Doll identifiers and descriptors

The height of the doll can give you an idea of the year of manufacture, such as for Ken dolls. 1963 Ken was actually a bit smaller than 1962 Ken.

The size of the neck or, more precisely, the button on which the head is placed can give you a clue, as well as the year of the doll. Take the 1961 Bubblecut Barbie, she had a smaller neck than the 1963 Bubblecut doll.

The eyes are another identification aid. The direction the eyes are facing or the color of the eyeliner are other ways to determine the year of the Barbie doll.

Early vintage Barbie dolls used a mold with split fingers. In 1968, Barbie molds were still in use, but the fingers were not completely divided: this is what we call Francie's hands. Some dolls were made in Mexico, which gave the doll long, thin hands with undivided fingers: these dolls are called Mexican hand dolls. And of course, it varies from doll to doll!

Barbie's first Ponytail actually had holes in the bottom of her feet with copper tubing to fit her stand. Other dolls have written "made in Japan" on her feet. Looking at the bottom of your feet can also give you clues about which wrist you have, even if most of the time they are no longer marked.

The original Barbie® doll from 1959, has a white iris color, a blue lining, holes in the feet, the body material is bleached over the years.

It's like the original Barbie® doll from 1959, exactly the same, but without holes in the feet.

The Barbie® Ponytail doll #3 was released in 1960, this doll had blue irises and slightly curved eyebrows.

She was released in 1960. The Barbie® Ponytail #3 doll had a new vinyl used for the body that retains its color over time.

This Barbie® Ponytail Doll was released in 1961. The Barbie® #5 Ponytail doll had a new hair texture, her hollow body was lighter.

Let's take the example of Skipper. It's almost the same as in 1964 when it was reissued in 1970. Except in 1970, he had a much rosier complexion. Some dolls will have different skin colors depending on their country of manufacture. This can increase the value. Take the Japanese American Girl doll, she will have a rosier complexion than the American version who has a tanner complexion.

Hair color can also help determine price. Some dolls have been made with a magical hair color (which changes color upon contact with water or heat), and others with a rare platinum color. You will find some of them with light brown hair color which is also very rare. Depending on the doll and her standard hair color, something a little different influences the value. Also the hairstyle can have an impact on the price. An unusual hairstyle (on the model sold, not one you made yourself) changes the value of your Barbie.

You will find the TM mark (registered trademark) on the first Barbie Ponytail dolls (1959-1960) and on some of the later dolls. This is the abbreviation for Trademark. The most recent dolls only had a ® in the mark.

The first toys from 1959-1972 were made in Japan, while you will also find Barbie dolls from 1968-1990 in Mexico. Some 1970s Barbie dolls were created in Hong Kong or Taiwan. In 1973, some of them were manufactured in Korea. It's difficult to have a true story on this matter...

Most Barbie dolls from 1978, 1979, 1980, and 1990 were made in the Philippines, China, or Malaysia. There are also dolls from the 90s made in Indonesia.

A moving waist common to Barbie® dolls from the mid-1960s and later. Some Barbie® dolls have a variation of this waist.