Doll Repair - Should I Have My Doll Restored?
If you've recently recovered your childhood dolls from storage, you might be dismayed by how ratty and played-with they look. You probably remember them as being beautiful and brand-new. However, as tempting as it is to have a doll hospital restore them to like-new condition, hold that thought - your doll may be worth more in original condition, even if it's played with.
Determining Your Doll's Condition
The first step to deciding whether to restore your vintage doll is determining her condition. The only time I would ever consider restoring a doll is when she is in poor condition. Most of the time, a doll in flawed original condition is worth more than a doll that has been newly restored -- especially from a collector's viewpoint.
If your doll has these flaws, you should consider having her restored:
* Cut or missing hair
* Severely scratched or missing paint
* Eyes that have fallen out of their sockets
* Missing or broken body parts
* Ripped or moth-eaten clothing
* Mold or mildew
Basically, only if the damage is severe and/or extensive should you consider having the doll restored. And even if you do have her restored, only do as much restoration as needed to fix the flaws. For instance, if all your doll needs is a new wig, don't have her repainted too!
Leaving Well Enough Alone
There are many cases where a doll isn't badly damaged enough to justify restoring her. Remember, leaving her in original condition is almost always preferable to having her "redone."
* Hair that has lost its curl somewhat
* Minor rubs scratches in the paint
* Faded face paint and cheek blush
* Sleep eyes that stick
* A walking mechanism that only works sporadically
* Clothing that just needs "freshening up"
Fixing these problems would require further compromising the doll's originality. Remember, only have something repaired if it is damaged so badly that the original condition is already beyond salvage!
The Difference Between Doll Repair and Restoration
Some doll repair is so minor that they will not affect the doll's value. These repairs can be made as they are needed, without significantly harming the doll's original condition.
* Restringing a doll when the original rubber band is loose or broken
* Cleaning surface dirt from the doll with a gentle doll cleaner (harsh cleaners will remove the paint)
* Combing and restyling the hair when it has completely lost the original set and/or has gotten badly tangled
* Gently soaking the original clothes in cold water and Biz when they are badly soiled
* Replacing missing accessories with appropriate vintage or original replacements
The most important thing when you are repairing or restoring a vintage doll is to use your common sense. If you have any hesitations or think that the doll may be better left the way it is, you're probably right. Remember, a doll in original condition is always preferable to one that has been restored!(http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Katharine_Swan)
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