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Barbie dolls were invented by Ruth Handler, co-founder of Mattel, Inc., an American toy manufacturing company founded in 1945. After observing her daughter play with paper dolls, Handler was inspired to create a three-dimensional version of a career-minded, adult doll. She even bought the rights to the German-made doll Bild Lilli, and modeled her version after the figure. By 1959, the first Barbie doll made its official debut at the New York Toy Fair. 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. After that, they were mostly created in Mexico, Hong Kong, or Taiwan. Those made in one of these areas are not considered vintage. Use these distinguishing factors to place your doll within a specific time frame. Hands
Barbie has undoubtedly transformed the modern toy industry with a variety of dolls that feature over 180 different careers. A number of variations of collectible Barbies are highly sought-after and collected by individuals across the globe today. Most Expensive Barbies Ever SoldThere’s no denying the success that followed Barbie’s inception in 1959. As the best-selling toy in history, it has attracted the likes of children and nostalgia-seeking collectors alike. In fact, today, three Barbies are sold every second. For those looking to expand their vintage Barbie collection, remember to look for dolls that are unique in features. Understanding Mattel markings and other identifiable characteristics can help collectors spot some truly rare and special finds in the market today.
By far, the easiest way to determine the value of a Barbie is by identifying the version and time period in which the doll was produced. You can do this by easily referencing clothing, hair styles, and colors using the guide above. While some, depending upon the rarity, might only be worth a couple hundred dollars, others that weren’t produced in large quantities can be worth thousands of dollars. Below are some general ways to identify a Barbie’s value. How to Identify Your Barbie Markings Similar to feet, hands evolved as Barbies continued to be manufactured. Earlier vintage dolls used Barbie mold for hands, which gave them divided fingers. After 1968, fingers weren’t completed divided. The hands vary from doll to doll, so study the fingers and materials used to get a better grasp on a model’s scarcity. HairBubblecut Barbies in the mid-1960s had side-parted hair with a “thatched” part that was difficult to unpart. The Barbie doll is of the most popular and recognizable dolls ever created, and not just among young girls. This doll is highly sought after by collectors, especially well-preserved, vintage Barbie dolls. Since the first Barbie, named Barbie Millicent Roberts, was introduced to the world in 1959, new editions have been unveiled with each subsequent decade, wrought with added accessories and changes that reflected the times in which the dolls were produced.
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