When doll collection can be fun...

By Yap Zhe Wen

Doll collection is never meant to be just a girl’s hobby. Even adults like Elizabeth Chrisostom enjoy playing with her dolls

However, this hobby has seen a decline in popularity. In the West, there is still a big community of doll collectors.

The 63-year-old from Petaling Jaya has over a thousand dolls in her collection, earning her an accolade from the Malaysia Book of Records.

Chrisostom started off at a tender age and hasn’t stopped until now! "I was seven, when my sisters bought me a red-haired doll, 'whom' I call Fergie," she said, pointing to a doll nicely placed in a glass casing.

Ever since then, the passion has always remained with her to buy dolls. “It brings me joy,” she said. “I don’t mind spending four to five hours every month cleaning my dolls.”

An enthusiastic collector, Chrisostom spends her money to expand her collection without giving it a second thought. She also goes all out to ensure her shipment of dolls arrives safely.

“Once, I had a shipment stranded at customs, and I had to drive there myself although it was the weekend,” she said. “I had to explain at length to the officer that the item was my personal collection before they finally agreed to release it.”

Living alone in her apartment in Petaling Jaya, Chrisostom said that after a day’s hard work, she sometimes prefers to spend time with her dolls than with real people.

“The fact that I am being surrounded by all my dolls helps to give me lots of joy. They give me a lot of happiness,” she said.

“Another beauty of having a vast doll collection from various countries is to understand different cultures from these countries.”

The dolls also give her guests an insight into different cultures. “Do you know that often, the doll’s costume and accessories tell stories about the different cultures? I always enjoy bringing my guests around to tour my collection,” she said, with a broad smile.

Before we concluded the interview, Chrisostom gave some very good advice to young people: “Always follow your dream and do what brings you joy!”