5 Secrets to Collecting Vintage Barbies

When launching your classic Barbie doll collection, it's sometimes complicated to learn the ropes. Unethical sellers, contradictory information and limited facts can really make it difficult to climb the learning curve. Regardless, the simplest way to get rolling is to dive in, but before you commence touring yard sales, vintage stores and nearby flea markets to seek out your first vintage Barbie doll, here are some ideas that will increase your enjoyment while minimizing the prospect of expensive slipups. Classic Barbies: Like Fine Wine Vintage Barbie Dolls are those which were sold before 1972, hence the date that a Barbie was manufactured is vital to figure out its worth. Before you start spending a lot of time or energy on any Barbie doll, you'll want to verify the date of the copyright. Naturally, the date will reveal the age and value of the doll. Usually, you’ll discover that vintage Barbie dolls that are worth the most possess marks with "1958" or "Japan" stamped at the rear end or it is marked at the bottom of one of the feat. Bear in mind vintage Barbie dolls are like fine wine, they get more precious with age. Traditional Barbie Dolls: It’s All About Quality The most vital factors in Barbie value is the over-all state of the Barbie doll. Vintage Barbie dolls are getting more treasured as time go by and dolls in ideal condition have grown to be progressively scarce. Vintage dolls often exhibit discoloration, neck splits, body splits, matted hair, chipping lips, damaged texture and more, so it's crucial to carefully determine the condition of the doll. The substances used in the production of the vintage Barbie dolls were not ideal, so it's expected to see some problems but acquiring vintage dolls with few problems is better. Consequently, if a vintage doll is in very poor condition you can also consider buying the doll for parts too. It’s Not Only the Vintage Barbie Doll: Get the Extras When evaluating vintage Barbie dolls it's not merely the doll, but the supplemental items are also crucial. Barbie clothing, outfits, shoes and even packaging can make or break the value of an item. Consequently, knowledgeable collectors appreciate that by paying attention to the existence and condition of all of the Barbie doll extras could mean big money. Some research on the classic Barbie fashions and costumes will place you in a decent position to reap the benefits of uncovering a doll with some exceptional accessories. Locate a Lottery Ticket with Metal Tubes If you’re lucky enough to run across a vintage Barbie doll that has metal tubes embedded in her feet, you may be examining an original Barbie doll. The earliest Barbies were constructed with very exact facial features, dark eye make-up, hair and metal tubes in their feet. Now the rarest among all of the Barbies, the initial doll displays stock #850 along with the tubes, which were employed to help the doll to stand erect on a stand that came with the first doll. The doll and stand are really rare and valued by collectors. The Vintage Barbie Doll Brand: Mattel Seeking out the Mattel brand is critical, so be certain that any Barbie doll that you’re looking into is obviously labeled as being crafted by Mattel. This is an essential guideline; there are lots of counterfeits and replicas that novice collectors can simply mistake as a actual Barbie doll, so try to find the Mattel, Inc. brand to keep away from trouble. Collecting vintage Barbie dolls can be a fun and lucrative hobby, but it’s not hard to encounter pitfalls. Employing these 5 guidelines can help you avoid errors and make smart decisions that will help you successfully improve your collection.

About the Author Emma Wills has been a Barbie doll collector for almost a decade dedicated to vintage and celebrity Barbie Dolls. At present she’s excited about the upcoming release of the Farrah Fawcett Barbie and writes concerning this promising collectible on her blog. Learn more about it at The Farrah Fawcett Barbie Blog.