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BRIMFIELD SHOW GUIDE SEPTEMBER 2023 23

Come on Barbie, Let’s go Party!

by Charles Snider, Ruby Lane

rom being one of the most popular dolls and easily lost. One hopes however that if you ever had the
toys in the world in the 1950s, to being the star 1999 Barbie doll (celebrating 40 years of Barbie) with
Fof a feature film in July 2023 starring Margot her jewelry accessories by the most famous diamond
Robbie, to having her own collection of NFTs, Barbie business in the world, De Beers, you’d have kept
remains one of the icons of Pop Culture, popular Barbie and her jewels in a safe as the tiny jewelry
media, fashion, toys, and games. The value of accessories were genuine diamonds!
Barbie collectibles is determined by most of the same Barbie’s Friends – In the 1960s Mattel expanded
market factors, influences, trends, and elements that the Barbie family by introducing, also at the American
contribute to the value of other fine and International Toy Fair, her friend Ken.
pop culture collectibles. While at first Ken’s relationship with
Age – The Barbie doll made her debut Barbie was not made evident, with
in 1959 in New York at the American speculation he was her brother or her
International Toy Fair, the premiere and boyfriend, later pop culture stories
finest toy convention open to the established Barbie and Ken as an item.
companies in the toy industry such as Later in the 1960s Mattel also introduced
retailers, manufacturers, distributors, Barbie’s sister named Skipper, and other
investors, and other toy industry insiders. friends followed. The value of Barbie’s
Some of the most valuable and desirable friends is not on the same scale as Barbie
Barbie dolls are from the early days when dolls, however, like all collectibles,
the famous toy company Mattel brought enthusiasts, and collectors appreciate Ken,
to market a doll that looked like an adult or Skipper, and other Barbie friends in their
teenager, in contrast to the traditional dolls original packaging.
and dollies that were modeled after infants, Barbie has been the queen and the
babies, and children. Vintage Brunette Barbie main character in several comic books,
Condition – Similar to the market for cartoons, TV specials, children’s books,
action figure collectibles, a Barbie doll in unopened, and non-fiction books about self-confidence, running
original packaging, commands much higher prices a business, and fashion and style. Perhaps the only
than the vast majority of Barbie dolls, without the remaining media that has not yet elevated and
original packaging. For most collectibles produced in spotlighted Barbie is Broadway. July 2023 brings us
the 1960s and later, their Holy Grail is the example the comedy film of the summer, Barbie. With a cast
discovered in someone’s attic, or storage locker, including Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, and Will
collecting dust from when it was stored in its original Ferrell, Barbie will have another spotlight on her this
packaging. Vintage Barbies still in their original year, as will the Barbie dolls and all Barbie collectibles,
packaging have sold at auction in the four figures. historic and new. In fact, this year Barbie has arrived in
Keep in mind that Barbie dolls were invented, the future, into the metaverse as Mattel has recently
designed, and sold to be actual toys, and a girl’s new launched and offered Barbie digital art NFT
best friend, vintage Barbie dolls in their original collectibles. Now collectors will be able to assemble a
packaging, never played with, is quite uncommon. first generation of Barbie NFTs from Mattel, making
Limited Edition and Designer Barbies – Barbie’s Barbie one of the longest-running toys in the world.
popularity and global appeal have attracted many Remember that rarity and condition, and the
different collaborations and partnerships with designer popularity of Barbie in the collectibles market,
fashion brands, sports teams, celebrities, and luxury contribute to her value. A collector cannot control the
jewelry houses. For instance, fashion designer Calvin rarity or the market, but they can control the
Klein partnered with Mattel for a Barbie in haute condition! A Barbie collector recently shared her
couture fashion. As well, fashion designer Karl biggest regret with me – she said when she started
Lagerfeld also lent his talents and vision to design collecting Barbie dolls, her plan with the collection in
clothes for and dress a limited edition Barbie. While the 1980s was not the same as they are today with her
these are more recent editions of Barbie, they are collection. She had a limited-edition Barbie, and much
highly sought after by collectors. Accessories for Barbie to her regret today, she cut her Barbie’s hair in order to
are also highly collectible and desirable for their age, make her Barbie look like the late actress Markie Post
condition, and availability as little accessories are so from the popular show at that time, Night Court!