How do You Finance your Doll Collection?

It occurs to me from time to time that dolls are indeed a luxury. Theoretically, we don't need them. ( I know, I know!  That's highly debatable, but let's just suppose they are a luxury for argument's sake!).


I've had the eye for so called high end or elite dolls cine I was at least seven.  I could spot a Bru a mile away, and I knew the basic differences between French bisque and German bisque dolls.  I could say and spell "Jumeau" before I could spell my own, very long last name.

Yet, the budget was always in the way. $20 was considered very high for a doll, especially a doll to play with.    I depended on the James and Clara Tsagaris Charitable Trust for additions to my doll collection.  In other words, my parents generosity and my allowance paid for my dolls.  I remember saving pennies and quarters to buy an Infant of Prague figure, complete with a crown and beautiful red velvet robe.

Later, I looked for dolls that I could afford, sometimes good reproductions of antiques.  When I was old enough, I headed for flea markets and yard sales.  I filled in my modern doll collection using Pat Smith's series on Modern Collectors' Dolls, and I read and read.


I still look for bargains and fixer-upper dolls wherever I could, and I studied price guides with great devotion.


The dolls pictured here are mine; some are expensive, but most are not.

Many collectors sell dolls they are tired of, or "upsize" buy selling a doll till they get an example that is Mint or better.  Others become dealers to finance the very expensive dolls they crave.  I have a friend who sells dolls and related items at shows to buy French dolls for her own collection.  Another friend deals to collect large German bisque dolls.

Margaret Woodbury Strong was always buying, and allegedly took out low interest loans to fund her 34,0000 plus item doll collection.

Some doll makers sell dolls or start doll companies so that they can buy the dolls they like.


There really isn't a right or wrong way to fund your dolls.  At one point, I wrote many doll articles for magazines, and used the proceeds for dolls.


I'd like to hear ideas from my readers on how they fund their dolls, and how they keep collecting, even though dolls are still luxuries, and even when times are tough.