Vintage dolls

[Rosemary]

I have a book-sized box full of dolls from the 1940s that belonged to my aunt.
I have no sentimental attachment to them. However they don't seem appropriate for the places to which I usually donate items.
What should I do with them?
Donate them to a place having a silent auction?
Try to sell them on eBay or Craigslist?
Any other ideas?

[Jilly]

Our library accepts donations like this, items that cannot be shelved, but can be sold on their e-bay account site/whatever it is called.

I gave them a couple of Stephen King baseball caps that were a give-away item with the purchase of one of his books. They brought in a nice bit of change. You could ask them.

One of the charity shops in the city does the same thing with more valuable items. I have never donated to that program, though.

Or, you could sell them yourself and then donate the money they make, if donating is still what you want to do.

[Tussiemussies]

I like Jilly's idea of selling them on eBay and then giving the money to charity...

[Jilly]

Or changing your mind and keeping the money. :~)

[Miss Cellane]

1) Check to see if any relatives would like them.
2) Check to see if any friends would like them.
3) If there is a museum of childhood anywhere nearby, check with them.
4) Check with the town historical society, in the town where your aunt grew up.

[Tiam]

I have a book-sized box full of dolls from the 1940s that belonged to my aunt.
I have no sentimental attachment to them. However they don't seem appropriate for the places to which I usually donate items.
What should I do with them?
Donate them to a place having a silent auction?
Try to sell them on eBay or Craigslist?
Any other ideas?

Is there a children's or historical museum in your area?

[Sad Eyed Lady]

If you do decide to sell them ebay would be a good source but also vintage items sell well on etsy I have heard. There is nothing wrong with selling something you or other family members have no attachment to, whether you donate or keep the money. You could always make a good donation out of the proceeds if you decide to keep the money.

[Rosemary]

Excellent ideas, everyone --- as always --- thanks!

[Jilly]

Can we see a photo of the dolls before they are sold to strangers? >8)

[iris lilies]

Now we are talking about 3 dimensional dolls, right? ( was confused by the "book" reference.) They must be very small. Not paper dolls, right?

The best place to take them is to a doll show, that is, if you wish to get rid of them in one fell swoop. Since they are small, selling them on Ebay wouldn't be a big hassle (shipping not that big a deal )but it's up to you.

The one single Ebay sale I made was for one of my Baby Dear dolls from my childhood. She went to live in Japan, via Ebay! I just could not get to the annual doll show here which is always held on the same weekend with something that conflicts with it. I also sold another Baby Dear doll to the President of the doll collector's association here because I called her, told her what I had, and she wanted it. I found her phone number on the web.

My goal in handing off these dolls was more to see that they went to people who wanted them than to make money.

Before this, I took a group of dolls to a toy show, but those guys did not understand or value Baby Dear dolls, to them, the dolls looked like any other plastic doll. They did buy Little Kiddle dolls, my Betsy McCall doll, a Brownie doll, and my mother's Dionne Quint baby doll from the 1920's who had original dress.

I miss the baby dolls and will occasionally visit Ebay to see others like them.

Here's a super sweet Baby Dear 12" doll just like the one I had:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Antique-RARE-12-Vogue-Baby-Dear-Musical-Moving-Doll-Original-Outfit-/271242896759?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f27562577

And here's a Baby Dear One toddler doll, just like the one I had:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vogue-Baby-Dear-One-/221259677256?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item33841abe48

[Rosemary]

I realized later that "book-sized box" might not mean the same thing to everyone. To me it is a box in which one packs books for moving. It's a specific size so that you don't break your back. Anyway, I have a box about 18"x12"x24" full of old dolls in varying conditions. Well, mostly good condition - some of them have parts that were held together by rubber bands, some of which have broken.

Jilly, I'll post photos when I'm ready to start the project of finding a place for these to go. Right now I'm working on my rock-moving project, painting the kitchen, and finding a job! :)

[Jilly]

Okey-dokey. I have a friend who collects old dolls and I remember her saying that the old rubber bands that have deteriorated like that do not decrease the value of the dolls.

[Tiam]

I realized later that "book-sized box" might not mean the same thing to everyone. To me it is a box in which one packs books for moving. It's a specific size so that you don't break your back. Anyway, I have a box about 18"x12"x24" full of old dolls in varying conditions. Well, mostly good condition - some of them have parts that were held together by rubber bands, some of which have broken.

Jilly, I'll post photos when I'm ready to start the project of finding a place for these to go. Right now I'm working on my rock-moving project, painting the kitchen, and finding a job! :)

Good clarification. I was picturing a box about the size of a largish book with tiny dolls inside.