Customer Reviews

Blue Book Dolls and Values, 16th Edition (Blue Book of Dolls & Values)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

There's not another book on the market that is better or more reliable for finding doll values than Jan Foulke's newest edition of the Blue Book of Dolls & Values. I research dozens of dolls every week and rare is the instance that I don't find exactly what I need in this little book. It is not meant to be an identification guide any more than a car blue book is meant to identify the make of a vehicle. Dolls are most easily identified not by appearance, but by markings. Dollmakers and Marks by Herlocher is a superb reference for identification and a must in every collector's and dealer's library. What Foulke's book will do is give the insurance or book value for the mint condition of most any doll you may run across once you've identified the manufacturer, and also includes basic information to help the reader understand what lowers the value from mint condition. I've painstakingly assembled a collection of all 16 volumes of this series because even though the prices in the older books are no longer accurate, different dolls are pictured in each, building a nice little reference library that I use extensively. My personal library includes well over 100 doll books, but if I were forced to choose only 2 that I could keep, it would be an easy decision for me - Jan Foulke's 16th Blue Book and Dawn Herlocher's Dollmakers and Marks!

Although the Blue Book is the avid doll collectors' favorite price guide, it contains numerous categories that have not been updated for quite a number of years. China, parian, papier mache, and wooden, some of the earliest dolls in existence, have been gaining in popularity for several years now and the market prices, both at auction and online have been rising considerably. The Blue Book has not caught up with this trend.

Also, it would be extremely helpful if there were a comprehensive section that described the methods used in compiling the information as well as the sources of this information. Some of the prices are so far off the mark in actual market prices realized, that it makes the professional wonder if the numbers are merely picked out of blue sky.

The book is well structured and is the easiest to use on a daily basis, of all the price guides, however, serious updating and a description of the price compilation process, would improve it immensely.

I have been collecting dolls for over 25 years and very few were listed in this book. I bought the book under the premise that it was a guide to ALL dolls and could give an accurate value of the doll. However, what I found was a very one-sided book with doll pictures belonging to Jan Foulke and those dolls seemed to be listed at a higher value, meaning her book is a platform to sell her own collection. Needless to say, I purchased the book on a Tuesday and returned it on Wednesday. I WOULD NOT RECOMMED THIS BOOK TO ANY DOLL COLLECTOR! The book I recommend is DOLL VALUES - ANTIQUES TO MODERN.

ANOTHER GREAT GUIDE FOR DOLL COLLECTORS.THIS BOOK IS VERY HELPFUL IN PRICING DOLLS TO SELL OR BUYING DOLLS. IT IS THE DOLL BOOK THAT MORE DEALERS USE THAN ANY OTHER AND IS USED AS A GUIDE TO HELP IDENTIFY DOLLS. THE PICTURES ARE GREAT, WISH THERE WERE MORE OF THEM..RECOMMEND THIS BOOK

Jan Foulke's Blue Book Dolls and Values, 16th Edition, provides the reader with another easy to use guide to the current market values of modern to antique dolls. Beautiful photographs, descriptions and identifying marks and a well-developed index and list of mold numbers make this a handy reference book. As a doll collector for over 35 years, I would not part with any of Ms. Foulke's previous Blue Books and still refer to them to identify dolls. I assume that this book takes into account the effects of online auction sales such as eBay, because some dolls have decreased in value. This, however, gives credit to Ms. Foulke's research abilities in providing accurate and up to date information. She is one of the most renowned authorities on dolls in the world and I look forward to her next Blue Book.

THE resource for all your doll questions on values and dolls.

This book is written for the one in a million doll. It doesnt list any common dolls, or any remarkable dolls. It does not even list home run dolls. It lists grand slam in the bottom of the ninth in game seven of the world series dolls. You have about as much chance of marrying Tom Sellack as you will finding any doll in this book. I was hoping it may even be educational but it isnt. Its rather pompous and I will not read anything the author writes and dont care to hear how smart she is. I am looking for a real persons Doll Bible...any suggestions?

Very helpful book - have really been enjoying this book as I have wanted this book for years, finally got it!

Extremely disappointed with this book. Unless you are researching special highly collectible dolls this book is not for you. It gvies no ID marks or any other helpful information. Would not recommend this book.

I am formilair with this book. It is a great book IF you know the name of your doll. If you don't it is not a good one for you.