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Become profitable collecting Barbie dolls
Jul
Reading Time: 5 minutes
What a doll!
The brand new Barbie movie, from director Greta Gerwig and starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling is out this month! There has already been a lot hype around it, and it is predicted to be a real hit. In honour of the movie release, we’re here to round up learn how to generate profits collecting Barbie dolls.
At 64 years old and untouched by Botox, Barbie’s pulling power stays defiantly undiminished. She is considered one of the largest selling toys in history, with over a billion dolls sold across six a long time. With sales in 2022 grossing at $1,490 MILLION (yes, you read that right), she’s still pulling in revenue in any case this time.
The bombshell first burst, fully formed, onto the toy scene in 1959 and now, standing at just below 12 inches tall, she heads a business value over two billion dollars a yr. Individual dolls will be value 1000’s of kilos – some even into the tons of of 1000’s.
That is all well and good, but how will you reap the benefits of the lucrative market in Barbies? We’ll take into consideration that in this text.
What to search for when collecting barbies
Like so many other collectibles, Barbie’s attraction holds true for each children and adults – particularly adults who weren’t allowed or couldn’t afford a Barbie of their very own as children, or who now need to collect Barbies as nostalgia items.
The potential for any Barbie fan to create a singular and private collection is limitless. The query is, where to begin?
Firstly, ensure that you realise the three “eras” of Barbie dolls: The Vintage Era (1959 – 72), The Modern Era (after 72), and The Collectible Era, which was began by Mattel in 1986.
After all, there’s way more to look out for than that – here’s what you need to be aware of if you happen to’re trying to generate profits from the Barbie universe.
Search for dolls which can be different
A variation in eye color or hair style could make them more invaluable.
Try to maintain your dolls and outfits boxed
In other words, don’t play (or let your kids play) with them!
Although unboxed dolls are still saleable (one was auctioned in London saleroom for £2,500), boxed examples at all times fetch more. For that reason many serious collectors buy two of every doll, one to go away within the box and one to play with.
There are three fundamental kinds of barbie collector
Vintage, Pink Box and Collectible. And since there may be such an infinite range of Barbie products to make a choice from, collectors are inclined to concentrate on one small area.
Vintage means manufactured before 1972
Check the country of manufacture to present you an idea of a doll’s age. Pre-1973 Barbies were made in Japan, USA, Mexico and Taiwan.
Pink Box Barbies
These are toys specially made for youngsters and are widely available, although they usually are not as invaluable because the older ones.
Collector editions
For the reason that 80s, Mattel has released a series of Barbie Collector Edition dolls every year. They vary from dolls dressed by top designers, to TV editions (Barbie and Ken as The X Files’ Mulder and Scully, for instance). Designed for display slightly than play, a few of these will gain in value over time.
The query is, which Barbies will gain value?
The trick for collectors is to predict those that can turn out to be collectible in the long run. This can be a hard thing to do with out a crystal ball, but, as a rule of thumb, go for the models which can be most prized by today’s little girls. They’re those who can pay over the chances in 20 or 30 years’ time for the dolls they couldn’t get their hands on as children.
If in flawless condition, Vintage Barbies (which frequently have bendy legs and red hair) fetch astonishing prices, particularly within the States. First rolling off the production line in 1959 and being produced until the late Sixties and selling for $3 (£1.50), a Barbie from this era could sell for £25,000. Even on web auction sites, many models and even accessories (so long as they’re in excellent condition) are changing hands for upwards of £1,000. An original black and white swim-suited 1959 boxed Barbie in mint condition can now fetch around £8,000.
- Search for holes within the feet to see whether it is considered one of the earliest models.
- Complete sets of outfits and accessories are collectible too. You may spend around £45 on a pair of tiny vintage Barbie sunspecs. And one website slightly chillingly offers Barbie “body parts,” although take note that restoration may get the doll to look higher, it would likely spoil its value to a collector.
- Barbie Collectibles cost between £50 and over £100.Whatever you select to persist with – 70s Barbies, Barbie footwear or ethnic Barbies – the essential thing is to benefit from the dolls. Otherwise there’s no point.
Where to search for barbie dolls
There are many specialist magazines and web sites around where you’ll be able to see what is offered and compare prices. Should you are lucky there may even be a collectors’ club nearby where you’ll be able to pick up invaluable suggestions.
The large marketplace for Vintage Barbies, clothes and accessories is the USA, with dozens of dedicated web sites. Actually, if you may have a Barbie or two you believe you studied is invaluable, you’re most probably to get the perfect price over there.
Relating to picking up bargains, though, the dedicated collector should track some down at auctions and automobile boot sales. Even the odd charity shop may sell Barbies, but on this case they’re unlikely to be highly invaluable.
Places like Christie’s, South Kensington, will even value Barbie items from photographs if you happen to discover a group within the attic. Christie’s only sells numerous £250 and above, but that may mean you recover value than you’d if you happen to bought the items individually online.
Don’t forget to do a search on eBay for old collectibles and take a look at the newest bargains at Amazon – you would start a group of today’s Barbies handy right down to your kids’s children.
Crack the lingo:
- MIN (Mint In Box)
- MNB (Mint No Box)
- MIP (Mint In Package)
- NRFB (Never Faraway from Box)
- HTF (Hard To Find)
- A/O (All Original)
- OSS (Original Swimsuit)
- C1 – C10 – The grading system for Barbies, with C10 being the perfect possible quality (NRFB)
- Customized Dolls – Dolls created for a particular purpose
- Mint & Complete – Barbies which can be in the perfect condition, with all their accessories present
Forms of Barbie:
- #1 Ponytail – Original Barbie from 1959, with holes within the feet
- #2 Ponytail – Original Barbie from 1959, without holes within the feet
- #3 Ponytail – From 1960
- #4 Ponytail – From 1961
- Twist ‘N Turn waist – Common feature of Barbies from the mid-Sixties onwards
- Vintage Barbie – All Barbies created before 1972
- Modern Barbie – All Barbies created from 1972 onwards
Top dollar: 1965 ‘Midnight Blue’ Barbie (£9,000 in September 2006)
Don’t trouble: 2000 Birthday wishes Barbie (£9.99 in March 2012)
