Reference Books for Researching Vintage Dolls
Most of these books are out of print but can be found through online sources. This is a very partial list; there are many more good reference books on dolls.
General Books about Dolls both Antique & Vintage
200 Years of Dolls, Identification and Price Guide, 4th edition by Dawn Herlocher, 2009
Collector’s Encyclopedia of Dolls, Vol. 1 by Dorothy, Elizabeth and Evelyn Coleman, 1968
Collector’s Encyclopedia of Dolls, Vol. 2 by Dorothy, Elizabeth and Evelyn Coleman, 1986
Collector’s Encyclopedia of Half Dolls, by Frieda Marion & Norma Werner, 1979
Doll Makers & Marks by Dawn Herlocher, 1999
Doll Values, 12th Edition by Linda Edward, 2012
Twentieth Century Dolls by Johana Gast Anderton, 1979
More Twentieth Century Dolls by Johana Gast Anderton, 1979
Ultimate Doll Book by Caroline Goodfellow, 2001
Dolls by Era
Dolls and Accessories 1910-1930 by Dian Zillner, 2007
Dolls and Accessories of the 1930s and 1940s by Dian Zillner, 2002
Small Dolls of the 40s & 50s by Carol J. Stover, 2002
Dolls and Accessories of the 1950s by Dian Zillner, 2005
Baby Boomer Dolls, 2nd Edition by Michele Karl, 2003
Collector’s Guide to Dolls of the 1960s and 1970s: Identification & Values, Vol. 1 by Cindy Sabulis, 2000
Collector’s Guide to Dolls of the 1960s and 1970s: Identification & Values, Vol. 2 by Cindy Sabulis, 2004
Collectible Doll Fashions: 1970s by Carmen Varricchio, 2003. Includes Barbie, Maddie Mod, Cher, Tuesday Taylor, and Barbie-type dolls.
Dolls by Type
Encyclopedia of Celebrity Dolls by John Axe, 1983
Talking Toys of the 20th Century by Kathy and Don Lewis, 1999
Dolls by Manufacturer or Name
American Character Dolls Identification and Value Guide by Judith Izen, 2004
Barbie & Her Mod, Mod, Mod, Mod World of Fashion by Joe Blitman, 1996. Covers 1967–1972.
Barbie Doll Structures and Furniture by Marl Davidson, 1997
Barbie Fashions Vol. I 1959–1967 by Sarah Sink Eames, 1990
Barbie Fashions Vol. II 1968-1974 by Sarah Sink Eames, 1997
Barbie Fashions Vol. III 1975-1979 by Sarah Sink Eames, 2003
Collector’s Encyclopedia of Barbie Dolls and Collectibles by Sibyl Dewein & Joan Ashabraner
Francie & Her Mod, Mod, Mod, Mod World of Fashion by Joe Blitman, 1996
Skipper, Barbie Doll’s Little Sister, also featuring Tutti and Todd by Scott Arend, Karla Holzerland & Trina Kent, 1998
Ultimate Barbie Doll Book by Marcie Melillo, 1996 hardcover, 2004 softcover
Betsy McCall: A Collector’s Guide by Marci Van Ausdall, 1999
Encyclopedia of Cabbage Patch Kids: The 1980s by Jan Lindenberger & Judy D. Morris, 1999
Encyclopedia of Cabbage Patch Kids: The 1990s by Jan Lindenberger &a= Judy D. Morris, 1999
Disney Dolls: Identification & Price Guide, Featuring Mattel Dolls by Margo Rana, 1999
Collectors Guide to Ideal Dolls Identification and Values by Judith Izen, 2005
Liddle Kiddles by Paris Langford, 1995 Also includes Flatsy, Dolly Darlings, Flower Darlings, and Upsy Downsy
Collector’s Encyclopedia of Madame Alexander Dolls 1948–1965 by Linda Crowsey, 2005
Collector’s Encyclopedia of Madame Alexander Dolls 1965–1990 by Patricia R. Smith, 1991
Shirley Temple Dolls and Fashions: A Collector’s Guide to the World’s Darling by Edward R. Pardella, Rev. ed. 1999
Complete Guide to Shirley Temple Dolls and Collectibles by Tonya Bervaldi-Camaratta, 2006
Shirley Temple Collector’s Guide: An Unauthorized Reference and Price Guide by Edward R. Pardella, 2005
Arranbee Dolls, Identification & Value Guide by Suzanne L. DeMillar and Dennis J. Brevik, 2003, paperback
Barbie Closet by Patricia Long, 1999
Encyclopedia of Bisque Nancy Ann Storybook Dolls Volume I; Identification & Value Guide by Elaine M. Pardee, covers 1936-1947, 2003
Encyclopedia of Nancy Ann Storybook Doll book Volume II; Identification & Values Guide by Elaine M. Pardee, 2009
Horsman Dolls 1865-1950 by Don Jensen, 2002
Horsman Dolls 1950-1990s by Don Jensen, 2007
Horsman Dolls 1950-1970 by Patikii Gibbs, 1985
Effanbee Dolls, the Formative Years 1910-1929 by Patricia Schoonmaker, 1984
Effanbee: A Collector’s Encyclopedia 1949-83 by John Axe, 1983
Effanbee: The Dolls with the Golden Hearts by M. Kelly Ellenburg, 1973
Patsy Doll Family Encyclopedia, Volume 1 (1992) & Volume 2 (1998) by Patricia N. Schoonmaker
Schoenhut Dolls, a Collector’s Encyclopedia by Carol Corson, 1993
Thirty Years of Mattel Fashion Dolls by J. Michael Augustyniak, 1997
Chatty Cathy & Her Talking Friends by Sean Kettelkamp, 1998
Collector’s Encyclopedia of Vogue Dolls, 2nd Edition by Judith Izen & Carol Stover, 2004
Norah Wellings Cloth Dolls and Soft Toys by Gillian Trotter, 2003
Lenci: The History and the Dolls by Nancy Lazenby, 2007
Vintage Dolls by Country of Manufacture
British Dolls of the 1950s by Susan Brewer, 2009
British Dolls of the 1960s by Susan Brewer, 2009
Dolls of Canada: A Reference Guide by Evelyn Strahlendorf, 1986
Identifying German Chinas 1840s–1930s by Mary Krombholz, 2004
German Doll Encyclopedia 1800-1939 by Jürgen and Marianne Cieslik, 1985
German Doll Marks and Identification book by Jürgen and Marianne Cieslik, 2nd edition, 2001
Nippon Dolls & Playthings by Joan van Patten and Linda Lau, 2000
Dolls by Material
Collectors Encyclopedia of American Composition Dolls 1900-1950 Volume I by Ursula R. Mertz, 1st issue 1999, reissued 2006
Collectors Encyclopedia of American Composition Dolls 1900-1950 Volume II by Ursula R. Mertz, 2004
Compo Dolls 1928-1955 Volume I by Polly & Pam Judd, 1991
Compo Dolls 1909-1928 Volume II by Polly & Pam Judd, 1994
Hard Plastic Dolls Volume I, 2nd Revised edition by Polly & Pam Judd, 1985
Hard Plastic Dolls Volume II, Identification & Price Guide by Polly & Pam Judd, 1989
Celluloid Dolls, Toys & Playthings by Julie P. Robinson, 2005
Celluloid Dolls of the World by Marjory Fainges, 2000
A Century of Celluloid Dolls by Shirley Buchholz, 1983
Complete Book of All Bisque Dolls by Mildred Seeley, 1992
Cloth Dolls 1920s-1930s by Polly Judd, 1990
Collector’s Encyclopedia of Cloth Dolls by Johana Gast Anderton, 1984
Cloth Dolls From Ancient to Modern by Linda Edward, 1997
Playthings By The Yard by Frances Walker and Margaret Whitton, 1973