| As the popularity of the Barbie doll continues to carry | | | | Two years later, in 1988, Mattel came out with its |
| on to the 50 year mark, collectible Barbie dolls are | | | | Happy Holiday Barbie. The doll was an extremely |
| also gaining in popularity. Here's a quick rundown | | | | limited edition, and sales were strong. It soon became |
| through time into the world of collecting Barbies. | | | | difficult to get your hands on one, and now this doll is |
| Doll collectors have loved collecting vintage Barbie | | | | worth close to $600. |
| dolls since the 70's. The reason for this is because up | | | | Of course, this success gave Mattel the idea to |
| until around 1967, Mattel produced a very high quality | | | | produce a Happy Holiday Barbie doll every year. Along |
| doll with top of line fashions to go with her. These | | | | with that, they also came out with a 35th |
| dolls are known as the "vintage" line. | | | | Anniversary Barbie Doll. This was arguably the |
| It was after this time period when the new look | | | | hardest to find collector Barbie ever made. It was a |
| Barbie came out, along with modern fashions. The | | | | reproduction of the original 1959 doll that started it all. |
| 70's began a period in time when Mattel began to | | | | Suddenly, just like the Beanie Baby craze, collectors |
| focus more on profits than on quality. Dolls of the | | | | snapped up every doll they could find. Prices |
| 70's and even the 80's were designed more for play. | | | | skyrocketed on the collectible market. It was short |
| They became more plastic and of lower quality. With | | | | lived though. Mattel decided to fix things by increasing |
| their new look fashions and all the glitz and glamour, | | | | the production to a point where collecting was no |
| there was nothing unique and worth collecting with | | | | longer a matter of financial gain. The bottom dropped |
| these dolls. So, the early dolls became a hit with | | | | out on these dolls almost overnight. |
| collectors. | | | | Today, collector Barbie dolls are still hot, but only with |
| It wasn't until 1986 when things began to change. | | | | certain dolls and accessories. For example, an original |
| Mattel released a doll that was designed for older | | | | 1959 Barbie has sold for $10,000. As for the future, |
| collectors. Porcelain Rhapsody In Blue Barbie was | | | | only time will tell, but I wouldn't bet against a new |
| actually a porcelain version of Barbie. That was fine, | | | | collector craze coming. After all, her 50th birthday is |
| but it was only the beginning of much bigger things | | | | on the horizon. |
| to come. | | | | |