Barbie
Ruth Handler watched her daughter Barbara at play with paper dolls, and noticed that she often enjoyed giving them adult roles. At the time, most children’s toy dolls were representations of infants. Realizing that there could be a gap in the market, Handler suggested the idea of an adult-bodied doll to her husband Elliot, a co-founder of the Mattel toy company. He was unenthusiastic about the idea, as were Mattel’s directors.
During a trip to Europe in 1956 with her children Barbara and Kenneth, Ruth Handler came across German toy doll called Bild Lilli. The adult-figured Lilli doll was exactly what Handler had in mind, so she purchased three of them. She gave one to her daughter and took the others back to Mattel. The Lilli doll was based on a popular character appearing in a comic strip drawn by Reinhard Beuthin for the newspaper Die Bild-Zeitung. Lilli was a working girl who knew what she wanted and was not above using men to get it. The Lilli doll was first sold in Germany in 1955, and although it was initially sold to adults, it became popular with children who enjoyed dressing her up in outfits that were available separately.
Upon her return to the United States, Handler reworked the design of the doll (with help from engineer Jack Ryan) and the doll was given a new name, Barbie, after Handler’s daughter Barbara. The doll made its debut at the American International Toy Fair in New York on March 9, 1959. This date is also used as Barbie’s official birthday. Mattel acquired the rights to the Bild Lilli doll in 1964 and production of Lilli was stopped. The first Barbie doll wore a black and white zebra striped swimsuit and signature topknot ponytail, and was available as either a blonde or brunette. The doll was marketed as a “Teen-age Fashion Model,” with her clothes created by Mattel fashion designer Charlotte Johnson. The first Barbie dolls were manufactured in Japan, with their clothes hand-stitched by Japanese homeworkers. Around 350,000 Barbie dolls were sold during the first year of production.
Ruth Handler believed that it was important for Barbie to have an adult appearance, and early market research showed that some parents were unhappy about the doll’s chest, which had distinct breasts. Barbie’s appearance has been changed many times, most notably in 1971 when the doll’s eyes were adjusted to look forwards rather than having the demure sideways glance of the original model.
Barbie was one of the first toys to have a marketing strategy based extensively on television advertising, which has been copied widely by other toys. It is estimated that over a billion Barbie dolls have been sold worldwide in over 150 countries, with Mattel claiming that three Barbie dolls are sold every second.
The standard range of Barbie dolls and related accessories are manufactured to approximately 1/6th scale, which is also known as playscale. Barbie products include not only the range of dolls with their clothes and accessories, but also a huge range of Barbie branded goods such as books, fashion items and video games. Barbie has appeared in a series of animated films and makes a brief guest appearance in the 1999 film Toy Story 2.
Almost uniquely for a toy fashion doll, Barbie has become a cultural icon and has been given honors that are rare in the toy world. In 1974 a section of Times Square in New York City was renamed Barbie Boulevard for a week, while in 1985 the artist Andy Warhol created a painting of Barbie.
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NEW Kidkraft Dollhouse with Furniture - Fits all Barbie US $68.20 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 6:47:27 PST |
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Holiday Barbie 1994 (Box & Doll Mint No Yellowing) US $64.99 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 7:25:33 PST |
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Barbie~MILLENIUM BRIDE~NRFB/sealed in shipper US $299.99 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 7:27:36 PST |
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Collector barbie-I Love Lucy US $100.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 7:45:38 PST |
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Harley Davidson Barbie Dolls Collector Series 1 thru 5 US $500.00 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 7:56:39 PST |
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Barbie Scarlet Macaw Gold Label 2008 US $85.00 (1 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 8:17:58 PST |
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Easter Treats Barbie with basket MINT in BOX US $50.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 8:22:28 PST |
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You've Come A Long Way, Barbie '93 Baltimore Convention US $60.95 (8 Bids) End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 8:26:37 PST |
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Barbie As Eliza Doolittle 5 My Fair Lady Dolls NRFB! US $450.00 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 8:30:42 PST |
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12 COMPOSITION FRENCH DOLLS FROM 'LES BEBES DU MONDE' US $60.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 8:45:34 PST |
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MATTEL Barbie Midge Allan Sweet Shop NRFB 2008 Set LE US $95.00 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 8:46:53 PST |
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Barbie Campus Sweet Shop & Spirit Gold Label Sets NEW US $88.88 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 8:48:15 PST |
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Wedgwood Barbie #2 AA MNRFB US $99.99 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 8:48:33 PST |
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Barbie My First Kenmore Kitchen Set Complete In Box EUC US $81.00 (12 Bids) End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 8:55:20 PST |
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2005 Citrus Obsession Silver Label Holiday Barbie Doll US $74.99 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 8:57:22 PST |
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Barbie Barbie Collector Tooth Fairy- Caucasian NIB US $58.65 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 8:59:43 PST |
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Barbie Collector's Edition - Blue Gown by Robert Best US $58.65 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 8:59:45 PST |
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8 BARBIES NEW IN BOX NATIVE AMERICAN / HOLLYWOOD HAIR US $99.95 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 9:00:15 PST |
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1983 Ballerina Barbie in Original Box US $55.00 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 9:00:22 PST |
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OOAK Medusa Barbie HURRY ONLY TIME AT THIS PRICE!!! US $150.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 9:01:23 PST |
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4 Holiday and Millenium Barbies with 2 Barbie ornaments US $50.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 9:05:00 PST |
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Halloween fun, glow, enchanted, and charm barbies!!! US $50.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 9:17:08 PST |
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Happy Holiday Barbie 1989 Very Rare True Collector US $59.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 9:20:48 PST |
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2007 Christabelle Barbie MNFRB + Shipper US $159.99 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 9:21:19 PST |
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FABERGE Barbie is IMPERIAL ELEGANCE Barbie 1998 US $375.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 9:21:46 PST |
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Fashion Royalty NRFB Festive Decadence Agnes W club gs US $199.00 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 9:44:19 PST |
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DALLAS DARLIN Barbie Convention Doll Afro American NRFB US $215.50 (11 Bids) End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 9:44:54 PST |
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Lot of 3 SPICE GIRLS GIRL POWER BARBIE DOLL1ST Ed US $109.99 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 9:56:41 PST |
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Silver Starlight Porcelain Barbie US $51.00 (2 Bids) End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 9:57:00 PST |
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Lot of 2 SPICE GIRLS GIRL POWER-OnTour BARBIE Melanie US $89.99 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 9:57:16 PST |
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1983 Fabulous Fur Barbie in Original Box US $89.95 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 9:58:35 PST |
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Jasmine and Aladdin Wedding Giftset Special Ed MIB RARE US $199.99 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 10:01:10 PST |
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Lot of 2 SPICE GIRLS GIRL POWER-OnTour BARBIE Emma1stEd US $89.99 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 10:02:00 PST |
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Bob Mackie Radiant Redhead 2001 LE (MIB) L@@K US $99.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 10:02:43 PST |
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CINDERELLA Porcelain Bride Doll LEd EXTREMELY RARE HTF US $699.99 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 10:04:54 PST |
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1985 Dream Glow Barbie in Original Box US $89.00 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 10:06:16 PST |
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Barbie Addams Family Gift Set US $75.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 10:08:45 PST |
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Alice in Wonderland Set 3 Dolls US $129.95 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 10:18:32 PST |
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1998 Golden Qi-Pao Barbie Doll MIB!!! US $54.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 10:19:24 PST |
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NRFB 2009 Barbie Red White Beautiful Convention LE 1500 US $233.25 (18 Bids) End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 10:26:31 PST |
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Elvis Presley Barbie Dolls (Dolls and Boxes Great) US $174.99 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 10:26:56 PST |
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I love lucy Barbie Doll Be A Pal for the Holidays Ahead US $168.88 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 10:29:02 PST |
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BARBIE DOLL HARD ROCK EDITION #2 US $75.00 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 10:35:40 PST |
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HARLEY DAVIDSON - TWO- MOTOR CYCLE BARBIE US $65.00 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 10:39:39 PST |
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Barbie Vera Wang Bride LTD EDtn NRFB 1st in Series US $50.99 (2 Bids) End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 10:41:06 PST |
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LADY LIBERTY~BOB MACKIE~BEAUTIFUL COLLECTOR DOLL~NRFB~ US $259.99 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 10:46:32 PST |
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ELIZABETH TAYLOR~WHITE DIAMONDS DOLL~NRFB~MINT~BEAUTIFU US $89.99 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 10:47:39 PST |
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Medieval Gothc Sorceress Fairy Witch OOAK Barbie ~ FFF US $75.00 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 10:52:12 PST |
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Bradford Exchange Barbie Doll Plate Set Glamorous Years US $149.95 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 10:57:02 PST |
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1999 Holiday Treasures Barbie US $125.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 11:14:02 PST |
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BARBIE CHILD-SIZE MY SIZE ROYAL SECRETS MUSICAL THRONE US $58.99 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 11:29:08 PST |
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100 Barbie and Disney dolls in great condition. US $199.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 11:30:53 PST |
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Disney World Brunette Jewel Princess Barbie RARE -1500 US $82.00 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 11:32:35 PST |
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Disney World Brunette Midnight Princess *RARE-1500 ed. US $82.00 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 11:34:17 PST |
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Elizabeth Taylor in Cleopatra First in a Series US $145.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 11:36:12 PST |
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Medieval Gothc Pink Valentine Fairy OOAK Barbie By FFF US $80.00 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 11:40:12 PST |
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Barbie Loves Elvis - NIB US $55.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 11:41:12 PST |
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100 Barbie, My Scene, and Disney dolls in great cond. US $229.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 11:42:41 PST |
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Barbie Happy Family The New Neighbors Rare Happy Family US $59.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 11:44:43 PST |
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Barbie Magic Pegasus Brietta flying horse Aidan Rayla US $79.99 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 11:46:37 PST |
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1997 1st EDITION HARLEY DAVIDSON BARBIE IN BOX US $50.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 11:54:55 PST |
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Southern Belle Silkstone Barbie 50th Anniversary US $74.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 12:00:34 PST |
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Medieval Gothic Sea Witch Fairy OOAK Barbie By FFF US $80.00 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 12:02:20 PST |
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Brand new in the box, excellent condition US $50.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 12:13:06 PST |
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1993 Holiday Barbie (Doll & Box GRT With No Yellowing) US $64.99 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 12:31:10 PST |
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HUGE Childhood Collection Barbies Dolls Ken Lot Barbie US $65.00 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 12:32:34 PST |
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~ Sakura ~ OOAK Koi fish Mermaid fantasy sculpt doll US $69.99 (1 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 13:00:29 PST |
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Gift Set 1999 "Barbie Loves Frankie" Sinatra NRFB US $65.00 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 13:01:22 PST |
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THE WIZARD OF OZ TIN MAN MOTION DOLL KURT ADLER 2FT US $60.00 (1 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 13:02:52 PST |
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2009 Pop Life Ken NRFB w/Shipper, BFC Platinum sold out US $180.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 13:07:21 PST |
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SPIEGEL Theater Elegance BARBIE 1994 Limited Edition US $69.99 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 13:23:33 PST |
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SPIEGEL1993 Royal Invitation BARBIE Limited Ed US $69.99 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 13:30:42 PST |
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SPIEGEL1993 Royal Invitation BARBIE L E SIGNED RARE US $139.99 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 13:33:38 PST |
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New in Box My Size Barbie Doll Diamond Princess Liana US $182.95 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 13:47:04 PST |
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Barbie Furniture Victorian Period Chaise Sofa & 1 Chair US $55.99 (23 Bids) End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 13:56:52 PST |
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ELVIS and PRISCILLA Barbie Wedding Dolls NEW! US $54.99 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 13:58:15 PST |
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FAO SCHWARZ 1995 STATUE OF LIBERTY BARBIE MIB US $84.00 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 14:01:53 PST |
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FAO SCHWARZ Circus Star 1994 BARBIE MIB US $89.00 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 14:05:26 PST |
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1996 COLLECTOR EDITION BARBIE CINDERELLA MINT IN BOX! US $59.99 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 14:08:24 PST |
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FAO SCHWARZ MADISON AVENUE BARBIE 1992 MIB US $79.00 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 14:08:41 PST |
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Barbie Silken Flame Porcelain Collection Doll Mint !!!! US $65.00 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 14:09:06 PST |
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Share-a-Smile Becky & Barbie & Christie NRFB Rare All 3 US $60.00 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 14:09:56 PST |
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Lot of 3 Brand New Alice in Wonderland Barbies US $73.00 (12 Bids) End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 14:11:17 PST |
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1994 CHILDRENS COLLECTOR SERIES BARBIE RAPUNZEL MIB US $59.99 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 14:12:06 PST |
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Jeweled Splendor Barbie Doll FAO Schwartz Exclusive US $239.00 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 14:13:34 PST |
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Lunch At The Club Fashion Mint NRFB in Tissue US $114.99 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 14:16:11 PST |
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SUMMER IN SAN FRANCISCO City Seasons FAO SCHWARZ US $149.00 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 14:17:49 PST |
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Gone with the wind Scarlett O'hara In Box US $60.00 (1 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 14:21:26 PST |
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SILKSTONE DELPHINE NRFB RARE SPELLING ERROR ON BOX US $184.99 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 14:22:17 PST |
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FAO SCHWARZ ROCKETTES BARBIE 1992 MIB RARE HTF US $179.00 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 14:22:23 PST |
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Lot of 4 Brand New Mary Poppins Collectible Barbies US $61.11 (8 Bids) End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 14:23:36 PST |
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FAO SCHWARZ Autumn In Paris Barbie CITY SEASONS US $79.00 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 14:31:33 PST |
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Collectible Barbies, Nice Lot. Happy Bidding!! US $100.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 14:36:45 PST |
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NEW,PALM BEACH HONEY BARBIE DOLL,FAN CLUB,4 COLLECTORS. US $100.00 (10 Bids) End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 14:38:49 PST |
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BOB MACKIE FANTASY GODDESS OF ASIA NRFB SEALED US $65.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 14:39:01 PST |
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WIZARD OF OZ DOROTHY MOVING DOLL BY KURT ADLER 2' US $61.00 (2 Bids) End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 14:40:04 PST |
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MATTEL MIDNIGHT WALTZ BARBIE BALLROOM BEAUTIES 1996 US $95.00 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 14:41:23 PST |
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BOB MACKIE BARBIE DOLL US $89.95 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 14:43:01 PST |
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Winter Concert Barbie Limited Edition 2002 In Shipper US $89.00 End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 14:44:26 PST |