Vintage dolls: keep 'em boxed or let 'em out?

I've got a dilemma and perhaps your opinions can help me out here... My collection of vintage Pamela Love dolls is growing, I have lots of dolls both boxed and played with now, and I'm still thinking about the best way to show them. The boxed dolls are like magic to me, because they remind me of buying a new doll when I was little. BUT... to be honest I'd like to be able to see them out of their boxes as well, and touch them and everything. I'd like to take them out of their boxes and put them in stands. I have no intention of ever selling them again in the future anyway, I know for sure that I will love them too much for the rest of my life.

 

What would you do? Or better yet, what do you do with your vintage dolls? Do you keep them boxed or do you let them out? I'm dying to know!

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Permalink Reply by Evelien on March 18, 2011 at 20:17
Anyone..?
Permalink Reply by Evelien on April 5, 2011 at 0:31
Would be nice to get at least 1 reply XD
Permalink Reply by Gwen on April 6, 2011 at 13:09
I had the same dilemma but I now have a new rule,  if I buy it and it's still in the box it stays in the box unless it is a doll that I know I will want to redress like the barbie basics.  I do a lot of my buying off of ebay so it's not always easy to find them still in the box anyway but for the ones that do not come still boxed I buy the little clear plastic display cases that are just big enough for the doll to fit in.  That way they are protected and I can still see them but I can get them out when I want to take a closer look. Don't get me wrong I don't always obey my own rule for example I purchased a Gone with the Wind doll still in the box and I had her sitting on my coffee table for an hour trying to talk myself out of opening it.  My urge to open the box finally won and my reasoning for it was cause her dress needed to be fluffed up a bit, lol.  Now if you are never going to sell them why not open them.
Permalink Reply by Evelien on April 6, 2011 at 13:23

Oh my, plastic display cases, what an awesome idea..!! My mother suggested a glass bell/bell jar, but if I'd have to get one of those for every doll on display....

 

I'll have to find a plastic thingy that fits and that I can get in bulk... hmmm

Permalink Reply by Ashley on April 6, 2011 at 15:56
I debox my dolls and selectively keep the boxes with good artwork.  I just think they're more fun to look at and handle when they aren't locked into a box.  Plus, I've found MIB dolls that are pretty much ruined because of the ties that they used to bind them to the box, the heat in storage, or the box material, so I'm weary of letting a doll stay in a box for too long.  My collection of Skippers are in a glass case from Ikea, each on their own stand.  I'd recommend looking into something like that if you're worried about the elements.  :-)
Permalink Reply by Evelien on April 6, 2011 at 16:04
Well my boyfriend's parents still have a glass display case they're not using... I've told them I wanted it, then told them I didn't want it, then yes, then no, haha I kept changing my mind... Mostly due to a lack of space in my room. But if I get the glass case, I can put so many dolls on display in it that I can get rid of another normal bookcase.. I should probably call them to say I want it again :P
Permalink Reply by Evelien on April 6, 2011 at 16:07
P.S.: There's nothing special about the artwork on the boxes in Pam's case, but I can't throw them away, they bring back childhood memories of going to the store with my allowance and buying a new doll for what was only €1 back then, haha.
Permalink Reply by Katie on April 11, 2011 at 3:46

I don't have any really vintage dolls as my older Barbie at the moment is 1979, but I don't debox any of rare dolls. I love the rows they form on the bookshelves and it'll be more difficult for me to display them OOB, I don't have any showcases and I move from flat to flat regularly.... and I understand that each year less dolls of these beauties survive in the world as NRFB pieces...

Pamea Love dolls are so rare, maybe it would be better not to debox all?

Permalink Reply by Evelien on April 11, 2011 at 8:56

Oooh, now you got me having doubts again..

The only thing ruined when I will debox them, is the plastic wrap around their hair, to be honest. Can't put that back nicely if I put them back in their boxes later. But that's all really. And I think the real fans will still pay good money if a mint doll is in her box and she has only been on display. And I wanna stress that I'm sure I will never sell these dolls again..:P

Permalink Reply by Melody Smith (Mel) on April 22, 2011 at 1:25
Perhaps I am late in replying but I say let them OUT!  I understand they may be worth more MIB but I buy dolls to enjoy.  I love to sew for them, create different positions and try to make them look like they'r experiencing real life.
Permalink Reply by Evelien on April 22, 2011 at 8:50
You're right, I've already bought more stands hehe, now if I could only find the time to let them out and put them on display, heehee ;)
Permalink Reply by Guy Paul on May 30, 2011 at 8:17

in my opinion... unless there is a history of the doll reacting to the light or getting damaged... I would free her without even looking twice.

I`m not familiar with the doll you are refering to so I have no idea how well they react to being displayed. I`m a de-boxer... mainly because for years I didn`t have much room where I lived. But even now I have a big house with a doll room. I have to have them displayed at all time (see my "Doll Room" photo album)

Another option is of course to buy duplicates of the ones you want to have out if the box. Like this you can have both!

 

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