After a year in the works, I’m excited to announce My Vintage Barbies is completed and for sale at Amazon! This large 348-page reference book is sure to capture the interest of all Barbie enthusiasts. My Vintage Barbies covers the Barbie era in detail, from 1959 to 1979 and beyond. Although the book spotlights the vintage era, it includes unique and historically relevant dolls after 1979, including foreign, holiday, and current collectible dolls. Vintage clothing ensembles from 1959 to 1972 are also included for Barbie, her friends, and her family, as well as gift sets, furniture, struct ..read more

Hello to all my Barbie friends! I wanted to send a quick update as it has been awhile since my last blog.  I continue to monitor and update my website and this blog as needed.  I found some links from the blog and the website that were not working correctly, and those have now been fixed.  If you find any other issues as you are using the site or blog, please let me know, and I will work on those as well. I have enjoyed all your emails, comments, feedback, and support over the years, and have loved hearing how much my website and blog have been helpful to you.  I als ..read more

With fall approaching and football season already in full swing, the perfect gift set to showcase this month is Barbie Midge & Ken Pep Rally Gift set, stock #1022". This fabulous gift set didn't come with dolls, but included three complete outfits for football season and a booklet.  #875 Drum Majorette, #876 Cheerleader and #775 Drum Majorette.  Barbie, Ken, and Midge were set for the big game! The set was released in 1965.  The big square box that the set comes in measures 16 1/2 x 14 inches.  The box is marked:  ©1964 Mattel, Inc., Hawthorne, Cal ..read more

The #892 Barbie and Ken (Tennis) Gift Set is one of my favorites.  Interestingly, we all call it the “Barbie and Ken Tennis Gift Set”, but Mattel didn’t include the word “Tennis” in the name, although the picture on the box depicts the couple with their tennis racquets.    The set was released in 1962 and 1963 only.  The early set came with a #750 flocked hair Ken and #850 Ponytail Barbie doll or #850 Bubblecut Barbie.  Later it could be found with a painted head Ken as well. Ponytail Barbie and Flocked Hair Ken This fabulous set included so much. Bar ..read more

Christmas wouldn't be the same if I didn't put up my little Barbie tree.   My Little Barbie Tree My tree is full of replica's of my favorite vintage dolls, their cases, and many other darling Barbie items.   Number 1 Barbie dressed in Gay Parisienne which is one of my very favorites! The cases are so cute. Midge dressed in Suburban Shopper and barbie dressed in Silken Flame and Red Flare. Barbie is all about her accessories. Another favorite is my tree topper  with Barbie and Ken dressed in Wedding Day and ..read more

Reissue Skipper In 1969 Mattel added a last minute update flyer to their spring catalog. One of the six items featured was Barbie’s little sister, the #950 straight-leg Skipper doll.  She was packaged wearing the same swim-suit as she wore back in 1964, when she originally debuted.  She was available through 1970, when she was only included in the 1970 Sears catalog, priced at $1.97. Photo from the 1970 Sears Catalog This young girl wasn’t exactly identical though.  Even though she had the same swim-suit and hair style as the 1964 version, she had a pinker ..read more

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We are well into the holiday season, and with Christmas just around the corner I hope you all are enjoying this beautiful season. What a perfect month to take a look back at why so many people started collecting Barbie. Did you know that the very first official collectible Barbie doll happened to be the 1988 Happy Holidays Barbie?  Many adults became enthusiasts for the first time when this adult version of Barbie was introduced.  This brand new Barbie doll was dressed in a beautiful long red shimmering gown that was trimmed with a silver satin bow, highlighted with a red flower ..read more

In 1968 Mattel released the stunning  #1125 Talking Stacey doll, who was Barbie’s friend from England.   She was available from 1968-1970.     Talking Stacey wore a long side pony-tail in a choice of hair colors;  blonde or red (copper penny as red is often referred to). She tied it with a pretty green ribbon.  Her legs were bendable, she had a twist n’ turn waist, blue eyes, and beautiful long eye-lashes.  The Mattel catalog referred to the hair colors as Copper Brown and Summertime Blonde. In 1968 through the first part of 1970 St ..read more

  Funtime Barbie, Ken, and Skipper are the three Funtime dolls that were sold in Europe and Canada in 1975 (boxes marked 1974).  #7192 Funtime Barbie The beautiful #7192 Funtime Barbie is made from the true Barbie head mold.  She has long blonde hair, bendable legs, and a twist ‘n turn waist.  Her hair is parted on the side with two pony tails. #7194 Funtime Ken wears blue swim trunks, has dark brown molded hair, and bendable legs.   Funtime Ken #7193 Skipper, Barbie’s little sister, has long blonde hair, heavy make-up, and wears a yel ..read more