You GOTZa Be Kidding ...?

Twenty or so years ago, I attended an editorial meeting with a company who had expressed a huge amount of interest in a book I was working on at the time. Entitled MODERN DOLLS - Today's Collectibles it was a simple enough premise. I had collected dolls for some time and I was convinced that eventually, the more modern dolls I was specialising in would in themselves become future collectibles. Sadly, the book never came to fruition, despite the amount of interest shown. It was an interesting project. It took me to doll museums where I spoke to specialists and had me trawling boot sales and vintage fairs where, if I was lucky, I'd buy another unusual doll at a ridiculously low price, catalogue it, take photos of it and research it. I have often felt it was a shame it did not go the full distance. I have not now collected dolls for some years, and in fact I have sold quite a lot because we just did not have room for them all. But all that research and the knowledge I gained during that project certainly put me in good stead yesterday when I spotted a GOTZ doll for sale in a charity shop for the crazy price of ï¿¡1.50! Closer examination convinced me it was genuine so we bought it. I have given it a thorough once-over today. She appears to be genuine; she is certainly heavy enough and has the sweetest little face. Her clothes and accessories carry the Gotz brand name. On the back of her neck I found the number 585-16 and on her belly was written "#201/300 - 2003" in black marker. No amount of research today has helped me to find out more about this beautiful little work of art, but I did find a specialist company in Gloucestershire who might be able to help, so I have emailed them. But seriously, a quality doll for ï¿¡1.50? What's not to like? Even if I don't actually collect them anymore!