Perhaps you're a modern Barbie collector who has just gotten interested in vintage Barbie dolls (Barbie dolls from approximately 1959 through 1972) or perhaps you are a long-time vintage Barbie collector who gets all flustered when a beautiful new vintage Barbie doll is put in your hands and you forget all the questions you should ask, and all the things you should check out on the doll before purchase. Either way, you'll want to use my Top 10 Things to Check When You Buy Vintage Barbie.
1. Are The Ears of the Vintage Barbie Green?
This may seem like an odd question, but not if you are a vintage Barbie collector! Green ear is a condition caused by metal in the posts of the vintage dolls' earrings turning the vinyl of the ear and around the ear green. The condition can be treated in early dolls (Ponytails, Bubblecuts) but is nearly impossible to treat in mod dolls because treatment removes flesh tone. If you want to buy a doll with green ear, you should get an appropriate discount.2. Is the Face of the Doll Greasy?
Greasy face is a condition that affects only certain Ponytail Barbies (#4 and #5) and certain Bubblecuts. Greasy face is caused by plasticiser leaking out of the doll's face, and it cannot be cured. The best that can be hoped for is removing as much grease as possible, and "powdering" the face, which works only until more plasticiser leaches out. The condition will eventually take off the facial makeup of the doll. I try to avoid buying dolls with this condition.3. Do The Limbs of the Vintage Barbie Doll Bend Freely?
Certain Barbie dolls are prone to limbs that break, especially certain mod Talking Barbie (and talking friends) which have brittle joints. Other dolls can loose limbs, and unscrupulous dealers can even glue these in without a real repair. So, be sure to test all limbs on the doll for a full range of movement, and to check that the limbs don't fall off in your hand.4. How Fresh, Complete and Original is the Face Paint of the Vintage Barbie Doll?
You should check that the doll has all of its original face paint--lips, blush, eyeliner, eyebrows, nose dots and finger and toe nail paint (where applicable). Some paint loss is acceptable, but a discount is appropriate. Also, check to see that the paint is bright. Many vintage Barbie dolls have now been repainted, and if you want to be extra-careful to avoid a repainted doll, you can use a swab with a bit of alcohol (if the seller allows) to see if the paint comes of. If so, it's a repaint.5. If the doll Has Bendable Knees, Does it Hold the Pose at All the Clicks?
For dolls such as the American Girl and the mod dolls of the late 50s, the knee joints are poseable, and hold at (generally) three spots that collectors call "clicks." Dolls that were heavily played with tend to loose the ability to hold the pose at all the "click" spots. If a doll cleanly holds its pose at all clicks, that is desirable. Some dolls, such as the Living Barbie doll from the late 1960s, have additional joints that use the "click" technology.6. Is the doll in its fully original outfit? Does it have its original box?
Most vintage Barbie dolls don't still have their original box, pamphlet, tag and other packaging--but if the doll does, and it is in excellent or mint condition, that adds greatly to the value of the doll. However, I believe that each vintage Barbie should be sold in its original swimsuit or other original clothing when possible. If you cannot find the doll in its original swimsuit, then another Mattel Barbie outfit from the period is acceptable. If you will redress, clothes may not matter.7. How is the Skin Tone of the Vintage Barbie Doll?
Does the doll have a beautiful, even skin tone? If so, that is what you want. If the doll has a faded skin tone, she may have been exposed to light or extremes of temperature (especially the later-1960s mod dolls). Some mod dolls fade unevenly. However, some early dolls (especially the early #1 though #3 Ponytail dolls) generally have a completely, but evenly, faded complexion. Stay away from dolls with a light green cast--these may have been exposed to to much florescent light.8. Is the Hair of the Doll in its Original Set?
Ideally, you want a vintage Barbie doll with hair in its original set. Certain restyling is acceptable, especially replacing the rubberbands on Ponytail dolls, which tend to break. If you are buying a Bubblecut Barbie, you don't want a very combed out bubble. If you are buying any vintage Barbie, check the hair rooting for missing hair plugs--this can make the doll's hair thin and uneven, and undesirable.9. Is the Body of the Doll The Correct One For the Head of the Doll?
Hard to believe, but many children swapped the head and body of their Barbie dolls during play. Even harder to believe, many Barbie doll collectors have done the same thing (to replace a bad body with a good one, or because they only had a head and wanted to make a doll). Whatever the reason, the doll's head doesn't always match the body. Arm yourself with the classic book by Sibyl DeWein and Joan Ashabraner that gives you details on all body markings and which body goes with which doll.10. Are There Any Pinpricks or Splits on Neck or Legs?
For some reason, many children liked to poke pins in the soft vinyl legs of American Girl and mod Barbie dolls. They also liked to poke pins into the dolls' breasts for "nipples." Check for pinpricks in good light on your doll before purchase. Also, if the head of the doll has been removed a few times, the head can "split" where it attaches to the neck. Any doll with pinpricks or a neck split should be appropriately discounted by your Barbie dealer.
