| One of the most popular collector's items is dolls. | | | | require a bit of effort. Before you are able to |
| Collectible dolls can range from antique dolls to | | | | accurately judge the value of collectible Barbies, you |
| modern collectible dolls. If you are interested in | | | | may need to ask an expert or read up on the |
| collecting dolls, it would be a good idea to focus on a | | | | literature pertaining to collectible Barbie dolls. If you |
| particular type of collectible doll. | | | | are new to this activity, be sure to realize that there |
| Certainly one of the most rewarding and exciting is | | | | are a number of sources for you to tap into in your |
| collectible Barbie dolls. Barbies have become | | | | quest for information on collectible Barbie dolls. |
| extremely popular since they first came out in 1959. | | | | There are two classes of collectible Barbie, vintage |
| What little girl is there that doesn't own at least one | | | | and modern. Vintage dolls are those produced from |
| Barbie. The value of collectible Barbies is quite high, so | | | | 1959 to the early eighties; modern dolls are produced |
| much so, that today there are even Barbies that can | | | | from the mid-eighties on. Both classes have collectible |
| be specially designed according to collectors' needs. | | | | value. |
| People Who Collect Barbies | | | | The value of your Barbie can depend on several |
| While every little girl owns a Barbie, most of them do | | | | factors. For example, if you look on eBay, the price |
| not collect them. Let's face it, the fun of a Barbie is | | | | can vary according to who is selling the Barbie (if it is |
| dressing her and doing her hair for those dates with | | | | a reputable dealer the price will be more), also on the |
| Ken, but the price for this fun is that the monetary | | | | photograph of the doll, and the spending power of |
| value of the doll is shot. | | | | the purchaser. Evaluating the current value of |
| Most of the people who actually collect Barbies are | | | | collectible Barbies can be a bit confusing. You will find |
| adults. It is believed that there are well over a | | | | that a Barbie gift set in perfect condition can fetch |
| hundred thousand adults that own these wonderful | | | | anything from one hundred thirty dollars to two |
| collectible dolls. Nearly all these adults are women, and | | | | hundred fifty five dollars. |
| about ten percent of Barbie collectors are male. | | | | What Styles of Barbies to Collect |
| Furthermore, the women that own such collections | | | | Most collectors who collect Barbies because of their |
| are statistically usually in their forties, and purchase an | | | | value will gravitate towards Label dolls. These pieces |
| average of twenty such dolls each year, sometimes | | | | have very detailed attention paid to clothes and |
| spending about a thousand or more dollars in the | | | | accessories. The Platinum Label doll is produced in |
| process. | | | | limited editions that do not exceed a thousand such |
| How to Collect Barbies | | | | dolls, and are sometimes only found in a specific retail |
| Rule Number One: Keep It in the Box | | | | shop. The White Chocolate Obsession Barbie Doll is a |
| If you wish to maintain the value of your collectible | | | | wonderful example of such a collectible doll, and the |
| Barbies, you must leave them in their boxes. Part of | | | | name refers to the scent of white chocolate that |
| the value of a Barbie is the original box; therefore | | | | exudes from the doll's hair. Other similar collectible |
| most experienced collectors do not ever remove | | | | Barbies include Faerie Queen, Badgley Mischka Bride |
| their collectible Barbies from their boxes. The value of | | | | Barbie, as well as the very restricted Nurse Barbie doll |
| collectible Barbies can depreciate by as much fifty | | | | that has been designed by Robert Best. |
| percent if they are taken out of their boxes. | | | | However, Barbie dolls are so popular that they are |
| As a collector of Barbie dolls you have a choice to | | | | also made based on TV shows, movies, and famous |
| make about whether to take the doll out of its box | | | | personalities. Collectors find them appealing, and the |
| to enjoy while losing out on value, or simply console | | | | value of these popular Barbies will often appreciate. |
| yourself that the doll in its box is beautiful and will | | | | When considering collectible Barbies, these are |
| maintain its value even though you will not get a | | | | perhaps the type of collectible Barbie doll that will |
| chance to touch and play with it. However, you can | | | | come to mind first. |
| buy a collectible Barbie doll packaged in a lift-off box, | | | | There are many elements to consider when collecting |
| so you can still enjoy playing with and feeling your | | | | Barbies, so it is important that your first and |
| Barbie. In this way it will still look great while it retains | | | | foremost consideration is how well you like a |
| its value as a collectible. | | | | particular Barbie. For most collectors the fun is in the |
| Rule Number Two: Ask An Expert | | | | owning and enjoying of a special Barbie, and if it |
| Finding collectible Barbies is not a difficult task, but | | | | happens to become valuable, so much the better. |
| getting to know the value of your collection can | | | | |