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Collectible Dolls that make Great Gifts
People have been making and buying dolls for their children for thousands of years. The first dolls were modeled after the gods and were used as instructional aides. Years later, dolls became playthings for children of both sexes. They were made of primitive materials, often clay, wood, or fur. Unfortunately, few specimens have been recovered from the prehistoric period.
However, archeologists have uncovered dozens of dolls from ancient Egypt. Since most of them were found in graves or tombs, these dolls were well-preserved. Historians also remind us that whenever an Egyptian was buried with an item, it meant that it was a cherished or prized possession. These early Egyptian dolls were made of flat pieces of sanded wood that were often painted and decorated with hair. The hair was made of strings of wooden beads or strings of clay. The earliest of these dolls were found in tombs dating back to 2000 BC.
It was not until Greek and Roman times that dolls were made specifically for girls. They played with them for several years and then, when they were old enough, they offered them as gift to their favorite goddess. Most of the dolls that have been recovered from these periods were found in the graves of little girls.
But even in the most primitive dolls, historians have noticed a common theme. The focus of doll making, whether done by a parent or a professional, has always been to make the dolls as lifelike as possible. Dolls with removable clothes and moveable limbs that date back to 600 B.C. have been uncovered.
Centuries later, Europe became the hub of the doll making universe. In fact, dolls were so popular by the 16th and 17th century that, for the first time, there was such a thing as a professional doll maker. Of course, dolls were still made of wood, but the craftsmanship and attention to detail was beyond anything that had been produced in the past.
By the 19th century, a new material hit the scene. It was called porcelain, and it was made by firing special clays at extremely high temperatures. Of course, these dolls were not children's playthings—they were quite fragile. Oftentimes, they were used as simple decorative pieces.
But the most important innovation in the history of doll making had nothing to do with a material—it had to do with the subject. Before the late nineteenth century, most dolls were made by and modeled after adults. But the famous French "bebe" doll of the 1880s depicted a much younger girl. After bebe dolls, almost all dolls were modeled after children.
In the later, lean years, rag dolls were a common and inexpensive gift mothers could make for their daughters. They were generally constructed of linen or cotton and they only took a few hours to make. More often than not, they were a little girl's first toy.
And when those little girls grew up, many of them began collecting dolls as a hobby. One of the most respected doll makers in the country is the Franklin Mint. Known primarily for their coins (they are a mint, after all), the company has been producing limited edition dolls for adults for decades now.
Each doll is handcrafted by an experienced artisan, often from vinyl. The Franklin Mint calls them Portrait Dolls, because they are modeled after a famous picture of a fictional or historical figure. For example, the Scarlett O'Hara Final Farewell Vinyl Portrait Doll captures the moment when Scarlett utters her famous valediction, "After all, tomorrow is another day."
These dolls are only available for sale while supplies last, and they typically sell out fast. After that, the doll is retired, i.e., it will never be offered again. Because the supply seldom meets the demand, many collectors are forced to purchase these dolls at higher prices on Internet auction sites or at estate sales.
What makes them so special? Aside from their rarity and fine craftsmanship, the dolls also capture a famous historical image. This makes them instantly recognizable and gives them sentimental value for collectors who are fans or admirers of the subject. Princess Diana, Marilyn Monroe, and Jackie Kennedy are perennial favorites.
One of the most exciting new dolls to be offer by the Franklin Mint in several years is the Michele Obama Official White House Portrait Doll. Shortly after her husband came to office, Mrs. Obama posed for an official portrait in the Blue Room of the White Office. The doll captures that historic moment, along with the poise, elegance and natural beauty of the First Lady. Fitted with a black dress, black pumps, stud earrings, and a faux pearl necklace, the doll stands exactly 16 ½ inches and is made of vinyl. The Franklin Mint limited the dolls to 9,900 worldwide.
The next time you're looking for a great gift for either a deserving young woman or a doll collecting friend or relative, consider the impressive history of doll making and a few of these great dolls.
About the Author
Christian Ruelas is a freelance writer who writes about a variety of topics including shopping for collectible dolls
Making of a Model Car from A to Z (Franklin Mint)
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Vintage 1970s Franklin Mint Musical Porcelain Doll $159.99 |
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12 Tribal Collector Plates - Franklin Mint and Crestly Collections $100.00 |
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IWC Big Pilot Plane Display Junkers JU 52 Franklin Mint Armour 1:48 HUGE RARE $475.00 |
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nystamps US Stamp Scott 433 Mint OG Retail $45 Franklin VF $22.55 |
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1981 Franklin Mint Porcelain Ryu Okazarki Signed Vase "Heralds of Spring" $19.99 |
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1933 Duesenberg SJ Twenty Grand Gun Metal Gray Diecast Car Franklin Mint 1:24 $69.99 |
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Franklin Mint Gone with the Wind SCARLETT Figurine SCULPTURE HER PROMENADE $45.00 |
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Franklin Mint -- Patricia Jean Porcelain Doll $150.00 |
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FRANKLIN MINT *KRISTINA* THE GIBSON GIRL CHRISTMAS HEIRLOOM DOLL W/ORIGINAL BOX $49.99 |
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nystamps US Stamp Scott 434 435 Mint OG Retail $47.50 Franklin VF $28.30 |
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Franklin Mint Plate Looking To The Future F1725 Max Ginsburg $9.99 |
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FRANKLIN MINT BUBBLE BUDDIES BY SUE WILLIS PLATE $6.30 |
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Franklin MInt Heirloom Storybook LITTLE BO PEEP PORCELAIN DOLL Helen Kish ~ NIB $75.00 |
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Satsuma Unicorn Franklin Mint with Certificate of Authenticity $5.00 |
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Franklin Pierce U.S. Mint Presidential Medal Bronze $1.30 |
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Franklin Mint BUNDLE OF JOY Yellow Persian Kitten $11.00 |
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nystamps US Stamp Scott 437 Mint OG Retail $125 Franklin VF $27.66 |
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Vtg~FRANKLIN MINT~Sterling Vermeil NEPHRITE JADE Bronze IMPERIAL HORSE Necklac $99.00 |
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Franklin Mint 1955 Ford Fairlane Crown Victoria Pink 1/24 Scale Nice Car Tag $39.99 |
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FRANKLIN MINT *GWENDOLYN* THE GIBSON GIRL CHRISTMAS HEIRLOOM DOLL W/ORIGINAL BOX $50.99 |
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Doll Reader Magazine July 1994 Franklin Mint Treasure & Madame Alexanders Brides $12.59 |
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nystamps US Stamp Scott 439 Mint OG Retail $230 Franklin VF $72.10 |
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Sporting Companions by Franklin Mint-black labs $15.00 |
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Franklin Mint Chess Pieces TOS Vian and Pawn $4.99 |
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JACKIE KENNEDY DOLL FRANKLIN MINT BLACK & WHITE GOWN PORCELAIN DOLL W STAND $74.99 |
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Franklin Mint 'Christmas Prancer'' Collector Plate $8.39 |
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FRanklin Mint Collectors Plate - "A Cozy Glen" Limited Edition $5.00 |
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FRANKLIN MINT *ROSLYN* THE GIBSON GIRL CHRISTMAS HEIRLOOM DOLL W/ORIGINAL BOX $49.99 |
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PROOF 1LB SLOT TOKEN FROM FRANKLIN MINT ISSUED FROM THE PLAYBOY CASINO LONDON $67.99 |
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Franklin Mint A Teddy Bear Picnic By Carol Lawson $16.00 |
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Franklin Mint PATCHWORK PALS Kittens $11.00 |
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Franklin Mint Noritake Porcelain Thimble MIB $10.99 |
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BABYLON 5 DR. STEPHEN FRANKLIN. MINT ON CARD $9.99 |
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Franklin Mint TEA FOR TWO Tea Party Kittens $11.00 |
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Franklin Mint COZY COMPANIONS Kittens & Teddy Bear $11.00 |
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1918 Cadillac Landaulet: Franklin Mint Antique Car Coin collection 1968 Series 1 $3.29 |
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Franklin Mint- 1932 Cadillac V-16 Sport Phaeton - Elliot Ness Diecast Model $124.99 |
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Franklin Mint Wedding Bear Set, great for any wedding! $250.00 |
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Franklin Mint KITTY LITERATURE Kittens In Library $11.00 |
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Franklin Mint Harley Davidson Duo Glide Collector Knife $35.00 |
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Franklin Mint Walking Stick Cane Wall Mount Display Holder $35.99 |
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1957D, Franklin Half Dollar. 90% silver, Denver mint. good condition silv gd. $10.15 |
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1911 Mercer Raceabout: Franklin Mint Antique Car Coin Collection; Series 1 -1968 $3.29 |
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Franklin Mint Collector's Treasury of Eggs -"PARIAN" $19.95 |
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Franklin Mint Tony Stewart #20 Collector Tankard 2002 Beer Mug Stein Never Used $29.99 |
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1913 Lozier Light Sdn: Franklin Mint Antique Car Coin Collection; Series 1 -1968 $3.29 |
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Franklin Mint Collector's Treasury of Eggs -"CYBIS" $19.95 |
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1987 Franklin Mint Horses of the World Sculpture Collection Greek Classical $14.99 |
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1922 Daniels Town Brg: Franklin Mint Antique Car Coin Collection; Series 1 -1968 $3.29 |
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Franklin Mint Collector's Treasury of Eggs -"LIMOGES" $19.95 |
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Franklin Mint Jeff Gordon #24 Collector Tankard 2002 Beer Mug Stein Never Used $29.99 |
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Franklin Pierce - Brilliant US Mint Coins - 2010 D & P On Hand for Wednesday $3.56 |
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Benjamin Ben Franklin Flying Kite on 56 Year Old Mint Stamps from 1956 $2.99 |
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FRANKLIN MINT STAR TREK KLINGON ENCOUNTER $17.00 |
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9 FRANKLIN MINT 1977 PEWTER FIGURINES "The Women and Men who built America". $190.00 |
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Franklin Mint Collector's Treasury of Eggs -"CLOISONNE" $19.95 |
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COOK ISLANDS - THE COINS OF THE GREAT EXPLORERS SET FROM 1988 (FRANKLIN MINT) $950.00 |
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1908 Stanley Steamer: Franklin Mint Antique Car Coin Collection; Series 1 - 1968 $3.29 |
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Franklin Mint Collector's Treasury of Eggs - "MARBLE" $19.95 |
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1948 PANHEAD HARLEY DAVIDSON COLLECTOR KNIFE- FRANKLIN MINT $35.00 |
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HARLEY DAVIDSON "THE ULTIMATE CHOPPER" EASY RIDER COLLECTOR KNIFE- FRANKLIN MINT $35.00 |
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COCA-COLA KNIFE/BOTTLE OPENER -- FRANKLIN MINT $40.00 |
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HARLEY DAVIDSON ELECTRA GLIDE COLLECTOR KNIFE-FRANKLIN MINT $40.00 |
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HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTER COLLECTOR KNIFE- FRANKLIN MINT $35.00 |
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HARLEY DAVIDSON LOW RIDER COLLECTOR KNIFE- FRANKLIN MINT $35.00 |
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Franklin Mint Capodimonte Buff Beauty Porcelain Rose Sculpture Made in Italy $26.99 |
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Franklin Mint Betty Boop Wall Shelf Black with Silver/Chrome Trim 3-Tier $40.49 |
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Franklin Mint Norman Rockwell's Fondest Memories Set T1234L $2,177.00 |
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Franklin Mint Treasury of Eggs -"GOLDEN FILIGRE" $19.95 |
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ANTIQUES ROADSHOW INSIDER 1/06-MINT-PBS-BEN FRANKLIN/DESK SETS/VINTAGE CLOTHES!! $1.99 |
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FRANKLIN MINT *VICTORIA* THE LITTLEST GIBSON GIRL W/ORIGINAL BOX/SHIPPING BOX $29.99 |
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1905 Apperson Model B Tourer: Franklin Mint Antique Car Coin 1968 Series 1 $3.29 |
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Franklin Mint Treasury of Eggs -"UKRAINIAN" $19.95 |
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Franklin Mint Treasury of Eggs -"SATSUMA" $19.95 |
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Franklin Mint Victory Ship Plate $15.00 |
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Franklin Mint Preussen Ship Plate $15.00 |
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Franklin Mint Endeavour Ship Plate $15.00 |
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Franklin Mint Independence Ship Plate $15.00 |
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Franklin Mint Constitution Ship Plate $15.00 |
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Franklin Mint Sovereign of the Seas Ship Plate $15.00 |
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Titanic Rose Black Kimono Dressing Gown Franklin Mint W/ Portfolio COA Pristine $65.00 |
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Franklin Mint Heirloom Recommendation - "ON THE WINGS OF FREEDOM" $14.95 |
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Aretha Now (Aretha Franklin) Atlantic Orig. Press SHRINK VG Cover Near Mint $12.22 |
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Franklin Mint Heirloom Recommendation - " THE CALL OF FREEDOM" $14.95 |
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Franklin Mint Heirloom Recommendation - "FREEDOM'S GLORY" $14.95 |
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Franklin Mint Tasmanian Forester Kangaroo Mother & Baby Porcelain Sculpture $17.99 |
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Franklin Mint Heirloom Recommendation - "CELEBRATION OF FREEDOM" $14.95 |
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Franklin Mint Heirloom Recommendation - "PROFILE OF FREEDOM" $14.95 |
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FRANKLIN MINT *RAPUNZEL* BY GERDA NEUBACHER $51.06 |
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Franklin Mint Heirloom Plate- PRAYER TO THE GREAT SPIRIT $14.95 |
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CLASSIC PEWTER FRANKLIN MINT COUNTRY STORE CHURCH & COS SODA ARM & HAMMER 3 /15 $8.75 |
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CLASSIC PEWTER FRANKLIN MINT COUNTRY STORE LIPTON'S TEA COLLECTIBLE SPOON 3'15 $8.75 |
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CLASSIC PEWTER FRANKLIN MINT COUNTRY STORE DUTCH BOY PAINT COLL. SPOON 3/15 $8.75 |
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CLASSIC PEWTER FRANKLIN MINT COUNTRY STORE WHITE ROCK WATER COLL. SPOON 3/25 $8.75 |
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Franklin Mint Heirloom Plate- PRIDE OF THE SIOUX $14.95 |
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1992 Pick of the Crop - Royal Doulton - Franklin Mint $15.00 |
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Franklin Mint Heirloom Plate-IN THE BEGINNING FRIENDS $14.95 |
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Franklin Mint 1929 RR Phantom I Sales Brochure $2.95 |
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Franklin Mint Heirloom Plate- MAIDEN OF MYSTICAL LIGHTNING $14.95 |
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Franklin Mint Heirloom Plate- SUN MAIDEN $14.95 |
