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 special edition FAO SCHWARTZ WINNIE WALKER. She is
25" tall, wearing a pink taffeta dress, blue coat, hat (with
ostrich plume) and blue sueded shoes and white socks. The
year was @ 1953-56. ONLY SOLD AT FAO. She is in MINT condition, never having been played with. I have the original box and pink tissue paper, although the box has been taped.
Can you tell me how much she would be worth?
Thanks,
Liz
Answer What a treasure! This doll will surely continue to appreciate in value, despite the recent dip in Madame Alexander values on the secondary market. Her condition and size, as well as her issue, make her a stunning example of a high-end vintage doll.
A 1953 25" Winnie Walker (distinguished from the Binne Walker by a glued wig rather than a rooted vinyl pate), mint condition with accessories and slightly damaged box, went for just under $200.00 on bay auction in October, 2007. Prices in online stores and ebay Buy-It-Now offers for Winnie dolls in similar condition run from a high of $525 to around $250.00.
If you are planning to sell, I recommend private sale, in which you set the price, although such a sale may mean a long wait. Ebay has changed secondary doll market values by its worldwide availability and competitive auction format. More dolls are available to a wider market, so prices tend to become more intensely competitive. In that sense, ebay has set the secondary market values on all but the more elusive truly antique dolls or the rare exemplary vintage doll.
I do think your doll has this exemplary quality, as you describe her. If you are considering selling, you might wait to see if there is an upturn in Madame Alexander interest, although there is no guarantee of such an upswing.
Vintage toys, especially dolls, elicit a strong nostalgia in the generation that played with them, which raises interest. As that generation fades, interest generally declines until the item reaches the stage of historic value, becoming an antique. Dolls, being representations of human beings, additionally have a personal appeal that somewhat transcends their age and condition. All collectibles have a personal worth that supercedes their intrinsic value, which makes setting a real value difficult.
Since some of the new Madame Alexander Cissy dolls carried by F. A. O. Schwartz today have a price tag of $600.00, it seems incredible that your doll would not be worth twice that, but it would be an astounding price to get for her. Her value, according to present secondary market trends, seems to be between $250.00 and $500.00.
If you are valuing the doll for insurance purposes, please check with your agent for appraisal criteria. A written valuation by a professional appraiser may be required. Please check debrasdolls.com or www.nadda.org for an NADDA (National Antique Doll Dealer's Association) member appraiser in your area. A professional appraisal may be something you want to get in any case.
