Hawaiian Barbie

by Jacque
(Roanoke VA)

When did the first Barbie come out that was identified as Hawaiian? It had very long hair and I think more Asian features. My daughter was delighted because her father is Asian/Pacific Islander and this was the first doll she could identify with. I'm not finding any mention of it on this site.

I don't have her doll but I'm attaching a photo of a "vintage" Barbie I found recently which has Asian features and long black hair, although it is curly which is contrary to most Asians. The marking on her lower back is very clear and says “Mattel Inc 1966 Malaysia” but I didn't think there were any non-white Barbies in 1966 - or is it a "friend" of Barbie?

AQUA SLEEVELESS DRESS WITH PINK BELT AND BARBIE NAME ON CHEST

by CLIFF
(OHIO)

AQUA BLUE DRESS ..SLEEVELESS WITH PINK BELT. BARBIE NAME OVER HER HEART..ON DOLL FROM 1966

I believe that is "Toy Story Barbie' from 1999. Most Barbie Dolls made since 1966 have that date on them because that was the year the Twist 'n Turn Waist was patented.

Question

by Debbie
(maine)

She has beautiful fine straight black hair. Not sure this is her outfit.
Thanks

1966 Barbie TNT Made In Philippines

by Jeff Miller
(Redmond, WA, USA)

My daughter has a twist and turn Barbie with the following markings on its tush: (c) Mattel, Inc./1966/Philipines/5

The 5 is on a line that is a couple of lines lower than the Philipines and positioned veritcally between the e and s in Phillipines.

She has blond hair with the hair line rising from left to right (facing the doll) to a peak near the temple. Both arms are bent and one leg. Neither the legs nor arms are moveable.

We would appreciate your help identifying this doll.

Thanks.

Hi Jeff -
Barbie Dolls were made in the Philippines between 1978 and 1988, so your doll would be from those years. She has the Superstar face. The number 5 doesn't have any meaning - they were mold numbers and every Barbie has random mold numbers on her bottom.
Suzanne

Black-Haired 1966 Pouty Barbie

by Dennessa
(Sacramento, CA)

I have a black-haired Barbie marked Mattel, Inc. 1966 China. She has big blue eyes with top and bottom drawn lashes and red pout lips. She is also wearing big gold earrings that appear to be cowboy hats. Any ideas on who she is?

Hi Dennessa -
Virtually all Barbie dolls made since 1966 have the date 1966, that is the date the Twist 'n turn waist/body was patented. Barbies marked China would be made anytime from 1986 through today.
I do not know the name of this particular doll, but someone else may.
Suzanne

Is This Happy Birthday Barbie?

by Kirsi
(Finland)

I have this Barbie doll with a pink dress and glitter in her hair. I think she's from the year 89 or 90 and here in Finland she was marketed as a birthday barbie doll. I have searched all over and cannot find a birthday barbie like her. She came with a pink stone necklace and two present bags. She's from the Superstar era and has 1966 Malaysia printed on her back. In the picture she is wearing her original outfit. Does anybody know who she is?

Kiki

Identification Request

by lisa
(uk)

she has curly yellow gold hair and heavy eye makeup. Markings on back say mattel 1966 Philippines but nothing on her head at all.
Any one know?

Lisa -
Barbie Dolls were made in the Philippines between 1978 and 1988 - so your doll would be from those dates. She has the Superstar face, which is also consistent with that time frame. Without her clothing, I cannot identify her, although someone more familiar with the Superstar era might know, as her eye make up looks like it might be distinctive.
Barbie Doll History
Suzanne

Help!! There is not marking on the barbies head but there is on the body!!!

by Frances
(California)

Hi, I have this gorgeous Barbie that has no markings on her head as far as a date stamp but the back of her is dated 1966. Problem is I have looked at dolls from 1966 and she looks nothing like them plus I also read that Barbies made after 1965 will all have stamps soooooo.. what year would she be? Is it possible her body was switched. Anyone with any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Hi - Your Barbie has the "Superstar" face which was introduced in 1977 and made for 20+ years. If she has a country on her bottom or neck rim of her head it would be easier to pin down her age.

Help Identifying

Nice doll but I don't know who she is
Thanks

Hi -
Your doll has the "superstar face" - which was made from 1977 through the late 1990s (see Barbie Doll History) - I don't recognize the outfit.
Perhaps someone can id it.
Suzanne

Black Barbie Doll Identification

by debbie
(maine)

Lots and lots of hair. Beautiful face.

This is a Black Barbie doll - all Balck Barbies made between the late 1970s and the late 1990s had this "Superstar Christie"
Christie face - it is the "superstar era" Africian American barbie. Without knowing what clothes she was wearing it would be very difficult to identify.
Suzanne

Made in the Philippines

by Beverly
(West Memphis, Ar)

This barbie has blonde/brown hair with blue eyes. She has light blue eye-shadow with shaped eye brows. She is smiling, coral/pink lip stick, and she has teeth. She has a diamond ring on her right hand and she bends at the waist. Her arms are movable but she doesn't bend her elbows. She is between 11 & 12" tall. She also has holes in the bottom of her feet.
The back is stamped with c-Mattel 1966, I believe is the date. Also, looks like made in the Philippines.
Any help with this would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Beverly -
Barbie Dolls were made in the Philippines from 1978 to 1988 and many different dolls were made with the Superstar face and bent arms.
Suzanne

Help!!!

by Nadin
(Buenos Aires, Argentina)

Can anyone help me identify a doll? I can't find an actual picture of the doll I'm looking for, all I can remember is that she came with this outfit, plus a matching pink beret, socks up to the knees and black shoes. (IMPORTANT: NOT LOOKING FOR THE DOLL IN THE PIC, LOOKING FOR THE DOLL THAT COMES WITH THAT OUTFIT, I CAN'T FIND A PIC). The actual doll that comes with that outfit, the one I'm looking for, has really long and platinum-near-white long hair, and has a kind of tan skin tone (not the lightest one for sure). There was another doll just like her, but with a light blue outfit, but I think she was a Teresa. I know it's not much, but maybe you can help me. It's not a vintage doll at all, i guess probably from 2000+ or 1998/9, but again, I'm not sure. Any help is highly appreciated... Thanks!
PS: I cut her head off in the pic so that there's no misunderstandings, thanks again!

Is this Equestrienne Barbie?

by Jan
(New Zealand)

Question:
She is the older style body shape with twist waist, open the thumb and she can grasp items, Knees bend and stay in place, straight arms.

It says 1968 Mattel INC US & Foreign Patented Patented in Canada 1967 Other Patents Pending Taiwan, these are all on the side of her bottom. And her head is firm not wobbly but is fully movable.

Someone told me she was an Equestrienne Barbie but her eye are looking straight not to the side and she does not have a fringe like the Equestrienne Barbie.

I have searches the net and the only doll that matched her description to me is the busy barbie.

I hope you can help me.

Thanks

Jan

Answer:

Jan - I think you have a "Dramatic Living Barbie" Body with an (incorrect) Superstar head. The body markings & what I can tell from the pictures is correct for the Living Barbie (from 1969) - but the head is from 1977 or later. To my knowledge, the two were never used together.

If the head is a "Superstar" head, it will have (c) Mattel inc 1976 on either the inner or outer rim of the head.
Does anyone else have a different opinion?
Thanks-
Suzanne

Looking for Vintage Barbie Sized Dolls

by Ginger Sheridan
(Mansfield, MA, USA)

Can I still buy new dolls that are the original vintage size? I have made lots of clothes from vintage patterns only to find they do not fit the new doll which seems to be larger. My sister wants to give the clothes to her granddaughter, but she can' find the smaller doll we had as kids.

Hi Ginger -
Many of the newer and current Barbie dolls have her original figure - if you want to be certain, I would recommend any of the Vintage Barbie Reproductions. You can also purchase some of the reproduction Barbie dolls nude for a very reasonable price - you can see them here on eBay.
Suzanne

How to Identify Barbie #1 vs Reproduction?

by Jessica Bell
(Pasadena, CA)

My mother in-law has a #1 Barbie in pristine condition, however, it's so perfect and has never been retouched that I'm beginning to think that it is a repro. Can you please tell me the differences between the original #1 and the repro? She said her mom brushed out the bangs because she thought they were ugly.

Thank you

Hi Jessica -
The Barbie doll in the photo above looks like a reproduction to me. Here is how you can identify a Number One Barbie and here is an identification guide for Vintage Ponytail Barbie Dolls.
Your doll looks like it is a 35th Anniversary #1 Barbie Reproduction.
Suzanne

I am trying to identify this barbie, hoping you can help!

by Yolanda
(Kentucky)

The marking on the lower back says 1966 Mattel Inc. Malaysia, she seems to be in her original clothing, red dress w/ABC logo on top left, plaid tights, plaid scarf tied on neck, small red earrings and ring on finger, pretty sure it wasn't actually made in 1966 but I would just like to know when it was made and if in fact these are original clothes.

Need Help Identifying Two NICE Barbie Dolls sent to me

by JoLynne
(Indianapolis, IN)

My mother-in-law sent my 9 year old two vintage Barbie dolls and I am hesitant to let her play with them - they are in PERFECT condition and very pretty (they remind me of the Barbies from when I was a girl). They have 1966 marked on the back them...the clothes are still sewn closed or have small bands keeping everything in place so getting to those markings was not easy!

Hi JoLynne -
Your dolls are from 1999 - The City Seasons Series. The brunette is is "Spring in Toyko" and the blonde is "Winter in New York". You can see the series here on eBay.

Almost all Barbie dolls made since 1966 have that date on them, that is when the Twist 'n Turn waist was patented.

I have always loved this series! They are gorgeous!
Suzanne

New Barbie Doll Identification Request

by debbie
(maine)

Brand new braids.

Identification for six Barbie dolls

Six Barbie Dolls

Six Barbie dolls I need help in identifying. From left to right: doll in orange jumpsuit, gold jumpsuit, pink dress all dated 1966; doll in red dress dated 1975; doll on far right in red floral dress dated 1979 with 1966 beneath that date. Clothes not necessarily Barbie clothes. As you may notice, dolls having a "bad hair day". My daughter played with the dolls instead of looking at them on a shelf. Where can I find value of dolls? Thank you. Linda

Hi Linda -
I do not recognize any of these - none of them are vintage Barbie dolls - I believe most if not all are newer "superstar" era Barbie dolls and have very little, if any, value.
The 1966 only indicates the date the twist 'n turn waist was patented and has no relation to the manufacture date of the doll.
Suzanne

Please help ID this Barbie for my distressed 6 year old neice!!!

by Simone
(Melbourne Australia)

My neice is 6 years old and was given a barbie when she was little. She has become her treasured item. She wears a ring that flashes. The only markings I can find on her are 0297M on her back 2006 - Indonesia. I am trying to replace her as her friends dog attacked her and she is minus an arm etc!!! Can you help point me in the right direction please as I don't even know what she is called! Can you buy replacement parts like arms??
Many many thanks
Simone

Looking for Barbie with a Push button on her back which made arms move

This was my first Barbie doll. She had long blond hair and there was a button on her back which you could press and it would make her arms move. Do you have any idea where I could locate and purchase another one.

Mickey mouse barbie?

by kimberly waddell
(portsmouth, virginia, usa)

disney barbie?

this doll has long blonde hair, hot pink earrings, painted on panties, tnt waist, wide smile with teeth showing, and the markings 1966 mattell malaysia. she has a mickey mouse hat that is attached to her head, and a white pink and black dress with a mickey mouse and bow print. I have not been able to find her anywhere on the internet.

I am not familiar with this particular Barbie, but any Barbie doll marked Malaysia was made after 1986.

Is this a gold label Barbie?

by mario villar
(madrid - españa)

Is this a Gold Label?
THANKS MARIO

Hi Mario -
This is Lounge Kitties Barbie - a 2004 Online Exclusive Barbie. As she was only sold by Mattel through their Barbie Collectibles website, she does not have a gold, platinum or silver label designation - she is only designated as an "online exclusive".
Suzanne

What is this Barbie Doll's name? Unusual hair line.

by Emma
(london, uk.)

78 -88 but who??

Hi there - I've managed through research to narrow her down to between 78-88, she has Philippines marked on her bottom... she is a tnt - with straight arms that do not bend outwards, backward facing palms. No holes for jewellry, honey coloured blonde hair. I'm trying to put my dolls in a better order so I'd love to know what she should be wearing instead of stuffing her in any old thing.... I think it's a superstar face? Not sure, but can't find a pic of another one similar. She has the asymmetric hairline. All help appreciated. Emma x

Question About Mermaid Barbie?

by Mucie
(Tracy, CA USA)

Mermaid Barbie/

Blond,in a Mermaid outfit with sequin on the Headpiece and Dress, sea shell stand. 1966 Mattel Made in China.

Hi Mucie -
I assume this is another one-of-a-kind Barbie (or artist doll). Mermaids and fantasy Barbie dolls were hot about ten years ago. For more info see
Velvet Interlude by These Dreams. Is This A Barbie?

Question about Enchanted Seasons Barbies--Autumn and Summer

Hello! I am a Barbie Collector and I'm assuming you are too--and I have a question about when the Enchanted Seasons Autumn doll and the Summer dolls were shipped out/received from Mattel. If I recall, I think the summer doll was the last one they made--is that correct? Instead of releasing them in order (winter, spring, summer, fall) they shipped the Autumn doll first. Does anyone here remember when they shipped the Summer doll? I'm asking because there is a lot of controversial information about the dates these dolls were made and so if you can recall about what month and year you received your Autumn and Summer doll, I would appreciate it! There must have been some major problems with the summer dolls for them to switch the order of them like that! Thank you for your time!

Recent Barbie - would like info about this doll

by Barbie fan
(Australia)

I bought this doll recently as I wanted one with black hair. It's hard to read the markings but the head is marked - as far as I can make out - 1991, and the body has 1991 Mattel Indonesia (not sure of the exact wording - I don't have the doll handy).

She has really straight long hair down to below the waist, white eyeshadow and brown eyes, and pale skin. I like her features very much - can you tell me anything about her?

Question About Sun Loving Malibu Barbie 1979

by Rebecca Berlin
(Sweden)

I have two Sun Loving barbie's (you know the one with the ''tan lines''). One doll has bendable legs while the other has ''stiff'' non bendable legs, does anyone know the reason why?

Question about porcelain wedding Barbie Doll

This is a blonde barbie, with a wedding dress, and vail. Her back is marked '1958 mattel' japan. She has holes in her feet.
She is porcelain. I can't find information anyway on haow to Identify a porcelain mattel barbie. Oh also her fingernails are painted red.
-----------------------------------

This is a Wedding Party Porcelain Barbie made in 1988 - you can see them here on eBay.
Suzanne

Strange Markings on 1970's? Barbie

by Sue
(Portland, OR)

Question:This Barbie has straight arms, legs that click twice, a twist and turn waist. Her markings on her bottom read
C Mattel, Inc/1966/PHILIPPINES. The size of the markings are quite large. The words span the whole width of her bottom with all the letters in caps. Below that marking appears to be the number 4. Her legs are very dirty and feel different (sticky and light) than the rest of her body which feels smooth. She has a thick head of blonde wavy hair with what looks like a "root" that is way out of place on her forehead. There are no missing "hair plugs" so this root really stands out.

She has a smile, no rooted eyelashes, blue eues and eye shadow. No earrings or rings.

Any help would be appreciated. Sue

Answer:

Hi Sue - The Twist 'n Turn (TNT) waist was patented in 1966 and all Barbie Dolls made since then with the TNT waist have the 1966 date. Your doll has the "superstar" face, which was introduced in 1977. Barbie Dolls were made in the Philippines from 1978 to 1988 - so your Barbie would be from those years.

Question About red riding hood/alice in wonderland face sculpt.... looking for others

by brenda
(il)

hi the sets of red riding hood (dark hair, bangs, dark lips) and alice in wonderland (light hair, poufed up) are the same sculpts; are there any other barbies with that face sculpt? thanks!

Hi -
They have the Model Muse body & I think there are other Model Muse dolls with this face sculpt. I am unsure about any others. We'll see if anyone else knows!
Suzanne

Trying to identify my childhood Barbie Doll

by NiKKi
(Philadelphia, PA)

I've had this Barbie since I was a little kid. I was born in 1986 but I recently found a date on this Barbie, my last Barbie that I've kept over the years as she was my favorite growing up.

I've looked everywhere for a replica of this doll. I just want to know what set she came in.

On the back of her head it says Mattel Inc 1979 and on lower back it says Mattel Inc 1966 china

She has these very distinct bangs and dirty brown hair with round circular diamond like earrings. This is not her original outfit, just a favorite of mine from Sparkle Barbie from the 1990's and I have a gold tie in her hair.

I really don't know where to look. I've spent an hour looking up 1979 Barbies with no success. I found one but the hair is a bit mess up and and no info as what Barbie she was.

Any Help would be amazing.

Searcing for name of 1990's Barbie

by Leslie
(Jacksonville, FL)

My daughter cut the hair on this Barbie and it was my favorite one. She is different, in that she has light hazel eyes, and ash-blonde hair as opposed to yellow, platinum, or golden blonde. She also has a closed lip smile, lavender eyeshadowand looks "classier" than many of today's barbies. She is also very pale, not tan. She is stamped 1991 Indonesia on back of neck and back, but I am starting to question whether or not those dates really indicate when it was made. Any help would be much appreciated. I have no idea what original clothes she came in, I recall her being given to us in a "tulip" skirt, but don't think that's what she originally came with.

Question about Barbie and the Rocker different boxes?

by Rachel
(Mount Holly, NJ, USA)

Pink writing on box

Hello,
I've recently purchased a Barbie and the Rocker Barbie in the original box on email. When I got the doll, her outfit was different then the one I have packed away from my original. I noticed that there were two different boxes printed for her. One box has her with a green and black background the the name words Barbie and Rockers in rainbow print. The other has just pink print for the words and a yellow background behind her. I can't find anything online about this!

What year was the Stuffed/cloth Barbie doll in Pajamas made by Mattel?

by Marsha
(Walnut Grove, Missouri)

What year was the Stuffed/cloth barbie doll in Pajamas made by Mattel? Never seen one before and found one at a flea market?

Hi Marsha -
Actually there were at least two -
Bedtime Barbie was made in 1993 and Pretty Dreams Barbie in 1995 - you can see them both on eBay.
Suzanne

Question about Identifying Original vs reproduction dolls

by Jennie Scott
(San Bernardino, CA USA)

Hi. I was wondering if you could tell me how you can recognize a reproduction barbie from the original.. for example the Peaches N Cream barbie.. what is different from the 2010 doll with the 1984 doll.
Hope to get an answer soon.. Jennie

Winking Barbie Doll Id Request

I have a Mattel Barbie doll 1966 whose one eye will wink with a push of a button on her back. She has light blue eyeshadow. I don't know if these are the original clothing or not that she is wearing. I want to know the name of the barbie if you can tell me please. Thanks, Tammy

Hi Tammy -
Your Barbie Doll is "Western Barbie" from 1980. She came wearing a one-piece white western jumpsuit. You can see her here on eBay.
Suzanne

Velvet Interlude by These Dreams. Is This A Barbie?

by Mucie
(Tracy, CA USA)

Velvet Interlude Doll

This doll has a purple velvet coat dress with goldlish bodysuit underneath also of velvet.There's a tag on her left wrist that says "These Dreams". Also inside of the box is a paper that says "Authentic One Of A Kind Creation, Velvet Interlude by These Dreams" There is also a signature with the date "2000" in what seems to be a blue felt pen. On the outside of the box is another label that states the same thing but with a face picture of the doll. There are no markings or dates on the doll.

Hi Mucie -
It looks like a Barbie to me. There are doll artists who create "one of a kind" Barbie dolls by creating a special ensemble, repainting their face and/or styling (or re-rooting) their hair. It seems that is what you have. The value of each doll depends on the artist's reputation and the demand for their work. The overall demand for and value of one-of-a-kind Barbie dolls has diminished greatly over the last 10 years.
Suzanne

Question About Porcelain Barbie Doll

by Amber Rose Turner
(Anahiem, ca, usa)

I found this porcelain barbie and i can not find it anywhere on her back it says mattel inc 1958 malaysia an in silver it has the numbers 11318 she has a sort of crown attached to her hair a pink and silver dress with a pink overcoat a pearl necklace and even ligeria and a garter with stockings and she wears white gloves she has brown short hair which is wild on this one idk if that is how its supposed to be or not on the tag of her coat it says barbie by mattel.


Your doll is Sophisticated Lady Porcelain Barbie - she was sold in 1990. You can see them here on eBay. She is wearing a reproduction of the vintage Barbie ensemble Sophisticated Lady.
Suzanne