About Anne Hoffmann Expertise As a modest collector of appropriately vintage age, I'm good at identifying American vintage dolls (largely late 1940's-1970's) and have the interest and resources to research particularly challenging identifications. I would hesitate to make specific value estimates, however, as markets fluctuate and I am not a professional appraiser. I can recommend at-home repair methods and resources for particular repair instructions and supplies. I can differentiate repairs that will enhance or devalue the historical significance of your doll.
Experience For one, I am 58 and a life-long doll lover. I played with many of these dolls! I am an adult collector, hampered only by my inability to afford the high-end and rare collectibles. I do some doll identification for sellers on eBay and am in demand for local yard sale and church pricing of doll "finds". I like folks to be able to realize a good return for their offerings by correctly identifying their dolls for collectors. I am highly literate and like people as well as dolls! I was briefy a customer service associate for JC Penney (one of those "filler" jobs) and enjoyed resolving issues to customer satisfaction. I am retired and spend a lot of time studying dolls. On the down side, while having an excellent command of the English language, I am a poor typist.
Education/Credentials None for doll collecting. I was a draftsman and machine programmer for an architectural metal firm.
Question I have a lissi doll no. 15703 in mint condition with box and certificate. Do you know how much this is worth?
Answer This 17" Lissi "Gretchen" in box, with certificate, is currently offered on ebay at a "buy-it-now" price of $10.00, plus $15.00 shipping. Another is listed on an online store at $29.00, shipping inclusive. You could apply a value of about $25.00 to her, but were you to be interested in selling her, that would be high, unless shipping were inclusive.
Modern Lissi dolls are not yet vintage dolls and do not seem to generate much interest on the secondary market at this time. Secondary market value is determined first by interest, then rarity, then age and condition. Age is not the primary factor in determining secondary market value. There has to be sufficient interest to stimulate appreciation of value.
Ebay, with its worldwide availability and competitive auction format, sets the resale value standards for many items, including modern and vintage dolls. Truly antique dolls are best evaluated or purchased through reputable antique dealers specializing in antique dolls or from doll auction houses like Theriaults. Remember, vintage is 50 years, antique 75-100 years old. You have a bit of a wait before your Lissi becomes vintage, and then, age alone is still not the primary indicator of secondary market value. I caution applying an investment value to modern or "collectible" dolls, as there are no sure indicators of future trends of interest, The wait until a modern doll is vintage necessarily involves the next generation of collectors. Modern dolls are also very durable and produced in large numbers, so availability of today's dolls will far surpass the issues of those long past. There are always quirks in trends that may increase interest in one issue or another for a period of time, but prediction of trends in specialties is hardly realistic.
Enjoy your pretty doll now for her value to YOU!
