Lynn’s eBay Ezine Volume III, Issue Number 27

by Lynn A. Dralle, ‘The Queen of Auctions’

When I was little I couldn’t pronounce Dralle (many people don’t know it is pronounced Draw Lee, which rhymes with trolley) so I would tell people that my name was Lynn Dolly. They started calling me “The Dralle Dolly.” This week’s feature article is about vintage and modern dolls. I am definitely vintage after last week’s birthday. So I apologize in advance, I just couldn’t resist titling the article this way!

At the estate sale in Palm Springs this past weekend, I was mostly interested in the dishes and flatware sets—as many of you know about me this is what I specialize in on eBay. After loading up on those treasures (check out this piece from the mint condition Franciscan Apple set that I have up for sale). This is hard to find a footed oatmeal bowl in this pattern. So when I had purchased all the dinnerware and flatware, I went into one of the bedrooms to see what else was being sold.

The tables were piled high with dolls, dolls, and more dolls. What was really strange was that they were all still mint in their original packages. We are talking Raggedy Ann and Andy, Strawberry Shortcake, and Holly Hobbie, just to drop a few names.

The most expensive dolls were priced between $70 and $100 and lined the back wall of the sale. I just don’t know enough about dolls to risk that kind of money but they were sure amazing and beautiful. Most were over 2 feet tall and porcelain, still in the original boxes. I had to pass on these but noticed that in front of all of those dolls were more modern dolls. Well, I should probably say vintage because they were from my era of growing up–the 1970s.

I just had a hunch that these newer dolls were where the great return on investment was going to come from. One reason was (and I tell you this all the time) that if something reminds you of your childhood–buy it!

Another reason was that my favorite doll when I was little was the ballerina Dancerella by Mattel. She was blonde, wore a pink tutu, and spun around. I got her for my 7th birthday and last Christmas I decided I wanted to buy one for myself. Please insert a photo.

Well, I went to my favorite website for buying vintage items–can you guess which one that would be? eBay of course!! And I was shocked to find that she sold for $150 in good condition and much much more in an original box. I wasn’t going to spend that kind of money–so my dream of owning Dancerella again has been squashed. Although, when doing research today for this article, the one pictured above only sold for $66.00. I think that I can swing that. They may have been selling for so much more the last time I looked because it was Christmas time.

But it certainly opened my eyes to the possibility of the more modern dolls selling for more money than the antique porcelain variety. And finally, when I was doing research for the doll clothes article from several ezines ago, I found one modern doll, Bythe by Kenner, (not in a box) but so rare that she sold for $1200.

So, armed with this information and my gut feeling, I began to formulate my strategy. I started looking at the dolls in a new light and taking note of their prices. The Strawberry Shortcake dolls were only $2 each and Raggedy Ann and Andy were $25 each. Dolls not in boxes were all priced under $1. I decided then and there that I would buy any interesting doll if it were in very good condition or still in the original packaging if it was less than $25. This is a good rule of thumb when you don’t know enough about a subject.

I ended up buying 40 dolls that day and they added up to $525 or about $13 each. Weird, because the sale was on Friday the 13th! I think this just may turn out to be one of my luckier days.

Remember that it is a numbers game and that by buying the 40 dolls, I was able to make my investment per doll go down. I also have a much better chance of selling multiple dolls to single buyers–this always helps to drive up prices.

The one doll that I predict is going to sell for the most is called Poor Pitiful Pearl and she reminds me of an Ugly Betty type doll from the 1970s. On the box, it says “Love Her Make Her Neat And Pretty.” It is weird, I don’t remember her at all from growing up. But, I paid $20 for PPP, and last time I checked 127 people had viewed her and she was up to $61.00 with over 3 days left to go!!! Yippeee.

Check out Poor Pitiful Pearl’s current bid