Doll News Spring 2019 - 5

President's Message
Once something has outlived its usefulness in one area
of life, its purpose for being in existence is no longer the
same. The leaf that captures a stream of sunlight, and
then transfers its energy to the tree, serves one purpose in
the spring and summer, and another completely different
one through the fall and winter.

Guy Finley

pring is for many people a time when you take on the task of going
through your house to clean out the old and make way for the new.
In the last few months a group of friends and I have been working
together to clear out the property of a dear friend who passed away. She was
not a doll collector but had many other collections. It led us all to reflect on our own collections. Many of us
have been approached at some point by someone asking how to dispose of a doll collection. The reality is
that many collectors' families and friends are just not interested in keeping collections and the market for
collectibles is weak. We need to begin a conversation on what to do with our precious dolls when we can
no longer take care of them or have moved on to other interests - or simply need to downsize.
Letting go of things can be difficult. Look at your collection and really study it. What dolls in your
collection give you the most joy? They may not even be the most valuable in your collection! What should
you consider giving away? Some dolls may be worth selling while others may give someone else joy as
a gift. Online auction houses may not appeal to everyone. There are companies that will do all the work
for you. Thrift shops welcome the less valuable dolls and provide a charitable donation. One of my club
members brings paper dolls to ball games and passes them out to the children. This is a great way to
introduce dolls to the next generation while downsizing. In Region 11, two clubs collected and sent dolls to
our fellow collectors in the Paradise, California area who lost not only their homes but their collections in
the recent devastating fire. What a wonderful idea!
UFDC appreciates any donations of dolls, either as possible additions to our museum or to sell to
support our organization. In this issue of DOLL NEWS, you will find our museum's Wish List. Our eBay
project is a very effective UFDC fundraiser. Dolls may also be sold in our Tender Loving Boutique events, a
'discovery day'-type event where shoppers can find some terrific deals. Our first onsite event will be held
in April at our headquarters. The boutique will be also available in Nashville.
It is most important that your dolls are inventoried. This serves several purposes - you will actually
know what you have, and the provenance will follow the doll. Labeling your dolls with tags for
identification is very helpful, especially for non-doll collectors. Archival material should be preserved and
passed on to someone who will appreciate the information and share it.
When downsizing, you may be surprised by what you rediscover and decide to keep, not to mention
the joy you'll bring to someone else when you give a doll a new home. A doll is gift that never stops giving.
Happy spring,

Loretta
DOLL NEWS * UFDC.ORG

http://www.UFDC.ORG

Doll News Spring 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Doll News Spring 2019