Black-Doll Identification and Value Services

There are books on black dolls which include identification and values.  I have written two:  The Definitive Guide to Collecting Black Dolls (2003) and Black Dolls: Celebrating, Collecting and Experiencing the Passion (2008).  Myla Perkins' two doll references, Black Dolls an Identification and Value Guide 1820 to 1991 and the followup, Black Dolls an Identification and Value Guide Book II, remain the two books that are my go tos for black dolls made prior to the 1990s.

If you are seeking identification and/or value for a black doll or dolls but do not own any of the aforementioned titles, I might be able to help you identify and value your doll and would be more than happy to do so.  

Doll Identification My consulting fee is $27.50 per research hour.  Depending on the number of dolls you have, the identification should not require more than an hour or two of my time and would include ID only without an assessed value unless the doll has been published in a doll reference that includes a value, in which case that book value assessment and the year of the assessment will be shared with you.   

The initial hour’s fee is payable upfront by Paypal.  If I am unable to identify the doll(s) or unable to provide a sufficient amount of information that leads to the identification, any payments made upfront will be refunded.  If the doll is determined to be a handmade, one-of-a-kind doll, the upfront payment will be partially refunded. 

If you would like my assistance in identifying your doll(s), please do the following:

  1. Remit $27.50 to me to cover the cost of the initial research.  If any additional time will be required, you will be notified. 
  2. Forward pictures to me as an email attachment (see email link below).
  3. Share the material from which the doll is made (e.g. cloth, plastic, composition, etc.) and,
  4. Provide the height and any manufacturer's marks which can usually be found on the nape of the neck or on the back. 
Doll Valuation
If you already know your doll's identification and an assessment of your doll's value based on today's market and/or recent book values is desired only, please take the following steps.

  1. Remit $13.75 to me per doll.  For doll group valuations, this amount can be adjusted.
  3. Provide details regarding the doll's condition to include any flaws (value is always based on a doll's current condition and any flaws will diminish value).
  4. The valuation will include the doll's current market value based on condition and selling trends.

I hope I can be of service to you as I have to others for over two decades.

Debbie Garrett
Black-Doll Enthusiast, Doll Historian, Author

Send emails with photo attachments to:

Identification Testimonials
"You're the best reference we have" [in assisting with ID of a Brevetatto-marked doll] -- Marcelo

"Thanks so much for the help you have given me the past few years. 😊" -- TF

"Thank you very much for your time" [in helping identify a reproduction of a black china shoulder head doll. -- Sarah

"Thank you so much!" R and C Shaffer [in help determining if  their 2nd edition Baby Nancy is all original.]

Valuation History

  • Assessed the value of a collector's water-damaged dolls for insurance purposes
  • Assessed the value of a collection of dolls donated to the California African American Museum
  • Assessed the value of a collector's reissue of a black Chatty Cathy:  "Thanks for your prompt reply and your review. SR"

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