on eBay, then decide if you want to take the hit on money whether you sell them or not. Try Craigslist but be prepared for spammers who just want you to link to their sites and make money.
Sometimes a consignment shop is best. They pay for the advertisement, keep some and you get the rest. Your items are insured, and you can always take a photo of them and post it on facebook... thus giving them a shout out. Good for everyone. And finally, if you have facebook friends who love dolls, announce their sales on there. Good luck!!
How can you find someone to buy collectable dolls?
By JMB
Hi - this question is asked almost every week and the answer is almost always the same. eBay is the biggest site for selling things like this. Do your research at eBay and Google. You will most likely be disappointed with the price they are selling - if they sell at all.
I have a large collection of ceramic dolls from the 20s and 30s to sell. How do I find buyers?
By Shy
Hi - you will have to go to eBay (takes lots of photos) or Craigslist. You need to check out each doll on Google and eBay.