Learn more about collecting Barbies (2024)

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Learn more about collecting Barbies (1)

Back to Barbie Doll Collecting

Most Barbie's are purchased at your local toy store, Walmart, or Target. These are the latest Barbie Dolls and are usually available at a good price. This is a good place to start building your collection.

Learn more about collecting Barbies (2)

Another good place to get Barbie Dolls when your first starting out is to ask your mom, grandma, and aunts if they have any Barbie's that you can have. This is a good way to get some vintage Barbies that have some special meaning to you because of their family history. Also, be sure to write down any history of these dolls. When they got the doll, who they got it from, etc. This is great stuff to keep with your collection so you can remember later where the doll came from and a bit about it's past.

If you get more serious about collecting Barbie Dolls and there are specific Barbie's you want for you collection, you can start to look into online auction sites or dealers that will have Barbie's of all sorts available. Be sure to have your mom and dad help you when going on line and to get their permission before you do anything on line.

Besides just collecting the Dolls, you will also likely get into collecting other types of Barbie Merchandise. Barbie has had all sorts of cool stuff that have gone along with her dolls. This includes houses, cars, planes, pets (Barbie has had over 30 pets including a panda bear and a zebra!), and more. There are also Barbie books, movies, and video games. Of course, don't forget the outfits. Barbie may have the largest wardrobe of any doll, person, or fictional character ever alive. So, collecting Barbie Dolls can be a lot more than just the dolls and can get as interesting and specific as you want.

Mattel sells some special Barbie dolls for collectors that are divided up into four different categories: Pink Label, Silver Label, Gold Label, and Platinum Label.

The Pink Label dolls are considered keepsake dolls and come in a pink box.

The Silver Label dolls are sold only at select retailers and feature classic Barbie themes. Mattel commits that they will never make more than 50,000 of the Silver Label dolls.

The Gold Label Dolls are similar to the Silver Label, but Mattel won't make more than 25,000 dolls.

The Platinum Label dolls are the rarest and most unique of the collector's edition dolls. Mattel will never make more than 1000 of these dolls. Some Platinum Label dolls are very rare and a few are one-of-a-kind dolls meaning there was only one doll of that specific type ever made.

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Learn more about collecting Barbies (2024)

FAQs

What to keep in mind when buying collectible Barbie dolls? ›

The Condition of the Barbie

Naturally, collectors will be willing to pay a lot more money for a doll that is in mint condition compared to a doll of the same model that is damaged and beyond repair. The doll will be especially valuable if it is in its original box and comes with all its original accessories.

What Barbies are worth collecting? ›

Website helps doll owners navigate potential value
RankBarbie doll nameRelease year
1Barbie #11959
2Dahlia Barbie2006
3Golden Gala Barbie2009
4Happy Holidays Barbie 1997 Brunette1997
6 more rows
Jul 28, 2023

What are 3 important facts about the Barbie doll? ›

The first Barbie doll was sold for $3.00. The first Barbie commercial aired during the Mickey Mouse Club in 1959. Barbie doll's signature color is Barbie Pink (PMS 219). Barbie stands 11.5 inches tall.

Is there a market for collectible Barbies? ›

For vintage Barbies from the 1960s and earlier, direct collector sales from SellYourToys.com will get you the highest return. Rare, early edition Barbies in good condition can fetch top dollar from passionate collectors.

Are Barbie dolls an investment? ›

It goes without saying that unboxed Barbies in pristine condition are worth more than Barbie dolls you've gotten your grubby fingers all over. But another reason unboxed Barbies are worth more is because the entire Barbie set is complete—from the clothes she's wearing to the shoes on her feet.

How can you tell if a Barbie is rare? ›

Vintage Barbies – those produced between 1959 and 1966 – tend to be more expensive. As for the newer Barbies, Knutson said collectors should look for platinum or gold label Barbies, which signify Barbies that are rarer and therefore more valuable. This is not so fantastic:Everyone's got Barbie Fever.

What is the most purchased Barbie doll? ›

Among the iterations of the iconic doll is “Totally Hair” Barbie, which, according to the Guinness World Records, is Mattel's bestselling Barbie doll to date. According to the company, the “Totally Hair” Barbie, released in 1992, sold more than 10 million dolls worldwide.

Are any Barbies from the 90s worth money? ›

Pink Splendor Barbie (1996): $530

Released in 1996 as part of Barbie's 35th anniversary, the rare Pink Splendor Barbie is one of the most expensive Barbies ever sold at retail, 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 $530.

What is Barbie favorite food? ›

There were trivia articles with many fun facts but nothing about how Barbie sustained herself. The only reference I was able to find was in a vlog created in 2015 by Mattel, where Barbie mentions that honey is her favourite food. Apparently, she even likes it on broccoli.

What is Ken's real name Barbie? ›

According to books published by Random House in the 1960s, Ken's full name is Kenneth Sean Carson. Since Barbie: Dolphin Magic, he is one of Barbie's best friends and next-door neighbor, although pre-2017 romantic aesthetic began to resurface between the two in the 2023 television series, Barbie: A Touch of Magic.

Why does Barbie always wear pink? ›

Pink is Barbie's signature “power” color. Distinctly feminine and bright. Though pink was also the power color of choice for the Women's Marches for reproductive rights and the signature color of Elle Woods in Legally Blonde.

How to sell collector Barbies? ›

How to Sell Barbies in 6 Steps
  1. Step 1: Verify Your Dolls Are Actually Barbies. ...
  2. Step 2: Research the Value of Your Barbie Collection. ...
  3. Step 3: Evaluate Your Barbie Doll's Condition. ...
  4. Step 4: Clean and Photograph Your Barbies. ...
  5. Step 5: Price and List Your Barbie Doll. ...
  6. Step 6: Package and Ship Your Barbies.
Aug 2, 2023

What age group buys Barbies? ›

However, the BEST age to give Barbies would probably be to a kid between 3–8. For three year olds, it might just be a babydoll, but as they get older they could get some Barbies! This is typically the prime age to play with them, and their friends will most likely have em too!

Does anyone buy doll collections? ›

Fortunately, your antique dolls are wanted at Sell Your Toys Now. We have a passion for this hobby, and we love helping other collectors safely (and profitably!) re-home their pieces. We also have decades of experience handling and maintaining vintage collectibles.

How do I know if my Barbie doll is valuable? ›

Vintage Barbies – those produced between 1959 and 1966 – tend to be more expensive. As for the newer Barbies, Knutson said collectors should look for platinum or gold label Barbies, which signify Barbies that are rarer and therefore more valuable.

What is the best selling Barbie doll to date? ›

The 1992 Totally Hair Barbie (shown), the best-selling Barbie doll to date, celebrated the “big hair” craze and loud fashions of the early 90s.

Will the Barbie movie dolls go up in value? ›

Antique expert Dr. Lori told Insider she estimates a 25% rise in the doll's value in the build-up to the film's release and immediately afterward. Over the last month, Mattel's stock value has been seeing an overall rise, with dolls being their main money-maker.

What makes a doll collectible? ›

Some collectors focus on antique dolls made before the 1930s, while others prefer modern dolls made after the 1930s. Ethnic doll collectors look for dolls that represent different cultures, while fashion doll collectors seek dolls that are dressed in fashionable clothing.

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