Barbie: She's Quite a Doll
By Teresa Ambord
Ever hear of a gal named Barbara Millicent Roberts? She was "born" March 9,1959, a fully-grown, injection-molded plastic doll that would capture the hearts of girls for 45 years and counting.
Barbie was the creation of a Mattel employee, Ruth Handler, who saw a similar doll in Switzerland. After acquiring the rights and beginning production, Handler named the doll after her daughter, Barbara Handler. Barbie debuted at the New York Toy Fair in 1959 as a teenage model, sporting a black and white bathing suit, high heels, gold hoop earrings, and sunglasses. Chances are, neither Ruth Handler nor Mattel knew what a hot property they had, even after more than 350,000 Barbies were sold the first year.
In 1961, Barbie's boyfriend Ken Carson (named after Handler's son Ken) appeared in stores. For 43 years, he was Barbie's only official boyfriend until in February 2004, Barbie finally concluded that Ken was not the marrying kind. In reality, Barbie has been the star of millions of weddings performed in children's bedrooms around the world for decades.
As with most collectibles, the most valuable Barbie dolls are the ones in their original, unopened packages. And obviously, the oldest, mint-condition dolls fetch the highest prices. But well-preserved dolls that have been taken out of the box will also sell.
Tips For Cleaning Your Dolls
Most of the cleaning can be done effectively with soap and warm water. Or you can use a moderate amount of rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball. But do not use nail polish. It is harsh enough to remove the paint on Barbie's face.
Of course, little girls love to brush the doll's hair, and unfortunately, to cut it. Barbies from the 60s, 70s, and 80s all had long hair, and later some had "permed" hair. If you're trying to restore your doll, don't wash the permed or kinky hair. Long hair can be washed with mild soap and combed with a doll size comb or brush. Longhaired dolls usually look their best when their hair is placed in a ponytail or braid.
Dressing and Accessories
If the doll's original clothes are available, they will increase the resell value. If not, try to use clothes and accessories that were created about the same time that the doll was. And use articles that follow her theme. For example, don't put Hollywood Barbie in a Wall Street business suit. Remember Barbie is always a fashion plate, so to maximize her resell value, always accessorize her well and appropriately.
If You're Buying for a Collection...
Collectors advise that you buy two or three dolls from the same period. For example, don't just buy a late 60s Barbie. If possible, purchase a Ken and/or a family member or two as well to make your collection more valuable.
Also:
- Round out the collection with a few accessories created about the same time, such as a car or a house.
- If you're buying a collection for a child, keep in mind the child's interests.
- Resist the temptation to alter the doll or other pieces of the collection.
- Provide protective cases to properly store your collection.
Take a Look at These Books:
- From Worn to Wonderful: A Step-By-Step Guide to Fashion Doll Restoration by Aimee Eckert
- Barbie Doll Collector's Handbook by A. Glenn Mandeville, Marl Davidson, Priscilla Wardlow, Gary R. Ruddell
- The Ultimate Barbie Doll Book by Marcie Melillo
- Barbie Fashions, 1959-1967 by Sarah Sink Eames
