GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Sept 12, 2015 16:46:47 GMT -5
I'll admit that I was a tomboy as a child. I preferred sports and other active endeavors to more "traditional" girl activities. As a parent, I have only boys as children, to whom I optimistically gave gender neutral toys only to have them prefer "traditional" boy toys. I was never really into dolls. My world exists outside of the realm of dolls. And, for me, that is apparently a very good thing. As part of our property loss claim, I have been researching the value of DMIL's extensive doll collection that we inherited (before we had kids, so were anticipating passing them on to daughters). I sincerely don't mean to offend anyone. I am just in total shock and disbelief. I was stunned to find that baby dolls are now made to be, IMHO, YMMV, absolutely creepily and horrifyingly life-like. Has anyone else out there really looked lately at the types of baby dolls one can buy now? I'm sorry, really I am, for any doll collectors I might be offending. But, some of these "life-like" dolls look horror-movieish to me. Oy, if DMIL's dolls didn't have so much value, I'd just write them off.
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debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Sept 12, 2015 16:52:24 GMT -5
My late MIL collected dolls too ... I refused to allow them into the house. DH pleaded to let ONE in, and I did. Then her neck broke while we were redoing that room, may years ago. So she's still around but she's very very lopsided. Dolls creep the hell out of me!!! And they always did, no dolls for me, even when I was little. Now that I think about it, where is she?! I haven't seen her around for a while. Hopefully she's WAY in the back of DH's closet somewhere. ETA And now I'm feeling guilty and sad for her :-( Like I said, dolls totally creep me out!!!
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Dolls!
Sept 12, 2015 17:01:27 GMT -5
Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Sept 12, 2015 17:01:27 GMT -5
The ones that are troubling me are the Reborn and the Truly So Real ones. Did you know they make dolls that "breathe" now?? You can place your hand on the doll's chest and feel it breathing. WHY??!!
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Dolls!
Sept 12, 2015 17:04:46 GMT -5
Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Sept 12, 2015 17:04:46 GMT -5
Oh, and DMIL has a bunch of Madame Alexander (in the box, but not sure if absolutely brand new) and some Brinn's in the box. I was planning on passing them down because, like I said, I don't have any interest in dolls, so didn't even think that they might have some value. She also had several cabbage patch kids and some other baby dolls that I haven't found the brand for yet. Should I not bother? Because I am seriously creeped out.
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Tennesseer
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Post by Tennesseer on Sept 12, 2015 17:28:16 GMT -5
The dolls from the movie Barbarella
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Deleted
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Dolls!
Sept 12, 2015 18:02:29 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2015 18:02:29 GMT -5
I never saw a doll, even new in a box, go for more than a few dollars at an auction (lots of boxes at my great uncle's this week!) ... My grandfather used to swear that some of his dolls were worth thousands ... Based on the company's catalog of such values... he did not want to hear that the highest selling price on eBay was 35$...
Id guess some dolls have value somewhere, but I've never been witness, so I'm not sure what would be worth pursuing or not.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2015 18:06:45 GMT -5
Oh, and I agree... Lifelike dolls = creepy!
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Lizard Queen
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Post by Lizard Queen on Sept 12, 2015 18:22:04 GMT -5
I was never a doll person either. Though I did have some Barbie's growing up. Dolls are creepy, as are clowns. A year ago, my mom did found a collectible type Anne of Green Gables doll at a garage sale for a buck or 2. She got it for me since I loved the books so much. I do like that one. That reminds me, my friend has a couple of shelving units filled with collectible Barbie's still in their boxes. She liked one, so her now exH bought more and more of them. What a waste of money and dusting over the years that was! They're probably worth something, but wouldn't touch Phil script returns, I'm sure.
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Sept 12, 2015 18:24:26 GMT -5
Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Sept 12, 2015 18:24:26 GMT -5
I just need replacement value -- what it will cost me to replace them with the same like/kind/quality. I have no idea what DMIL paid for them in the first place, but I do know that she had a "collectibles" habit -- everything from dolls to pewter plates and everything in between. She bought new, as I recall. There is no plastic wrap or any other kind of seal on the boxes. I do know she had a glass cabinet where she would display some. But, as far as I know, they weren't played with, although I obviously can't prove that. That's a great idea about a guide. And, I'll see if I can find any antique stores in the area that deal with dolls. It's a HUGE project. I'll be so happy when it's done. I just need to stay off of "newborn" and "life-like" doll sites.
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dannylion
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Post by dannylion on Sept 12, 2015 18:27:23 GMT -5
There have been a few news stories about people mistaking those lifelike, life-sized baby dolls for real babies left in a car and calling the police or breaking the car window.
I think they're weird and creepy. Some of the people who collect them treat them like real babies and then it just gets scary weird.
I have a trunk full of Madame Alexander dolls from my childhood. I don't have any children, so no one to share them with. I also have some exquisite handmade clothes and accessories a very talented great aunt made for my dolls. Until I find someone who can appreciate them, I will keep them.
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dannylion
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Post by dannylion on Sept 12, 2015 18:29:14 GMT -5
I just need replacement value -- what it will cost me to replace them with the same like/kind/quality. I have no idea what DMIL paid for them in the first place, but I do know that she had a "collectibles" habit -- everything from dolls to pewter plates and everything in between. She bought new, as I recall. There is no plastic wrap or any other kind of seal on the boxes. I do know she had a glass cabinet where she would display some. But, as far as I know, they weren't played with, although I obviously can't prove that. That's a great idea about a guide. And, I'll see if I can find any antique stores in the area that deal with dolls. It's a HUGE project. I'll be so happy when it's done. I just need to stay off of "newborn" and "life-like" doll sites. You could search for similar dolls on eBay and get an idea of what they're selling for in that venue.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2015 20:06:22 GMT -5
I agree with you on baby dolls. Even as a kid I found them a bit creepy and then thought I was weird to feel that way.
Our local paper had a story on the ultra-realistic baby dolls in one Sunday magazine supplement. It was sad to me that most of the collectors seemed to be empty-nest, post-menopausal women. There's more to life after kids than nurturing pretend babies.
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Sept 12, 2015 20:24:22 GMT -5
I agree with you on baby dolls. Even as a kid I found them a bit creepy and then thought I was weird to feel that way. Our local paper had a story on the ultra-realistic baby dolls in one Sunday magazine supplement. It was sad to me that most of the collectors seemed to be empty-nest, post-menopausal women. There's more to life after kids than nurturing pretend babies. (GRG gets to work on finding new outlets for her talents now that she is about to launch the youngest.)
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Sept 12, 2015 20:26:53 GMT -5
Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Sept 12, 2015 20:26:53 GMT -5
I am finding some on Ebay and Etsy and other such sites.
The problem is you sometimes have to make your way through the creepy dolls, first, to find the one you want to find. (We need a "cover your eyes" emoticon, LOL.)
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cael
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Post by cael on Sept 12, 2015 21:24:44 GMT -5
Dolls are largely terrifying. I did like my American Girl dolls as a kid and had a Cabbage Patch when I was real little, but didn't like much in the way of dolls otherwise.
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Opti
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Post by Opti on Sept 12, 2015 21:27:23 GMT -5
I'm curious why you don't just sell the dolls instead of insure them?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2015 21:54:22 GMT -5
(GRG gets to work on finding new outlets for her talents now that she is about to launch the youngest.) I can help you with that! Let any organization that relies heavily on volunteers know that you're available and you'll be on 4 committees and chairing another. Join Toasmasters. Take French lessons. Go out for long rides on your bike. I want to take dance lessons but also want to save $$ to go back to Iceland; we were there last month. My SIL volunteers at an animal shelter and takes in newborn kittens and nurtures them till they're ready to adopt. Sure beats cuddling baby dolls.
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Sept 13, 2015 0:00:05 GMT -5
Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Sept 13, 2015 0:00:05 GMT -5
I'm curious why you don't just sell the dolls instead of insure them? I'm not insuring them. Nor can I in good conscience sell them. They were in a basement storage room when the tree crushed my house last summer and 5 inches of torrential rain poured through the giant holes in the roof and the crushed bulkhead. The rain flooded my basement, but not until it soaked the interior of the first and second floors. We were not allowed in for more than a week until they could safely shore up the roof. By then, in the July heat and humidity, the vast majority of my belongings, including the dolls, were a sodden, moldy, mildewy mess. Sadly, the dolls and everything else will be trashed once the personal property loss is settled (and the check clears the bank). So, I just need to establish their value (and the value of most of everything else I owned at that time.
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Opti
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Post by Opti on Sept 13, 2015 8:04:13 GMT -5
Thanks for the clarification and sorry to hear about the damage to the house. I think its good the dolls will be leaving your life for good, and hope you didn't lose too much stuff you liked.
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Spellbound454
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Post by Spellbound454 on Sept 13, 2015 18:10:15 GMT -5
I have seen some film of incredibly lifelike "newborn" dolls, where people (adults) have a collection with clothes and cribs etc
I don't really understand the fascination..........but people seem to enjoy them and I suppose its a harmless hobby to have.
Just don't involve me
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cael
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Sept 13, 2015 19:48:10 GMT -5
Post by cael on Sept 13, 2015 19:48:10 GMT -5
Dolls are largely terrifying. I did like my American Girl dolls as a kid and had a Cabbage Patch when I was real little, but didn't like much in the way of dolls otherwise. is that suppose to be george castanza's mother? Yes it is! Frank ended up destroying it
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happyhoix
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Post by happyhoix on Sept 14, 2015 13:03:38 GMT -5
I'm curious why you don't just sell the dolls instead of insure them? I'm not insuring them. Nor can I in good conscience sell them. They were in a basement storage room when the tree crushed my house last summer and 5 inches of torrential rain poured through the giant holes in the roof and the crushed bulkhead. The rain flooded my basement, but not until it soaked the interior of the first and second floors. We were not allowed in for more than a week until they could safely shore up the roof. By then, in the July heat and humidity, the vast majority of my belongings, including the dolls, were a sodden, moldy, mildewy mess. Sadly, the dolls and everything else will be trashed once the personal property loss is settled (and the check clears the bank). So, I just need to establish their value (and the value of most of everything else I owned at that time. What a mess. In 2011 a tornado took off the roof of our house and we had the same issue you did, with water damaged stuff, only our was limited to our upstairs bedrooms and closets and to the screened porch, which had the roof lifted up and a tree inserted inside. We were very fortunate, though, that the two upstairs bedrooms were guest rooms and didn't have much valuable/sentimental stuff. Some of my neighbors lost all their family photos, videos, etc. It's so sad. On the other hand, those realistic babies are creepy as hell. I saw a TV show about them a while ago, and it showed these ladies creating those dolls and their clothes, and then carrying them with them to tea parties with other ladies and their dolls. Kind of like an episode of the Twilight Zone. However - they said how much the babies cost, and I remember they were fairly pricey. So maybe that will be your silver lining in this mess!
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milee
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Sept 14, 2015 14:12:34 GMT -5
Post by milee on Sept 14, 2015 14:12:34 GMT -5
On the radio this morning there was a segment where people called in with stories about creepy grandparents or creepy things in grandparents' houses. The vast majority of the callers that I heard on my 20 minute drive were calling in about dolls, statues or stuffed animals in their grandma's house. The lifelike dolls weren't even mentioned, it was just how freaky children often find even regular dolls or stuffed animals depending on how they're displayed.
So just a thought, PSA for people who are into dolls - even if you find dolls and stuffed animals lovely, you might be creeping out your grandchildren.
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happyhoix
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Sept 14, 2015 15:36:02 GMT -5
Post by happyhoix on Sept 14, 2015 15:36:02 GMT -5
My grandma had a stuffed moose head that grandpa killed hanging right over the guest bed. I can still remember laying in bed, scared stiff, waiting for that giant head to lean down and bite my face.
The horror!
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milee
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Post by milee on Sept 14, 2015 16:18:59 GMT -5
My grandma had a stuffed moose head that grandpa killed hanging right over the guest bed. I can still remember laying in bed, scared stiff, waiting for that giant head to lean down and bite my face. The horror! Many of the stories told on the radio this morning were similar, except involved dolls. Guess there are lots of grandmas that display old dolls or stuffed animals in their house or - even worse - the guest bedroom where the poor grandkids sleep. The kids - now adults - talked about how creepy it felt to be "watched."
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sarcasticgirl
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Post by sarcasticgirl on Sept 14, 2015 16:22:08 GMT -5
my MIL has these dolls in their guest room. On the occasion that we sleep there, I always expect to wake up in the middle of the night with one standing on my pillow about to kill me.
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NomoreDramaQ1015
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Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Sept 14, 2015 16:28:26 GMT -5
There is a diner here that is decorated like an old lady house, evne the bathroom. Nothing quite like having at least 30 sets of doll eyes staring at you while you are doing your business. That was enough to turn me off ever going back. That and the food was "meh".
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Sept 15, 2015 6:59:10 GMT -5
my MIL has these dolls in their guest room. On the occasion that we sleep there, I always expect to wake up in the middle of the night with one standing on my pillow about to kill me. I'd be extra nice to that MIL -- and to her son. ;-)
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