Q     Can you tell me how much my Peggy Nisbet Doll is worth?

A     We regret that we are unable to offer valuations for your dolls.   

Many factors can influence a doll's worth – these include the following considerations :

• Age
• Condition (especially cleanliness, and any signs of damage), 
• Rarity (Henry VIII and his wives were among the most popular dolls Peggy made, and it is unlikely that any but the earliest Tower Walk dolls will attract a higher value)
• Completeness (does it have its full costume, hat, wrist tag, original box, etc).  

The best way to get an idea of a doll’s current value is to look at what similar dolls are selling for in on-line auction sites.   Beware - these may not always be a reliable guide – We have seen a rare doll offered for sale, and making a very high price; within days, an identical doll only managed 15% of the sale price of the first doll!   In the final analysis, it all comes down to how much the bidders in an auction are willing to pay!

Q     I have a nisbet doll that isn't shown on your website.   Can you identify it for me?  

A     We have a large number of dolls that have not yet been photographed, and a lot of information to be added to the website, so there is a possibility that your doll may appear on the website at a later date.   However, we are always very happy to try and identify any unknown dolls.   Just send us a photograph, if you can, (photographs are best).   If that is not possible, a detailed description of the costume, is essential, (including the colour of the doll's hair), and we will do our best to find the doll's identity for you.   

Q     Can I still buy Peggy Nisbet Dolls?

A     Yes!   We are sure that by now, most collectors have discovered on-line auction houses – The most well-known of these has a huge presence on the internet, and is a great place to look for Nisbet dolls – a quick search will bring up hundreds of dolls for sale.   There are also some excellent specialist auction houses dealing exclusively in dolls and teddy bears, (as well as tinplate toys, Dinky and Matchbox cars, and trains etc).   Even if you can’t attend in person, most will take postal, telephone, or email commission bids – and will post to anywhere in the world!

Q     Are Peggy Nisbet dolls still being made?

A     Sadly, they are not.   The Peggy Nisbet company was sold to Dakin in 1987, and was later obtained in 1988 by Diane Jones International.   They ceased trading in 1999, when their owners retired, and could not find anyone willing to continue the business.   Up until that time, a reduced range of high quality dolls, true to the Nisbet tradition of quality and craftsmanship, were still being manufactured by Diane Jones International, under the Nisbet name, which they owned.

Q     How should I look after my Nisbet dolls?

A     Protect them from dust, damp, and exposure to direct sunlight - and the extremely damaging effects of nicotine smoke.   The best way to enjoy them is to display them behind glass, away from direct (or reflected) sunlight.

Q     I have been given a Nisbet doll that is very dirty.   Would you advise cleaning it?   How should I do this?

A     Cleaning a doll is a specialist skill.   We do NOT advocate any attempt at cleaning a doll, no matter how soiled it is.  

However, and entirely at our own risk and discretion, we have given heavily soiled dolls in our collection a light dusting with a very soft artist's paintbrush, and have also used a cotton bud moistened with plain tap water, then squeezed almost dry with a towel, to wipe dirt and grime from the face and hands of the doll.   We NEVER use solvents or detergents , as these can stain or attack the plastic of the doll, and can cause damage to a wide range of fabrics.   Do NOT be tempted to unpick  the costume from the doll in order to wash it - The different fabrics used in its construction may bleed colours into each other, and the trimmings may disintegrate, causing irreparable damage to the garment.   We have, on rare occasions, given the badly creased dress of a not-too-valuable doll a light press, using a clean, dry cotton cloth, and a steam iron - but this could damage fragile materials like chiffon, or crush the pile of velvet, so must only ever be done at the owner's discretion.   

DISCLAIMER : ANY CLEANING OF A DOLL IS UNDERTAKEN ENTIRELY AT THE OWNER'S RISK!   www.peggy-nisbet-dolls.co.uk will not be held responsible for any damage caused to a doll by any attempt to clean it.