10 pts. to first person to help with antique doll question?

Question

I am interested in selling a “family heirloom” that I inherited as a child. “Ruthy” has been in my family for at least 78 years; my grandmother played with her as a child during the 30s, and I believe my great-grandmother (who died at 96 in the early 90s) may have owned Ruthy, as well. Ruthy may have origninally come from Europe, but I would have to ask my grandmother.

Ruthy is either a composition or celluloid doll measuring roughly 20 inches from head to toe. She has a flange neck, open/closed mouth, molded ears, and faded “sleep eyes” with eyelashes made of real hair/fur of some sort. Her curly, auburn hair is about the length of her back, and is human hair. It looks as though the details on her face and limbs were hand-painted.

Ruthy came with a wardrobe of perhaps a dozen vintage or antique outfits, made of silk, velvet and trimmed in things like real fur and delicate cotton lace.

She’s generally in pretty good condition -- she has knicks in her feet and a slight disoloration on her left cheek. And, unfortunately (I guess from summer heat), part of her right shin melted to her tights. But, otherwise she looks very, very nice.

I really have no attachment to the doll and want to sell it. I was wondering if anyone knew enough about antique/vintage dolls that they might be able to take a look at the pictures and give me an estimate and/or suggestions.

Thanks!

Here are some pictures:

(She’s in one of her less-pretty, newer-looking outfits in these pics, btw.)

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj91/ihearthobbes/Hair.jpg

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj91/ihearthobbes/100_5400.jpg

Answer 1

there are books on dolls and their values go to the library and check for bookson dolls.

Answer 2

If the doll is celluloid she should have a turtle mark on the back of her next at the back of the flange, Please look and see if there is a mark. If she is composition when you pull the arm out some the inside of the arm will be solid. I sell collections of dolls for families I have a sight on yahoo. www.oldbabessellsdolls.com Send me some pictures and I will be glad to tell you what the dolls is. suzanne

Answer 3

Ok. I. enstranged. meaning unloved right. well its understandable if maybe u dont like a family member. BUT. 1. its very old 2. the money you will get for your doll, u'll waste it in a blink of an eye. 3. ur selfish 4. its a family heirloom, meant to be passed down to UR children. so what if u dont like the doll, so what if the doll is freaky. do u have any idea how important a family heirloom is. do u not know that MAYBE some families would love to have these objects passed down through generations. i have nothing passed down in my family, and it would be really cool if i did. but its 78 years old, maybe ur children or ur childrens chilren will take a liking to the doll. its a  DOLL how could u not possibly have enough room for a doll, u have room for a frying pan, find a place for ur doll, even if u dont like it, put it in a bag of somesort and put it in the attic the basement, ur closet. that money u will get, what good would it do to u. ur family had senimental value for that doll. its so precious how u described it. omg, ur grandmothers played with it. for petes sakes, THEIR LIFETIMES PRECIOUS MEMORIES ARE IN THAT DOLL, and that means NOTHING to you. its their childhood memories, even if they are in this world or not, this doll has been living or creaed for 78 years, imagine the things and memories even if it isnt living it had with ur family, so u dont love ur father or something, what does the doll really have to do with him, it kinda symbolizes ur grandmother. imagine how they or the first one would feel if they sold it away. so it was ur great-grandmothers, who lovingly passed it dwon to ur grandmother, who gave it to you. and ur selling it for selfish reasons, not many familes have these important objects. u should value old antiques that are in ur family. u dont look like u really need money, u have internet connection and a computer, something only 1% of the world is able to access, stop being conceited and constipated for own personal reasons. im sorry i dont want to be mean, but one day ur kids might want it, and it will be even older than, u should learn to respect old items passed in ur family. personally speaking its a bit creepy, but thats becasue its old, back than dolls wernt as beautoful and realistic such as our dolls who are practically alive. but they are old, and such dolls dont exsist anymore, be very lucky that u have it. becasue it belongs to ur family, it should be very every special. so before u do something to regret this, think about it carefully, and find other items to seell, from ur entire house, this own doll, own tiny doll is the only thing u can make money. GIVE ME A BREAK -_- be more creative, dont sell family specialities, because u'll never get it back, and who knows maybe the own who DOES get it, will get more of an advantage from it than u. so just keep the doll, and think about it carefully, its not good to rush things, or do stupid things because its creepy and old and u need money. get real, life isnt fair, its been given to u, the decisions are urs, but the value of that doll is special, and ur giving it away so easily right know. i bet many people value their family treasues, very special, so u have to as well. unless theirs a real good reason to sell it, i dont recommend doing so. good luck to ur decisions and do what is right for the whole familym and think about future generations, but if u dont want to keep it, give it to someone elser in the family who will value it more than u do, they might appreciate it better. dont make bad choices, and do things that is right for you and the doll. (^_^)

P.S. so upsetting when people give up precious objects so easily. It's a great loss for you really. even if it means nothing to you whatseover. good luck with ur endeavour (?)

Answer 4

i would never sell it its such a good memory i say dont sell it

Answer 5

don't sell it