Barbie:Collecting for beginners

Barbie has enjoyed a long run of popularity, both as a toy and as a collectible. Mattel, maker of Barbie dolls, estimates that there are more than 100,000 collectors. In response to this ongoing interest, Mattel began creating Barbies specifically for collecting and a tiered system for classifying the dolls.

Introduced in 2004, the Color Tier system ranges from Pink Label to Limited Edition. Pink Label Barbies are aimed at consumers and beginning collectors. They are mass produced and thus widely available. Silver Label dolls are limited to a worldwide total production of 50,000 and are based on classical themes. The next tier, the Gold Label collection, has a production limit of 25,000, and Platinum Label dolls are produced in limited editions of less than 1,000. The Platinum Tier also includes one-of-a-kind dolls.

Each tier has its own unique packaging and is targeted for specific retail outlets, ranging from Walmart to exclusive shops. Some come with Certificates of Authenticity and showcase packaging that includes a stand.

in addition to the tiered system, Mattel makes some Barbies available only through its Barbie Collector catalog or online shop.

Before the tiered system, Barbies were more broadly categorized. All Barbies created before 1972 are considered vintage, and those produced in and beyond 1972 are called “modern” Barbies. Within the vintage category, there are a couple more identifiers used by collectors. The first Barbie, produced in 1959, sported a ponytail, and is referred to as the #1 Ponytail Barbie. This Barbie has white irises, blue eyeliner, and holes in her feet. The body of this Barbie whitens with age.

The same year, #2 Ponytail Barbie was produced. This doll looks like #1 Ponytail Barbie except that she does not have holes in her feet. In 1960, #3 Ponytail Barbie was released, with a few changes to her features: her irises are blue, and her eyebrows were relaxed into a softer arch. #4 Ponytail Barbie, created the same year, was made of a different material, a new vinyl that did not lose its color. Lastly, in this series, #5 Ponytail Barbie sported hair of a different texture than her predecessors, and her body was hollow and thus lighter in weight.

With the mid-1960s came the Twist ‘N Turn® waist, which became a common feature from then on.

The most prized Barbies in today’s market are the early vintage dolls. A 1959 Barbie, in her box and in mint condition, can sell for more than $3,500, a terrific return on the original $3 investment.