| Did you realize that Barbie dolls are not just the | | | | no more than 50,000 of any Silver Label doll will be |
| favourite toy of little girls? Mattel estimates that | | | | produced world wide. Included in the Silver Label are |
| there are over 100,000 adult collectors of Barbie dolls. | | | | the 'Wedding' series, the 'Birthday Barbies', 'Ballet |
| Ninety percent of these collectors are women who | | | | Barbies' and 'I Dream of a Season' dolls. Some types |
| are, on average around the age 40, and purchase at | | | | of Kelly doll and Tommy doll also can be found under |
| least 20 Barbie dolls a year. Almost half of Barbie | | | | the Silver Label. |
| collectors each spend over $1000 a year. | | | | Following the Silver is the Gold Label collectible dolls. |
| Mattel in recent years has been catering to this niche | | | | Gold Label dolls are produced in quantities of no more |
| market. They have produced a range of collectible | | | | than 25,000 of each doll. The packaging is different |
| Barbie dolls with the aim of encouraging collectors to | | | | from the previous tiers. Silver Label dolls come in a |
| increase their collections in line with their individual | | | | "cake box" type package with an extra see through |
| tastes and interests. Barbie dolls of popular TV | | | | layer to protect the doll. The box has artwork and |
| shows and movies, celebrities and popular singers, for | | | | photography on the back and lid with gold decorative |
| example, have been produced with collectors in mind. | | | | trimming. Included under the Gold Label are 'Designer |
| In 2004 Mattel introduced a colour tier system to | | | | Fashion Model' dolls, 'Designer Bride', Vintage Repros' |
| help categorize collectible Barbie dolls and help | | | | and 'Pin-up Girls' collectible dolls. |
| collectors to find them. The colours signify the | | | | The top tier is the Platinum Label dolls. These dolls |
| amount of dolls produced worldwide and indicate the | | | | are produced in editions of less than 1,000, and also |
| rarity factor of the different dolls. The colour also | | | | include one-of-a-kind-dolls that are available at special |
| indicates which kind of retail store stocks the | | | | events, or are exclusive to one retail store only. An |
| particular type of collectible doll. | | | | example of a Platinum Label collectible doll is the |
| There are four colours in the collectible tier system, | | | | 'White Chocolate Obsession(TM) Barbie® Doll!' |
| and this article gives the characteristics of each tier. | | | | The doll's hair has the scent of white chocolate. |
| The first tier is the Pink Label collectible dolls. There is | | | | Other dolls include the 'Faerie Queen', Badgley Mischka |
| no limit on the quantity of dolls produced with the | | | | Bride Barbie, and the exclusive 'The Nurse' Barbie doll |
| Pink Label. Pink Label Barbies include 'The Dolls of the | | | | designed by Robert Best. |
| World' series, 'Festivals of the World', 'Model Barbie', | | | | Collectors avidly collect these tier Label dolls, and are |
| as well as some of the 'Pop Culture' dolls. Most dolls in | | | | rewarded by the exquisite attention to details in the |
| the Pink Label are Barbie dolls , but there are also a | | | | clothes and accessories of each specially designed |
| few of Kelly doll as well. The Pink Label packaging is | | | | Barbie. To retain the value of these dolls they should |
| distinctive; the is box trimmed in pink, and has a clear | | | | be kept in the box as new. This is unfortunate, as |
| front. | | | | they need to be touched to really appreciate the |
| The next tier is the Silver Label dolls. The packaging | | | | intricate details of the gown and dolls features. |
| is similar to the Pink Label, but with the box trimmed | | | | Should dolls like this be played with? A good question |
| with silver. The criteria for the Silver Label tier is that | | | | and maybe a topic for another article! |