Antique doll identification is one of the most misunderstood areas in the collectibles market. Misdated bisque dolls, misread mold numbers, reproduction heads sold as 19th-century originals, replaced wigs, misidentified composition bodies, and clothing swapped decades later all lead to inaccurate valuations—and costly mistakes. Most online price estimates and eBay listings rely on guesswork, not professional methodology.
DJR Expert Guide Series, Vol. 112 — How to Date & Value Antique Dolls gives you the exact system used by professional appraisers to authenticate, date, and value dolls from the mid-1800s to the mid-1900s. Using construction analysis, material identification, maker marks, mold numbers, facial modeling, originality assessment, and market comparables, this guide helps you confidently separate true antique originals from later reproductions.
Inside, you’ll learn how experts:
Identify bisque, china, composition, papier-mâché, celluloid, early plastic, and hard-plastic construction
Date dolls using mold numbers, maker marks, signatures, and period-correct manufacturing traits
Distinguish French, German, American, and Japanese production styles
Evaluate facial modeling, paint type, eye construction, brows, lashes, and period artistry
Determine originality of wigs, clothing, limbs, shoes, and accessories
Detect repainting, replaced parts, restoration, and repaired body components
Assess condition: hairlines, crazing, fractures, joint wear, composition degradation, and fabric aging
Identify common reproduction red flags, modern molds, incorrect marks, and artificially aged surfaces
Appraise true market value using actual sales—not misleading online asking prices
Volume 112 provides collectors, dealers, estate managers, antique sellers, and historians a clear, defensible appraisal framework for evaluating antique dolls with accuracy and confidence.
Digital Download — PDF • 10 Pages • Instant Access
Antique doll identification is one of the most misunderstood areas in the collectibles market. Misdated bisque dolls, misread mold numbers, reproduction heads sold as 19th-century originals, replaced wigs, misidentified composition bodies, and clothing swapped decades later all lead to inaccurate valuations—and costly mistakes. Most online price estimates and eBay listings rely on guesswork, not professional methodology.
DJR Expert Guide Series, Vol. 112 — How to Date & Value Antique Dolls gives you the exact system used by professional appraisers to authenticate, date, and value dolls from the mid-1800s to the mid-1900s. Using construction analysis, material identification, maker marks, mold numbers, facial modeling, originality assessment, and market comparables, this guide helps you confidently separate true antique originals from later reproductions.
Inside, you’ll learn how experts:
Identify bisque, china, composition, papier-mâché, celluloid, early plastic, and hard-plastic construction
Date dolls using mold numbers, maker marks, signatures, and period-correct manufacturing traits
Distinguish French, German, American, and Japanese production styles
Evaluate facial modeling, paint type, eye construction, brows, lashes, and period artistry
Determine originality of wigs, clothing, limbs, shoes, and accessories
Detect repainting, replaced parts, restoration, and repaired body components
Assess condition: hairlines, crazing, fractures, joint wear, composition degradation, and fabric aging
Identify common reproduction red flags, modern molds, incorrect marks, and artificially aged surfaces
Appraise true market value using actual sales—not misleading online asking prices
Volume 112 provides collectors, dealers, estate managers, antique sellers, and historians a clear, defensible appraisal framework for evaluating antique dolls with accuracy and confidence.
Digital Download — PDF • 10 Pages • Instant Access
Image 1 of 1