A Guide to Finding and Collecting Timeless Vintage Barbie Dolls

Iconic Barbie has been delighting children since the mid-20th century, and her popularity remains unchanged for young girls and collectors alike. Some limited-edition Barbie dolls sell at auction for many thousands of dollars. Though you might not have the funds to purchase a $100,000 Barbie, you can still build decent Barbie collections with some know-how and research.

Barbie's Backstory

If you're interested in Barbie collections, then perhaps you might like to know about Barbie's origins. She was invented in 1959 by Ruth Handler, a co-founder of Mattel. Ms. Handler wanted to create a doll for her child, who adored playing with paper dolls. She even named the doll Barbara after her daughter. Barbie represented the innocence and beauty of youth. Yet the truth about the innocent girl-next-door Barbie is that a much more risque predecessor inspired her. That was Bild Lilli, a character from a German comic strip from the 1940s created by Reinhard Beuthien for a tabloid called Bild-Zeitung. Bild Lilli followed the exploits of Lilli, a beautiful blond call girl. Bild Lilli was confident, voluptuous, and seductive, and she had an array of wealthy boyfriends who funded her lifestyle. In 1953, Lilli became so popular that a doll was created based on the character. It was sold in adult and novelty shops throughout Europe.

What made Lilli similar to and perhaps inspired by Barbie was her impressive wardrobe and style; what made her dissimilar to Barbie was everything else about her bar-going, seductive ways. So how did Ruth Handler come to know of her and transform racy Lilli into sweet Barbie? It was when Handler traveled to Europe, spotted Bild Lilli in a shop and brought a few dolls back to the US. There she reimagined her into Barbie, a pure teenager from Wisconsin who worked as a model. Barbie debuted at the New York City Toy Fair in 1959 and soon became the best-selling doll adored by young girls everywhere.

Vintage Barbies

The Barbies of the late '50s and early 60s, that is to say, the Barbies most inspired by Bild Lilli, are some of the most coveted by collectors. These limited-edition Barbie dolls feature bouffant bangs and super slim waists and are rare and hard to find. Even if this doll isn't in the original packaging, these dolls will get a fair price, while a mint-in-the-box Barbie can sell for thousands of dollars. Check out the selection at We-R-Toys, the best online toy store for all your barbie collector needs.

Modern Barbies

These are the Barbies that were produced in the early '70s and beyond. This is the breezy, fun Barbie with a wide range of careers and interests. While not as valuable as Barbies from the golden era of the 50s and 60s, some limited-edition Barbie dolls made from the 70s to the 2000s sell for thousands of dollars. These are usually themed or designer Barbies that are difficult to find. What's so good about these dolls is that they most likely will come in the box and be in decent condition, which is helpful for resale value.

How to Find Limited Edition Barbie Dolls

When you've decided that you want to collect Barbies, whether vintage or modern, you have to know where to find them. It's not that difficult to begin Barbie collections, as there are so many places online where you can find vintage Barbie dolls. Don't limit your search to virtual, as you'll find some of the most unique dolls in thrift shops and at auctions. It's essential to research before shopping for limited edition Barbies, though. Plenty of market guides provide detailed information about what you should look for in dolls from every Barbie era, so you'll be informed before you decide to add that doll to your Barbie collection.

Where to Find Appraisers for Your Barbie Collections

If you're still uncertain if that limited-edition Barbie in your collection is, in fact, a limited edition, there are online appraisers that can determine whether your Barbie has any monetary value. Sotheby's offers free appraisals on their site. It's a simple process to get answers about your doll. You just describe the doll and its history, then upload a photo, and their appraisers will provide you with an estimate. You can also visit sellyourtoysnow.com and use their custom quote generator or download their app to upload photos and get a quote. The International Society of Appraisers features a database that will connect you with appraisers in your area if you'd rather have an appraiser examine your doll in person. When you work with an appraiser, they will likely use terminology to describe your Barbie collections that you might not have heard before. Here are some explanations of common phrases used in appraisals so you know what they're talking about.

Some Collector Terms to Know

• NRFB- Never Removed from Box. The doll is unopened and in mint condition, though the box may have some wear and tear.
• MIB- Mint in Box describes a box that's been opened, but the doll is in mint condition
• MINT- Doll has never been played with
• NMIB- Near Mint in Box
• NM- Near Mint but not in Box
• Shelf Wear- Box corners show some weathering
• HTF- Hard to Find

An Open-Minded Search

If you can't find any limited edition Barbies to your liking, then why not search online and see if you can find a Bild Lilli doll? They're collector items, too, and they certainly would be a unique and essential addition to any Barbie collection. Without Bild Lilli, there wouldn't be any Barbies to collect. Of course, Barbie has become her character with a broad spectrum of innocent interests and experiences. She has a thoroughly American style now, and a few modern or vintage Barbies are a must for every doll collector. So whatever type of limited-edition Barbie dolls you're looking for, We-R-Toys might have them in stock because, as your go-to best online toy store, we are here to help you build your dream Barbie collections for years to come.

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