A detailed doll inventory of all the dolls in your collection is an absolute must. It will be time consuming if you have left it until now and your collection has grown to hundreds of dolls, but once it is in place updating the inventory is a quick sure way of keeping track of your doll collection.
- The main reasons why an inventory of your doll collection is so important are the following:
• You will need a detailed inventory of your doll collection to obtain insurance (and all collections should be insured) and to substantiate a claim should the need arise.
• You will need an inventory of your collection (including prices paid for your dolls) if you are going to sell any dolls in your collection, for tax purposes.
• It will give you a very good idea of where your doll collection is headed.
• It will assist your surviving family should you die and they need to sell or donate dolls in the collection, or the entire collection.
- When you inventory your collection, the following information should be included:
1. Name of the doll
2. Manufacturer
3. Year doll was manufactured
4. If doll is part of a collection – name of the collection.
5. Doll Artist
6. Date of purchase of doll
7. From whom the doll was purchased
8. Price paid for doll
9. Condition of Doll
10. Current value of doll
11. Basis for valuation
12. Any other special comments
13. Distinguishing markings on the doll
14. Where the doll is located – in storage, in for repairs, in display cabinet.
It is a good idea to keep a file with all the purchasing documents, together with a photograph, any proof of repair costs and Certificates of Authenticity that tie up to the inventory. This will make your life a lot easier should you need to file a claim or wish to sell a doll.
This inventory can be detailed in a book by hand or if you have access to a computer then a simple spreadsheet in Excel is all that is required. There are more advanced software programs specifically designed for this type of record-keeping on the internet.
The importance of keeping a doll inventory up to date will largely depend on the size of your collection. Most doll collections have the habit of not staying small for very long and before you know it you have lost track of what dolls you have and where they all are.
As mentioned earlier this is a mammoth task but it is your responsibility and you will more than likely have fun doing it.