Collecting
Collecting. We are all collectors of something that is important to us. It may or may not be valuable, it may or may not be rare,
it may or may not be historically important, but it is important to us. As such, care is expected when we share our treasures.
But what care? Why does it matter. It matters because damage occurs from handling things but also because proper care is a
sign of respect of the item and the person sharing it. These guidelines were from Nancy Lazenby's article on Doll Etiquette.
A little care shown in the interaction with other's dolls, shows the care you give in interaction with the other person.
Lazenby, Nancy. Doll Etiquette. Doll News. Winter 2008. pp 34-37
it may or may not be historically important, but it is important to us. As such, care is expected when we share our treasures.
But what care? Why does it matter. It matters because damage occurs from handling things but also because proper care is a
sign of respect of the item and the person sharing it. These guidelines were from Nancy Lazenby's article on Doll Etiquette.
- Ask First! Before touching or otherwise handling a doll, ask first. Hands contain dirt and oils (or other chemicals including
hand creams, cigarettes and perfumes) that over time damages dolls regardless of their composition. Handling wears
paint and finishes on china and porcelain and transfers dirt and oil to papier mache, cloth and wood. By asking first, the
owner has the opportunity to warn you of fragile or loose pieces or to move other items out of the way so the doll can be
safely handled. - Use Both Hands! Just because it looks light and firmly attached does not make it so.
- Nothing Else in Your Hands! Food, beverages, pens and pencils transfer to the doll and its costume. Rings and car keys
scratch, get caught in fabric and netting and make handling more difficult. The last thing you want to drop is someone
else's prize doll. (This applies to dangling necklaces, bracelets and shoulder bags--and oh yes--children in tow.) - Leave It Alone! See a "flaw"? Trying to fix it may cause more harm than good.
- If in doubt, Don't Touch!
- Ask the seller or owner to show you the marks or tags as they may be damaged with repeated touching or pulling. Clothes
and wigs that cover marks are easily damaged with repeated stress. Ask to undress the doll or ask the dealer to do so. - Use my mother's adage: If you do not have anything nice to say, find something!
- Sometimes our enthusiasm gets the best of us. This is particularly noticeable when we wish to purchase a doll from a
friend or a dealer. Informing the owner that you admire a piece in the collection and would love to have it should it ever
come up for sale will go much farther than flat out saying you want to buy a piece that may not be for sale or may be
earmarked for someone else. Politely noting assets and deficits in a doll while negotiating a price is one thing, running it
down to get a "steal" is something else entirely. While on the topic of running a doll down to get a better deal, it is best not
to run down the owner either. - Ask permission before taking pictures. Galleries do not allow picture taking as it can damage the colors or fabrics and the
item pictured may fall under many copyright laws. Also, permission to take a picture is not permission to publish that
picture or use it in any other way.
A little care shown in the interaction with other's dolls, shows the care you give in interaction with the other person.
Lazenby, Nancy. Doll Etiquette. Doll News. Winter 2008. pp 34-37