One of the things that fascinates me about doll collecting is the interplay between doll-loving and doll-collecting. What I mean is that most people who collect dolls today first started out as doll lovers. On the other hand, we could say that those who are doll lovers today will probably be the doll collectors of tomorrow. A love of dolls will naturally encourage a love of collecting them, and those who collect dolls will deepen in their appreciation and love for them.

What interests people about doll collecting? I think it's mostly about nostalgia -- the urge to recapture a time and feelings from the past. It seems that for many doll collectors the older the doll, the better. For example many doll collectors collect porcelain dolls, or porcelain doll kits (if they enjoy making their own outfits) -- and these dolls are like history on display, under glass. Porcelain dolls are not the kind of thing that you see most young girls today playing with -- they're a part of a world that has just about vanished.

You can see this also at work among those who collect doll houses. What are the doll houses that are most highly valued -- the most collectible? They are the doll houses that are in an older style -- perhaps a Victorian house with a big wrap around porch. Again there is that nostalgia thing going on. It's interesting that even folks designing a dollhouse on their computer at home will choose a dollhouse design that represents a building from the past. After all, how many doll houses have you seen that resemble a modern skyscraper, or split-level ranch house in the suburbs?

When adding to your doll collection, it is important that you try to collect quality dolls and accessories. And if you are looking for quality doll accessories, you can't get anything better than Amish doll furniture. Amish craftsmen are world renowned for their attention to detail and superior craftsmanship, and they put this same emphasis on quality and craftsmanship into their doll furniture construction as well.

And when it comes to collectible dolls, who hasn't heard of Franklin mint dolls. Who hasn't seen an advertisement on TV or in a magazine for one of these dolls -- a TV personality like Lucille Ball or Princess Diana? And, just like their advertisements say, these dolls are almost certainly going to rise in value. If you have an opportunity to pick up a Franklin mint doll in good condition at a very good price, you should jump at the chance.

And when it comes to nostalgia, many ladies today are trying to recapture their childhood by collecting Betsy McCall dolls. These dolls were first publicized in McCall's Magazine in the early 50s -- and they are highly sought after today -- not only the dolls but also Betsy McCall dolls accessories as well.

The American Girl Company is making it easy for little girls to relate to their dolls. This innovative company manufactures a line of doll clothing and accessories that match an identical set of clothing for girls. This means that your granddaughter or niece could pretend they have a "little sister" -- or better yet, a twin sister -- which they can carry with them at all times.

Perhaps no better example of the desire to go back to an earlier era can be found then in the area of primitive doll collecting. These are very humble-looking dolls, just the same in appearance as dolls seen on the American frontier a century and a half ago. They do not make use of the fancy fabrics or elaborate accessories that accompany modern dolls (like Barbie dolls or Bratz dolls), yet they are in such great demand that often times they are difficult to find.

So whatever your interests you are sure to find an area of doll collecting which will interest you. And here's an extra bonus -- years from now, when you're old and gray, you can sit down with that special young girl in your life and explain to them what it is all about. Who knows -- they too made be a future doll collector...