How to Buy a Kewpie Doll

The adorable Kewpie doll made its debut in 1912. Kewpie creator Rosie O'Neill named the doll for its Cupid-like characteristics.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Doll Clothing Patterns
• Effanbee 1949 Kewpie Doll
• Kewpie Dolls
• Doll Carrying Cases
• Doll Clothes
• Doll Collector's Display Boxes

1. Decide whether you want an original Kewpie doll or one manufactured recently. Original Kewpies are sometimes hard to find and can be very expensive. Modern Kewpies are easier to find and have the same cute features as the original.
2. Search Internet sites that feature Kewpie dolls. Look at online antique shops, doll shops, and auctions for original Kewpies. Visit online toy stores, doll shops and auction sites to find modern Kewpie dolls.
3. Visit local antique and collectibles shops to find original Kewpie dolls in your area. Visit doll shops and toy stores to find the modern versions.
4. Consider the age of the recipient if you give a Kewpie doll as a gift. Will the child on your gift list be able to appreciate and take care of an expensive and fragile collectible or porcelain Kewpie?
5. Check to see which type of Kewpie doll the child or adult on your gift list may already have and whether or not there is a particular style he or she wants. Add to the Kewpie collection with a hand-painted porcelain Kewpie doll or an Effanbee Anniversary Kewpie.
6. Consider a Kewpie look-alike. A Magicloth Cutie set would be perfect for the paper doll fanatic on your gift list. Cutie looks like a Kewpie doll and comes with clothes and accessories that adhere to the doll without the use of tabs.
7. Expect to pay from a few dollars for modern Kewpie dolls and figures to hundreds of dollars for original Kewpie dolls in good condition. Items such as Magicloth Cutie start at $11, while Effanbee Anniversary Kewpies start at $25.
8. Try to find additional accessories to go with your Kewpie doll. A stand would be a useful item to accompany any doll. Kewpie memorabilia such as plates, postcards, ornaments and banks are available at online and local collectibles shops as well as online auction sites.

Tips & Warnings

• If you intend to give the doll as a gift, make sure that it will arrive in time for the gift-giving occasion. Delivery may take two to four weeks.
• Make clothing for either your vintage or modern Kewpie doll. Patterns and pattern books for doll clothing are offered on the Internet, in doll shops and in bookstores.