Appointments at the dolls’ hospital
Is it possible to repair and restore antique dolls made of celluloid, tortulon and vinyl?
We try to restore all dolls to health. We have an in-house repair and restoration facility with doll specialists who are able to help 90% of dolls in need of some loving care. In some instances, we have no choice but to use replacement parts; at other times, we need to restore old parts. The level of care required is determined on a case-by-case basis. However, we can decide for or against a repair once we inspect the doll in person and make an honest appraisal. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee to make your antique toy look like new when carrying out restoration work. In some rare cases, cracks may reappear, or paint may peel off after a while.
How much will it cost to restore or repair a doll?
This very much depends on the state of the doll. We would be happy to take a look at your sickly doll and send you a quote based on the appraisal. You would need to send us your doll. If you do not wish for us to carry out repairs, we will return the doll to you upon advance payment. We charge a shipping and handling fee of EUR 15 per doll.
How do I package my antique or new doll for transportation and which address do I send it to?
Antique dolls tend to be extremely fragile. Please bear in mind that packages are not always treated carefully during transit. Package your doll in a sturdy cardboard box. The box needs to be big enough to hold both the doll and padding material. Please do not use newspaper for this purpose, as it is likely to stain. Extremely fragile dolls and badly packed dolls may be damaged in transit as they are being transported twice – from yours to our facility and back again.
Please send your doll to the following address:
Schildkröt-Puppen u. Spielwaren GmbH
Restaurationsabteilung
Reitgasse 10
D-96528 Frankenblick
The company Schildkröt-Puppen GmbH will not be held responsible for items damaged in transit, since we have no influence on the handling of the parcels during transportation. Items can be damaged even when handled properly. The owner bears all risks of loss or damage to the goods during transport. If you are planning a trip to the Thuringian Forest, you are of course welcome to drop off your doll in person and visit our museum.
How long does a repair job take?
We receive dolls from all over the world. We currently have several thousand dolls in our care, all waiting to be ‘cured’. Depending on the extent of the damage, waiting times can vary from six to eight weeks for small repairs, and eight to ten months if the doll requires comprehensive restoration. We apologise for any inconvenience. However, we only allow specialists to work on your doll, thus ensuring they receive the high-quality repair service they deserve.
Can I also send dolls not made by Schildkröt for repair?
We also offer repair services for dolls made by other companies, such as Celba or Minerva. We accept such third-party items subject to certain conditions and will decide on the feasibility of a repair once we have inspected the doll in person. If we lack the necessary materials, we may return the doll to you unrepaired.
Do you offer a custom dolls’ dressmaking service?
All clothes items from our large range of dolls can also be delivered individually. Unfortunately, we are unable to make custom sizes.
Does Schildkröt have a factory outlet in Rauenstein?
Please feel free to visit our showroom, where you can view and buy a whole range of Schildkröt dolls.
Where can I buy Schildkröt dolls and teddy bears?
Our dolls, dolls clothes, doll accessories, teddy bears and soft toys are available in all specialist doll and teddy bear stores as well as toy departments. We will gladly send you a list of stockists of our products in your area.