Old Barbie dolls have been a hot item for collectors for many years. Ever since Ruth Handler introduced her Barbie doll to the world in 1959, almost every little girl has owned at least one Barbie growing up. In fact, many generations of women have grown up playing with Barbie, and then found herself buying her own daughter one as well. That alone speaks to the enduring legacy of the Barbie doll.

However, these dolls have become more than just a toy for our daughters to play with.
These dolls have become the passion of many collectors. In some cases, a mint condition 1959 Barbie could fetch many thousands of dollars. As the market grew for old Barbie dolls, Mattel jumped on board in 1988 and created limited edition collectable dolls targeted specifically at these collectors.

The collectors Barbie dolls can fetch a really handsome price, depending on the condition and rarity of the doll. However, if you want to collect old Barbie dolls, I suggest you try to focus on one specific type at first.

These can include:

Vintage Barbie Dolls – These are generally all Barbie dolls made before 1972. Almost any Vintage Barbie in mint condition will run you a minimum of a thousand dollars and most likely higher.

Collectable Box Barbies – These are targeted towards collectors and just like the name says, the dolls are meant to be kept in the box. While these Barbies won’t fetch as much as the vintage ones, they can still have significant value.

Collect by theme – Some people prefer to collect Barbies by theme. This can include the original Barbie holiday theme, celebrity themes, or even movie themes. Again it is all about preference here.

To become a Barbie collector you must first educate yourself on the value of these dolls, and then set a reasonable budget. Be sure you are aware of the values of the dolls and you are educated enough to determine the condition of the dolls as well. Be careful however, because you will soon become a Barbie junkie like the rest of us!