Many are inexperienced in the identification and shipping of bisque head antique dolls.  When purchasing a antique doll on ebay it is always wise to ask the seller if they are going to give you a guarantee that the doll is not a reproduction.  In addition, one must always ask if the head has been checked with a black light for professional repairs or hairlines.  Most antique dolls have a opening in the top of the head which is covered by what is called a pate.  A pate is a hard circular cardboard type disc that fits over the opening in the head.  The doll's wig is customarily attached to the pate.  In order to determine if a bisque head doll has had damage or to ship a bisque head antique doll, the wig and the pate must be removed.  A wig can be removed by slowly pulling back on it from the front or the back of the head forward in a rolling motion.  The pate can then be removed by taking a wet cloth to soften the pate or by gently prying it off with a knife.  Damaging the pate should not be a concern since it is imperative that it be removed for shipping.  To determine damage, place a black light or flash light in the head.  Any cracks will show though as black lines through the outside of the bisque.  Also, the head has to be stuffed for shipping.  Antique dolls have had their eyes put in with plaster.  Those with open and close eyes have a iron rocker bar that moves back and fourth to open and close the eyes,.  These eyes are held in the head with plaster placed on the far right and left of each eye.  If that head is not stuffed the eyes most likely will fall back in the head and break during shipping.  The iron ball that is part of the rocker arm may also crack the bisque.  With collectors paying several hundred to thousands of dollars for a antique bisque doll, they should be prepared to train the seller who may not be aware of how to prepare that doll for safe shipping.  Always ask questions prior to bidding.  These dolls are often sold by well intended people that are not aware of  what is involved in safely packing that old doll they found in the attic.   Again,  do not let anyone ship a antique doll to you without that head being stuffed firmly with napkins, paper towels, bubble wrap, or tissue.  Please make sure the seller is willing to do this prior to purchasing any  antique doll that has to be shipped.