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Barbie - In the Beginning
The Barbie doll was invented in 1959 by Ruth Handler (co-founder of Mattel), whose own daughter was called Barbara. Barbie was introduced to the world at the American Toy Fair in New York City. The doll was intended to be a teenage fashion doll. There has been some controversy over Barbie's figure when it realized that if Barbie was a real person her measurements would be an impossible 36-18-38. The Ken doll was named after Ruth's son. Barbie first had bendable legs in 1965.
How to Start a Barbie Collection
Just because a doll is overproduced doesn't mean you should avoid it! Just wait for them to go on sale, and you can get dolls you love (like the 98HH) at a discount price! Even if you buy a doll and its value drops, if you love the doll, don't sweat it!
Neat Links
- Barbie's Roundup
- Offers information for collectors including history, travel column, links, and customizing tips. Includes photographs of Ken, Kelly, Tommy, and the ponytail edition.
- Barbie Doll Collector's Information
- Provides answers to frequently asked questions regarding the pink princess and friends including Ken, Teresa, Midge, and Allan. Includes forum, and links.
- Barbie
- Offers information for enthusiasts including pictures, descriptions, history, newest releases, and character related terminology.
- Barbie Bazaar
- Official collector magazine provides subscription information. Includes price guide, forum, classifieds, and convention news.
- Michelle's Barbies
- Features information on collecting fashion figures. Includes pictures of Ken, Kelly, Midge, Allan, and Skipper. Offers timeline, and links.
- Barbie Collector
- The official site from Mattel features a collection dating back to 1980. Includes news, events, club, calendar, and shopping.
- Think Pink! Barbie Museum
- Provides a display of over 2500 vintage and modern dolls and accessories in a private home, as well as restoration services. Includes the family's profiles, a forum, links, and an identification guide. Located in Wijchen, Gelderland, the Netherlands.
Educating Yourself
Barbie Accessories For You
Barbie School Backpack - Barbie Butterfly Grace Backpack
Amazon Price: $19.99 (as of 07/12/2009) 
Barbie Girls 1GB MP3 Player - Pink - Store 240 Songs!
Amazon Price: $20.36 (as of 07/12/2009)
Barbie Toddler/Little Kid Iceburg Winter Boot,Pink,10 M US Toddler
Amazon Price: (as of 07/12/2009)
Emerson Radio Barbie BAR505 Flower Karaoke CD+G System (Pink)
Amazon Price: $75.44 (as of 07/12/2009)
Barbie Bloombox BAR201 Portable CD Boombox with AM/FM Radio
Amazon Price: $61.97 (as of 07/12/2009)
Do Your Research Before You Buy On eBay
ebay Forum
2. SILVER LABEL - KEEPSAKE DOLLS WITH NO MORE THAN 50,000 PRODUCED WORLDWIDE.
3. GOLD LABEL - NUMBERED EDITIONS OF 25,000 WORLDWIDE OR LESS, AVAILABLE AT SELECT RETAILERS.
4. PLATINUM LABEL - SEQUENTIALLY NUMBERED EDITIONS OF LESS THAN 1,000 WORLDWIDE, AVAILABLE AT SELECT RETAILERS.
5. BLACK LABEL - SENSATIONAL DOLLS DESIGNED FOR THE ADULT COLLECTOR.
- Photo Guide to Vintage Barbies
- Excellent eBay board
Great Barbie Stuff on eBay
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Barbie Collections
Keep Her Hair Looking Good
The simplest idea to maintain or maintain the doll's hair is to wash it with mild soap and comb it with a doll size brush or comb. Do not attempt to wash and brush a doll with permed hair-that hair is too tangled to begin with and will not produce great results when wet and combed. Most older Barbies from the 60's, 70's and 80's have long hair, which is easy to style. For these types, combing the hair straight or placing it in a braid or ponytail should be sufficient to make the doll look her best.
Barbie Bazaar Magazine
The 'Official' Barbie Collectors Magazine
You will definitely want to check out "Barbie Bazaar" magazine, the "Official Magazine of Barbie." The articles in this bimonthly publication are usually written by longtime, experienced collectors; A few issues should give you a good start in learning about the history of various Barbie dolls through the years, There's also lots of information about new and upcoming Barbies, as well as a host of other subjects such as "doll makeovers" and finding and making non-Mattel doll sets, clothes and accessories.
If you don't know what acronyms like "MIB," "NRFB," and "OOAK" mean, you will after reading a few issues; there's plenty of terminology to learn in Barbie collecting. Finally, Barbie Bazaar has ads from many doll dealers from throughout the US and Canada--so shop around for the best price.
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byBarbie Books
The Ultimate Barbie Doll Book
The book takes you back to the very first Barbie doll and shows you how you can tell if you have an authentic doll. It also goes through many of the boxed, collectible Barbies and gives a price list for the older and newer boxed dolls and their value if never removed from the box (NRFB) and if they HAVE been removed. Usually, it's a dramatic difference, so if you can handle it, leave these lovely beauties in their boxes! As the boxes get more and more modern, the box itself is going to be valuable.
Amazon Price: $16.49 (as of 07/12/2009)
Barbie Doll: Identification & Values (Collector's Encyclopedia of Barbie Doll Collector's Editions)
Amazon Price: (as of 07/12/2009)
Barbie Fashion: Vol. 1, 1959-1967 (Barbie Doll Fashion)
Amazon Price: (as of 07/12/2009)
Warman's Barbie Doll Field Guide: Values and Identification (Warman's Field Guides)
Amazon Price: $11.69 (as of 07/12/2009)
Collector's Encyclopedia Of Barbie Doll Exclusives: Identification & Values 1972-2004 (Collector's Encyclopedia of Barbie Doll Exclusives and More)
Amazon Price: $19.77 (as of 07/12/2009)
100,000
The Barbie Collectors Link
- Barbie Collector - The official Mattel website for the hobby of Barbie doll collecting
- The official Mattel site for Barbie Collector featuring a Doll Showcase including 600+ Barbie Collector dolls dating back to 1980, plus news, events, and features relating to the world of Barbie collecting.
Terminology
Vintage - Dolls produced through 1972 are generally considered to be "vintage."
Modern - Dolls produced after 1972.
NRFB - Stands for "Never Removed From Box." Indicates that a doll is undisturbed in its original, un-opened packaging.
MIB - Stands for "Mint in Box." Indicates that a doll is in perfect, like-new condition, and is still housed in its original box, but the box has been opened and the doll may have been removed at some point.
A/O - "All original." Indicates that a doll is exactly as it was when it was originally left the factory, with no restoration work having been done to it.
M/C - "Mint and complete." An outfit in perfect, just-out-of-the box condition with all pieces and accessories included.
OOAK - "One of a kind." A doll that has been customized by an artist, usually by repainting and/or rerooting the hair.
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Selling???
- Barbie Value and Other Questions Answered
- Great advice can be found here
Get big girls Barbie news via RSS
Want to know all about the Barbie world, but afraid to browse the real Barbie site in the office for fear of persecution? Not to worry, you can content yourself with the big girls' alternative from the New York Times. Reporting on all things seriously Barbie related.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byOne More Tip
Check out your local Craigslist if you are in USA
Below are some current Barbie stuff for sale in the SF area
Fetching RSS feed... please stand bySo What's Your Favorite?
Which is your favorite, what do you long for most...
bryell wrote
Hello everyone, we just ran a special Barbie Week feature showcasing some beautiful collections and interviews! Thought you might like to check it out:
http://www.collectorsquest.com/featured-week/Barbie.html
Posted July 22, 2008
garethjax wrote...
I never thought that there were so many avid collectors! Awesome!
Posted July 17, 2008
TomBoyd wrote...
"Forty-five-percent of them spend upwards of $1000 a year."
That sure is a serious hobby! It sure is interesting the sorts of things people collect in their spare time. I guess Barbie is one of those things a lot of women start collecting as a young girl and then just continue on into adulthood.
Posted July 17, 2008
thesuccess wrote...
They keep slamming Barbie, but comes right back!
www.squidoo.com/idiotsguide to making Money Online!
Posted July 17, 2008
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