It is difficult to purchase antique dolls over the internet. The modern dolls like the Barbie collection are easily available that are painted in a standard way, with standard manufactured clothing. Where as the antique dolls are unique with respect to their clothing and looks. Thus, it becomes necessary to have a personal look on the dolls before purchasing them. If you are a novice in case of antique dolls, then you must follow certain tips as follows;

The first thing that strikes the mind while starting to collect antique dolls is its condition. It is obvious that the body of the dolls can be worn out, with some patching work done. Replacement of body parts such as the eyes, wigs and other parts can be expensive and finding the appropriate clothing. Reproduction of clothes and shoes are widely available if an undressed doll is purchased. It is just that it is cheaper than the others are. For this, study of antique dolls in necessary, to properly shop for its accessories. Antique Doll Collector is a good magazine that has all the concerned details regarding the dolls and their dealers.

The prices for antique dolls have a good range, i.e. it can be purchased by anyone as the prices are equal to or less than current artist made dolls. Many of the German made dolls are in the range of $200 to $500.

While selecting antique dolls one should be careful of the hairline cracks and other imperfections. They can tend to increase in magnitude as days pass. It should be considered mainly if you have an expectation of re-selling it. However, minute damages are not visible when the dolls are at display. Therefore, before purchasing them a thorough scrutiny should follow.

Clothing, shoes and accessories are another section to concentrate. Try purchasing an original doll with its garments, shoes, hats and other stuffs. It can be expensive to look out for each accessory individually and it should suit the looks of the doll.

The inspection should cover all these tips along with some other important aspects such as
* Make use of lights and torch to inspect any cracks or damage. If possible, remove the wig and the pate and have a look at the head properly. Any dark patches may indicate restoration work, so avoid those dolls.
* Inspect the eyes if they have been reset. It should match the overall structure of the doll.
* See the integrity of the costumes, check for any moth holes on the fabric of the cloth.
* An important consideration for the overall value of the doll is, whether it has an appropriate body. The dealers very often keep changing the body parts to attract customers depending on their likings. So look out for it before buying the antique doll.
* Finally, just try to glance the overall doll and determine what its overall impression is. It can be considered by keeping the price tag in mind.

Corolle Mon Premier Calin Candy Pink - 12" Doll
18 months & up. With their soft "beanbag" bodies these dolls can be posed and played with just like real babies. Sleepin... More >>

Melissa & Doug Wooden Family Doll Set
Multi-generational, colorfully dressed figures are wire-framed, so they can pose in many ways, and make a great addition... More >>

Corolle Les Cheries Doll Chloe Ballerina - 13"
Arabesque, anyone? Les Chiries? Chloe Ballerina is recital-ready in a leotard, tutu, tights and pink slippers with ribbo... More >>

Manhattan Toy Baby Stella Doll
Whether it's a whimsical doll for a child to enjoy fantasy play or a special first-baby doll to explore positive nurturi... More >>

Corolle Mon Premier Calin Charming Pastel - 12" Doll
This 12' doll has a cuddly, soft, beanbag cloth body with vinyl arms, legs and head. She has a fresh vanilla scent that ... More >>

Corolle Tidoo Suce Pouce in Pajamas - 12" Doll
Bath time is always better with a companion, and Tidoo Suce-Pouce is cuddly and light, and designed to float in the wate... More >>

Alexander Dolls Baby Cuddles Feeding Baby 14"
From the gorgeous collection of Madame Alexander dolls comes Baby Cuddles. She has a soft body with sleepy eyes, and a v... More >>

Madame Alexander Baby Cuddles - 14 Inch
Pretend play utilizes fantasy and imagination to help children learn about the world. As beautiful as they are, Play Ale... More >>

Little Mommy Baby Ah-Choo Doll
Girls can practice their own mothering skills! Take care of this baby - she's sick! Makes a great gift.Baby Ah-Choo is ... More >>

Melissa & Doug Brianna - 12" Doll Sale Price: $11.90

Your little one will fall in love with the Melissa and Doug Mine to Love 12in Brianna Doll! This huggable, soft-bodied baby doll can sit up and suck on her thumb, or the included pacifier. Brianna boasts lifelike details such as eyes that open and close, unique facial markings, exquisite brunette, nylon hair, and a fresh, baby scent! The beautifully crafted, pink clothing is removable, and Brianna can be wiped clean for years of use!

	Melissa & Doug Jenna - 12" Doll Sale Price: $11.90
	Your little one will fall in love with the Melissa and Doug Mine to Love 12in Jenna Doll! This huggable, soft-bodied baby doll can sit up and suck on her thumb or the included pacifier. Jenna boasts lifelike details such as eyes that open and close, unique facial markings, and a fresh, baby scent! The beautifully crafted, pink clothing is removable, and Jenna can be wiped clean!

	Little Mommy Play All Day Baby Sale Price: $15.99
	Fisher Price's Little Mommy Play All Day Baby brings imagination to life. This lively doll reacts to a variety of fun, playful positions and movements such as bouncing, flipping, dancing, and flying, with adorable sounds and phrases...

	Little Mommy Real Loving Baby Walk & Giggle Doll Sale Price: $40.95
	Get ready for interactive playtime with the Fisher Price Little Mommy Real Loving Baby Walk & Giggle Doll. Designed for children age three and older who enjoy playing "mommy," this life-like doll features a repertoire of more than 60 phrases, songs, and sounds...

	Melissa & Doug Wooden Family Doll Set Sale Price: $9.97
	Multi-generational, colorfully dressed figures are wire-framed, so they can pose in many ways, and make a great addition to any dollhouse. Inspire young imaginations for hours of pretend play!

	Melissa & Doug Victoria - 14" Ballerina Doll Sale Price: $17.86
	The Melissa and Doug Mine to Love 14in Victoria Ballerina Doll is ready to take center stage! This adorable doll stands tall and features posable arms and legs for every dance move. Victoria is dressed in a removable pink leotard, fluffy tutu, and ballet slippers...

	Melissa & Doug Time to Eat Feeding Set Sale Price: $8.99
	Enhance baby doll play with the Melissa and Doug Mine to Love Time to Eat Doll Feeding Set! Little mommies everywhere will love taking care of their favorite baby doll with these adorable pink accessories! Each set includes 2 bottles with disappearing liquid, 1 divided plate, 2 baby food containers with opening lids, 1 fork, and 1 spoon...

	Manhattan Toy Stella Doll Sale Price: $26.95

	Kids Preferred Baby Kira Doll Sale Price: $12.16
	Meet Kira, she wants to be your baby's first doll! Kira is a super soft doll and is wearing a plush dress and hat in pink with blue, purple and yellow flower embroidery. She makes a great first toy for your little girl and is baby safe with embroidered eyes and mouth...

	Madame Alexander, 18" Too Cute In Boots, Favorite Friends Collection Sale Price: $39.95
	A cute match for your cutie! The Too Cute in Boots Doll is wearing a cute black and pink designed dress with a jean jacket pink and white stripped tights and pink cowboy boots. Brush and style her long curly hair to create awesome hairdos...

From the 1840's through until the early 1920's, some of the most beautiful dolls ever created, were produced in Germany.

The earliest dolls, often referred to as Parian (meaning untinted bisque) were created in famous pottery factories in Copenhagen and in Dresden. These dolls had beautifully delicate molded features, including not only their faces, but their hair as well, often with molded ribbons, bows, snood, flowers and sometimes a collar. Delicate exacting colorations made every one of these dolls a work of art. These dolls are rare and valuable.

Their popularity peaked around the end of the 1870â??s and can be dated by their hairstyles. Parian Bisque led to the more common China Head Dolls. These dolls were mass produced, and have a shiny glaze finish over the plain untinted bisque. These dolls ranged in size from tiny 1â? tall frozen charlotte type dolls to large as 24â?. These dolls were most popular between 1860 and 1900, as a cheaper alternative to the latest doll craze, that of tinted unglazed bisque that was becoming more and more popular and available. In the early 1890â??s the German doll manufacturers began mass producing many lovely quality dolls that began to rival the quality of the French dolls.

Dolls began to be modelled after real children. Emotions and expressions became visible. The famous period of the â??dolly typeâ? face was born.

These beautiful dolly face dolls traditionally had â??sleep eyesâ? made to open and close, set into the head carefully with plaster. The eyes were hand blown glass. They also have open mouths, usually showing 4 upper teeth. Fine mohair wigs, or human hair wigs were also used on these dolls. The heads were attached to sophisticated ball joint bodies.

Many of these dolly face dolls were produced in small cottage industry circumstances, and the maker of many remains unknown. The more famous German doll manufacturers such as Heinrich Handwerck, Heuback-Kopplesdorf, Kammer and Reinhard, J.D.Kestner, Armand Marseille and Simon and Halbig, clearly placed their hallmark, and doll mold numbers onto the back of the dollâ??s neck, making it possible to date, value and appraise many of their dolls.

One of the most famous dolls of all to come out of this period was the â??Bye-Loâ? baby doll. It is documented that the artist, Grace Storey Putnam searched hospital nurseries in the early 1920â??s looking for just the right tiny model for this doll. The Bye-Lo baby was followed by â??My Dream Babyâ?.

The value placed on Antique German Dolls, is based on their rarity, on the quality in craftsmanship of a particular doll, the condition of the doll, and by how much of the doll remains in original condition. This will include such factors as repairs to the head or body, replaced eyes or wig, and many other factors.

Antique German dolls continue to appreciate in value. The quality and talent put into every doll made is appreciated more and more by collectors of antique dolls as the years go by.