Barbie Collectibles

The History Behind the Doll

Ironically, when Ruth Handler first came up with the idea of a fashionable teenage doll with fully contoured proportions, Mattel corporation turned it down. But fortunately for collectors, she was inspired by another doll, the German Bild Lilly and tried again. This time, Mattel agreed and Barbie, named after Handler's daughter, made her debut at the American International Toy Fair in 1959. Mattel backed up this new kind of doll with an extensive television campaign, one of the first major toy campaigns. Soon, Barbie collectibles were a phenomenon in the US and, eventually, worldwide.

Barbie dolls as toys have always been popular, but even though Mattel didn't issue official collectible Barbies until 1986, most models before then have become collectors items.

1960's Barbie Collectibles

The first Barbies had the same figure as today's Barbie dolls, but not the same wide-eyed look. Early Barbies' eyes were sidelong and her expression was almost feline and seductive.

In the early 1960s, more dolls appeared along with the famous Barbie wardrobes, designed after the most fashionable Paris couturiers. Some of the best known of these are:

• Solo in the Spotlight(1960)
• Enchanted Evening (1961)
• Theater Date (1962)
• Little Theater Collection (1964)
• American Girl (1965)
• Miss Astronaut (1965)
• Shimmering Magic (1966)

Many of her outfits during the '60s were designed after First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy's style.

In 1961, her eyes changed color to today's familiar blue, and in 1965, she and the other Barbie collectible dolls were equipped with bendable legs. 1966 saw an even more significant innovation, including the Color Magic Barbie, which could switch hair colors.

In 1967, Mattel introduced the Twist 'n' Turn Barbie, with a more flexible body and a considerably younger though still sophisticated face. Her wardrobes followed some of the fads as well as fashions and began to be designed based on mod style rather than high fashion, with versions such as Sparkle Squares (1968) and Yellow Mellow (1969). The next major innovation was Talking Barbie in 1968.

1970's Dolls

In 1970, the Living Barbie introduced much more flexible and poseable Barbie dolls, and in 1971, her eyes faced forward for the first time. 1971 also saw not only Malibu Barbie, one of the most popular versions but Growin' Pretty Hair Barbie, with hair that could be lengthened or shortened. In 1973, Mattel introduced Quick Curl Barbie, with hair that could be further styled. 1975 saw more career versions of Barbie collectibles with the Get up and Go series, which included the following models:

• Doctor
• Nurse
• Ballerina
• Flight Attendant

The SuperStar Barbie of 1977 introduced her with a much more girl-next-door expression, particularly by giving her an open-mouthed smile. In 1978, two major new interactive collectible Barbie models appeared: Barbie's SuperStar Stage Show and Fashion Photo Barbie. These included remote controls that let her look as though she was posing and performing independently.

1980's Collectibles

1980 was a landmark year, with the first Black and Hispanic Barbies and the first International Barbie dolls. Collectors also gathered at the first Barbie Doll Convention. In 1981, Mattel introduced My First Barbie, designed for younger children. Twirly Curls Barbie came with a hair twirler that children could use to style their own hair to look just like Barbie's.

For her 25th anniversary, Tiffany & Co. created a sterling silver Barbie doll and Mattel echoed the silver anniversary theme with the Silver Sensation Barbie. They also commissioned fashion designs from some of the most influential designers in the world, such as Pierre Cardin and Christian Dior.

Even though Barbie had long ago become a collectible doll, it wasn't until 1986 that Mattel first released an official, limited edition collectible, the porcelain Blue Rhapsody doll. In 1988, the Happy Holidays and American series began, both tremendously popular with children and collectors. The next year, her 30th anniversary, saw more high-fashion designed models and Army Barbie.

1990's Barbie Collectibles

The '90s were Bob Mackie's decade as a Barbie designer and he created some of the most spectacular Barbie collectibles ever. In 1990, he introduced the Bob Makie Gold Barbie, followed in 1991 by Starlight Splendor Barbie and Platinum Barbie. After these, he turned to slightly fantastical designs such as the 1992 Neptune Fantasy and Empress Bride, the 1995 Goddess of the Sun, and the 1996 Moon Goddess Barbies.

Mattel also brought back the Gay Parisienne model as a vintage tribute in 1991. In 1992, Mattel created its first mail order Barbie, Crystal Rhapsody Barbie. Following the success of the Gay Parisienne, in 1993, the Great Eras series began with Flapper and Gibson Girl Barbies. Nostalgia continued with a reissue of the original model for her 1995 35th anniversary as well as a Hollywood Legends series, as well as a new Golden Jubilee Barbie. In 1997, the Harley-Davidson Barbie was an unexpected top seller. For 1999, the 40th anniversary, there were several special editions and new releases, including Bob Mackie's Le Papillon Barbie and the new Garden of Flowers series.

The New Millennium Dolls

2000 debuted millennium collectible Barbie dolls, including Barbie 2000 and Sydney 2000, to honor the Olympics, as well as the beginning of the Fashion Model Collection. Malibu Barbie reappeared in 2002 and this timeless doll became a Bond girl with a James Bond 007 Barbie and Ken Gift Set. 2003 saw the Birthstone Collection and 2005 the Zodiac Collection.