Barbie: A cultural icon. She is the immortal image of the “ideal” woman, a girl who has done it all. She has grown up in millions of homes, possessed riches beyond anyone’s wildest dreams, and tried her hand at numerous professions. She is not only the playtime pal of children but an iconic statue for grown women. Before anyone can collect Barbies and truly appreciate the dolls, she/he must first understand the history of Barbie and how she came to be a star.
In the 1950s a woman named Ruth Handler was visiting Switzerland when she came upon a beautiful doll named Lilli. This doll, modeled after a famous cartoon character, was 7 inches tall, had shoes molded to her feet, and earrings on her ears.
Lilli had a variety of outfits from which to choose. Inspired by the doll, Ruth returned home with the image of a doll in mind. She had already been thinking of creating a 3-D doll based off of paper dolls, and this image of Lilli solidified the idea in her mind. This image would soon be known the world over as Barbie.
In 1958, a patent was obtained for a doll known as “Barbie”, a name inspired by Ruth’s daughter Barbara. By 1959 Barbie hit the toy shelfs of New York. Investors believed the move was risky, as baby dolls were the popular toys of the day.
However, Ruth proved investors wrong. By 1960 Barbie was flying off the shelves; demand so high that Mattel could not keep up. By the end of the 1960s the public had spent $500 million on Barbie, her friends and accessories. Below you find a chronological history of Barbies, where to collect and find the best Barbies, and how to begin a collection that will last a lifetime.
Barbies: The 1960s
Barbie was, and still is, a woman of the times, portraying a picture of women in society. In the 1960s it was very important that Barbie reflect a positive image of women. As such, Barbie was often modeled off of great women in society. In the 60s, Jackie O influenced the look of Barbie with a pill box hat and bob hair cut, until Jackie started to stir controversy.
Also in the 1960s, older girls continued to keep or “collect” Barbies as symbols of what they dreamt to uphold and become. Seeing this trend, Mattel created Barbies geared for older girls. Instead of decking Barbie out in prom dresses, Barbie began to dawn ball gowns and debutante outfits. This was until the 60s took a turn of their own. . .
As the Beatles became popular and the mood in the nation changed, so did Barbie. Her skirt became shorter; her boots became longer. Now dawning a mini-skirt and go-go boots, Barbie represented a changed nation. Trying her best to become a symbol of fun and not of hippie-like behavior, Barbie continued to evolve with the rest of the country.
It is at this point in time that Barbie’s “newest” feature, the bent leg, appeared. Anyone who has played with a Barbie knows the jerky movement of the legs when they bend, and how unnatural this looks. However, it was the 1960s that spawned this feature and started the “Twist & Turn” Barbie – a Barbie that was more “life-like. ”

Young girls aren’t young girls unless they have at least one doll in their toy box. But nowadays, dolls are more than just a young girl’s play thing. It can also be a source of joy for an adult. And adults, which may seem really odd but true, collect dolls to look at them in their display cabinets. What is a doll collection without the most famous and hottest Barbie collectibles? Most female adult collectors of this doll average age is 40. Mattel saw the opportunity for this mature market and in 2004, they launched a labeling system that would help collectors find what they were looking for at a simple glance. The colored labeling system consists of the pink, silver, gold and platinum labels. The Barbie dolls that are labeled pink are mass-produced. The Dolls of the World Series, the Model Barbie dolls, and the Pop Culture dolls are the ones that fall under this category. The Barbie dolls that have no more than 50,000 in number worldwide are labeled Silver. The Silver label has the following series: The Wedding series, Ballet Barbies, I Dream of a Season Barbie dolls, and Birthday Barbie dolls. Those that come under the Gold label have no more than 25,000 pieces worldwide. The Designer Fashion Model Barbie dolls, Pin-up girls, Designer Bride, and the Vintage Repros’ all come under this label. The last and rarest among these labels is the Platinum label where less than 1,000 pieces are produced worldwide. The Faerie Queen, White Chocolate Obsession, and the Nurse Barbie fall under this category. Other doll collections that may be worthwhile would be the Pre-1930’s antique dolls, Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls, Terri Lee dolls (1940’s-1950’s), China dolls (which is a sub-category of antique dolls), and the American Girl dolls, dolls that represent countries or regions, German antique dolls and the Mundia collection dolls. Raggedy Ann and Andy are dolls that look simple and very common yet their price fetches up to $3000 for the rarest pieces! They are hot to most doll collectors because of their designs and variety. Terri Lee dolls are vinyl dolls that come in many designs and the oldest models from circa 40’s or 50’s will easily fetch a doll collector thousands of dollars! China dolls are one of the perennial favorites of doll collectors. China dolls are manufactured in Germany and they come with glazed bisque (which accounts for their glossy appearance). Most china dolls’ faces and hair are painted. And the greatest thing about China dolls is their rarity. Most of them were produced in 1830’s until the late 1890’s. The 18-inch American Girl dolls remain every American girl’s favorite. Mattel (the makers of Barbie dolls) makes American Girl dolls. Different eras of American girls are represented by these dolls. Mattel makes dolls that represent American girls from the 1940’s until the modern day. And just like Barbie, the color of the dolls can be made to match the owner. German antique dolls are one of the best in the world. They come next to France in the era of doll making. The French people started making dolls but soon waned at the trade. They passed the craft to Germans and the Germans, in turn, excelled at it. Kewpie dolls are still collectors’ favorites and so are other porcelain dolls. When it comes to doll making, the French were considered to be the pioneers in this craft. In the early 1800’s, the French doll makers dominated the world of doll making. The Mundia dolls were made by French doll makers. Their most prominent features are their very feminine and luxurious clothes and their clear skin. These porcelain dolls seem to have an unexplainable look that set them apart from all other antique dolls and any modern day doll on the market today. Dolls constitute a major part of every woman’s childhood. And if she chooses to continue the wonderful imaginations that she has with her childhood dolls, or if she merely wants to please her passion for collecting rare items, it doesn’t matter. Dolls will always be a girl (or a woman’s) constant companion.

Barbie is fifty years in the year 2009. I wish we all look that good after half a century! Well, it took a lot of plastic surgery over the years. The first Barbie was made by Mattel in 1959, and since then millions have been sold around the world. His official birthday is the 9th March 1959, when it was exhibited at the Toy Fair in New York. She wore a black and white zebra-striped bathing suit a bit, sandals, high heels, earrings, and white sunglasses with blue lenses. She is blond or brown hair in a ponytail at the back. It has white iris and very arched eyebrows. The plastic is usually rather dull and know now. It has holes in his feet for mounting on a base and copper pipes in the legs. It is marked Japan on the bottom of his right foot. On the back is marked Barbie ™ Pats. Pend. Copyright MCMVIII. Find them in good shape, and you have a dream for collectors, they must pay some money. The exact value depends strongly on the data provided. Damage or missing parts will be hard to downgrade your doll. It is as the No. 1 Barbie pony known. The Pony Barbie # 2 is identical to No. 1, except that there are no holes in the feet and not copper tubing. The base is made with extensions to support it. It is pronounced like # 1 The # 3 Barbie pony is the same as # 2 with the exception of a different blue irises and eyebrows. This Barbie is blue or brown eyeliner. The Barbie Pony # 4 is of a type of plastic that will not fade and keeps its original color of meat. It is, together with blue eyeliner. The # 5 Pony Barbie has a hollow plastic instead of the solid body of the previous editions. The marks are similar, but it is now marked R Pats Pend. rather than TM Pats. Pend. A new hair color called Titian was introduced, and the doll with the hair color are rare and valuable than the blonde or brunette. There was a problem with the plastic in some of these dolls makes them look fat. If you find an original with a stone face, it is worth more than a fat "Doll Face. The Pony # 6 Barbie has a different vinyl, this is not over time become oily. The fingernails and lips have a pink-light red-red instead of the closer. She wears a red bathing suit and open-toe shoes. The # 7 Barbie has been in several colors including ash blond hair, made of lemon Blonde, brunette and Titian. The fingernails and lips are orange), red (coral. This change has occurred in the years 1962-1963, and the mark was changed to TM 1962/Barbie Copyright Copyright 1958 by Mattel mosquito. The dolls with this new brand will be named as # 7 Barbie in general, but some of them continue to call for # 6. Dolls made in 1962, before the transfer of scarce and valuable than the new edition. Assess the status of the Barbie doll collection is the most important factor of all. A doll is complete and undamaged and clean achieve a higher price. When the doll is mint in original packaging, it is highly desirable, according to collectors and prices. Dolls that have been restored or repainted worth less than if left in its original condition faded. Where to buy Barbie dolls collection of old? Now, almost everywhere, if you are looking to know what you do. Most people have no idea of what an old Barbie doll, or something similar could be worth some money. You can sometimes find them by searching for garage sales, flea markets, and thrift or second hand shops. Take your magnifying glass, if you along the treasure hunt so that you can read the inscriptions on the dolls. Good luck.

Barbie turns 50 in 2009. Wow, I wanted to see, we all know that good 50th Of course, the plastic surgery had in the past decades. She even had a full replacement for the body. Barbie was the first time in 1959 by Mattel and millions have been sold worldwide since been carried out. Barbie's official birthday is the 9th March 1959, that is, when it was unveiled at the New York Toy Fair. She wore a little black and white zebra striped swimsuit, shoes with high heels, sandals, earrings and had white sunglasses with blue lenses. She has blonde hair and brown withdrawn in a ponytail, and she strongly arched eyebrows, and white iris. Has faded, it was made from a type of plastic, who knows over the years. It has copper tubing in the legs and feet holes for mounting on a pedestal. It is marked JAPAN on the bottom of the right foot and body, it is characterized Barbie ™ Pat. Pend. Copyright MCMVIII. If you see one of these dolls in good condition, you have a happy little collector value for money. The exact value depends on condition and completeness of the doll. The missing parts or damages will significantly reduce the value. This Barbie doll is also known as Pony # 1 The Pony Barbie # 2 is the same as # 1, except that no copper tubing in the legs or holes in the feet. The base has been changed and made with extensions to support the doll. The # 3 Barbie pony is the same as # 2, but has different eyebrows and blue iris. They have blue or brown eyeliner makeup. The # 4 Pony Barbie is made of plastic, without limitation flesh retains its color. Make-up eyeliner blue. The # 5 Pony Barbie has a new hollow plastic. The earlier dolls were made of sturdy plastic. The marks are similar, except that it is marked R Pats Pend. rather than TM Pats. Pend. A new hair color was on the line, like Titian announced and dolls with the hair color are more rare and therefore worth more than the brown or blond dolls. Some of these dolls has a bug in the plastic that has developed a bold look with age. If you are faced with a matte finish doll is worth more than met with a thick specimen. The Pony # 6 Barbie was from a new vinyl that is not a greasy appearance, as it is developing at the time made. Her lips and nails are a reddish pink rather than bright red before. She wears a red swimsuit and sandals, red shoes. The # 7 Pony Barbie has been in various hair colors, including brunette, Titian, lemon and made of ash blonde blonde. Nails and lips on the doll are corals in the color red. This new edition was published in the period 1962-1963 and is now marking Midge TM copyright 1962/Barbie Copyright 1958 by Mattel. Dolls with the new labeling is often called the Pony Barbie # 7, but still many people call them # 6 Pupae before the end of the year 1962 are made of rare and valuable than the new edition. State is probably the most important factor in the evaluation of the first Barbie doll. Collectors want to be a doll that is clean, all original and undamaged. Such a doll fetches top price. When the doll is in its original packaging and in perfect condition, it is highly desirable for collectors of dolls and fetch a premium price. Dolls already repaired, restored or repainted are worth less than the faded original left. Where can we expect to find Barbie doll collection beginning? The answer is almost everywhere, if you look to know what you do. The vast majority of the population have no knowledge of old Barbie dolls, or that they are valuable. You can find old Barbie dolls, sometimes thrift shops or second hand, flea markets and garage sales have. Make sure a magnifying glass to read the inscriptions on the Barbie dolls, if you are looking for have there. Best of Luck.

Not everyone who has a love for Barbie dolls, and even fewer have the desire to collect, vintage Barbie dolls. Most people who collect vintage Barbie dolls are the same women who have these dolls were young when they have played, and collector of things like dolls.
To the surprise of many distinguished people, vintage Barbie dolls a huge collector's item and can recover a large sum of money in many cases for a well preserved doll. This has been delineated in the recent September 2006 auction of vintage Barbie dolls by a Dutch mother and daughter who were in their collection of over 4,000 dolls.
This beautiful old Barbie dolls sometimes can start life as seasonal gifts or the introduction of an entirely new line of dolls. The main issues separating the Barbie dolls from the rest of the pack are the looks these dolls. The modern Barbie doll is a stylish and trendy clothes that you see on your teenage daughter to. His eyes have a haste is slightly rounded.
The vintage Barbie dolls, have no place on the other side of an oblong. This form is reminiscent of how women 40s to 60s should highlight their eyes. The whole look will find in these Barbie dolls is an aspect of an elegant woman. To find the clothes worn by these vintage Barbie dolls also imitate the dress of the women wore in those days.
You can find them in vintage Barbie dolls as that of the Silkstone Barbies. The Barbie dolls are in the height of fashion this time dressed. Her eyes are also similar to the original Barbie dolls from Mattel, which were made at the beginning. You will also find beautiful gift sets that have reproductions of various Barbie dolls.
One of the vintage Barbie dolls that you'll be able to buy a Barbie Doll Learns Cook. This doll is part of the Barbie doll set picnic. Another Barbie doll that can be found in this series of vintage Barbie dolls is that of a Barbie doll is a 60's twist and turn dressed. This doll is dressed in the height of fashion swinging this time.
For many people who collect Barbie dolls these vintage Barbie dolls are great additions to their collection. For these people it does not matter if the dolls Barbie dolls or vintage reproduction dolls are real this time. If we see all these vintage Barbie dolls you will find many of you, enjoy your collection. Have your clothes and sophisticated air places Barbie Doll vintage pieces must for all collectors.

The New York Toy Fair organizes the introduction of a phenomenon in 1959. Then Barbie dolls were introduced to the world. They are always available and several million have been sold around the world. Collecting Barbie is a very popular leisure as a result and Mattel estimates that there are more than 100,000 people who collect Barbie dolls. Most of them are women and are an average of 40 years. They tend to buy about 20 Barbie dolls each year at all. Barbie has undergone many changes in appearance over the years. The first Barbie had a ponytail hairstyle and wore a zebra striped one piece swimsuit. It was founded in 1958 by the copyright on the back and bottom of the right foot was marked Made in Japan. [Read more →]