Hi Caryl,

Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.

The detailing on this dollhouse is exemplary; it's all the more impressive if one considers that this was handmade, presumably by someone who didn't make these for a living!

The market for dollhouses widely varies, with collectors being willing to pay more money for those with either noteworthy provenance (once owned by a person of historical significance, or from a museum) or ones made by premier dollhouse makers, such as Christian Hacker (Germany, 19th Century), Moritz Gottschalk (Germany, late 19th – early 20th Century), Ernst Plank (Germany, 19th Century); Silber & Fleming (UK, late 19th Century) or Lines Bros / Tri-ang (UK, early to mid-20th Century). Also collectible are dollhouse replicas of famous houses (Buckingham Palace, the White House, etc). These can bring $1,000 or more when sold at auction.

20th Century doll houses of this size and vintage that are so extensively furnished typically sell at auction for between $300 and $600, though doll and toy retailers would likely ask higher retail prices for examples they're selling.

Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:

A near vintage Victorian style 8-room dollhouse
made in Philadelphia by Peter Lima, circa 1990
hinged to the front, fitted with a kitchen, dining room, bathroom, living room, master bedroom, nursery, kids room, library / music room; with wallpaper, electric, architectural features and stairs; signed at the roofline.
32 inches high by 36 inches wide by 16 inches deep
CONDITION: this appears to be in good condition
PROVENANCE: Commissioned from "The Walnuts" in Philadelphia circa 1990; made by Walnuts employee Peter Lima.
$ 300-600*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.

Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia