Doll collection from worldwide travels 50s/60s

Discussion in 'Antique Discussion' started by ChrisEnemy, Feb 22, 2026.

  1. ChrisEnemy

    ChrisEnemy New Member

    Hi, a family member gathered a numer of dolls during his travels from the 1950s/60s. I'm considering selling them. I'm looking for some input and expertise from the community.
    I know that a couple of them (the Moomins etc) are more desirable but not finding it as easy to learn about the others.
    Please see the link for the Google gallery of images.
    Most are in fair to good condition with only one item sporting a messy attempt at a repair.

    Dolls photo gallery - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1FoA7a011Uz-1NkdclhfUgi4ZsPipnW6F?usp=sharing

    case of dolls.jpg
     
  2. evelyb30

    evelyb30 Well-Known Member

    Things on Drive sometimes can't be seen, and folks here do not click links often. I don't see any really valuable things in this photo. Be careful with the black Americana pieces; "Mammy" pieces aren't allowed to be sold on eBay and likely some other sites.
     
  3. Debora

    Debora Well-Known Member

    Their condition does look very good but souvenir costume dolls are a category that doesn't have a lot of collector interest. And they're not terribly old. I'd suggest you do Completed listing searches for each on eBay to see if any in the collection would be an exception. If you need help identifying what you have, you can post additional photographs here and members will help you. (For instance, I see a wooden peg doll from Poland.) But your best bet is likely to sell them on eBay as a lot. Souvenir costume doll lots don't make much though; you're probably looking at $25 or less.

    Debora
     
  4. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    Here in the Netherlands you can't give them away.:(
    An exception is large dolls with meticulously copied and handmade Dutch costumes, their caps often made by professional lace cap makers, but those are rarely bought as souvenirs and I don't see them here.

    That said, I know a bit about costumes from around the world and would love to help with identification.
    Please post photos of the dolls in the thread so they are clearly visible. It is fine if you have groups of three, but more together gets confusing.
     
    NewEngland and ChrisEnemy like this.
  5. Debora

    Debora Well-Known Member

    @ChrisEnemy, do take advantage of the offer by @Any Jewelry above. She's one of the very knowledgable resources here. And just to clarify -- when I gave you an estimate of $25, that was for the entire lot.

    Debora
     
  6. ChrisEnemy

    ChrisEnemy New Member

    Thanks for the input so far. Much appreciated.
    I looked a few up on eBay and the Moomin dolls were being sold for upwards of £250 each. It was harder to find many of the others.
    The Google Drive in my link above is set to public view for anyone who is interested and as a Google drive it is very safe to click.
    I can upload some individual images, but there are quite a lot. The drive has sizes, any manufacturer markings and any damage. Here are some examples.
    Thanks again.

    20260222_145916 B.jpg 20260222_150027 B.jpg 20260222_150203 B.jpg
     
    kentworld and Any Jewelry like this.
  7. Debora

    Debora Well-Known Member

    Re the Moomin dolls, are you quoting a sold price or an asking price? My eBay search using "Moomin doll" brings up the highest sale at $205.99 and prices quickly go into double digits. Of course, there are variables that affect pricing such as age, condition, location, etc.

    Debora
     
    ChrisEnemy likes this.
  8. Lucille.b

    Lucille.b Well-Known Member

    In the first photo posted here, of what's visible in the box I would research the boxed Aunt Jemima dolls, many are on Worthpoint (WP) and maybe check the boxed "dancing doll". The rest (from what's visible only in photo #1, can't make out what's in the clear bag) don't seem too valuable. As pointed out, there can be issues selling the Aunt Jemima dolls, but there are plenty sold shown as sold on WP, and those have some resale.

    The Moomin dolls can have good value, just depends which character and condition of course. This one almost identical to the first one you posted with the orange dress, sold in 2024 for 406 Euros.

    https://auctionet.com/en/3440906-atelier-fauni-a-filifjonkan-moomin-doll-finland-1955-71
     
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  9. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    The last one is wearing an Armenian costume. I believe it comes from a series of dolls from that general region, so not specifically from Armenia.
     
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  10. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    Found it, the Armenian costume is from a series of costumes from the USSR. There are collectors of USSR items, so she could have some value.

    Here she is with three "sisters" from other parts of the former USSR:

    Vintage Eastern European Turned Wood Paper Painted Dolls eBay.jpg
    https://www.ebay.com/itm/186291899062

    The ebay link doesn't work the way it should, hence the screenshot.
     
  11. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    ChrisEnemy and pearlsnblume like this.
  12. Debora

    Debora Well-Known Member

    I researched the German Dancing Doll. Lots of similars and those that sell sell for very little.

    Debora
     
    ChrisEnemy likes this.
  13. ChrisEnemy

    ChrisEnemy New Member

    Thanks again. All very useful info and really appreciate the time people are taking to help.
    I'll try pick another three images from the batch. Hard for me to know which are the most worthwhile/interesting. Just guessing on appearance.
    20260222_145316 B.jpg 20260222_142920 B.jpg 20260222_140058 B.jpg
     
    Any Jewelry likes this.
  14. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    The first and last are from Sweden. The second photo, with the couple, are from the Balkans, probably Serbia.
     
    Last edited: Feb 24, 2026
    kentworld likes this.
  15. Debora

    Debora Well-Known Member

    The middle group is most interesting. And nice to have a pair. There is a market for Charlotte Weibull dolls. She doesn't have a tag on her skirt identifying what region she's from?

    Debora
     
    Bev aka thelmasstuff likes this.
  16. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    She is also from Serbia imo. The colours in her braids are those of the Serbian flag. Also of the Yugoslavian flag, which is probably the period when they were made.
    So Serbia when it was still part of Yugoslavia.
     
    Last edited: Feb 24, 2026
  17. Debora

    Debora Well-Known Member

    Yes, I thought so too initially but wasn't going to disagree with you of all people! Those could probably find a buyer. Early, a pair and excellent condition.

    Debora
     
  18. ChrisEnemy

    ChrisEnemy New Member

    Thanks Debora. This is on the base of the container. 20260222_140133 B.jpg
     
    Any Jewelry likes this.
  19. ChrisEnemy

    ChrisEnemy New Member

    Another 3 dolls. The male and female with baby are in great condition. The 3rd in brown outfit is damaged. 20260222_170405 B.jpg 20260222_170339 B.jpg 20260222_173817 B.jpg
     
  20. Debora

    Debora Well-Known Member

    See eBay Completed item #188023164654 for above.

    Debora
     
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