Displaying and storing your collection through the seasons

A collection is usually damaged slowly rather than dramatically. Ultraviolet light, dry radiator heat and dust are the three culprits behind almost every piece that looks tired after a decade.

Display away from windows, or fit a UV-filtering film if a bright room is unavoidable. Aim for stable, ordinary living conditions: roughly 18–22°C and moderate humidity, well away from bathrooms and conservatories.

Support the head and neck whenever a doll is seated. Prolonged pressure on one point of a weighted body will eventually distort the filling and change the way she sits in your arms.

For long-term storage, lie each piece flat in an acid-free tissue-lined box, limbs straight, dressed in a plain cotton layer. Never store in sealed plastic, which traps moisture against silicone.

Check stored pieces twice a year. Gentle dusting, a fresh cotton layer and an occasional change of position can help prevent marks and pressure points over time.