by Lisa McGee

Created on: July 29, 2008   Last Updated: September 23, 2011

Whether you began collecting dolls for your own personal enjoyment, or as an investment, it is in your best interest to maintain their worth, both for aesthetic and financial reasons. It would be a shame to have a doll, who might have survived decades, decline while in your care. Maintaining your dolls is also important to maintain their monetary value.

How best to maintain your dolls depends on what you have to start with. Are your dolls in their original boxes? If so, they should remain so. Many times more than half the value of the doll in this condition is due to the fact that it is in it's original, pristine condition. Avoid the urge to take it out for a quick look. Another thing to avoid is allowing anyone else to get close enough to rip open the box, in other words, keep out of the reach of small children. If you have children to deal with, make sure they learn the difference between dolls that are play things and your special dolls.

Not only should your dolls remain in their original boxes, but care should be taken to maintain the condition of the box itself. The better condition the box is in, the more value it has. Keep boxes out of direct sunlight and try to maintain their shape. Don't store them on top of each other, so as not to crush the shape of the bottom boxes.

If your dolls are not in boxes, you need to decide how best to maintain them. Are you going to display them? If not, they should be carefully wrapped in acid free tissue paper, then in muslin and stored in a clean dry place, away from direct sunlight. If they have eyes that open and close, they should be stored face down, to avoid having the eyes falling inward. You should avoid allowing them to touch any wood and also avoid plastic storage containers.

If you are going to store the dolls for display, the best option is to use a display cabinet, with no lights. There are cabinets that are specifically designed for this use. If you are collecting as an investment, it is worth looking into purchasing some of these. The cabinet should have glass shelves, or lined with a plain muslin, in order to avoid staining from wood. The cabinet should be placed in an area that does not have wide variation in temperature or humidity.

When handling dolls, cotton gloves should be worn, to avoid oils from the skin being transferred to the dolls clothing. Dolls should be inspected at least once a year for changes in condition. Your dolls should be carefully dusted. If you find a problem, do your research before deciding whether to try and remedy the problem yourself or seeking professional help.

In general, when in doubt seek out the advice of a professional.

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