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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1993 ROYAL SPLENDOR PORCELAIN BARBIE, MIB, NEW, BEAUTIFUL!!! US $69.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 14:03:20 PST |
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Special Edition 1997 HAPPY HOLIDAYS BARBIE in RED DRESS NRFB US $50.00 End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 14:08:51 PST |
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Bob Mackie Queen of Hearts 1994 Barbie Doll ***Never Opened Box and Shipper*** US $89.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 14:10:04 PST |
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Bob Mackie Goddess of the Sun 1995 Barbie Doll NEVER OPENED Box & Shipper MINT US $69.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 14:10:04 PST |
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Gay Parisienne 2003 Barbie Doll NEVER OPENED box and shipper **MINT** US $79.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 14:10:04 PST |
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Bob Mackie Moon Goddess 1996 Barbie Doll + Shipper - Never Opened New & Mint US $59.99 (1 Bid) End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 14:10:04 PST |
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Special Edition CINDERELLA HAPPY HOLIDAYS PRINCESS BARBIE 2005 W/ ORNAMENT NRFB US $50.00 End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 14:12:07 PST |
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1984 peaches n' cream barbie US $99.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 14:13:33 PST |
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2005 Stacey Nite Lightning Repro Barbie w/shipper MIB!! US $99.99 End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 14:16:46 PST |
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40th Anniversary Barbie Brunette Signed Anne Driskill US $599.99 End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 14:24:32 PST |
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Bob Mackie Madame du 1997 Barbie Doll US $200.00 End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 14:25:39 PST |
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1996 Midnight Waltz Barbie Doll NRFB 16705 LTD ED US $69.99 End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 14:25:51 PST |
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1998 Bumblebee Gala Barbie Doll NRFB 40th Anniversary US $69.99 End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 14:25:56 PST |
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1998 Toys R Us Golden Anniversay Barbie Doll NRFB 20038 US $59.99 End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 14:26:11 PST |
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Barbie Porcelain Treasures Sophistacated Lady w/shipper US $199.99 End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 14:26:40 PST |
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1959 Teenage Fashion Barbie 50th Anniversary NRFB New! US $90.00 End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 14:30:04 PST |
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1965 Teacher Career Barbie NEW NRFB Lot of pics to see! US $70.00 End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 14:30:04 PST |
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1971 Malibu Barbie 50th Anniversary NRFB Lot pics see! US $75.00 End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 14:30:04 PST |
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1986 Barbie and the Rockers 50th Anniversary NRFB New! US $70.00 End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 14:30:04 PST |
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1980 Black Barbie NEW NRFB Lot of pics to see! US $50.00 End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 14:30:04 PST |
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Winter Sport Barbie Ken and Midge US $169.99 End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 14:30:34 PST |
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Citrus Obsession Barbie US $99.99 End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 14:30:58 PST |
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Barbie Collectibles Doll As Snow White by Mattel COLLECTOR EDITION No. 21130 US $65.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 14:31:27 PST |
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BARBIE 1959 ANNIVERSARY EDITION FIGURE BLONDE MIB CUTE! US $109.99 End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 14:33:26 PST |
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FEELING GROOVY Glamour a-go-go Giftset BARBIE #3421 NrFb 1986 BILLY BOY Designer US $69.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 14:37:36 PST |
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CRUELLA DE VIL "RUTHLESS IN RED"GREAT VILLIANS 101 DALMATIANS COLLECTOR DOLL US $90.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 14:40:15 PST |
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50th Golden Anniversary Barbie Doll US $75.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 14:43:09 PST |
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Silkstone Barbie Mad Men Joan Holloway US $70.00 (1 Bid) End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 14:43:58 PST |
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VTG ~ Battery Operated Laundry & Cleaning Center - Every Unit With Real Action US $119.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 14:47:33 PST |
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Porcelain Starlily Bride Barbie Doll US $200.00 End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 14:47:50 PST |
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Mattel My Fair Lady Barbies - NRFB US $150.00 End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 14:50:12 PST |
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1982 DREAM DATE P.J. #5869 NRFB DAZZLING STEFFIE FACE HTF US $129.95 End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 14:50:29 PST |
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ANGEL FACE Barbie Doll Mattel 1982 NRFB! US $50.00 End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 14:50:46 PST |
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1979 ROYAL ENGLAND BARBIE #1601 MINT IN BOX DOTW US $99.95 End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 14:50:55 PST |
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TOY STORY BARBIE & KEN GIFT SET *NEW* US $64.99 End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 14:52:58 PST |
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***MINT-NIB*** TIM MCGRAW AND FAITH HILL BARBIES US $50.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 14:53:26 PST |
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***MINT-NIB*** TIM MCGRAW AND FAITH HILL BARBIES US $50.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 14:54:59 PST |
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Bob Mackie Le Papillion 1999 Barbie Doll US $155.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 14:56:28 PST |
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Tarina Tarantino Barbie US $55.00 (11 Bids) End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 14:59:11 PST |
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Silkstone Barbie Mad Men Betty Draper US $71.00 (2 Bids) End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 14:59:40 PST |
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Vintage Maritim Barbie European Sea Lovin SAMPLE branding by MATTEL 80´is US $75.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 15:00:06 PST |
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Millennium Princess Barbie Doll US $50.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 15:01:12 PST |
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BARBIE ME AND MY MUSTANG DELUXE SET - FACTORY SEALED US $79.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 15:04:36 PST |
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2007 ENTIRE SET of 12 BIRTHSTONE BEAUTIES Black BARBIES Steffie Jan - December US $108.99 (1 Bid) End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 15:08:15 PST |
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Pink N Pretty Barbie 1981 NRFB US $110.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 15:11:18 PST |
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Barbie THE ROSE Flowers In Fashion MIB w/shipper!! US $169.99 End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 15:12:47 PST |
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DREAM BRIDE BARBIE WHITE WEDDING DRESS 96 MATTEL US $59.99 End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 15:12:50 PST |
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COUNTESS DRACULA BARBIE BOB MACKIE NRFB SHIPPER SOLD OUT + FREE DRACULA MAGAZINE US $299.99 End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 15:15:28 PST |
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~Working w/ Box 1993 mattel BARBIE Lighted Fountain POOL~ US $51.00 (6 Bids) End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 15:17:14 PST |
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2000 CELEBRATION BARBIE SPECIAL MILLENNIUM EDITION MIB US $69.95 End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 15:19:08 PST |
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Barbie BATGIRL Bat Girl DC Comics BNIB 2008 Limited Ed Batman Bat Man Pink Label US $79.99 End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 15:26:21 PST |
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NRFB Happy Holidays 1994 Barbie CELLO BADLY SCRATCHED US $62.50 End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 15:26:57 PST |
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TRENCH SETTER Limited Ed BFMC "ROB BEST" SIGNATURE Silkstone Barbie B3442~NRFB US $85.00 End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 15:28:17 PST |
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POP LIFE PLATINUM LABEL KEN DOLL *NEW* IN SHIPPER US $274.99 End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 15:29:46 PST |
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2010 SILKSTONE BARBIE AS BETTY DRAPER FROM MAD MEN THE TV SERIES!! US $94.99 End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 15:29:50 PST |
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DARYA BARBIE SILKSTONE BARBIE FASHION MODEL RUSSIAN BEAUTY NEW US $139.95 End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 15:30:13 PST |
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COMMUTER SET Blonde #1 Barbie Ponytail Reproduction Doll COLLECTOR'S REQUEST MIB US $54.95 End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 15:34:21 PST |
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1994 Porcelain Star Lily Bride w/Shipper NR MIB!! US $199.99 End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 15:36:29 PST |
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1997 HAPPY HOLIDAYS BLONDE Barbie - Exclusive - Hard to find! US $69.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 15:36:49 PST |
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Barbie as Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady US $69.00 End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 15:37:15 PST |
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Barbie ~ In India ~ US $70.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 15:37:46 PST |
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Lot Of 5 Barbie Dolls HIGHLY COLLECTIBLE (MUST SEE) NRFB, BRAND NEW See Photos! US $79.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 15:40:13 PST |
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Attractive Barbie and her 13 fashion styles US $65.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 15:41:25 PST |
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Barbie ~ Swimming Champion ~ 1999 US $55.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 15:43:38 PST |
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Barbie Swan Lake Castle with Carriage and Unicorn US $90.00 End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 15:43:39 PST |
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NEW! NRFB! 2006 GOLD LABEL EVENING GALA BARBIE! US $72.99 End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 15:45:20 PST |
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KEN AS RHET BUTLER FROM GONE WITH THE WIND by MATTEL US $69.95 End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 15:47:16 PST |
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LOCKET SURPRISE BARBIE -MINT IN BOX-1993 US $55.00 End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 15:47:17 PST |
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Sea Holiday Barbie Croisiere de Reve Traumschiff Foreign Issue 1992 NRFB MIB US $139.99 End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 15:48:09 PST |
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Stolen Magic 2005 Barbie Doll US $62.91 (3 Bids) End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 15:53:38 PST |
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Princess Of The Incas Barbie Doll US $50.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 15:54:10 PST |
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NRFB Home Shopping Evening Flame Barbie Doll US $97.50 End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 15:55:22 PST |
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Donney and Bourke Barbie US $56.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 15:56:59 PST |
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Harley Davidson Barbie And Ken Collection US $600.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 16:02:35 PST |
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BARBIE TWO STORY PRETTY CITY TOWNHOUSE - 16 DOLLS - FURNITURE US $100.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 16:03:05 PST |
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Designer Barbie collection Lot US $180.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 16:03:21 PST |
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Disney Barbie Collection Lot US $100.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 16:04:05 PST |
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Dr. Ken, Doctor Barbie, And Bedtime Baby Barbie US $75.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 16:04:49 PST |
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Gone With The Wind barbie doll US $55.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 16:05:15 PST |
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Barbie Pet Doctor Vet And Boutique Collection Lot US $50.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 16:05:36 PST |
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Toys R Us And Snoopy Barbie Collection Lot US $50.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 16:06:34 PST |
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GORGEOUS " BOB MACKIE" STERLING SILVER ROSE BARBIE DOLL ~ MINT DOLL US $68.99 End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 16:06:59 PST |
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Barbie - Unique - Designer's One of a Kind - Beads and Ribbons US $59.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 16:08:04 PST |
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Sunflower LE Barbie Inspired by Van Gogh ~ NIB US $69.99 End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 16:08:59 PST |
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Anniversary Barbie And Kelly Collection Lot US $75.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 16:09:12 PST |
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Barbie Model Muse Hope Diamond Navy Blue Gown + US $76.00 (6 Bids) End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 16:09:57 PST |
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Barbie - Unique - Designer's One of a Kind - Country Girl US $59.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 16:10:15 PST |
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Barbie - Unique - Designer's One of a Kind - Show Girl US $59.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 16:12:31 PST |
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Barbie - Unique - Designer's One of a Kind - Bride US $59.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 16:14:44 PST |
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Mattel #7057 Evening Elegance Barbie JCPenney Exclusive MINT US $60.00 End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 16:18:41 PST |
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Harpist Angel Barbie 1997 Original Doll Collectables US $50.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 16:18:46 PST |
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Lot of 7 Kelly Club Dolls RingMaster Tommy, Clown Belinda, Lion Liana plus more US $50.00 End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 16:20:30 PST |
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BARBIE 3 STORY DREAM TOWNHOUSE DOLLHOUSE NEW US $154.95 End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 16:20:31 PST |
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Classique Barbie Doll Collection: 95, 96, 97 dolls US $250.00 End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 16:21:34 PST |
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FIREPLACE ~ for Fashion Royalty ~ Barbie ~ 2 Golds ~ 1:6 scale -- Glass ~ BJD US $86.00 End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 16:24:19 PST |
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#2436 Mattel Classique Midnight Gala Barbie by Abbe Littleton 4th in Collection US $63.75 End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 16:24:55 PST |
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BARBIE TWILIGHT SET OF FIVE EDWARD JACOB BELLA & ALICE US $154.99 End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 16:25:23 PST |
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FIREPLACE ~ for Fashion Royalty ~ Barbie ~ 2 Golds ~ 1:6 scale - Vintage ~ BJD US $86.00 End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 16:26:14 PST |
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MIB! 2006 PINK LABEL WIZARD OF OZ THE TIN MAN BARBIE DOLL! US $62.99 End Date: Monday Feb-06-2012 16:27:18 PST |