Please Help My Teacher Identify Her Vintage Ponytail Barbie Doll
by Alexandra
(Michigan)
Her Pretty Face
So my teacher, of whom grew up in the '60s, told me she had a vintage Barbie. I, being a hopeful new collector, asked if I could see it. She brought the doll in today to show me. When I saw her, I knew she was older than I first anticipated. I had no idea she'd be a ponytail. The question is: Which ponytail?
Her markings read, "Barbie T.M. Pats.Pending, (c)MCMLVIII, by Mattel Inc." As they should. Her eyes are blue with little white dots in them (please see picture), and she has traces of blue eyeliner. Her skin is light, but I cannot decide as to classify it as faded "ivory", or as a light tan.
I believe she is either a #3 Ponytail or a #4 Ponytail. I do not think she is a #5 because her vinyl is not shiny, and I do not believe she is a #6 or #7 because her markings indicate this.
There are a few interesting factors to this doll, however. I am new to all of this, so please bear with me if I say something incorrect!
She has no piercing holes on her ears, and no earrings. Obviously the earrings could have fallen out, but it is odd to me there are no evidences of holes.
Her foot also says Japan. I didn't know if this was normal or not. It is to my understanding that only #1 Barbies have holes in their feet, so I don't believe it's abnormal for this doll not to have holes. I was wondering if the dolls were all produced in Japan, or if maybe she was a Japanese version or something?
You can see a close up of her eyes/mouth/nose shape in this photo. I didn't know if the blue residue was considered eyeliner or if it was eyeshadow. I know if it's eyeliner and she's a #3 like I'm thinking, she'll be a bit more rare. If it's eyeshadow, that would be normal for #4, correct? ^^;
She is in her original striped bathing suit. She may or may not have her stand (my teacher has to look!) but no box. Unfortunately, because that too could have told me something! >.<
If you can help me with identification, I would really appreciate it! Thank you so much for taking the time to look! I hope I can give my teacher an answer soon!
I forgot another tip for knowing what # her head is... if she has flocking underneath her hair on her scalp, she is a #3 or 4. If she has no flocking, she's a #5 or newer.
Hope this helps!
Greetings from Liza in Sweden :-)
Barbie # by: Rita Smith
Hi,her head looks like a #5. The body if it says tm and is heavy and solid. It possibly could be a transitional #4. If her body is hollow than she is a #5. I believe the #6 came in a red bathin suit.
Rita
Ponytail by: Liza
The body is from a #4, they had the TM marking and were solid. Later dolls had the R in a circle and the hollow bodies. The head looks newer, the bangs looks more like a #5. At least to my knowledge... The head and body could be switched which happened a lot when kids played with the dolls. She could perhaps be a transitional doll, when one type of head was used up in the factory they added the newer type of head to the "older" type body. According to Krista's Doll Restoration there is a type doll that has a #4 body to a #5 head. Anyway, she's a very pretty doll! Hope this helps! Greetings from Liza in Sweden :-)
Vintage Ponytail Barbie by: Sandy
Your Teachers doll Looks like a #5 some do not have the shiney greasy face her bangs give that away if the doll were a #4 the body would be solid with the same markings . the #4 also has tighter cirley bangs . Your teachers doll is georgeous. I do beleive she is a #5 hope this helps Sandy
Pt by: Louise
I am pretty sure she is a number five! Not all fives have greasy faces. The indicators are the bangs, not right for a three or four, and the red lips. She is really a beauty. A little restoration and she would be stunning
#4 Ponytail by: Anonymous
I think you have a #4- she's not white enough to be a #3. Eyeshadow is smokey gray- totally normal.
