Customer Reviews

Collector's Encyclopedia of Barbie Doll Collector's Editions: Identification and Values

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Okay, you might ask what a guy like me is doing reviewing a book on Barbie Dolls. Well, for one thing, I used to live just down the street from the Barbie Doll museum in San Mateo, CA, but had never gotten around to visiting it, and when I saw this book as I strolled down the collectible aisle in the local bookstore, which had books on collecting coins, stamps, signatures, cars, antiques, art glass, dinner plates, and Barbie dolls, I had to check it out. So I picked it up and took a look. I was surprised to see some of these dolls go for nearly $1000, but most of the dolls in this book go for $10 to $50.

Also, the Barbie Doll is probably one of the most important pop culture icons of the last 40 years. Hundreds of millions of Barbie Dolls have been sold in just about every country.

The book also had some interesting historical info. The first doll came out in 1959, and from there until 1966, there was only one head mold used, altered slightly for the Fashion Queen and Miss Barbie Dolls. From 1967 through 1976, there were four different head molds used (the original 1959 was used for Montgomery Ward, Twist n' Turn Barbie, Stacey, and Steffie Dolls).

Since 1977, however, many other molds have been used, offering more variety and ethnic diversity, including the 1981 Oriental Barbie, the 1983 Spanish Barbie, the 1991 Shani Barbie, the 1992 Mackie Neptune Fantasy Barbie (which looks like it might have been Aquaman's girlfriend or significant other, from the comic strips), and the 1999 Fantasy Goddess of Africa Barbie.

The book also contains info on prices and rarity, and other general information on each model, including clothing, accessories, face make-up, Ken dolls, and other Barbie paraphernalia.

I have been a fan of J.Michael Augustiniak since I read his first "Encyclopedia".As a Barbie Collector who lives in a foreign country and doesn't have the same access to the informa
tions that are necessary to buy a doll,this book gives you a full view of all the types that have been made, their market values,focusing into the designers' work,the changes a Barbie
doll has been passing through and the most amuzing part:The one
of a kind dolls,which we woudn't be able to know if it wasn't for this book. Excellent for rechearch and a very accurate source for a good purchase.
A must-have!

I absolutely recommend this book! Very Detailed-from the beautiful Silkstones to the innovative Dolls Of The World-Princess Collection(I have almost EVERY one!)-stunning photos, close-ups and all-if you collect Barbie, you MUST have this book(and the other with the special store editions)-

I found this book easy to use because it was well organized. I also found the prices to be on target. The pictures are great and they cover most of the collectors dolls. They also give you all the right basic information you would want to know about a doll.

Good resource. Would have been much better if each doll was listed by name under the category in table of contents. ie; Bob Mackie: Queen of Hearts,etc. and the page number where it can be found. Some Bob Mackies are in the porcelain section as well as designer section and would be missed if you don't know your dolls, which is why you buy the book in the first place.