No doubt about it, Barbie dolls have taken the world by storm. Every second, a Barbie doll is being sold somewhere in the world, catapulting it into a billion dollar success with business interests that range from the dolls, to movie cds, to computer games, to clothes to shoes and other fashion accessories.



It is said that if all the barbies that have been sold in the market since 1959 are to be placed one over the other from the head to the toe, the dolls would have circled the earth not just once or twice but seven times.

It may seem such a great idea now but at that time when it came out in the market, toy critics were pretty skeptical with it. The doll is an innovation. Never before had they seen a doll that is so small and yet so sophisticated. Compared to the dolls that came out that year, the Barbie doll seems to be too complicated for a kid.

Still, Ruth Handler pushed on with her invention, launching a TV campaign that caught the imagination of little girls worldwide. It was not long before the Barbie doll became a bestseller. The idea of creating a Barbie started when Ruth saw her daughter playing with paper dolls and paper clothes.

She then thought, why not make a three-dimensional toy that little girls can actually play with and dress up? Why not make a teenaged doll which little girls can look up to?

She researched the market and found that there are no manufacturers of dolls like the one she is imagining. She then created the doll through her company, which she founded with her husband Elliot Handler.

The very first doll that came out is a teenage fashion model, clad in a black and white striped bathing suit. She had long hair tied in swirled ponytails. Through the years, Barbie dolls adapted the current fashion of that decade, sometimes even blazing in her own fashion trends. She even wore couturier creations and designer clothes, not only from the United Stated but also from around the world. In fact, in 1960, she began wearing outfits like the Gay Parisienne and the Easter Parade, which are both gotten from the famous fashion houses of France.

Barbie became the image of American girls, copying the styles of famous fashion icons like Jackie Onassis. One of the most popular look that Barbie set is the American Girl, who has a chin-length Dutch-boy hairstyle.

Today, vintage Barbie has become a sought-after collector's item because of the detailed quality each doll possesses.

If you are one of those who are fond of collecting vintage Barbie or who is starting to collect vintage Barbie, its now time to familiarize yourself with information and details about collecting vintage Barbie before hitting various flea markets and antique stores, shops and malls.

1. It's all about the date. In looking or buying for a vintage Barbie, make sure that you take the time off to check out the date it has been copyrighted. The "date" usually refers to exact year Mattel-the maker of original Barbie dolls-copyrighted the doll's body style and not the year the doll was launched or made.

Don't be confused in looking out for the date because this can determine the value of your vintage Barbie. (TIP: Valuable vintage Barbie pieces are those marked with "1958" and those who bear the mark "Japan" found on the rear end or on the bottom of one of the doll's feet.)

2. Consider the vintage Barbie's overall condition. Since it is an item that continues to increase its value over the years, the overall condition of the vintage Barbie is one of the most important aspects that should be paid attention to when buying.

Meticulous collectors believe that the condition of the Barbie is also one of the major determinant's of its present and future value so it is a must to have a keen eye when looking for one. Look for noticeable neck splits and other possible body splits, hair that has been cut or torn, missing plugs, lip chips, changed or faded color of cheeks, rubbed off texture, ears and faces that are greenish due to chemical reactions between plastic and metal earrings.

(TIP: Make sure that all of the vintage Barbie fingers and the toes are intact, and that these have even color. Also double check if are any visible marks, stains, scratches or even gouges.)

3. Look for valuable vintage Barbie pieces that have metal tubes. According to vintage Barbie collectors, the no. 1 Barbies are great finds and rare because these are the only Barbie dolls that have metal tubes in them that serves as a pronged stand.

4. Pay attention to vintage Barbie accessories. Expert collectors say that valuable vintage Barbies are those wearing outfits that have meticulous and detailed linings. If you want to know the real value of vintage Barbie outfits, look for detailed and tiny accessories.

(TIP: The dolls and outfits that were never been removed from their original cases and boxes are the most expensive and most sought-after vintage Barbie items there are.)

5. Lastly, always look for the Barbie Trademark. Aside from the doll's overall appearance and condition, take note of important facts like year of copyright, present price of the original doll, and the those that bear the Mattel, Inc. mark.