DECIDEDLY DOLLY 6
Hello Everyone
Doll fairs are becoming something of rarity; a few years ago, doll collectors could be reasonably sure of finding a fair reasonably near to them, often quite small but with a good variety of dolls. Additionally, larger fairs, such as one held twice a year in Birmingham, attracted major international doll makers, so it was a chance for doll lovers to see all that was new in the doll world.
Suddenly, everything has changed. If you want to see new lines by major doll artists, you now need to travel to the continent, or, better still, visit one of the huge fairs regularly held in the United States. Even if you just want to browse around a few stalls of old hard plastic and vinyl dolls, you will probably find that you face a long journey. Organisers tell me that people regularly travel a hundred miles or so to visit their shows. It is noticeable, too, that some doll fairs are becoming mixed up with doll’s house events; often the doll’s house and miniatures take up most of the hall, while the stalls selling bigger dolls’ are bunched in a corner.
Recently I made a long journey – over 200 miles – to visit Roberta’s doll fair. It was held in Barton, Lancashire. Roberta holds these fairs four times a year, and I had heard glowing reports from many people, so was determined to see if it was as good as they said. It was better! This was just how a doll fair should be – hundreds of dolls of all types and sizes, friendly sellers, a light, airy hall, good refreshments and even a huge car park. I certainly intend to go back, even if it does entail an overnight stop – a good doll fair is worth its weight in, well, dolls.
Fairs I regularly visit are Goldilocks, held at Chelmsford, Essex, twice a year, and the Cottenham doll fair, Cambridge, held in September. Both these, though small, are friendly with a varied selection of dolls and accessories. But why have so many fairs disappeared? Well, internet auctions must be partly to blame, though nothing beats examining dolls before you buy. From the seller’s point of view, auctions may be easy, but you have the hassle of ensuring that the payment has cleared, then wrapping the doll up and taking it to the post office. As many dolls are fragile, this can be quite a worrying task. In contrast, by selling through a doll fair, not only – with a bit of luck – will you end up with a pocketful of cash, you’ll enjoy the rapport gained through talking to your customers and other sellers and you won’t have to post anything.
Another factor is the lack of doll clubs, which have been closing down at an amazing rate over the last few years. Unfortunately, at present, the majority of doll collectors tend to be middle aged or pensioners – new young blood is needed. Admittedly, it is coming – the craze for BJDs (Ball Jointed Dolls) is escalating, especially amongst younger people who have plenty of money to spare, although these dolls are difficult to buy in the UK at present. There is also an interest in many of the modern fashion dolls such as those by Tonner, while reborn (‘fake babies’) are popular with younger women, too. Sadly, though, the majority of the young collectors don’t go to traditional clubs, preferring to join internet discussion groups instead. Perhaps worst of all is the dearth of doll shops. Where, nowadays, can you buy a collectable doll? Toyshops are full of Bratz and Baby Born. There are very few permanent doll outlets in Britain, unlike America which has a healthy crop of doll stores. Dolls by many of the major companies, including Robert Tonner or Madame Alexander, just can’t be found in the UK.
So, what’s the answer? Doll collecting needs to be made fashionable again; if some of our major celebs ‘came out’ and confessed they were avid Barbie collectors, adored antique bisque or couldn’t get enough Pedigree plastic dolls to feed their addiction, then doll fairs, doll shops, doll exhibitions – and doll magazines – would all be booming again. But I wish they would hurry up!
Doll fairs are becoming something of rarity; a few years ago, doll collectors could be reasonably sure of finding a fair reasonably near to them, often quite small but with a good variety of dolls. Additionally, larger fairs, such as one held twice a year in Birmingham, attracted major international doll makers, so it was a chance for doll lovers to see all that was new in the doll world.
Suddenly, everything has changed. If you want to see new lines by major doll artists, you now need to travel to the continent, or, better still, visit one of the huge fairs regularly held in the United States. Even if you just want to browse around a few stalls of old hard plastic and vinyl dolls, you will probably find that you face a long journey. Organisers tell me that people regularly travel a hundred miles or so to visit their shows. It is noticeable, too, that some doll fairs are becoming mixed up with doll’s house events; often the doll’s house and miniatures take up most of the hall, while the stalls selling bigger dolls’ are bunched in a corner.
Recently I made a long journey – over 200 miles – to visit Roberta’s doll fair. It was held in Barton, Lancashire. Roberta holds these fairs four times a year, and I had heard glowing reports from many people, so was determined to see if it was as good as they said. It was better! This was just how a doll fair should be – hundreds of dolls of all types and sizes, friendly sellers, a light, airy hall, good refreshments and even a huge car park. I certainly intend to go back, even if it does entail an overnight stop – a good doll fair is worth its weight in, well, dolls.
Fairs I regularly visit are Goldilocks, held at Chelmsford, Essex, twice a year, and the Cottenham doll fair, Cambridge, held in September. Both these, though small, are friendly with a varied selection of dolls and accessories. But why have so many fairs disappeared? Well, internet auctions must be partly to blame, though nothing beats examining dolls before you buy. From the seller’s point of view, auctions may be easy, but you have the hassle of ensuring that the payment has cleared, then wrapping the doll up and taking it to the post office. As many dolls are fragile, this can be quite a worrying task. In contrast, by selling through a doll fair, not only – with a bit of luck – will you end up with a pocketful of cash, you’ll enjoy the rapport gained through talking to your customers and other sellers and you won’t have to post anything.
Another factor is the lack of doll clubs, which have been closing down at an amazing rate over the last few years. Unfortunately, at present, the majority of doll collectors tend to be middle aged or pensioners – new young blood is needed. Admittedly, it is coming – the craze for BJDs (Ball Jointed Dolls) is escalating, especially amongst younger people who have plenty of money to spare, although these dolls are difficult to buy in the UK at present. There is also an interest in many of the modern fashion dolls such as those by Tonner, while reborn (‘fake babies’) are popular with younger women, too. Sadly, though, the majority of the young collectors don’t go to traditional clubs, preferring to join internet discussion groups instead. Perhaps worst of all is the dearth of doll shops. Where, nowadays, can you buy a collectable doll? Toyshops are full of Bratz and Baby Born. There are very few permanent doll outlets in Britain, unlike America which has a healthy crop of doll stores. Dolls by many of the major companies, including Robert Tonner or Madame Alexander, just can’t be found in the UK.
So, what’s the answer? Doll collecting needs to be made fashionable again; if some of our major celebs ‘came out’ and confessed they were avid Barbie collectors, adored antique bisque or couldn’t get enough Pedigree plastic dolls to feed their addiction, then doll fairs, doll shops, doll exhibitions – and doll magazines – would all be booming again. But I wish they would hurry up!
posted by Decidedly Dolly at
8:19 AM
3 Comments
