3. Did you own black dolls as a child? If yes, which ones and do you still own any of your childhood dolls?
“Yes, I did own one. But I do not remember her name, maker or what happened to her. I am embarrassed now to admit that I did not like her, and I did not play with her much. Like many Black children of my generation I grew up owning mostly white dolls. The only dolls I still have were not really from my childhood. They were given to me by my mother when I was in my late teens. They are 2 little Black dolls and a black cat doll. One of these dolls is dressed in pajamas. She still has her original tag. (It has a woodpecker on the front. On the back it has "Was Made for Herman Pecker & Co. Inc. NY"). The other doll never had a tag but I believe it was made by the same company. Both were made in Hong Kong. The black cat doll wears a scarf, dress & shoes made of felt. I'll always keep these dolls because they came from Mom.”

4. Please share one or some of your fondest childhood doll memories.
“One doll I had from my childhood was a White doll called ‘Poor Pitiful Pearl’. (There was no Black version of this doll). She was my first doll with hair! If you’re not familiar with this doll, her name fits her perfectly. She is indeed ugly and pitiful, which is what I called her. She came with 2 outfits. The idea was to clean her up and dress her in her party dress. I took her everywhere even out of town! Well, over time Pitiful lost her outfits and some of her hair (Due to an attempt to straighten it with a hot comb. Hey, I didn't know it would melt! Eventually she disappeared. Probably given away by my mother.

Years passed and I discover the Internet and eBay. When first on eBay I put her name in search. Boy was I surprised! Lots of Pearls selling for big bucks! (I thought I was the only one with such a pitiful ugly doll!) There were several versions and companies that did Pearl. She was originally a cartoon character. I decided to search the flea markets for her. My brother-in-law found one at a flea market. I must admit I was excited because this was my childhood revisited and an old friend found. She was smaller than my version, but she had her box and was in good condition. She had her complete "hobo" outfit: dress, socks, shoes and babushka! Inside the box was a party dress, wearable, but no socks or the white shoes. The best part is that with a Blue Book value of $95 by herself, I got her for $45, with box and both outfits. I got Pearl back and I was thrilled to find her! I recently purchased the cartoon book on Pearl that came with some of the dolls. She is one of the few white dolls that I have today.”

6. Approximately how many black dolls do you own?
“I now have 500+ dolls. The majority are Black dolls. I have smaller collections of Asian, Native American and Caucasian dolls.”

7. Where and how are your dolls displayed?
“Where?: EVERYWHERE! In every major room, on sofas, chairs, dressers, the bed, doll cases, corner 3 tired stand, curio, coffee table, book case, end table, sofa table, shelves, computer table, jewelry armoire, sitting on the floor, on trunks, kitchen table, on top of the refrigerator, counter top and on the walls!
How?: Some of my infant dolls are displayed in a wicker stroller. My older and more fragile dolls are in cases. I have a lot of dolls under 8" that are on 2 shelves in my computer room. I have 5 small dolls in shadow boxes that are on the walls. I have framed 2 different sets of vintage paper dolls (using acid free paper) and hung on the wall.”

8. What usually inspires you to purchase a doll?
“Usually if there is something unique about the doll or its looks ... such as unique material (I have a chicken wish bone doll) or if there was special care to details in clothing or construction (like fingernails) [I will be inspired to purchase]. I tend to purchase dolls that represent preteens or teenagers, but I don't limit myself to just these types. Sometimes they’rer just so cute I can't resist. Or they just say to me, ‘Buy me! Please take me home with you!’"

9. Do you keep your dolls NRFB or do you remove them from the box?
“If they are NFRB, it’s because I don't have the room for them or they are very vintage or they are action figure dolls. I believe in displaying dolls so they can be seen and enjoyed. That's difficult to do if they're in boxes. I do keep the boxes.”

10. From what sources do you purchase dolls?
In the beginning, I bought most from flea markets or doll catalogs (Ashton Drake & Danbury Mint etc.). Now most come from eBay or other Internet buys. I was lucky enough to go to the Essence Music Festival/Fair for 2 years. I purchased 4 dolls from Black doll artists. Then there are the department stores and antique shops.

11. Do you consider yourself a "seasoned collector? If so, what doll collecting tips would you offer to beginning collectors?
“I'm not sure what makes a person a seasoned collector. I'm always learning something new about dolls. But I do have tips for new and old collectors.
TIP#1: Always buy the doll that you like! If you are collecting vintage or antique dolls, get [them in] the best condition you can afford. I'm always amazed at what eBay sellers will ask for a black doll that's in very poor condition and people will buy them.
TIP#2: Do your research! Especially on a vintage or antique dolls. There are a lot or resources out there. M. Perkins books, the 14th & 15th Blue Books by J. Foulke, Doll Reader and Doll World magazines, and any book on Black memorabilia will have a section on dolls.
TIP#3: INSURANCE!! Get those babies insured. Take pictures, catalog them, keep receipts, information on value, and put it all in a fireproof security box (I have 2). All the money in the world cannot replace the time, energy, love and effort I have put into collecting my dolls. Most I could not replace. But monetary compensation from a loss could help start a new collection.
TIP#4: Ignore those who don't understand or criticize your passion for dolls.
‘If it gives you pleasure and they don't understand that, then it’s their problem not yours!’”

12. Which doll is at he top of your doll wish list?
“A doll I will probably never find -- my first Black doll that my mother brought me about 40 years ago. I would apologize to her (and my mother) for neglecting her. She would be my most cherished doll.

13. If you had to relinquish all but one doll from your collection, which one would it be and why?
“If I had to relinquish all but one doll I would keep one of the 3 dolls Mom bought me that I still have because my mother never had dolls as a young girl and she loved them. She's not here to give me any more, so I would keep one of hers.”

Finale Comment:
“Collecting Black dolls has branched into a part of Black History that I knew little about. That is the stereotyping of Black people through Black memorabilia and Black dolls. A study of both is a study of Black Americans and our social status and that changing view or status in American social history. Looking at Black dolls and memorabilia then and now you can see how far we have come. There are some old Black dolls I just could not buy because of their extreme negative image, but they do have historic value. They remind us of the struggles that Black Americans overcame and have surpassed in America.”