Home >> Collecting >> Other Collecting

How to Identify a Vintage Barbie

Barbie was first introduced to the general public at the 1959 New York Toy Fair. Since then she has become a classic toy for little girls and her look has undergone many changes. There are a few things to look for when determining if a Barbie doll is vintage or modern. According to the official Mattel Barbie collector website, the term vintage applies to those dolls manufactured before 1972.

Instructions

- 1
  Pay attention to the color of the doll. Original Barbie dolls manufactured in 1959 were made of a material that whitens with age so the dolls will appear to be very pale.
- 2
  See if the Barbie doll twists at the waist. In the mid-1960s a movable waist was developed and most dolls manufactured after this point have this feature. If there is no movement in the waist, then there is a good chance that the doll is vintage.
- 3
  Look at the facial features of the Barbie doll to determine if it's vintage. Vintage Barbie dolls often had more severe features than modern-day Barbie dolls. Eyebrows were angled more sharply and lips pressed together in Barbie's smile. In 1977, Barbie underwent a makeover and began to feature an open-mouthed smile showing teeth and larger, brightly painted eyes. These Barbies appear more friendly than previous models and are not considered vintage.
- 4
  Go to the official Barbie collector's website and familiarize yourself with the look of vintage Barbie dolls. You also can use this website to look up particular dolls and help determine if they are vintage. The website does not offer pricing information of vintage dolls, but there are links to collector clubs in your area where you can find more information about Barbie collecting.

Other Collecting