Posts Tagged ‘collectible dolls’

Cricket Dolls

by Sandy | No Comments | Filed in Doll Collecting, Vintage Dolls

Cricket was one of the popular dolls that came out of the 1980s.  She is not quite as well known as Strawberry Shortcake or the Cabbage Patch Kids, but she does have her own bunch of devoted collectors.


Here are a few Cricket Dolls currently being offered for sale on eBay.

Playmates 1986 Talking Cricket doll electronic w tape
Playmates 1986 Talking Cricket doll electronic w tape
Paypal   US $26.00
1940 JIMINY CRICKET COMPOSITION DOLL 10 AS FOUND COND
1940 JIMINY CRICKET COMPOSITION DOLL 10 AS FOUND COND
Paypal   US $28.00
Vintage CRICKET Doll Clubhouse Cassette TAPE 1986
Vintage CRICKET Doll Clubhouse Cassette TAPE 1986
Paypal   US $3.00
8 Vintage Cricket Doll Tapes Working Nice
8 Vintage Cricket Doll Tapes Working Nice
Paypal   US $24.99
Adorable rare Cricket Sears doll bridesmaid dress etc
Adorable rare Cricket Sears doll bridesmaid dress etc
Paypal   US $41.00
American Character Tressy Sis Grow Hair Cricket Doll
American Character Tressy Sis Grow Hair Cricket Doll
Paypal   US $9.99
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In my day to day life and in my work, I have many opportunities to speak to large groups of people.  I recently asked one group of interested people to write about a favorite doll they had growing up (or which they wanted for their collection).  I've decided to share some of the responses here.  This particular woman loved her Cricket doll.  I hope you like her story...

My favorite doll growing up was a Cricket Doll. She was amazing, I loved that doll. I got her for Christmas in 1985.  She had a cassette player in the back of her, and her eyes would move from side to side, and lips would move to the music as she sang and talked. She told knock knock jokes, sang songs, and would take you on picnics, and other adventures, she would also tell you a bedtime story.

Cricket was my best friend.  She was my only friend during my childhood.  I was the overweight kid that no one liked, but my Cricket loved me just the way that I was.  She had blonde hair and Shirley Temple curls with pig tales, she wore a skirt and sweater, and had the cutest pair of pink plastic sneaker with yellow socks, if I remember correctly.  I honestly think that she was the best doll of the 80's and I would love for them to come out with another Cricket Doll so my daughter could enjoy her the same way that I did.

You can still find her, but she is very hard to find. I gave the one that I had away to a little girl that was not getting anything for Christmas.  I had already become a teenager, and did not play with Cricket anymore. I always put her on my bed though after I had made it up,  but my heart went out to this little girl, so I gave the doll to her mother to give to her little girl for Christmas.  I hope that the little girl got just as much out of Cricket as I did. I miss Cricket a whole lot. She was the best doll in the whole world, these new dolls that are on the market today, do not even come close to comparing to the Cricket Doll.

Vintage Dolls Home

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Tonner Dolls

by Sandy | No Comments | Filed in Celebrity Dolls, Doll Collecting

Tonner dolls are very popular and well recognized for their beautiful styling and attention to detail.


Robert Tonner started out in the fashion industry and was well on his way to a fine career in the fashion and design field, but followed his interest in dolls to break off and start his own doll company. The dolls were so beautifully designed and so well received that Mr. Tonner was able grow his company and actually purchase the very well established and prestigious Effanbee Doll Company in 2002.

Robert Tonner has used his special talents for designing and sculpting dolls and their costumes to build a huge following and gain international fame for himself and the Tonner Doll Company. Tonner has partnered with large companies such as Miramax Films, Warner Bros., DC Comics and Marvel Comics in the past to design dolls based on their projects.

Robert Tonner dolls regularly show up on eBay and are quickly bid upon by collectors. The Tonner collection of dolls is huge and very diverse. Because Tonner has so many different associations and such a strong history in fashion dolls, you never know what will show up for auction. The only sure thing is that almost any Tonner doll will be popular and draw plenty of attention.

Tonner Co Four 17 waist grip doll stands clear bases
Tonner Co Four 17 waist grip doll stands clear bases
Paypal   US $6.99
ROBERT TONNER 18 INCH MISS AMERICA DOLL ORIGINAL OUTFIT
ROBERT TONNER 18 INCH MISS AMERICA DOLL ORIGINAL OUTFIT
Paypal   US $20.50
Tonner2000BETSY MCCALL 8MIB DRESSED DOLL COZY CAPE
Tonner2000BETSY MCCALL 8MIB DRESSED DOLL COZY CAPE
Paypal   US $31.00
Mary Engelbreits Classic Sailor Doll Tonner
Mary Engelbreits Classic Sailor Doll Tonner
Paypal   US $27.99
White Leather Closed toe Shoes Tonner 16 doll size
White Leather Closed toe Shoes Tonner 16 doll size
Paypal   US $5.50
Gold Calf High Boots Tonner 16 Fashion doll size
Gold Calf High Boots Tonner 16 Fashion doll size
Paypal   US $10.50
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Many times, Tonner dolls with a very limited production end up getting a lot of attention on eBay regardless of their age. The "Hungry" Edward Twilight doll was recently auctioned off by a seller on eBay when I was checking out the category. Although it is a new doll, it was limited to 200. It had no problem picking up bids well before the end of the auction.

Another very popular limited edition doll by Tonner is the Queen of Hearts. Her hair actually changes color with a change in temperature. She sold out quickly in her original run and was recently a very popular find for eBay bidders.

There are also many dolls that slip through the auction process without a single bid. I guess that is part of the fun. If you are looking for a particular doll at the right time, you can really grab a bargain! There are also many dolls that get listed with buy it now prices as well. Whatever your interest is, it is definitely worth a look.

These dolls shown in the video are anything but vintage. They are new for 2009, but I thought some Tonner fans might still like it when I found it on YouTube.

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Vintage Paper Dolls

by Sandy | Comments Off | Filed in Doll Collecting, Vintage Dolls

The fact that vintage paper dolls have survived through the years is a testament to how well some people take care of the items they collect.


It is refreshing to know that in today's society, when many children have very short attention spans that can only be captured by blinking and flashing video games, there are still some people who appreciate something as simple as collecting vintage paper dolls. Paper dolls are a reminder of the time when things were much simpler and people were more inclined to use their own imagination for entertainment.

VINTAGE WHITMAN SUNNY MAGIC PAPER DOLL BARBIE LOT 1966
VINTAGE WHITMAN SUNNY MAGIC PAPER DOLL BARBIE LOT 1966
Paypal   US $3.75
Stay On Clothes Paper Doll Vintage 1952
Stay On Clothes Paper Doll Vintage 1952
Paypal   US $2.00
Vintage Set 3 Paper Dolls Claudette Colbert
Vintage Set 3 Paper Dolls Claudette Colbert
Paypal   US $13.39
Vintage Little Girl Paper Doll with DressesCUTE SWEET
Vintage Little Girl Paper Doll with DressesCUTE SWEET
Paypal   US $1.38
Easter vintage paper mache rabbit antique German doll
Easter vintage paper mache rabbit antique German doll
Paypal   US $29.00
Vintage Young Lady Paper Doll Maker Unknown CUTE
Vintage Young Lady Paper Doll Maker Unknown CUTE
Paypal   US $.99
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Paper dolls originated in the time of Louis XV of France. This was during the 1700s and owning one or more of these dolls was a privilege. They were carefully collected and very well taken care of by their young owners.

In America, paper was very hard to come by and was considered a valuable commodity. For that reason, not many people owned paper dolls. As paper production techniques improve in paper became more available for common use, the dolls could be mass produced and became available to many more eventual paper doll collectors.

Most of that vintage paper dolls collected today are from the time during the Mid 20th century when they became very popular. A lot of people like to collect these as a way to look back at the fashions and famous people of an earlier time. Not all paper dolls carry the same monetary value, but collectors of the delicate paper treasures often have reasons for collecting that go beyond money.

Paper Mother and Child with Clothes for Each
Creative Commons License photo credit: perpetualplum

If you are looking to either purchase or to sell vintage paper dolls, eBay is an excellent resource to check. I have noticed over the years that sellers in certain categories seem to take a very fine interest in what they collect and put up for sale. For the most part, it seems that the people selling vintage paper dolls and vintage dolls in general on Ebay, have a real connection to the merchandise they are buying or selling. It seems to go beyond nostalgia. Sellers often will offer guarantees and seem to go above and beyond the norm as they lovingly present their treasures to potential buyers. Buyers of the vintage paper dolls on Ebay also seem to realize and share a special bond with their fellow collectors which is evidenced by their willingness to sometimes pay prices that can get a little bit high for a casual doll collector.

For the person who just wants to introduce the fun of paper dolls with a little one, there are printable paper dolls and paper doll templates available online.  But more serious collectors tend to look for specific dolls.  Tom Tierney paper dolls, Victorian paper dolls and Disney paper dolls are a few of the specific brands often searched for on the Internet in general and on Ebay in particular.

If you are not interested in purchasing vintage or antique paper dolls on Ebay, you can try to find them yourself.  They are one of the items that sometimes show up at places like estate sales, but finding them on your own is a very hit or miss proposition.  Looking for the dolls in a collectible shop is another option, but you will almost certainly pay the top "book" price.  This is a major reason that so many collectors have taken to checking Ebay before making any purchases.  There are often items that seem to slip under the radar and that can present a nice opportunity for some serious savings on hard to find items.

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