Dr. Lori Verderame
by Dr. Lori Verderame
Barbie has been in the news lately ahead of the upcoming release of the Barbie movie. Barbie who was introduced in the late 1950 and skyrocketed in popularity in the 1960s has made big strides in the collectibles market lately. The German Bild Lilli dolls, adult fashion dolls of the post-war era first inspired Barbie to be born. These German dolls have skyrocketed in value in the auction market. Recently, a Bild Lilli doll sold for a whopping $5,000 making all the Barbie collectors sit up and take notice. From where I sit, appraising 50,000 objects every year, this auction news about the German Bild Lilli doll predicts a big spike is on the horizon in the Barbie doll market ahead of the new Barbie movie. The American Barbie doll market reacted with great interest in many early and vintage Barbie dolls made by Mattel Inc. Appraised value for a vintage collectible Barbies are high, well into the thousands for just one doll. The original Barbie no. 1 with her black and white striped bathing suit (1959) still brings high values. Be sure to check the marks on a Barbie doll’s back or buttocks for information about the date your Barbie was made. Don’t disregard post 1990s Barbies as they have value too.
Valuable Barbies
Barbie was a different type of doll Barbie was inspired by an adult fashion doll called the Bild Lilli dolls which were popular in Germany. Teenage girls were not what traditional dolls typically looked like during the 1940s and 1950s. Prior to Barbie’s introduction, most dolls were baby dolls, china dolls, or dolls geared to young children. Popular dolls were not dolls depicting teenagers and certainly not dolls that looked like adults.
Barbie highlighted teen and young adult issues, an interest in contemporary clothing, and how young people thought about jobs and the future. Barbie was different from other dolls of the era. Barbie had her own character. She wasn’t a doll imitating other characters from literature or film. This is Barbie’s great appeal. Barbie was not following the pack; she was a leader and young girls and teens were attracted to this new doll concept.
The different Barbie concept made Barbie an unknown in the marketplace and this gave market insiders pause. Such dolls were untested in the market but Barbie persevered. Quickly, it became obvious that the new doll concept put forth by Barbie was desirable. Buyers bought Barbie dolls. Unexpected, but a great result for the new Barbie doll and its makers at Mattel, Inc.
Barbie remains influential today because Barbie changes with the changing tides. Barbie has adapted to changing times. The collectible toy market and major movies have kept Barbie in the front of people’s minds. Barbie adapts to cultural and social changes of the decades from the 1960s to the early 2000s. Barbie had various careers, changed over time, even embraced new technology. Mattel Inc. has done an excellent job of allowing Barbie to change with the times too.
Collectors or people hoping to sell a vintage Barbie doll should look for good condition, rarities, and quality. Condition is most important when it comes to appraised value. Barbie dolls must have no stains, dirt, or damage. Collectors like to collect dolls and their accessories like clothing, shoes, sunglasses, etc.
Ph.D. antiques appraiser, author, and award-winning TV personality, Dr. Lori appears on The Curse of Oak Island on History channel. She gives appraisal value information at www.DrLoriV.com, www.Youtube.com/DrLoriV or call (888) 431-1010.
(Photo credit: Staff of www.DrLoriV.com)