| Barbie was first released by Mattel in 1959 and since | | | | #5 Ponytail Barbie |
| the earliest Barbie doll had her hair pulled back in a | | | | The big changes to the #5 Barbie are that her torso |
| Ponytail, she is referred to as the Ponytail Barbie by | | | | is now hollow and she bears a new mark: Barbie |
| vintage Barbie collectors. There are six different | | | | ® Pats. Pend. ©MCMLVIII by Mattel Inc. |
| incarnations of the Ponytail Barbie and so she is | | | | Note the ® instead of the (TM). |
| referred to by her number, i.e. #1 Ponytail Barbie or | | | | In addition. #5 also is available in a new hair color, |
| #2 Ponytail, etc. What follows is a brief guide to | | | | Titian. Barbie's hair is also a bit stiffer now. The Titian |
| identifying each one as the differences between | | | | #5 Barbie is very hard to find and the most |
| them are usually subtle, but hugely significant to | | | | collectible. Unfortunately, #5 Barbies are prone to |
| value. | | | | greasy faces due to some problems Mattel was |
| #1 Ponytail Barbie | | | | having with the vinyl. A greasy appearance will reduce |
| The #1 Ponytail Barbie can be either blonde or | | | | value as the problem isn't universal and there are |
| brunette. More blonde dolls were made so the | | | | some dolls still showing lovely matte faces to be |
| brunette is more valuable. Her hair is tied back in a | | | | found. |
| ponytail and she has curled bangs. Her irises are white | | | | #6 Ponytail Barbie |
| and her lips are red and she also severely arched | | | | #6 has a new outfit, a red jersey swimsuit and red |
| eyebrows. Pointy, actually. She is also peering off to | | | | open-toed heels. Her lips are now watermelon colored |
| the side. | | | | instead of red. Her fingernail polish matches her lips. |
| Constructed from heavy vinyl plastic, she has a solid | | | | The vinyl problems were fixed so she won't have a |
| torso and holes in the bottom of her feet and | | | | greasy face anymore either. |
| copper tubing in her legs so she can be fitted to her | | | | Is she a number 6 or number 7? |
| pedestal. The bottom of her right foot also says | | | | Some time in 1963, there was a major change to |
| "Japan" on it. | | | | Barbie. The #6 dolls produced in 1963 and 1964 have |
| Due to the nature of the plastic she was made from, | | | | broader faces and also have a different mark: |
| she is usually faded to a very white color. Her original | | | | Midge(TM)/© 1962/Barbie®/© 1958/by |
| outfit consists of a black/white zebra striped | | | | Mattel, Inc and they are available in different hair |
| swimsuit, open toed black high heels (with holes in | | | | colors -- lemon blonde, ash blonde, titian and brunette |
| them!), white sunglasses (blue lenses) and golden | | | | (not raven black like the #1's). Her lips and nails are |
| hoop earrings. | | | | now coral. |
| #1 Ponytail Barbie is also marked: Barbie (TM) Pats. | | | | Sometimes the Barbie with the new mark is referred |
| Pend. ©MCMLVIII by Mattel Inc. | | | | to as the #7 Barbie by collectors and sometimes she |
| #2 Ponytail Barbie | | | | is referred to as the #6. If you are considering |
| The #2 Ponytail Barbie is actually exactly the same | | | | adding one of these dolls to your collection, the |
| as the #1 Barbie except she no longer has holes in | | | | important thing is to know that Barbie had a bit of a |
| her feet and no copper tubing. Her new pedestal has | | | | makeover between 1962 and 1963 and the 1962 doll |
| arms to hold her in place. She bears the same mark | | | | was only manufactured for one year so she may be |
| as above. | | | | more collectible. |
| #3 Ponytail Barbie | | | | On a final note, there are lots of artists doing |
| #3 Barbie is like the #2 except she now has blue | | | | restorations and repaints of vintage Barbie dolls. Like |
| irises and softer eyebrows. She may have either | | | | any antique, any vintage Barbie that has been altered |
| brown or blue eyeliner. | | | | from her original condition will be far less valuable |
| #4 Ponytail Barbie | | | | even if the repaint restores her beauty. If you are |
| The #4 Barbie now comes in a new type of plastic | | | | bidding on an auction for a Barbie doll and you have |
| and generally keeps her flesh-colored tone over the | | | | questions about any possible restoration work done |
| years. She also only comes wearing blue eyeliner. | | | | to her, don't be afraid to question the seller. |