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| A variety of dolls made or manufactured by Black doll artists or manufacturers |
Those seeking to learn the worth of what they deem a possible valuable Black doll have often posed the question to me: "What is the value of my [fill in any doll's name]? If the doll's name is unknown, the question is usually, "Can you help me identify this doll and tell me how much it's worth?"
Ways to identify and determine the value of a doll vary. Below are a few suggestions:
1. Up-to-date doll reference books that identify and value dolls is the best starting point. I have authored two Black-doll reference and value guides, but of course, there are others. Myla Perkins’ books: Black Dolls: An Identification and Value Guide books 1 and 2 are quite comprehensive and reference a wide variety of Black dolls made from the late-1800s through the early-1990s. However, her values were assessed over 20 years ago when the doll market was more stable. When using doll reference books it must be noted that the assessed values are considered "book value" and are not necessarily the prices at which dolls will sell in the current market.
A. If you are not in the market to purchase doll reference, check your local library where doll books may be available to check out.
B. If you own a Kindle, there may be doll value guides available for borrowing through Amazon.com.
2. Searching eBay for completed auctions of the same doll or similar doll to note what buyers are paying in today’s market is another way to determine the average selling price.
3. Seeking help from local certified doll appraisers or antiques dealers is also an avenue for determining a doll’s worth, but this will usually be accompanied by their fees.
4. I do not conduct free doll appraisals, but I have conducted compensated appraisals in the past for insurance purposes, to help a collector determine the donated value of an entire collection, and for individuals who are willing to pay my fees. Read more here if you'd like me to help identify and/or assess a value for your doll.
Ways to identify and determine the value of a doll vary. Below are a few suggestions:
1. Up-to-date doll reference books that identify and value dolls is the best starting point. I have authored two Black-doll reference and value guides, but of course, there are others. Myla Perkins’ books: Black Dolls: An Identification and Value Guide books 1 and 2 are quite comprehensive and reference a wide variety of Black dolls made from the late-1800s through the early-1990s. However, her values were assessed over 20 years ago when the doll market was more stable. When using doll reference books it must be noted that the assessed values are considered "book value" and are not necessarily the prices at which dolls will sell in the current market.
A. If you are not in the market to purchase doll reference, check your local library where doll books may be available to check out.
B. If you own a Kindle, there may be doll value guides available for borrowing through Amazon.com.
2. Searching eBay for completed auctions of the same doll or similar doll to note what buyers are paying in today’s market is another way to determine the average selling price.
3. Seeking help from local certified doll appraisers or antiques dealers is also an avenue for determining a doll’s worth, but this will usually be accompanied by their fees.
4. I do not conduct free doll appraisals, but I have conducted compensated appraisals in the past for insurance purposes, to help a collector determine the donated value of an entire collection, and for individuals who are willing to pay my fees. Read more here if you'd like me to help identify and/or assess a value for your doll.
The bottom line when trying to determine the value of a doll or other collectible is this: A doll's book value (assessed value documented in a doll reference book) or appraised value is to be used as a guide, not as the price at which a doll should be purchased or sold. Furthermore, a doll is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it at a given time.
This post was written and published to share the link to my Black Doll Identification and Value Services page for those who wonder, "What's the value of my doll?"
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