Some may find them cute and others may find them creepy. One thing though for sure is the doll collector community has a passion for these little models in plastic and porcelain. From the early days of hand made rag dolls to the pop culture dolls of today, there is a collector for every sector in the doll world. The craze of doll collecting has been around for generations, but today doll collecting with the invention of that thing we call the internet, has changed the game. If you stop and look at the doll of today, you can see how media and what we see in today’s culture has changed perception of the human body, the way they are dressed, and even the way a doll looks at you.
Dolls and the comfort they provide to children have been around for millenniums. Early civilizations back as far as 100 A.D. have recorded children’s dolls made of stone, pottery, ivory, leather, and wax. Wooden paddle dolls have been found in archeological sites dating back as far as the 21st century B.C. Historically dolls are used as children’s playthings, but for many, religious, ceremonial, and life lessons are taught through these dolls. It is common in cultures to pass down dolls that were used in spiritual ceremonies, and they serve as a reminder of their cultural heritage. Others from primitive cultures were believed to possess great power and were restricted from being used by children.
Today, dolls come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and materials. Some are soft and swishy and feel like a gelatinous 7 lb. blob of vinyl baby in your arms. On the other side of the spectrum you have artist created porcelain beauties with realistic details and modeled faces filled with emotion, some limited to short production. It is these artisans and designers who push the envelope year after year and create these precious figures, capturing a glimpse of life from that period in history.
The Barbie doll was introduced in 1959 changing the doll game entirely. No longer was the doll something to coddle or strut around dangling in one hand and favorite blanket in the other. It was Barbie who traveled, had boyfriends, party vans, and castles. Every child’s dream, she had the perfect life, colorful, never ending timeless fun. From this Mattel line spun the world of dolls today.
Doll’s like the American Girl Doll, The Great American Doll, and such other dolls that are like your friend next door. These toys feature unlimited lines of clothing and accessories which get more sophisticated as a girl grows with the doll changing over time like the child. Fashion jointed dolls with alien like features and anatomically correct bodies are found throughout the collector base. These fashion dolls with their precision joints are poseable into almost any shape with life like postures.
Dolls and their collector’s tastes have changed, but one thing remains the same. Dolls bring a sense of joy, comfort, and life lesson to people all over the world. The collector is as passionate as ever, online sales of dolls are strong. Just remember people relate to dolls differently as time goes on. Shirly Temple may not be as popular as before or the best money move, but if you are looking for a good investment keep your eyes out for dolls like Sailor Moon, Blythe, Living Dead, Bratz, and Monster High! Who would have thought!
