In March 1959, a doll named "Barbie" launched onto the American toy market, sporting a black-and-white striped bathing suit, pouty red lips and a sassy blonde pony tail. The leggy, 11-inch plastic figure—full name: Barbara Millicent Roberts—was the first mass-produced toy doll in the U.S. with adult features.
The first Barbie wore a black and white striped swimsuit and her signature ponytail. Toy buyers were skeptical because Barbie was unlike the baby and toddler dolls that were popular at the time. They doubted she would be successful, but Barbie took the world by storm.
Influenced by the movie stars of the 1950s, the first Barbie doll was fully made up with red lips, black eyeliner and perfectly arched eyebrows. She wore a strapless zebra striped swimsuit and came with either blonde or brunette hair done up in a cute Audrey Hepburn ponytail.
Usually, vintage Barbies have holes in the bottom of their feet and the models. If your Barbie also has a stamp saying "Made in Japan" or "Japan" it means it was made between 1959-1972, because those models were manufactured there.
Often, the bottom of a Barbie doll's feet will offer clues as to which decade it's from. The first ponytail Barbies had holes in the bottom of their feet. Barbies were made in Japan from 1959 to 1972 and have “Made in Japan” or “Japan” stamped on the bottom of their feet.
Original Barbie - The original first edition Barbie from 1959 is very rare. Money, Inc. reports that even in played-with condition, she is worth $8,000. In pristine condition, she could be worth more than $27,000.
Vintage Barbies from 1959 can sell for thousands.
The iconic classic Barbie in the striped swimsuit can sell for thousands. Check for unique markings on the feet and her bottom as those could indicate a rare or valuable edition.
The original Barbie first sold for $3, from the original doll to specially-designed models. Barbie made her first debut at the New York Toy Fair 61 years ago on Monday. The now-iconic doll, made by Mattel, originally cost $3.
Bild Lilli was the German doll. This was, like we said, the number one Barbie. It was made in 1959 for only one year.
The Barbie Doll Eras
Doll collectors generally divide Barbie dolls into eras based on their production years: Vintage Barbie dolls - 1959 to 1972. Vintage Mod Barbie dolls - 1966 to 1972. Modern Barbie dolls - 1972 to present.
The average value of "50th anniversary barbie" is $60.67. Sold comparables range in price from a low of $7.99 to a high of $287.10.
Handler created a personal story for the very first Barbie doll. She was named Barbie Millicent Roberts and she was from Willows, Wisconsin. Barbie was a teenage fashion model.
Modern Barbie dolls with the 1966 stamp will have the following characteristics: ©1966/Mattel, Inc. U.S. & Foreign Patented/Other Pats Pending. Made in U.S.A., Hong Kong, Philipines, or Malaysia.
Released in 1996, the Pink Splendor Barbie is the most expensive retail Barbie ever, originally priced at a whopping $900. If you're inclined to buy this collector's item now, though, you can find her on Amazon for just $339!
Kim Culmone, head of design, told Time magazine that in order to reflect the times, the company changed Barbie's face to have less makeup and a younger look. “I think it was important for us offer a variety of dolls to cater to different girls,” said Chidoni.
First introduced in 1959, the Barbie doll is officially 64 years old.
Description Barbie Dolls were popular through out the 70s and still are today, they have changed and evolved each year to cater for the latest fashions and trends, these are from 1971.
African-American Midnight Tuxedo Barbie (2001)
Follett estimates this Barbie will fetch about $1,000 dollars MIB. Here's what Barbie looked like the decade you were born.
The best-selling Barbie doll is Totally Hair Barbie, released in 1992. Totally Hair Barbie has sold more than 10 million dolls worldwide.
At the end of the manufacturing part of the “life cycle” process in the production of Barbie dolls, a total of 188 grams of raw and processed materials were used to create one doll. This product's life expectancy is estimated to last up to about 3 years.
Yes, it can be very worthwhile to sell your vintage Barbie collection, as collectible Barbie dolls can be worth a lot of money on the current market. This is especially true if the dolls are mint-in-box — and more so still if it's the original box.
In 1968, Mattel created Christie. Christie had the same body as Barbie so that their clothes were interchangeable. But her face was a new design intended to highlight the facial features of a Black woman. Many consider Christie to be the first “Black Barbie.” Christie was part of a series of talking dolls.
1961: First introduced at the American International Toy Fair as Barbie doll's boyfriend on March 11, 1961 Ken doll was 12 inches tall, had “molded” plastic hair (blond and brunette) and came dressed in red bathing suit trunks with a yellow towel and sandals.