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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The Ingenue Silkstone Barbie Fashion Model (2006) US $55.00 (1 Bid) End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 7:05:33 PDT |
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Barbie Doll Vintage 1962 Convertible Alarm Clock Radio US $100.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 7:11:56 PDT |
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Barbie Princess & the Pauper Royal Carriage Set RARE US $200.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 7:14:13 PDT |
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2010 PALM BEACH HONEY 1 of 3,550 SOLD OUT NRFB TISSUED US $119.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 7:16:45 PDT |
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2002 EXTREMELY RARE LTD ED SILKSTONE BARBIE -PROVENCALE US $109.99 (1 Bid) End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 7:17:53 PDT |
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1987 Porcelain Barbie "ENCHANTED EVENING" LTD ED. MINT US $129.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 7:18:49 PDT |
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1991 Porcelain Gay Parisienne Barbie Ltd. Edtion, MINT US $129.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 7:19:30 PDT |
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2002 Silkstone Barbie "LINGERIE #5" Ltd. Edition NRFB US $59.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 7:21:01 PDT |
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1998 HOLIDAY GIFT PORCELAIN BARBIE, LIMITED EDITION US $89.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 7:23:01 PDT |
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Ken Professor Henry Higgins My Fair Lady Barbie Doll US $74.99 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 7:24:26 PDT |
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NRFB Barbie and Snoopy Mattel Collectors Edition 2001 US $50.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 7:32:15 PDT |
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Barbie 2000 Millenium Doll New in box US $50.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 7:37:22 PDT |
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Eliza DooLittle My Fair Lady Barbie Doll Pink Dress US $74.99 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 7:38:00 PDT |
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A Merry McNugget Christmas By McMemories US $55.00 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 7:38:43 PDT |
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1997 CLAUDE MONET WATER LILY 11 1/2" BARBIE DOLL US $95.95 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 7:42:17 PDT |
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Eliza DooLittle My Fair Lady Barbie Doll Flower Girl US $74.99 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 7:43:29 PDT |
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Barbie Kelly Fun Fair KIDDIE RIDES Playset New NRFB US $58.28 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 7:44:30 PDT |
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Huge lot 100+ pcs of Barbie clothing + wigs & accessor US $56.00 (13 Bids) End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 7:46:07 PDT |
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1988 SPECIAL EDITION; HAPPY HOLIDAY BARBIE DOLL US $160.00 (17 Bids) End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 7:51:52 PDT |
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2009 SILKSTONE PALM BEACH BREEZE 5,800 IN WORLD NRFB!!! US $59.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 7:55:59 PDT |
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1997 1ST HARLEY DAVIDSON BARBIE BLOND NRFB!!!!!!!!! US $94.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 7:57:16 PDT |
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Barbie *Midnight Waltz* #15685 Limited Edition US $75.99 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 7:57:28 PDT |
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INDIAN CHER 1970's DOLL US $74.99 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 7:59:39 PDT |
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Cool Sitter Teen Skipper Sister of Barbie US $95.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 8:00:33 PDT |
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2000 I DREAM OF JEANNIE BARBIE AS BARBARA EDEN NRFB!!!! US $54.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 8:03:05 PDT |
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2009 SILKSTONE PALM BEACH CORAL 5,600 IN WORLD NRFB!!! US $109.99 (1 Bid) End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 8:05:02 PDT |
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Barbie Heather Fonseca Designer Spotlight 2003 NEW US $119.97 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 8:12:13 PDT |
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HARLEY DAVIDSON RIDER PAIR BARBIE & KEN,NRFB!!!!!!!!! US $57.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 8:12:49 PDT |
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HOLLYWOOD LEGENDS BARBIE "GONE WITH THE WIND" NRFB US $50.00 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 8:13:57 PDT |
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VINTAGE 1986 BARBIE ICE CREAM SHOP PLAY SET US $111.45 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 8:14:29 PDT |
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Elvis Presley and Barbie Doll set ( Doll and Box Great) US $64.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 8:17:58 PDT |
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Barbie_Corvette Convertible (1995) - NIB US $50.11 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 8:24:02 PDT |
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Princess of the French Court DOTW 2000 - NIB US $119.99 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 8:25:31 PDT |
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BARBIE "QUEEN OF THE PROM" 2001 convention doll NRFB US $119.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 8:26:08 PDT |
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Barbie Marvel Invisable Woman, Elektra & Spiderman Mary US $80.00 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 8:26:35 PDT |
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Music Lovin' Barbie, Ken & Skipper 1985 - RARE & HTF US $249.99 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 8:26:56 PDT |
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HOLLYWOOD LEGENDS BARBIE "GONE WITH THE WIND" NRFB US $50.00 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 8:30:41 PDT |
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Charlies angels dolls-Jakks Cameron Diaz, Drew and Lucy US $50.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 8:31:13 PDT |
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***2005 PLATINUM LABEL CITRUS OBSESSION PINK GRAPEFRUIT US $199.95 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 8:31:42 PDT |
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HUGE LOT BARBIE accessories, clothing, furniture, rooms US $99.99 (1 Bid) End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 8:32:37 PDT |
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The Pirate Barbie® Doll-NRFB--GOLD LABEL-MINT--NEW-NRFB US $159.99 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 8:33:41 PDT |
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***PLATINUM LABEL POP LIFE KEN: 2009 Barbie Fan Club US $145.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 8:33:50 PDT |
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2007 Christabel Barbie Gold Label Doll NRFB w/Shipper US $239.99 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 8:34:33 PDT |
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Barbie Styled by Yuming NRFB arbie Doll New W/COA US $119.99 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 8:35:41 PDT |
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***2010 Barbie Fan Club PLATINUM GLIMMER OF GOLD BARBIE US $220.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 8:35:46 PDT |
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BARBIE FATBOY HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE NEW IN BOX US $51.55 (3 Bids) End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 8:40:01 PDT |
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Barbie Loves Frankie Sinatra US $50.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 8:46:58 PDT |
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VINCENT VAN GOGH BARBIE DOLL SUNFLOWER NRFB US $79.83 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 8:51:34 PDT |
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DISNEY MARY POPPINS BARBIE DOLL NRFB US $58.83 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 8:51:34 PDT |
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I LOVE LUCY BARBIE DOLL LA at LAST NRFB US $113.83 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 8:51:34 PDT |
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I LOVE LUCY BARBIE DOLL RICKY KEN SET NRFB US $149.83 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 8:51:36 PDT |
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I LOVE LUCY SANTA RICKY KEN BARBIE DOLL US $98.83 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 8:51:37 PDT |
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WIZARD OF OZ SCARECROW DOLL BRASS KEY US $64.83 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 8:51:39 PDT |
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HOLLYWOOD LEGENDS BARBIE "GONE WITH THE WIND" NRFB 1994 US $50.00 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 8:56:04 PDT |
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NEW Lemon-Lime Sorbet BARBIE Avon Exclusive HTF Green US $50.00 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 9:01:35 PDT |
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NEW Strawberry Sorbet BARBIE Avon Exclusive HTF Pink US $50.00 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 9:01:53 PDT |
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BARBIE JAZZ DIVA BARBIE NEW US $95.00 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 9:01:58 PDT |
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MIDNIGHT TUXEDO AFRO/AMER NRFB EXCELLENT WITH SHIPPER US $674.99 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 9:02:05 PDT |
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NEW Tea Time gift set BARBIE L@@K Special Edition HTF US $75.00 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 9:02:17 PDT |
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NEW Fashion Fun gift set BARBIE Special Edition HTF US $75.00 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 9:02:34 PDT |
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NEW Fairy of the Garden BARBIE L@@K HTF Stock# 28799 US $95.00 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 9:02:59 PDT |
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NEW Flower Ballerina BARBIE Ballet Series Pink L@@K HTF US $95.00 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 9:03:17 PDT |
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1994 Queen of Hearts Bob Mackie NRFB Excel Condition US $119.99 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 9:04:24 PDT |
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Barbie 1962 Silken Flame NRFB #18449 Gorgeous!!!!! US $59.95 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 9:05:20 PDT |
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35TH ANNIVERSARY/FESTIVAL PINK/WHITESATINDRESS RARE?HTF US $215.99 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 9:05:27 PDT |
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BARBIE AS MARILYN MONROE ~ BLONDE AMBITION ~ PINK LABEL US $59.95 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 9:05:49 PDT |
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Barbie All That Glitters Diva #55426 NRFB BEAUTIFUL US $59.95 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 9:06:09 PDT |
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45TH ANNIVERSARYBARBIE/KENGIFTSET NRFB EXCELLENT US $104.99 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 9:06:20 PDT |
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WINTER AND EVERGREEN PRINCESSES US $75.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 9:09:36 PDT |
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BARBIE STAR TREK MOVIE DOLLS CAPTAIN KIRK UHURA SPOCK US $78.99 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 9:10:24 PDT |
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Teen Courtney, Nikki & Skipper, All Grown Up - NIB US $99.99 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 9:10:33 PDT |
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BARBIE FOLD UP HOUSE/ FURNITUER/DISH,S ETC! VERY NICE!! US $63.00 (5 Bids) End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 9:12:24 PDT |
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Barbie Doll Ski Fun Fashions 1991 #7596 NRFB Mattel US $59.95 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 9:12:48 PDT |
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CRUELLA DE VIL BARBIE (RUTHLESS IN RED) US $59.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 9:13:01 PDT |
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Cool Times Barbie 1988, Complete Set of 5 Dolls - NIB US $139.99 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 9:13:09 PDT |
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Barbie Generations Of Dreams US $189.99 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 9:14:29 PDT |
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Bob Mackie Gold 1st in series LE 1990 US $149.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 9:16:23 PDT |
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SNOW PRINCESS AND EVENING FLAME BARBIES US $75.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 9:20:15 PDT |
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PRINCESS OF THE KOREAN COURT~DOLLS OF THE WORLD SERIES US $50.00 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 9:22:33 PDT |
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Rocker Barbie Dolls With Guitar Stage Case Instruments US $99.95 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 9:31:58 PDT |
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Jewel Secrets Barbie, Ken & Whitney 1986 - NIB US $144.99 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 9:32:16 PDT |
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BENEFIT BALL AND OPENING NIGHT BARBIES US $70.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 9:33:41 PDT |
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TATU Treasures of Africa MNRFB Byron Lars AA Barbie US $249.99 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 9:34:59 PDT |
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SCARLETT Gone With The Wind Timeless Treasures Barbie US $149.99 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 9:37:38 PDT |
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Lot 2 Kocoum Nakoma Disney Pocahontas Sun Colors Barbie US $99.99 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 9:38:23 PDT |
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GORGEOUS WEDDING DAY BARBIE AND KEN MIB US $58.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 9:38:39 PDT |
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KOCOUM Disney Pocahontas Sun Colors Barbie Rare US $69.99 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 9:38:54 PDT |
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PRINCESS OF HOLLAND ~ DOLLS OF THE WORLD SERIES US $60.00 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 9:41:30 PDT |
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Wind rider barbie doll Gold series US $320.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 9:41:52 PDT |
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We Can Do Anything,Right Barbie!1999 Nat'l Conv. RARE US $229.99 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 9:42:58 PDT |
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Marisa Bikini Swimvsuit Barbie Doll SUPER model NIB US $69.99 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 9:43:20 PDT |
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MIKELMAN CANDI PONYTAIL DOLL US $55.24 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 9:46:02 PDT |
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BARBIE BLUE WEDGEWOOD ENGLAND 1759 NRFB MIB NEW LE US $64.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 9:54:31 PDT |
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7 Great Fashion Of 20th Century 1910 1920 1930 1940 SET US $489.99 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 9:54:58 PDT |
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Gold Jubilee LE 1994, NRFB US $199.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 9:56:35 PDT |
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Millinium Princess Barbie Limited Edition US $99.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 9:57:54 PDT |
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2008 Hard Rock Barbie - Goth Punk US $52.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 10:00:11 PDT |
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Angel Of Peace Barbie Doll Timless Sentiment Collection US $69.99 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 10:01:27 PDT |
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Gold Jubilee LE 1994 US $149.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 10:01:29 PDT |