Barbie will be 50 in 2009. Wow, I wish we all looked this good at 50. Of course, she’s had plastic surgery for decades. She has even had a full body replacement.
Barbie was first manufactured in 1959 by Mattel and has since sold millions worldwide. On March 9, 1959, Barbie was exhibited at the New York Toy Fair and that date is her official birthday. She wore a black and white zebra striped one-piece swimsuit, open-toed high heels, hoop earrings, and white sunglasses with blue lenses. She has blonde or brown hair pulled back in a ponytail and has highly arched eyebrows and white irises. She was made of a type of plastic that has faded to white over the years. It has copper tubes in the legs and holes in the feet for mounting on a pedestal. It bears the JAPAN branding on the sole of the right foot and the Barbie TM Pats branding on the body. Hang. Copyright MCMVIII.
If you find one of these dolls in good condition, you have a collector’s delight worth quite a bit of money. The exact value depends on the condition and integrity of the doll. Any missing pieces or damage will substantially reduce the value. This doll is known as the #1 Ponytail Barbie.
Ponytailed Barbie #2 is the same as #1, except she doesn’t have copper tubes in her legs and no holes in her feet. The pedestal was changed and it was made with extensions to support the doll.
Ponytailed Barbie #3 is the same as #2, but has different eyebrows and blue irises. She can have a blue or brown eyeliner makeup.
The No. 4 Ponytail Barbie is made from a non-fading plastic that retains its flesh color. She has blue eyeliner makeup.
The #5 Ponytail Barbie was made with a hollow plastic body rather than the solid type found in previous editions. The markings are similar with the difference that she is marked R Pats. Hang. instead of TM Pats. Hang. A new hair color, known as Titian, was added to the line, and dolls with this hair color are rarer and therefore worth more than brunette or blonde dolls. The plastic on some dolls had a problem that caused them to look greasy over time. The regular matte-faced doll, if you find one, is more valuable than a greasy-faced doll.
The #6 Ponytail Barbie was made with a new vinyl that doesn’t develop a greasy appearance as it ages. Her lips and nails are a rosy red instead of the previous bright red. She is dressed in a red swimsuit and has open toed, red shoes.
The No. 7 Ponytailed Barbie was made in several different hair colors, including auburn, titian, lemon blonde, and ash blonde. Her lips and nails are coral red. This new edition was published in the period 1962-1963 and the trademarks became Midge TM copyright 1962/Barbie copyright 1958 by Mattel. Dolls with this new branding are often called Ponytail Barbie #7, but many people still call them #6. Dolls made before the change in 1962 are rarer and more valuable than the new edition.
Condition is undoubtedly the most important factor when evaluating early Barbie dolls. Collectors want a doll that is clean, completely original, and undamaged. Such a doll is sold at a premium price. If the doll is in its original packaging and in mint condition, it is a highly desirable collector’s doll and will fetch a premium price. Dolls that have been repaired, restored, or repainted in some way are worth less than those left in their original faded condition.
Where can you expect to find the first collectible Barbie dolls? The answer is almost anywhere, if you know what you’re looking for. The vast majority of people do not know what a vintage Barbie doll looks like or what it is worth. You can sometimes find vintage Barbie dolls at thrift or thrift stores, flea markets, and garage sales. Be sure to bring a magnifying glass to read the markings on Barbie dolls when you’re searching. Best of luck.