Do It Yourself Appraisals for Barbies

Terminology

• Barbie collectors have developed their own terminology for the condition of the Barbie dolls, and if you want to appraise your Barbie, you should be familiar with a few of the most important terms. HTF refers to hard-to-find Barbie dolls while NRFB means that it has never been removed from the box, which usually indicates a higher quality. Mint and complete means that the Barbie has never been played with and that she comes with all of the accessories that came in this box, though the box itself might not be present. A vintage Barbie is one that was made before 1972, while a modern Barbie was made after this date.

Production Date

• A Barbie that was made prior to 1972 is typically going to be more valuable than one made after that date. Before 1972, all Barbies were made in Japan, and these dolls are considered vintage. See if the Barbie that you have has made in Japan mark on her back, or the word Japan printed on the bottom of her foot. This can raise her value significantly.

Identification

• When you want to appraise your Barbie, the first thing that you need to do is to identify her. For older Barbies, look for the maker's mark on her back. In newer Barbies, this will likely be printed along her neck rim. The color and style of her hair, her height and weight, the shape and color of her eyes and her clothing can also help you identify her. Sites such as Dolls4play.com, Dollhabit.com and Fashion-doll-guide.com all have guides that will let you figure out which Barbie you have. After you have identified the Barbie you have, you will be able to figure out how much a mint version of your Barbie costs.

Quality

• To appraise your Barbie doll, you need to look at her critically. Are there are any critical flaws, like missing fingers or limbs, or is she missing chunks out of her torso or legs? Are there chew marks present? These flaws will greatly devalue your doll. On the other hand, missing hair plugs and greenish ears look dramatic but can often be fixed. Beyond that, look at the general appearance of your doll. For instance, is her hair soft and shiny? If she has bendable legs, do her knees bend and lock correctly? A mint collector will not want to see any flaws, while a casual collector is likely willing to compromise on one or two minor flaws.