I don't believe an Antique doll should be restored unless it is absolutely necessary, but some times they are so badly gone, that there is no other way.But, I feel that restored dolls need to be more respected than they are, because most of them were probably basket cases, or nearly so. They were no longer admired as works of art, as they had been originally, some were discarded as no longer loved, or needed.

When a professional restorer is finished with them, ( One who takes real pride in their work and try's to make them look as they had when they were new ) They are again works of art, and will look that way for years, and years to come. They are actually preserved for another life time, as the newer paints will probably not craze, and crack, like the original paint did.

The original dolls are treasures, and we love them, but the Composition ones are so fragile and have to be properly cared for so that they will not deteriorate and need to be later, restored. The restored doll will not need quite as much care to stay lovely.

I for one am so happy that there are people that care enough to re-do these lovely dolls. My hat is off to them.

There are some (so called) restored dolls that are very poorly done, I'm not inferring, that all dolls are restored equally, but I have seen some recently,that are so well done that even an expert would find them hard to detect. Please let's remember that the restored doll is still an Antique, and not a reproduction, or even in that category, as without the restoration where would they be?

Since I first wrote this article I have seen some really badly(so called restored) dolls, I'm sure you, who really are in the "Know" understand the difference. I'm not referring to the ones that are badly done, when I say they need to be more respected, as I feel the poorly refinished dolls are the ones that gave restored dolls the bad name in the first place. I do not recommend for anyone to try to restore dolls, untill they have had an experienced professional train them.

If you agree, or if you have a question, or suggestion.