Posts Tagged ‘vintage’

You’re Never Too Old to Start a Doll Collection

by Sandy | No Comments | Filed in Doll Collecting, vintage Barbie dolls

No matter what type of dolls you collect, there is probably at least one special doll that you remember from your childhood.  Perhaps it was the doll that got you started in collecting.  Maybe it was an "untouchable" doll at a relative's house that you just stared at and wished that you owned.  Most collectors have some especially memorable doll that is close to their hearts.


Unfortunately, a lot of us either loved those dolls so hard that they ended up looking a bit beat up or we may have gone through a phase where we thought we were simply too grown up for such "babyish" things.  When one of my cousins visits, she will always stop to check out my dolls.  For years she never failed to mention how much she regrets giving all of her dolls away when she went away to college.  Actually, she sold them at a garage sale.  She was quite a Barbie collector in the 1960s, and she realizes that beyond the memories, she also sold off some very collectible dolls at a pittance.

I have been telling my cousin for a few years that she could always start rebuilding her collection again.  She has always put it off for one reason or another and eventually, I just put it out of my mind.  She finally broke down and bought herself a Bubble Cut Barbie last month as a start to her collection.  You wouldn't believe the excitement bubbling out of her as she showed it to me.  It was just one doll, but it is lovely and it is a start to a new beginning of her collection.

Now, when she visits, she no longer looks sad or depressed about what she lost.  She seems to have almost magically gotten over her previous mistake and she talks about what her next doll purchase will be.  Now that she is older, she is sticking with Barbies but she is going the route of saving up, researching and buying the best that she can afford.  It may take her a while to get back to what she once had, but I have little doubt that she'll get there and enjoy the trip the whole way through.

If you have been putting off or ignoring a collection for a while, there is no reason you can't start right in or get back into the action.  Collecting dolls is a fun hobby whether you enjoy one particular type of doll or just the thrill of the hunt.  Collecting now is easier than ever with dolls available right on your computer.  Go browsing a bit and see if anything catches your eye.  You might end up having a lot of fun!

gimme babay.
Creative Commons License photo credit: ThouArt.

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Bubble Cut Barbie

by Sandy | No Comments | Filed in Vintage Dolls, vintage Barbie dolls

The Bubble Cut Barbie was a Barbie doll that reflected the popular hairstyles of the 1960s. 


The bouffant hairdo worn by the 11.5 inch Barbie was available between the years of 1961 and 1967.  During this time, Barbie fans could still purchase Swirl Barbie and Ponytail Barbie but many thousands of Bubble Cuts were bought up and collected while they were available.

Here are a few Bubble Cut Tidbits for you:

  • The Bubble Cut Barbies were produced in large numbers and with a wide variety of different lips colors and shades of hair.  This variety makes them an interesting choice for collectors because the same basic doll has so many different looks.
  • Production Bubble Cut Barbies were constructed with arms and legs that were not designed to bend.
  • The dolls produced during the first year of production seem to have still been getting some kinks ironed out.  The plastic used gave them an oily looking complexion and this was corrected in later Bubble Cut dolls.
  • After 1961 Bubble Cut dolls also go bigger hair and larger heads.  It's hard work being beautiful.

Not all Bubble Cut Barbie Dolls are created equal.  There are some models worth more to collectors than others.  This is due mostly to the scarcity of the particular dolls.  One popular, but hard to find model is the bubble cut with a side part in her hair.  This is not a style accomplished by just brushing the hair over.  The part was actually stitched in to the dolls' scalps.

Another distinction between bubbles that can affect their value is their coloration.  Bubbles with nearly white lips are a much sought after prize.  These lips are found on "White Ginger Bubbles".  The hair on these models is a very pale shade of blonde.  These come up from time to time on eBay.  One recently sold for exactly $100 in very good condition.
Early 60s Bubble Cut BarbieAccessories
Early 60s Bubble Cut BarbieAccessories
Paypal   US $10.49 		Vintage Black Hair BUBBLE CUT Barbie doll
Vintage Black Hair BUBBLE CUT Barbie doll
Paypal   US $29.00 		BARBIE 1962 WILD RED TIGHT BUBBLE CUT CORAL LIPS SWEET
BARBIE 1962 WILD RED TIGHT BUBBLE CUT CORAL LIPS SWEET
Paypal   US $22.00
1961 BLONDE BUBBLE CUT Barbie IN BOX
1961 BLONDE BUBBLE CUT Barbie IN BOX
Paypal   US $69.69 		1960s Blonde bubble cut Barbie w solo in the spotlight
1960s Blonde bubble cut Barbie w solo in the spotlight
Paypal   US $9.99 		Vintage Bubble Cut Bubblecut Barbie Doll
Vintage Bubble Cut Bubblecut Barbie Doll
Paypal   US $9.99
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As I mentioned, the prices can show a decent bit of variation.  One good thing about eBay is that sometimes you will see dolls slip through at lower than expected prices either due to poor timing on the part of the seller or because it just so happens that the right buyers didn't happen to notice a doll.  A mint bubble cut doll, still in her box, might bring over $300.  If you are looking for dolls that can stand a little bit of work, you probably won't have to go over one hundred.  The middle ground would be the dolls in nice shape but not mint in box.

A check of recent Bubble Cuts sold on eBay showed a high end price of $399 for a 1961 Titian Bubblecut Barbie #850.  It was in outstanding condition with all of its accessories and the original box.  It by far was the most expensive bubble sold recently when I checked.  Most others that were in very good to excellent condition sold for between $100 and $200 on the site.

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Barbie Accessories

by Sandy | No Comments | Filed in Doll Collecting, vintage Barbie dolls

If you collect vintage Barbie, you may or may not realize how much collectible value her accessories also have. 


There has been a lot of growth in the collecting of barbie accessories and some of the individual items can bring a pretty penny at auction.  Of course if you are selling, this is good news.  If you are buying though, you may be seeing some competition.
Vintage BARBIE by Mattel Clothing Pink Lace Tank Top
Vintage BARBIE by Mattel Clothing Pink Lace Tank Top
Paypal   US $.99 		Vintage BARBIE by Mattel Clothing White Winter Coat
Vintage BARBIE by Mattel Clothing White Winter Coat
Paypal   US $.99 		MOD era jacket with hanger barbie vintage ken
MOD era jacket with hanger barbie vintage ken
Paypal   US $7.00
Vintage Barbie Sun Shiner VHTF Yellow w Polka Dots PAK
Vintage Barbie Sun Shiner VHTF Yellow w Polka Dots PAK
Paypal   US $76.00 		Large Lot of Barbie Vintage Shoes Accessories50 PCS
Large Lot of Barbie Vintage Shoes Accessories50 PCS
Paypal   US $11.49 		Vintage Barbie 0876 Cheerleader Megaphone
Vintage Barbie 0876 Cheerleader Megaphone
Paypal   US $9.99
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Most people reading this are probably buyers, so I will share a bit of advice that may help you to find some of the better deals on Barbie and her accessories.  These tips are for finding Barbie accessories or anything really, on eBay.  They help you to take advantage of the fact that many of the people selling on the site are not professional sellers and they might not know how to get the best possible prices for what they are putting up for auction.  If you are a seller on eBay, you should also pay attention to these tips because you might be setting yourself up to get less than you expect for your items.

  • Watch for misspelled words in auction listings.  Think of every possible misspelling that you can for the item you are looking for on eBay.  As an example, I'll use the phrase "Barbie Accessories".  That particular search brought back over 900 results, and most likely, every one of those listings will be carefully checked out by Barbie fans.  When I put in a common misspelling like "Barbie accesories", I get back only 31 results.  But guess what?  NONE of those are going to show up when people come looking to buy "accessories" for their dolls!  Which auctions do you think will have more competition?   You can use this technique with any particular Barbie accessory you are looking for online.  Actually, you could use it for any item, not just Barbie gear!
  • Be willing to shop at an unusual time on eBay.  There are some people who go to work, but still want to get something listed on eBay.  Sometimes, they decide to list their item at whatever time is convenient for them to get on the computer.  This might be seven in the morning or eleven at night on a Monday.  Most experienced sellers won't do this, but newer or infrequent sellers often make this mistake, not realizing that the default is for their auction to end exactly seven days, to the minute, from when they listed their merchandise.  Once again, do you think there will be as many people bidding on an item at 7:30 a.m. as there would be at a time like Sunday evening around 9:00?  Your goal is to use the advanced search tools available on any search screen, to search for what you want ending at some strange time like this.  Now that eBay has made sellers pay more to get their items seen in other countries, this should be even more helpful for people basing their shopping on U.S. time zones.
  • Don't forget to check out "lots" of merchandise.  There are many sellers who really don't know a whole bunch about what they are selling.  They may have found some old Barbie dolls or accessories stashed away in an attic or at a yard sale and they just want to sell it quickly without researching which individual pieces might be worth more than the others.  This can be a bonanza time for Barbie collectors or collectors of any doll.  Because the doll clothes and doll accessories are relatively small, many people really don't want to be bothered with handling each individual tiny piece.  It all ends up going in to lots.  When you see a listing that says something like "Barbie accessories lot", take a close look and ask questions of the buyer.  You may find that it is a mix of items from a couple of generations of Barbie collecting within the same family.  If Mom tossed all of her old accessories in with her daughter's stuff, you might find some real gems hidden in the mix.

This is just a short list of tips I've used to find great deals on Barbie accessories (and other eBay items) in the past.  I'll share more as we go along.  I hope these help you find something you have been looking for at a price you like!

Here is a video I found on YouTube about Barbie accessories that you might enjoy...

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Who Collects Dolls?

by Sandy | No Comments | Filed in Doll Collecting, Vintage Dolls

Who is Collecting Dolls Today?

Anyone can collect dolls.  It isn't just for little girls and old women anymore.  Although there are certainly a lot of females with a strong interest in doll collecting, now that it has grown into a business of sorts, men are also becoming more heavily involved in the collecting of dolls.

There is a common image of doll collecting being more of a feminine hobby.  Surely this is because it is a lot more common for little girls to openly play with dolls than it is for boys.  Little girls playing with their Barbie dolls is something you expect to see, and do see often.  Many parents would even discourage their young sons from "playing dolls" unless the toy was an "action figure" molded into shapes designed to maime and destroy.  Left to their own devices, many little boys enjoy playing with any doll they come across because they just like pretending and using their imaginations.  Most times, boys seem to outgrow the doll phase but it really is not a bad thing if they develop an appreciation for collecting them.

As I mentioned above, the collecting of dolls has become a serious business for some people.  Buying and selling dolls can be quite lucrative if you know what you are doing.  I'm sure that many people selling dolls on eBay are men.  Most likely they have not been holding on to some cherished doll since childhood.  They probably purchased it at a yard sale or auction and have decided to make it available for collectors more interested in the dolls themselves than in making a profit for them.

There are many men who now lament the loss of their prized GI Joe collections that may have been lost to abuse and damage or, in many cases, given away by parents to younger relatives or friends of the family.  They look now on eBay and see how much their collections would have been worth and just moan, thinking of possibly thousands of dollars worth of collectible figures that were simply given away back in the days before eBay made everyone aware of the collectibles market.

Collecting dolls is not necessarily the same as playing with dolls.  Actually, many doll collectors would never dream of letting their dolls get into the hands of a child who would use them to start acting out an adventure that could damage or de-value the doll.  Dolls are collected and often displayed in ways that show them off, but keep them protected as much as possible.  The types of dolls being preserved may be different, but the demographics of doll collecting reaches across the gender lines.

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Michael Jackson Dolls

by Sandy | No Comments | Filed in Celebrity Dolls, Vintage Dolls

Michael Jackson dolls are enjoying an amazing resurgence in popularity as collectors battle to scoop up memorabilia as quickly they can.


With the sad passing of Michael Jackson at the age of fifty, Americans who can remember his unprecedented explosion on the pop scene are clamoring for Michael Jackson memorabilia. One of the popular items people are grabbing up quickly, is the Michael Jackson doll. It is hard to believe that these dolls actually are pushing the "vintage" category. Certainly they aren't as rare as an original Barbie, but they are pushing the thirty year mark and many have no doubt been lost to the cleaning purges that so often happen when kids grow up and lose interest in the idols of their pre-teen and teenage years. The dolls came in a variety of packages and featured items like the well known glove and socks that were worn by the singer on stage and in his music videos.
MICHAEL JACKSON BEAT IT DOLL MINT STILL TIED TO CARD
MICHAEL JACKSON BEAT IT DOLL MINT STILL TIED TO CARD
Paypal   US $71.00 		Vintage Michael Jackson Doll Clothes Only
Vintage Michael Jackson Doll Clothes Only
Paypal   US $5.32 		MICHAEL JACKSON DOLL
MICHAEL JACKSON DOLL
Paypal   US $12.53
Michael Jackson Doll
Michael Jackson Doll
Paypal   US $5.50 		Michael Jackson American Music Awards Doll
Michael Jackson American Music Awards Doll
Paypal   US $22.53 		michael jackson beat it doll outfit sealed very rare
michael jackson beat it doll outfit sealed very rare
Paypal   US $31.31
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The dolls are just the beginning though.  Since his untimely death, tens of thousands of auctions have sprung up offering every imaginable piece of Michael Jackson memorabilia.  Of course albums are a huge seller.  They were being collected anyway.  But other suddenly popular collectibles include t-shirts, concert programs, posters, concert ticket stubs, and pins.

Seeing a flood of memorabilia for sale after a stars death is not uncommon, but middle aged fans of Michael Jackson are not that far removed from the glory days that included the meteoric rise of the Thriller album to the top of the charts.  They are scrambling to grab up as many relics as they can to memorialize the "King of Pop" as they are forced to deal with their own mortality.  "Thriller" and "Beat it" dolls that are still in their original boxes are being snapped up at a record rate by these fans and other doll collectors who enjoy collecting celebrity dolls.

Although he was not in the spotlight quite as much in recent years, Michael Jackson is obviously still appreciated by his fans and his immeasurably huge influence upon the pop music scene will be felt for years to come.

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Doll Collecting

by Sandy | No Comments | Filed in Doll Collecting, Vintage Dolls

People collect all sorts of things. Take a look in eBay's collectibles category some time and you might be surprised at some of the things you will find. One of the enduring favorites however, is the collectible doll.


Doll collecting has grown into one of the largest hobbies around today. Estimates vary, but it is generally accepted that collecting dolls is one of the top five collecting hobbies around. People collect dolls for a variety of reasons. Many people start collecting dolls when they're young either because they are given collectible dolls as gifts or because they just develop in interest on their own.
Vintage Suzanne Gibson Doll
Vintage Suzanne Gibson Doll
Paypal   US $33.00 		VINTAGE BARBIE TNT TWIST AND TURN DOLL BODY NEAR MINT
VINTAGE BARBIE TNT TWIST AND TURN DOLL BODY NEAR MINT
Paypal   US $40.04 		Vintage Fisher price Honey doll 1975
Vintage Fisher price Honey doll 1975
Paypal   US $15.50
Vintage Boy Cabbage Patch Doll 1985 New In Box w papers
Vintage Boy Cabbage Patch Doll 1985 New In Box w papers
Paypal   US $28.50 		1968 Vintage Disney Ken Prince Charming Doll w Suit
1968 Vintage Disney Ken Prince Charming Doll w Suit
Paypal   US $2.79 		Vintage Poseable Sindy Doll by Pedigree Excellent
Vintage Poseable Sindy Doll by Pedigree Excellent
Paypal   US $44.50
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Although you can spend a lot of money on this hobby, you don't really have to in order to enjoy it. The amount of money you'll end up investing depends a lot on what kind of dolls you are actually collecting. Some people are very happy collecting dolls that remind them of their childhood without any regard to its perceived collectible value. Other people see collecting dolls as a way of making money or investing their money. There are quite a few people that started out as casual collectors and then went on to well paying doll related careers. Some people start as collectors and then move on to design dolls and doll clothing, others act as consultants for other collectors and some stay involved by actually reselling collectible dolls for themselves or other people.

If you are just getting into doll collecting you may want to pick one particular type to start with rather than purchasing "one of everything." One big reason for this is that you can quickly drop a ton of money on collectible dolls if you do not have a focus on any certain type of doll. You can always go back and build your collection later if you decide you like one kind of doll more than another. If you are a shrewd buyer, you might even make some money as you do this.

Purchasing a guide to collectible dolls might be a wise investment as you start your adventures in doll collecting. Even if you do not intend to sell any of your dolls, a quality guide can help you to avoid getting scammed as you purchase dolls and build your collection. Doing a little bit of research can save you a lot of money in the long run.

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Vintage Paper Dolls

by Sandy | Comments Off | Filed in Doll Collecting, Vintage Dolls

The fact that vintage paper dolls have survived through the years is a testament to how well some people take care of the items they collect.


It is refreshing to know that in today's society, when many children have very short attention spans that can only be captured by blinking and flashing video games, there are still some people who appreciate something as simple as collecting vintage paper dolls. Paper dolls are a reminder of the time when things were much simpler and people were more inclined to use their own imagination for entertainment.
Vintage Boy Cabbage Patch Doll 1985 New In Box w papers
Vintage Boy Cabbage Patch Doll 1985 New In Box w papers
Paypal   US $28.50 		VINTAGE MARY POPPINS COLOR FORMS PAPER DOLL CLOTHES
VINTAGE MARY POPPINS COLOR FORMS PAPER DOLL CLOTHES
Paypal   US $4.00 		Disney Alice Wonderland Vintage Cut Outs Paper Dolls
Disney Alice Wonderland Vintage Cut Outs Paper Dolls
Paypal   US $4.25
VINTAGE 1984 BARBIE FANTASY PAPER DOLL BOOK
VINTAGE 1984 BARBIE FANTASY PAPER DOLL BOOK
Paypal   US $.99 		RARE Vintage 1962 HI Lois Comic Paper Doll TRIXIE
RARE Vintage 1962 HI Lois Comic Paper Doll TRIXIE
Paypal   US $9.99 		Vintage original Rita Hayworth Paper Doll Cutout 1940s
Vintage original Rita Hayworth Paper Doll Cutout 1940s
Paypal   US $56.99
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Paper dolls originated in the time of Louis XV of France. This was during the 1700s and owning one or more of these dolls was a privilege. They were carefully collected and very well taken care of by their young owners.

In America, paper was very hard to come by and was considered a valuable commodity. For that reason, not many people owned paper dolls. As paper production techniques improve in paper became more available for common use, the dolls could be mass produced and became available to many more eventual paper doll collectors.

Most of that vintage paper dolls collected today are from the time during the Mid 20th century when they became very popular. A lot of people like to collect these as a way to look back at the fashions and famous people of an earlier time. Not all paper dolls carry the same monetary value, but collectors of the delicate paper treasures often have reasons for collecting that go beyond money.

Paper Mother and Child with Clothes for Each
Creative Commons License photo credit: perpetualplum

If you are looking to either purchase or to sell vintage paper dolls, eBay is an excellent resource to check. I have noticed over the years that sellers in certain categories seem to take a very fine interest in what they collect and put up for sale. For the most part, it seems that the people selling vintage paper dolls and vintage dolls in general on Ebay, have a real connection to the merchandise they are buying or selling. It seems to go beyond nostalgia. Sellers often will offer guarantees and seem to go above and beyond the norm as they lovingly present their treasures to potential buyers. Buyers of the vintage paper dolls on Ebay also seem to realize and share a special bond with their fellow collectors which is evidenced by their willingness to sometimes pay prices that can get a little bit high for a casual doll collector.

For the person who just wants to introduce the fun of paper dolls with a little one, there are printable paper dolls and paper doll templates available online.  But more serious collectors tend to look for specific dolls.  Tom Tierney paper dolls, Victorian paper dolls and Disney paper dolls are a few of the specific brands often searched for on the Internet in general and on Ebay in particular.

If you are not interested in purchasing vintage or antique paper dolls on Ebay, you can try to find them yourself.  They are one of the items that sometimes show up at places like estate sales, but finding them on your own is a very hit or miss proposition.  Looking for the dolls in a collectible shop is another option, but you will almost certainly pay the top "book" price.  This is a major reason that so many collectors have taken to checking Ebay before making any purchases.  There are often items that seem to slip under the radar and that can present a nice opportunity for some serious savings on hard to find items.

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