Hobbies And Interests
Instructions
Feel the material the doll is made from, as well as the weight. Vintage Barbie dolls are made of heavy vinyl plastic with partially solid bodies. If the doll is one of the first Barbies ever made (late 1950s), the vinyl will probably look quite white as opposed to flesh colored. Reproductions of 1950s Barbies are made of flesh-colored hollow plastic. Barbies made in the 1960s were constructed out of a type of plastic that kept their flesh color.
Look at the doll's markings, which should say Barbie™ Pats. Pend. ©MCMLVIII by Mattel Inc. on the back of the neck. The 'Barbie™' was used on Barbies until 1961 when it was replaced by Barbie®.
Examine the doll's hair. Vintage Barbie dolls from the 50s through the 60s generally had blonde or brunette saran hair styled with curled bangs and a ponytail. Hair style and color changes came about in the early to mid 60s, so look for bubble haircuts in red, black, blonde and brunette shades. Barbies from the mid 60s also have blondish-brownish hair with curled bangs and a ponytail.
Look at the doll's makeup and eyebrows. Most vintage Barbies have red painted mouths and nails and large eyes with black eyeliner and blue eyeshadow. Vintage Barbies have pointy eyebrows that resemble lightning bolts and the eyes look off to the side.
Flip the doll over and look at the feet. Vintage Barbies have symmetrical holes in the feet for fitting doll stands and the right foot should be stamped "JAPAN." Vintage Barbies also have metal cylinders in the legs.