R.John Wright Guest blogger

Here is a link to R. John Wright's Blog, where I was privileged to be a guest blogger.  Thanks so much!

http://rjohnwrightblog.com/weblog/guest-blog-ellen-tsagaris-r-john-wright-dolls

Peter Playpal

I lucked today at an estate sale in my own neighborhood!  I found a Peter Playpal, undressed, hands need reattachment, with shoes and socks, for $5!!  Here is my post on Playpal dolls, inspired by our friend and reader, Terri Lee: http://collectdolls.about.com/od/dolls1930s1950s/fl/Patti-Playpal.htm

For years, I've searched for companion dolls of all sizes, by all makers.  I have found several of the reproduction Playpals, and they were not easy to find.  A friend of mine was looking for hers to give to us, but couldn't locate her.  I bought an old one from a client of my husband's, and I've kept looking.  Besides Peter, I found a Victorian all bisque figurine for $1!!  These are the finds that make doll collecting fun!

Courtesy, Terri Lee

Dolls are Wear'n the Green! Our Newsletter

Spring, Rendezvous, St.Pat's and More! This week is eventful indeed, there has been another great Theriault's Rendezvous, and another major auction coming up in about a week. There are doll shows starting up, one in Eastern Iowa and one in Western Illinois next week.  St. Patrick's Day makes me want to study all things Celtic and Irish, including wonderful dolls and statues: Irish Dancers, Leprechauns, and St. Patrick Himself.  Below are thoughts on some of the trends I've observed and dolls I have enjoyed.  Thanks again to readers for ideas of what you would like to read!  Keep it coming, and also thanks for your kind words.  Happy Collecting, and write to me at etsag1998@aol.com.  This will publish on the Ides of March; beware!! Ellen Tsagaris Doll Collecting Expert

Mass Produced Porcelain Dolls; Still a Piece of Doll History   Here is an encore performance of a post on modern porcelain dolls, still controversial in the doll collecting world.  The interesting thing is that I see prices for them slowly increasing on ebay and other online auctions and buying sites.  They also are selling fast in our local thrift stores, and climb a little in price there.  I'm just reporting on the "state of the dollhouse", not encouraging any sales! READ NOW

Steiner Bebe Kicks her way to the Top!   An unusual bebe with two rows of teeth operated by a gold key steals my heart and joins my collection. READ NOW

Spring Antique Show Features Dolls for All Seasons   Dolls are reappearing at antique shows and selling well. Dolls from vintage to antique to 1990s Barbies are making a splash this spring at antique shows and doll shows. READ NOW

Composition Doll Memories; Durable and Loveable Companions   Composition dolls were among my first old dolls; they are still fun to collect and to study. READ NOW

Antique Doll Collector Magazine: April Sneak Peek!

Antique Doll Collector Magazine: April Sneak Peek!:     For fashion doll collectors Paris was and remains, even to this day, as the magnificent focus of our collecting.  As a studen...

Doll Museum: My Musings on the State of the Doll House!

Doll Museum: My Musings on the State of the Doll House!: Et, tu doll collector!  Or, so I've wanted to say for the last two months.  The slings and arrow of doll collecting fortune have come fl...

Strawberry Shortcake and Dolls under Domes; Free Newsletter

Sweet Strawberry Shortcake and Her friends Rethought! I thank M, one of our readers, who suggested our first piece on Strawberry Shortcake.  What a lovely idea with spring just around the corner!  This week was a bustle of pre-spring activities, including our March Antique show and the first ads for our spring flower show.  Don't we all want to go to the sun!!  Our next post deals with tips on how to insure and protect dolls.  While I'm no expert in insurance, this is food for thought for us collectors.  Another wonderful reader inspired our post on types of dolls to collect; she had some very interesting preferences that were inspiring.  Doll collecting seems to be enjoying a Renaissance this spring; many new dolls were introduced at The New York Toy Fair, and many great doll shows are springing up everywhere.  I plan to write more about our antique show, but there were many dolls and similar items available, more than I have seen in years. I did very well there, and also well at a retirement sale of a shop that featured Boyd's Bears, Wee Forest Folk, Steiff, and more. One lovely object at the antique show from Summer Kitchen Antiques was a very large dome, about 2 feet in height or more, that contained a scene made of tiny French fashion type dolls that had bisque heads and limbs, but tiny bodies of steel springs.  They danced along a grassy flowered, slope to music.  Just fantastic!  I also note that current issues  of Doll Castle News and Antique Doll Collector Magazine feature very unusual mechanical dolls, primarily made with metal and composition and papier mache.  With spring comes a lot of doll variety, so have fun choosing and collecting!  Remember to write at etsag1998@aol.com. Ellen Tsagaris Doll Collecting Expert

Sweet Strawberry Shortcake and Her friends Rethought!   Strawberry Shortcake, now 35 and counting, and her doll friends, continue to be popular with collectors. And, they smell as good as ever! READ NOW

Caring for Dolls and More; How to insure Our Treasures   Here are some ideas for protecting and insuring your dolls for posterity. Dolls should be safe from damp, heat, and destruction! READ NOW

Focus on some Dolls to Collect, suggest by one of our Readers   A Reader's Request leads to Tips on Buying Dolls, including Dolls with Teeth! Here are some ideas for collecting some unusual dolls. READ NOW

Miniature Doll Worlds encased in Glass   Glass domes were all the rage in the Victorian Era; they housed everything from tiny dolls to wax fruit. I saw one this weekend that was priced at $12,000! READ NOW

More New Dolls, and Collecting Dolls with Teeth; Our Newlsetter

Miniature Doll Worlds Encased in Glass, Readers Ideas, and Finding Dolls As March is just around the corner, we have some eclectic ideas to share with doll lovers.  Dolls and miniatures under domes are featured in a review of an amazing book, while the question of where to find dolls by thinking outside the doll box is reviewed.  More on Barbie, the Toy Fair revisited, and a focus on several types of collectible dolls.  Thanks to all who have written to me; look for upcoming posts on Strawberry Shortcake,thanks to another doll fan.  Many of us have been dealing with family medical crises for some time, now, and having something you love to fall back on, as I do on my readers/friends, my writing, and my dolls, is a blessing.  May spring come soon to all of us, and with it, bring hope and renewal.  Please write to me at etsag1998@aol.com, and Happy Collecting! Ellen Tsagaris Doll Collecting Expert

Miniature Doll Worlds encased in Glass   Glass domes were all the rage in the Victorian Era; they housed everything from tiny dolls to wax fruit. Schiffer, the publisher of this book was kind enough to mention me in a tweet, and to follow me on Twitter!  Read more. READ NOW

Dolls Are Where you Find Them   With so many new dolls out all the time, and more people interested in older ones, this is a good time to review  how to think outside the doll box when you are looking for dolls. READ NOW

Dolls do Well at the New York Toy Fair with new Faces to Appear!   Dolls and other classic toys did well at the New York Toy Fair. Look for posts about new dolls and related items that came from this event.  READ NOW

Collecting Dolls With Teeth and African American Dolls   Thanks to one of our wonderful readers, here is a link about selecting your doll focus; Armand Marseilles dolls, French and German Antiques with teeth, and African American dolls are among those discussed.