| Heirlooms can be anything of value that have been | | | | They were made from bisque, paper mache, wood, |
| passed from generation to generation. | | | | cloth and wax. The earliest version of dolls that are |
| Heirlooms, antiques and collectibles have variations. | | | | found today were made from the 1850's on up. |
| The best heirlooms are valued possessions that are | | | | Although occasionally one will run across an earlier |
| passed down through succeeding generations. | | | | version. It's hard to determine the age of some dolls |
| Antiques are items that are typical of a certain era | | | | because the original clothing has been replaced. Many |
| and when sold, are worth a lot of money. Collectibles | | | | who have saved the dolls in their family don't care |
| are groups of objects sought by collectors for their | | | | about the loss of the original clothing because it's the |
| own appreciation. These items may not be worth | | | | memories that they cherish and love. |
| money nor have they been passed down through | | | | China sets, dishes, quilts and trinkets such as |
| their family, but is something that a person has an | | | | Christmas ornaments seem to be the favored items |
| attraction to instead. | | | | to be passed along as well. These items are also |
| Many times these possessions will have a more | | | | commonly referred to as antiques and collectibles. Old |
| sentimental value than monetary because they are | | | | antique furniture is a timely favorite to pass along as |
| treasures that have been passed down from loved | | | | heirlooms as they were handcrafted by hand with |
| ones over the years. | | | | much care. |
| Whatever the heirloom happens to be it holds the | | | | To be on the receiving end of a piece of heirloom |
| stories of the ones who owned it in the past. Families | | | | furniture is a remarkable thing. The hand craftmanship |
| have passed down their favorite furniture, photos, | | | | and time that went into furniture from days long |
| stories or recipes to the younger generation to be | | | | past are to be cherished. Today furniture makers are |
| carried on for years to come. | | | | still trying to duplicate the work of our ancestors |
| Many times heirlooms have been lost over the years. | | | | with their dovetailed joints and fine craftmanship. |
| Family members want to retrieve items that they | | | | Vegetables are also valued as heirlooms due to their |
| remember from their younger years only to find out | | | | time tested resiliency and quality as well as delivering |
| that they are gone forever. They have either been | | | | the utmost in taste. Many gardeners will tell you the |
| thrown away or sold to people who are not in the | | | | taste of today's vegetables are stark and bland |
| family. Antique toys and especially dolls are among | | | | compared to the full delicious flavor of a good |
| the most favored of heirlooms. Dolls that were made | | | | heirloom variety such as a brandwine tomato or a |
| before the 1930's are considered to be collectibles. | | | | jenny lind melon. |