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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FASHION ROYALTY OUTFIT US $55.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 0:11:24 PST |
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MEDUSA, APHRODITE & ATHENA BARBIES FANTASY 1,2,3 MINT US $999.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 0:13:55 PST |
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FASHION ROYALTY OUTFIT US $79.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 0:13:57 PST |
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FASHION ROYALTY OUTFITS US $99.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 0:15:55 PST |
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MEDUSA BARBIE DOLL GREEK GODDESS NRFB MINT/SHIPPER US $599.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 0:16:08 PST |
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MEDUSA BARBIE DOLL GREEK GODDESS NRFB MINT/SHIPPER US $599.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 0:24:06 PST |
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Mint Memories Victorian Tea Porcelain Barbie NRFB MIB US $269.99 End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 0:50:54 PST |
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ORIGINAL1986 BARBIE & ROCKER & 50TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION US $71.99 End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 1:25:46 PST |
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Faberge Stasya Romanov Doll Franklin Mint Brunette NRFB US $179.99 End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 1:51:09 PST |
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"LINGERIE"#1 SILKSTONE BARBIE #26930 FROM 2000 US $125.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 3:35:47 PDT |
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"BARBIE LOVES FRANKIE SINATRA"GIFTSET #22953 US $89.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 3:36:20 PDT |
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"MASQUERADE BALL" BARBIE DOLL BY BOB MACKIE #10803 US $129.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 3:39:14 PDT |
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LUCY AND RICKY 50TH ANNIVERSARY GIFTSET #28553 BARBIE US $115.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 3:45:00 PDT |
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RARE lot Barbie CINDERELLA CASTLE Unicorn dog carriage US $125.00 End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 3:58:43 PDT |
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1996 LIMITED ED 50TH ANNIVER CHRISTIAN DIOR BARBIE NEW US $80.99 End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 4:54:46 PDT |
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LIFE SIZE BARBIE SKIRT AND TOP NICE HAIR NO MARKS US $89.99 End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 5:11:41 PDT |
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Reem Acra Bride Barbie MNRFB + Shipper US $189.95 End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 5:36:19 PDT |
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I Dream of Jeannie Barbie - Mint NRFB US $75.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 5:37:19 PDT |
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Market Day Barbie MNRFB US $89.99 End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 6:00:39 PDT |
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2010 Windy City Doll Club Silkstone 10th Ann outfit US $79.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 6:05:06 PDT |
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BARBIE SWANLAKE DOLLHOUSE HOUSE PALACE CASTLE FURNITURE US $68.57 (13 Bids) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 6:19:53 PDT |
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2 REROOTED Crissy dolls (about 19" tall) Z US $100.00 (3 Bids) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 7:06:55 PDT |
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I Dream Of Jeannie Barbie US $50.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 7:38:59 PDT |
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BARBIE THE THREE MUSKETEERS MAGICAL BALLOON CARRIAGE US $59.99 End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 7:47:10 PDT |
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Barbie Generations Of Dreams By Mattel PP2759 US $53.99 End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 7:51:37 PDT |
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Starlily Bride Barbie Porcelain 1995, Limited Edition, US $112.49 End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 7:52:09 PDT |
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Barbie as Empress Kaiserin Sissy Imperatrice 1996 - MIB US $53.99 End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 7:59:27 PDT |
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Mattel FANTASY GODDESS OF ASIA BARBIE by BOB MACKIE! US $99.95 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 8:00:19 PDT |
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Lot 7 Store Exclusive Barbie Dolls - WalMart/Woolworths US $59.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 8:03:27 PDT |
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Holiday Barbie Dolls - Sold as1 Lot of 15 US $75.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 8:07:11 PDT |
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Bob Mackie ~ Neptune Fantasy Barbie ~ MINT - NRFB US $350.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 8:23:20 PDT |
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1996 Holiday Caorler Porcelain Barbie ~ MINT US $65.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 8:25:25 PDT |
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1992 Plantation Belle Porcelain Barbie~ MINT US $130.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 8:30:09 PDT |
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PEACE & LOVE 20TH CENTURY COLLECTOR EDITION US $70.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 8:31:38 PDT |
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13 Barbie Collector Books, Brand New, Hard Cover! US $50.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 8:33:23 PDT |
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Dream Glow Ken & Barbie AA 1985 - NIB US $69.99 End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 8:34:18 PDT |
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HOLIDAY BARBIE LOT of 8 & DISNEY HOLIDAY PRINCESS US $180.00 End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 8:40:50 PDT |
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1996 Limited Edition Escada Barbie-NRFB-MIB​! US $59.99 End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 8:46:52 PDT |
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Philipp Plein Barbie Platinum Label MNRFB + Shipper US $495.00 End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 8:46:56 PDT |
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Zac Posen Barbie & Ken Platinum Label MNRFB + Shipper US $399.99 End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 8:47:25 PDT |
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2009 Pop Life Ken NRFB w/Shipper, BFC Platinum sold out US $399.99 End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 8:47:53 PDT |
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Crystal Barbie & Ken AA 1983 & 1984 - NIB US $65.99 End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 8:47:57 PDT |
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Holiday Barbie 2001 Doll (Make someone Happy for sure) US $99.99 End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 8:49:50 PDT |
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Holiday Barbie 2002 Make someone Happy that's for sure US $99.99 End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 8:51:09 PDT |
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MATTEL "DOROTHY" PORCELEAN DOLL/WIZ OZ,AS JUDY GARLAND US $119.99 End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 8:51:12 PDT |
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New 2008 Alfred Hitchcock The Birds Barbie US $69.99 End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 9:05:31 PDT |
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Barbie Starlight Splendor 2 Dolls RARE PINK Bob Mackie US $998.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 9:07:58 PDT |
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2003 Armani Barbie MNFRB US $169.99 End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 9:08:37 PDT |
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MATTEL SCARECROW PORCELEAN DOLL/WIZARD OF OZ, MINT US $119.99 End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 9:15:54 PDT |
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2010 CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN DOLLY FOREVER SAFARI BARBIE! US $148.99 End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 9:18:35 PDT |
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MATTEL TIN MAN PORCELEAN DOLL/WIZARD OF OZ, MINT US $119.99 End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 9:18:48 PDT |
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RARE HTF Spirit of the Earth Barbie NIB!!! US $60.00 (10 Bids) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 9:35:54 PDT |
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Fantasy Goddess of the Americas by Bob Mackie US $150.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 9:38:05 PDT |
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Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland Mad Hatter Barbie Doll US $56.00 (19 Bids) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 9:41:16 PDT |
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NRFB,1998 Harley Davidson #3 Barbie US $54.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 9:44:43 PDT |
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NRFB,1999 Harley Davidson #4 Barbie US $54.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 9:45:42 PDT |
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Rare Doctor Barbie with Happy Family size Babies US $74.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 9:50:49 PDT |
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NRFB Hollywood Legends set of 5 Wizard of Oz Barbie Ken US $65.00 (1 Bid) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 9:53:20 PDT |
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Barbie PINK Glamour Glamor Camper Brand NEW in BOX NIB US $91.00 (11 Bids) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 10:00:45 PDT |
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Barbie Dream Doll House 1970s A Frame for Barbie Dolls US $51.00 (20 Bids) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 10:05:48 PDT |
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BYRON LARS INDIGO OBSESSION BARBIE - SEALED CARTON US $179.95 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 10:08:31 PDT |
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Wizard of Oz Porcelaine Dolls mattel set of 6 US $300.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 10:11:59 PDT |
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GIVENCHY BARBIE DOLL LIMITED EDITION 1999. US $75.00 End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 10:16:14 PDT |
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2007 CHER Barbie by BOB MACKIE 1970's Doll HTF US $79.95 End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 10:16:36 PDT |
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PRINCESS of the PORTUGUESE EMPIRE DOTW PRINCESS SERIES US $59.95 End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 10:17:27 PDT |
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Tano ~ Barbie Treasures of Africa 2005 ~ Byron Lars US $129.99 End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 10:17:46 PDT |
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Barbie Palm Beach Honey Silkstone *Gold Label 2900 MADE US $109.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 10:18:05 PDT |
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2007 Barbie ~THE USHERETTE~ SILKSTONE Career Doll US $79.95 End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 10:20:40 PDT |
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Vtg 1990 First Edition Gold Barbie Designer Bob Mackie US $99.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 10:22:00 PDT |
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Fantasy Goddess of Asia by Bob Mackie US $75.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 10:22:12 PDT |
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PALM BEACH HONEY BARBIE, FAN CLUB EXCLUSIVE ! US $200.00 End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 10:26:03 PDT |
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CHRISTABELLE GOLD LABEL BARBIE COLLECTOR NEW IN BOX!!! US $99.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 10:36:48 PDT |
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NRFB Carolina Herrera Gold Label Bride Barbie US $250.00 End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 10:40:06 PDT |
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Barbie lot of 3 MIB Star Trek, 1989 Army, Wedding US $59.99 End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 10:47:31 PDT |
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QUEEN ELIZABETH THE FIRST - LIMITED EDITION US $700.00 End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 11:01:21 PDT |
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BARBIE JAZZ BABY CABARET DANCER 2007 BLACK HAIR GOLD US $89.99 End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 11:03:39 PDT |
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"I LOVE LUCY" Episode #3 - Be A Pal NIB Mint US $79.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 11:04:24 PDT |
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1992 BOB MACKIE EMPRESS BRIDE BARBIE + Shipper US $399.99 End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 11:06:29 PDT |
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DAHLIA SILKSTONE BARBIE MNRFB only 999 made US $699.00 End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 11:07:12 PDT |
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HTF Excl. Plantation Belle Repro Barbie w/Shipper MIB!! US $299.99 End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 11:09:46 PDT |
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Barbie Island Fun Hut, 1987, NRFB !!!!!!! US $51.99 (11 Bids) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 11:14:00 PDT |
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NIB HUGE Cali Girl Barbie Doll & Horse 7 pc Set US $99.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 11:19:25 PDT |
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THE PIRATE! GOLD LABEL COLLECTOR BARBIE! NEW IN BOX!!! US $99.99 (1 Bid) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 11:20:28 PDT |
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Project Runway Nick Verreos My Scene Barbie New in Box US $120.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 11:20:54 PDT |
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Barbie Glamour Camper Pink Then & Now RV with Tent RARE US $139.88 End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 11:23:05 PDT |
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VERA WANG THE ROMANTICIST BRIDE BARBIE COLLECTOR NEW!!! US $70.00 (5 Bids) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 11:31:45 PDT |
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Barbie-Gone With the Wind Complete 5 pc. collection MIB US $300.00 End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 11:39:51 PDT |
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Barbie; Legends of Ireland: Bard, Toys "R" Us Exclusive US $113.50 (2 Bids) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 11:41:51 PDT |
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Wizard of OZ Barbie 5 doll set Collectable Condition US $150.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 11:53:17 PDT |
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lot of 61 big name collector barbies nrfb US $561.99 (29 Bids) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 12:22:30 PDT |
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2005 FERRARI BARBIE RED COAT NEVER REMOVED FROM BOX US $114.99 End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 12:33:00 PDT |
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EMPRESS JOSEPHINE THE WOMEN OF ROYAL - LIMITED EDITION US $900.00 End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 12:34:53 PDT |
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2002 "Happy Family Baby Doctor" Barbie **RARE** US $89.95 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 12:36:37 PDT |
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I LOVE LUCY RICKY BARBIE & KEN COLLECTORS DOLLS 50TH EP US $51.00 (5 Bids) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 12:36:41 PDT |
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BOB MACKIE, THE TANGO BARBIE (23451) US $399.95 End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 12:47:23 PDT |
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OOAK full set outfit for Volks Super DOLLFIE YoSD LTF US $75.00 (1 Bid) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 12:49:39 PDT |
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Rare White Chocolate Obsession Barbie (Factory Sealed) US $400.00 (28 Bids) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 12:56:51 PDT |
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Barbie PINK Glamour Glamor Camper Brand NEW in BOX NIB US $61.00 (13 Bids) End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 13:00:25 PDT |
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Barbie Collector Club 2001 Spotted On the Scene Fashion US $119.99 End Date: Sunday Mar-14-2010 13:04:56 PDT |