Doll Reference a trusted resource to identify Dolls
Collecting dolls on the secondary market is a fun hobby and the hunt for treasures is part of the fun and challenge! You can not go to a store and find these dolls fresh from the factory, neatly lined on shelves in original boxes, in original clothes etc. These dolls are antique to vintage, previously bought and likely played with. You’ll have to do a little detective work to identify a doll – if you want to buy, sell or find it’s worth or value – You need to know what or who that doll is.
Start by checking for markings or labels on the back of the dolls neck, dolls back or bottoms of feet. If you find a mark, brand name or mold number – type that into our search box and you’ll find all pages with that doll information.
Dolls By Material
Dolls are classified by the material of the head, also helps date the doll
Antique Bisque dolls – were introduced in the 1850s by Europeans primarily in France . .
Celluloid dolls – are made from cellulose nitrate, alcohol, fillers and camphor . .
China Head dolls – were made mostly in Germany from 1836 . .
Cloth dolls – brief history goes back as far as humans have . . .
Composition dolls – are made of glue and wood shavings then pressed into a mold . . .
Hard Plastic dolls – were first made after 1942 by Ideal Toy . . .
Metal dolls – are most often only a head by German makers . . .
Paper Mache dolls – antique dolls of carton moulé, carton pâte or holz-masse are all terms . .
Porcelain dolls – sold as collector dolls in are the 3rd most popular doll material . .
Rubber dolls – made of caoutchouc, India rubber or gum doll and makers . .
Wax dolls – are some of the oldest existing examples of dolls . .
Wood dolls – are a fairly easy material to carve and create a doll . .
First find out Who the doll is? next – How much is the doll worth, it’s value? Use the Find Values button link, problem solved.
Find Doll Values
By Type of Doll
Some dolls are unmarked and like other dolls or the brand itself becomes a Doll Category
Advertising dolls – are a way to promote a company brand . . .
Antique Lady dolls – 1860+ Fashion lady dolls were made in . . .
Asian, Oriental dolls – beautiful, exotic dolls of the far East . . .
Automata dolls – mechanical dolls fascinate adults to children . . .
Barbie vintage dolls – most prolific of dolls, are Mattel’s Barbie . . .
Belton dolls – bisque solid dome head, uncut pate . . .
Black dolls – are beautiful and rarer than white dolls . . .
Boudoir dolls – 1915+ bed or sofa long legged flapper . . .
Carnival dolls – who doesn’t love to win a prize at a fair . . .
Dress Me dolls – are display, costumed souvenir . . .
Googly dolls – have roguish eyes, charming character dolls . . .
Kewpie dolls – are impish face dolls by Rose O’Neill . . .
Mama dolls – are composition dolls that changed history . . .
Mask Face dolls – what are they and their makers . . .
Patsy Type dolls – identified and who made them . . .
Playpal Type dolls – are child companion dolls and why they all look a like . . .
Need help identifying your doll? ask on our forum Board – Yes we’ll try to help you.
What do doll collecting words, phrases mean in English, French or German? Doll Glossary