Hobbies And Interests
Instructions
Assess the condition of your collector's edition Hallmark Barbie dolls -- the better the condition, the higher the value. The best condition is MIB, or mint-in-box, which means that it has never been opened and there is no damage to the box. The doll's condition is referred to as grading and it ranges from C-1 to the best rating of C-10. Note any damage to the box; if the box has been opened or you no longer have it, look for damage to the Barbie. Also note if you have all of the accessories that came in the original box. The CC Entertainment website has a list of the gradings your dolls may have.
Consult some collector guides at your local library or bookstore for an estimated value amount. Caroline Bigelow of Doll Habit recommends the "Collector's Encyclopedia of Barbie Doll Collector's Editions," by J. Michael Augustyniak, and "Warman's Barbie Doll Field Guide: Values and Identification," by Sharon Verbeten. The values that you see in these books will only be for dolls in MIB condition. Consider these values a guide because the marketplace determines the real value.
Look on auction websites such as eBay to view the current auctions of Hallmark collector edition Barbie dolls. By viewing and watching the current auctions, you can see what collectors are paying for the dolls, which gives you the real worth of the dolls. When looking at the auctions, pay attention to the condition of the dolls that are selling as compared to the condition of your dolls. Better condition typically commands better pricing.