When play dolls first arrived on the market most were made of hard plastic and their hair was actually wigs, which were glued on and left little room for soft play. With the introduction of vinyl, dolls became softer, more pliable with hair that could be sewn into the head instead of glued on.



As collectible vinyl dolls started becoming of interest in the past few years, pricing has become somewhat subjective with the market determining the going price. A number 1 vinyl Barbie doll, for example, in good condition, may be hard to find bringing its price to a collector of upwards of a few thousand dollars.

Many other vinyl dolls saturated the market in the 1950s and 1960s making it difficult to establish a price range for these collectible vinyl dolls. Manufacturers such as Mattel, Ideal and others flooded the market and in the 1940s and 1950s some even used a harder vinyl similar to the hard plastic initially used for play dolls.

Defining Characteristics of a Collectible Doll

Since such a huge number of vinyl dolls were made in the 1950s through the 1970s their value is somewhat questionable. However, a collectible vinyl doll in mint condition still in its original packaging can fetch the highest price from an honest collector. Play dolls in pristine condition, even without the package, can bring in a little extra money from a collector.

As mass-market toys, they were not designed to become a collectible vinyl doll; rather they were designed for play. Many of the older vinyl dolls are showing signs of aging as their vinyl skin has faded or developed wrinkles and they have gone bald. Others may have undergone cosmetic surgery or had a broken arm replaced or repaired. Their only value will probably be sentimental.

However, the desire to own a certain type of vinyl play doll has helped the market with some people claiming they had one when they were little and even if it has been played with, they want to have one either for their own collection or for their child to play with. Check auctions such as eBay to see the numerous vinyl play dolls still available on the market.