Barbie Dolls

Barbie Dolls

Despite the fact that Barbie dolls have saturated the primary commercial toy market, there is still a thriving secondary market. As young girls grow into women, the love for Barbie as a toy develops into an appreciation for the doll as a collector's item. A mint condition Barbie, especially one in its original box, can appreciate significantly based upon the elements of supply and demand. Barbie collecting can become a serious investment that requires a great deal of research and some good instincts.

Upscale Barbie doll collecting began in the mid 1980s with the introduction of Blue Rhapsody Barbie. This Barbie was produced in limited quantities. It was intended to be a collector's item as it was finely crafted of porcelain. This was the beginning of the Collector's Line that now includes dolls clothed in the style of famous designers like Calvin Klein and Versace.

While the collector's line is obviously valuable for the intricate craftsmanship of the apparel and the dolls, the regular toy line also yields highly sought-after collectibles. Themed Barbie dolls sold in limited quantities are very valuable on the secondary market. The first holiday themed Barbie doll is a good example, as well as the popular Harley Davidson Barbie.

It's a gamble to try guessing which Barbie dolls will increase in value over time. A safe bet would be to invest in a doll from the Collectors Line because its retail value is greater than the toy line. An ambitious collector also might take a chance on purchasing new Barbie dolls from the toy line with an interesting theme. You never know when one of these Barbies will skyrocket in value. Even if that doesn't happen, a Barbie with a catchy theme is still a worthwhile addition to any collection.