I was browsing through a 1996 issue of Barbie Bazaar earlier today and came across this opinion piece written by A. Glenn Mandeville who was the Price Guide Editor.
You can click on the article to bring it up to it's original size which will make it easier to read.
Everything he wrote is still valid today especially the part about enjoying ones dolls. Although his article is directed at Barbie Doll collectors, much of it is applicable to other 1/6 scale doll collectors, namely those who collect Fashion Royalty.
Do you debox?
I am part of the deboxer camp, even when I buy an older Barbie doll in her box. Part of the reason I collect dolls is to dress, style and pose them; I have a need for the tactile experience. The boxes and shippers are stored away just in case I sell anything in the future. Sometimes it does seem a shame to take them out, especially when they look so lovely nestled there. Opening the lid of the Philadelphia convention Regina Wentworth gift set box was thrilling, and I did leave her in her beautiful "ivory cage" for a few days before freeing her and her wardrobe to join her niece and friends.
ReplyDeleteI definitely debox my dolls.
ReplyDeleteI used to keep my Barbie Collector vinyl dolls in NRFB condition, such as: Reem Acra Bride, Empress Josephine, Goddess of the Americas. They were just taking up space, and I knew that not any time soon would I have the space to display them outside of their box. I was happy to let them go to another collector. I did debox them before I sold them, and listed them as deboxed dolls. I always wanted to see Empress Josephine outside of her box, and she's a beautiful doll.
Even the NRFB Silkstone dolls I used to have and were duplicates, I sold off. I came to the realization that in my case, I am happier with having my dolls deboxed and displayed on my one shelf I have.
Not too long ago, I finally was able to purchase Golden Gala AA Silkstone from the 2009 Barbie Convention. Probably most collectors would keep her NRFB since she is limited to about 600, but I had no issue getting her out of her box, and redressing her right away.
But it is true though, the doll can have hidden imperfections when kept in NRFB state. For example, I kept my Pirate Barbie like that for a long time. When I decided to open her up this year, I find out that she had green ear from her one earring she had on. Disappointing ... lesson learned though, any doll that comes in to my home, gets deboxed right away and earrings off too :)
I always debox, so that I can dress them up and comb their hair.
ReplyDeleteI debox, because at the ripe old age of 26 I still like to comb my dolls' hair, change their clothes every now and then, and make them look cute on a shelf. They're also easier to photograph when they're out of their boxes.
ReplyDeleteAfter years of collecting, I debox now. I bought them to enjoy and that means holding them and admiring them. Also, the boxes got to be out of control. This past winter I went through my collection and threw away a ton of boxes. Now, I can see what I have much, much easier. And, I can dress thing in different outfits which leads to more enjoyment. It's fun!
ReplyDeleteI have 36 NRFB early year Genes that are utterly valueless. They were bought specifically for resale...which of course never happened. The lesson for me--in addition to taking up a lot of valuable space--is buy what you ENJOY, USE and will DISPLAY. Unopened doll packages always remind me of women who got wonderful gifts from friends, loved ones, family members that were never used, waiting an occasion to use them. It's POINTLESS!
ReplyDeleteEVERYTHING I buy is DEBOXED. The boxes are discarded. No space.
ENJOY!
I agree with everything you have stated but... you can still sell your Gene dolls. If people don't want the doll itself, the fashion is worth something. Also, many newer collectors want the older Gene stands as they are better than the Integrity Toys stands. I understand they won't bring you what you thought they might but Gene is still a very loved doll. The new resin dolls can wear all the fashions that were ever made for Gene, too.
Deletei treat dolls like a drug when it comes to deboxing. i inspect them when they first arrive. then i wait until a day when someone pisses me off....and that's deboxing day. it's cheaper than therapy and/or facing charges for beating someone's face in.....if only ppl knew that "but for some fashion doll bait at home, Rob would have had little reason not to put me in the ER tonite"
ReplyDeletemaybe that's TMI
TMI or not, that's pretty funny.
DeleteLOL!!! This made me laugh soooo hard. Good idea though! I have a VERY hard time deboxing my doll. All are boxed with the exception of one, and I deboxed her only because I already had another one of her in box on display.
DeleteI do a mix of NRFB and deboxing. Sometimes the setting is so attractive, I am reluctant to break the spell by undoing the presentation. However, I have just deboxed a much-loved Paris Mode Susie - and damn, that has been FUN. I intend to go through and debox some other dolls and action figures. Deboxing them makes them more mine ... less like I am holding them for some other person to eventually enjoy.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this A. Glenn Mandeville piece and for asking about this evergreen topic.
I debox- but get very conflicted when it is a doll that has suddenly shot up in value-
ReplyDeleteSpecifically I have been afraid of deboxing the Montaigne Market Elise- am I really that committed to her? Or should I sell her and get a resin doll for the same price?? I love her but do I love her ENOUGH?
I sold mine because I wanted the funds more than the doll. I did buy the dress and shoes from someone. The dress isn't as great as it seems.
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