History and Fun Trivia About Barbie

I like vintage stuff and I like trivia.  A Barbie doll is a doll I always wanted for Christmas but for some reason my mom would never buy me one.  I did get a doll for the holiday.  But it was never a Barbie.  WHY??  WHY??? WHY???  My mom said she could not afford it.  I had several siblings so on her limited income, she had stretch her money to make sure we all got toys and that we had a good Christmas meal.  Once I grew up and realized the sacrifices she made to make up happy, I understood.  But as a child not getting the gift you want from Santa Mom is really kind of traumatizing.  You know what I mean??  LOL.

At any rate, did you know: 

• “Barbie dolls were invented by Ruth Handler, co-founder of Mattel, Inc., an American toy manufacturing company founded in 1945. After observing her daughter play with paper dolls, Handler was inspired to create a three-dimensional version of a career-minded, adult doll. She even bought the rights to the German-made doll Bild Lilli, and modeled her version after the figure. By 1959, the first Barbie doll made its official debut at the New York Toy Fair.”

The word used to describe a person who collects dolls is plangonologist.   Some collectible dolls  range in value from just $10 to an impressive $2,000.

REF; The Guide to #Vintage Barbie #Dolls: Prices, #History and Styles

There are all sorts of Barbie Collectibles.  From famous entertainers like a Barbie Lucile Ball; women in history like Susan B. Anthony and Helen Keller, female characters from fairy tales like Snow White and from popular fantasy, like Galadriel from Lord of Rings.  And of course there are collectible Barbie dolls to celebrate the anniversary of Barbie, when she was introduced to the world.

Image Credit: Barbie Signature Mattel 75th Anniversary Doll, Original 1959 Doll Reproduction in Black and White Swimsuit, with Wrist Tag, Gift for Collectors, Multi

Have you ever owned a Barbie doll?