Many factors must be considered when determining Madame Alexander doll values.
Factors Used to Determine Doll Values
The value of Madame Alexander dolls is determined by using a set of criteria that takes into consideration the doll's:
- Age
- Condition
- Rarity
- Desirability
- Presence and condition of the original clothing and accessories
- Presence of the attached wrist tag
In addition to the factors listed above, the principles of supply and demand and the current doll market also have an effect on the values of Madame Alexander dolls.
Since many different Madame Alexander dolls were created using the same face molds and body styles, sometimes it is nearly impossible to distinguish a doll's original character without its original costume and accessories. Madame Alexander collectors generally want dolls wearing their original clothing. Without the original clothing a doll's value is greatly diminished.
Values
Just as in the case of all antiques and collectibles, there are several different values attached to Madame Alexander dolls.
- Retail value refers to the selling price of a secondary market doll in an antique or collectible shop. In the case of newly released Madame Alexander dolls, it is the selling price in a department store, toy store or other type of retail outlet.
- Auction value is the actual selling price of a doll when it sells at an auction. This is also known as the open market value, or open market price.
- Fair market value is the price that both the buyer and seller agree upon. Both parties must be made aware of any information that is relevant to the sale of the doll.
- Wholesale value is generally thirty-three to fifty percent less than the retail value of a secondary market doll. It is also known as a dealer's price. For newly released Madame Alexander dolls, the wholesale price varies depending on the volume of the retailer's purchase.
- Estate value, or tax value, is determined by taking an average of the actual closing auction prices of the same doll, in the same condition.
- Insurance value is the cost of replacing the doll if it was stolen or destroyed.
Madame Alexander Price and Identification Guides
The prices given in Madame Alexander price and identification guides are the current retail values of the dolls at the time the book was published. There are many excellent price guides for Madame Alexander dolls available from Amazon including:
- Madame Alexander Dolls: Price Guide by A. Glenn Mandeville and Benita Cohen Schwartz
- Madame Alexander 2010 Collector's Dolls Price Guide by Linda Crowsey (an edition of this book is published yearly)
- Collector's Encyclopedia of Madame Alexander Dolls 1948-1965 by Linda Crowsey
- Madame Alexander Store Exclusives And Limited Editions by Linda Crowsey
- Madame Alexander's Ladies of Fashion by Marjorie Uhl
Online Database of Madame Alexander Doll Values
A valuable online resource for Madame Alexander doll collectors is Doll Values, a simple to use database listing approximately 5,300 Madame Alexander dolls. To search for the current doll values, you simply input a keyword pertaining to the doll, its name or part of the doll's box number.
The information provided by the database includes:
- The full name of the doll
- A brief description of the doll's costume
- The style of the doll, such as bent knee walker or straight leg
- Its years of production
- Doll size
- Doll face
- The material the doll is made of
- Estimated high and low values
- Box number
- Pictures when they are available
Additional Online Resources
- eBay is an excellent resource to find the current auction value of modern, vintage or retired Madame Alexander dolls. By checking the completed auction listings for the exact same doll as yours, you will find the auction selling price, or auction value, of the doll. Always make sure to compare dolls that are similar in condition to yours.
- Doll Price Guide
- Kovels Online Price Guide
Whether you are a serious doll collector or have a few treasured Madame Alexander vintage dolls from your childhood and want to add to your collection, being aware of current Madame Alexander doll values helps you to shop wisely for the next beautiful addition to your doll shelf.
