Dam Trolls (1980-1990)

Dam Trolls are the original troll dolls, created by Danish fisherman Thomas Dam in the late 1950s and produced throughout the 1960s through 1990s. These distinctive figures with their wild hair, round bellies, and glass or plastic eyes became one of the biggest toy fads of the 20th century — peaking twice, first in the 60s and again in the late 80s and early 90s. The Dam brand is the one collectors care about most: they are the originals, not the imitations.

Dam Trolls are collectible because of their remarkable range and longevity. Over three decades, Dam produced thousands of variations: different sizes, outfits, hair colors, eye types, and themed editions. Vintage 60s examples with glass eyes are the most valuable, but the 80s and 90s production runs have their own strong collector base, particularly themed sets like animals, holiday editions, and licensed characters. The quality difference between genuine Dam trolls and knockoffs is immediately obvious to anyone who handles both.

When buying, authenticity is the first concern. Look for the "Dam" marking on the back or feet of the figure — genuine Dam trolls are clearly branded. Check the hair: original mohair or Icelandic wool hair should be full and intact, not thin or patchy. Glass eyes (on vintage pieces) should be secure and undamaged. The rubber or vinyl body should be free of major cracks, sticky spots, or paint loss. Vintage clothing and accessories add significant value but are often missing or replaced. If buying lots, examine each troll individually — sellers sometimes mix genuine Dam trolls with cheaper knockoffs.