I guess it’s weird to say what I’m about to say and post it in a doll collectors’ blog. Because what I have to say is get off the net and get out in the real world. Okay, Stuart and Luke tell me I’m a dinosaur and I should join the 21^st century. But I insist, “Something is missing”. Plenty has been already written about the failure of human connections, of face-to-face  conversations, of actual pats on the back, and  shared smiles. I certainly agree with that. But in the world of collecting antiques – in our case, specifically dolls and other treasures of childhood past – there is something more that is missing. That missing piece is the great privilege of being in the actual presence of objects that carry their life history, that speak to you, that are the very essence of our history. These dolls that we love are tactile dimensional objects, meant to be touched, held, looked at from all angles, and absorbed into your senses. And I maintain that you just can’t do that from afar. Now I know it’s tough to travel, and it’s expensive and you’d rather put your money into a doll than an airline ticket. I’ve heard it all. But I’ve also heard collectors who come to an auction and say, “Wow I didn’t even notice that doll when I looked online. It’s fabulous!” And I’ve heard the enthusiastic conversation of collectors who meet old friends and make new ones, as they share their love of dolls in a face-to-face conversation. Now I’d love your “real world” connection to be our auctions, but it doesn’t have to be that. Join a doll club, go to a doll show, take a family vacation to a city that also happens to have a doll museum (think Seattle, think Rosalie Whyel’s Museum of Doll Art, for example) and spend some time in that museum.  Sure, stay on the internet, but don’t make that your all. Get out there in the real world and see some real dolls. 

I read an interesting article in The New York Times yesterday titled “Quit Studying and Take a Test”. It was all about how learning – real learning – can be best achieved by taking a test on what you have already studied. Rather than just studying over and over again, taking a test forces you to reflect on what you have learned. It reminded me of an “assignment” I have given to collectors who attend our Dollmastery Seminars. I tell them to pick a doll and “catalog it”, i.e. write a description. Include the technical details, the markings, the maker and date, and any other important historical features, rarity points, and condition issues that they think are important. And now imagine that you will be submitting that description in print for all time and for all of the world to see.  Wow, not very romantic, is it? But what a way to learn! I know from 35 years of cataloging dolls for our auctions that it takes courage to put your opinion on the line, to determine if a doll is “right”, to pinpoint its time and place in history. Sure, some will be easy. Some not.  But what a way to learn. And in the end (for me, at least) that challenge remains a personal pleasure.  Take a try at it.