![A Timeless Doll Hospital banner [includes pic of owner, Sheila Callen, company name and logo, and pic of a broken doll merging into its repaired state.]](../../images/TDH_header.jpg)
Have you ever thought of your doll as part of our heritage? Well, I am happy to inform you, it is! An old doll represents a life style; one shared by girls of yesteryear. It is an appealing memory, attested to by the many visitors to my Doll Hospital. Today, there is a renewed interest in dolls. Old dolls are being found in attics and cedar chests. Cleaned, restored, and re-costumed, they are put on display in homes and in museums.
When a Client leaves my Doll Hospital with a restored doll, I provide an information brochure with ten steps to help preserve dolls. Here are the ten steps I recommend you take to preserve your doll for the enjoyment of future generations.
Whether you put your doll into storage or on display, consider compatibility with other materials. Bare wood, paper and cardboard contain acids that cause permanent damage to dolls, costumes, and accessories. Plastic containers and bags off-gas harmful vapors. Airtight containers encourage the growth of mold. Bare metals erode and stain or damage dolls. Don't forget the damaging potential of accessories such as jewelry.
If you store your doll, use acid-free and lignin-free materials available at most art supply stores. Use coated metal stands. Store, or ship, sleep-eye dolls face down to avoid permanent damage. Store away from water sources, such as plumbing and windows. Store away from excessive heat sources such as furnaces and heating vents.
Make your display or storage area animal, childproof, AND husband-proof as well! I've seen all types of injuries in my Doll Hospital!
Natural body oils and creams can be very harmful, and interestingly, more from some individuals than others. I recommend you use cotton gloves when handling a prized doll, but at least wash your hands with a mild soap before you handle it.
The ideal temperature for dolls is 18-22°C (65-70°F) at all times. If you are not comfortable, then neither is your doll! Rapid changes in temperature are harmful.
I recommend a constant humidity of 50-60%RH. Moisture absorbing products absorb excessive moisture in your display case. A container of water can increase the humidity during dry periods. Constant humidity is the best. Extreme changes are harmful, especially to composition and papier mâchè dolls. Your doll may be made of moisture-impervious bisque, but wigs, costumes, and accessories are otherwise; they can be permanently damaged by humidity.
Sunlight can cause fading of costumes and skin tones on plastic, vinyl, and painted dolls. Keep direct sunlight off dolls. Artificial lights also cause problems. All lighting should be indirect and as far away from your doll as possible. Incandescent bulbs are better than fluorescent bulbs. If you use artificial lighting, turn the lights on only when necessary to highlight its beauty.
Dust and dirt cause serious problems to dolls and costumes. Air pollutants cause problems. Keep your doll away from cigarette smoke and open windows. Are you an aggressive cook? Keep your doll away from the kitchen as well.
Dolls suffering from insect damage are a common visitor to my hospital! Use cedar to deter insects. If you use mothballs, which have a horrible smell, be careful crystals do not touch any part of your doll.
Once a year inspect your doll AND the environment where you store or display it. Look for signs of damage, color change or foreign objects. Remember, prevention is cheaper than repair.
Sooner or later, your doll will need to be cleaned. Use water damp non-abrasive cloths to clean your doll, and do not use excessive water with composition and papier mâchè dolls. Do not apply pressure on stains otherwise you may damage the finish. Even the surface of antique under-fired bisque can be scratched. Contract a doll restoration artist or conservator to clean your doll. It may save you hundreds of dollars in restoration fees in the end.
Some materials, like leather and vinyl, can be conditioned to preserve them. Use conditioners as the manufacturer recommends. Avoid excessive quantities that may harm your doll and accessories rather than help it. Your annual inspection of the doll is an excellent time to do the conditioning.
In summary, take my recommendations seriously! If you do, your doll will have a better chance of someday becoming that rare and highly sought after doll we all dream of owning. In any case, you and your family will be able to pass it on with pride.
[Sheila M. Callen, a Certified Master Doll Artisan, is owner and operator of the Timeless Doll Gallery and Hospital, located in Langley, BC, Canada. Callen has been making porcelain dolls for 15 years and restoring dolls for 10 years. Her clients include private doll collectors, doll makers, doll making students, antique dealers, insurance companies, flood and fire restoration service companies, museums, and film companies throughout Canada, the United States, Great Britain, New Zealand, and Japan. For more information about Callen and her dolls and services, visit her web sites at www.timelessdolls.com and www.timelessdollhospital.com.]
This article is the property of Sheila M. Callen and it can be used with her permission, unedited, and with her bio, within the square brackets above, reprinted with the article.