1959 Original Barbie #1

She cost $3 in 1959. Today, a mint-condition original Barbie #1 can fetch over $27,000 at auction. Ruth Handler saw her daughter Barbara playing with paper dolls, imagined an adult-figured doll that let girls dream bigger, and changed the toy industry forever. The first Barbie debuted at the American International Toy Fair in New York on March 9, 1959 - and skeptics said she'd never sell.

Quick Value Summary


Item	1959 Original Barbie #1
Year	1959
Category	Toys & Figures - Dolls
Manufacturer	Mattel
Original Retail	$3.00
Condition Range
Doll Only, Fair	$2,000 – $5,000
Doll Only, Good	$5,000 – $8,000
With Original Swimsuit	$8,000 – $15,000
Complete with Box & Accessories	$15,000 – $27,450+
Record Sale	$27,450 (complete, excellent condition)
Rarity	Rare

The Story

Ruth Handler noticed something watching her daughter Barbara play. The girl kept giving her paper dolls adult roles - career women, socialites, adventurers. But every doll on the market was a baby or a child. Handler saw an opportunity.

During a trip to Europe, she found the Bild Lilli doll - a German novelty figure based on a comic strip character. Handler brought it home and pitched Mattel's all-male executive team on an adult-figured fashion doll for girls. They thought she was crazy. She made it happen anyway.

The first Barbie dolls rolled off the line in Japan and hit store shelves in 1959. They came in blonde or brunette, wearing a black and white striped swimsuit, with white sunglasses, black heels, and a small booklet. The original retail price was $3 - about $32 in today's dollars. By the end of the first year, Mattel had sold 351,000 of them.

How to Identify It

Key Features of Barbie #1

The very first Barbie has specific features that distinguish her from the many versions that followed:

Eyes: White irises with pointed, arched eyebrows
Feet: Holes in the bottom of the feet to accommodate metal prongs on the stand
Body: Pale skin tone with heavy, almost porcelain-like makeup
Hair: Tight ponytail in blonde or brunette, with curly bangs
Markings: "Barbie T.M. / Pats. Pend. / © MCMLVIII / by / Mattel Inc." on the right hip

Barbie #1 vs. Later Versions

#1 vs. #2 (1959): The #2 removed the holes in the feet. This is the quickest identifier
#1 vs. #3 (1960): The #3 has brown eyeliner instead of blue, and curved eyebrows instead of arched
Clothing: The original black and white striped swimsuit should have the correct fabric weight and construction. Reproductions exist

Common Confusions

Mattel has released numerous "reproduction" and "anniversary" Barbies that mimic the #1 styling. These are modern dolls worth retail price. Check the hip markings - modern reproductions have different copyright text.

Value by Condition

Condition	Description	Value
Fair	Significant play wear, hair issues, no accessories	$2,000 – $5,000
Good	Some wear, original swimsuit present	$5,000 – $8,000
Very Good	Minor wear, most accessories present	$8,000 – $12,000
Excellent	Minimal wear, complete with box	$12,000 – $20,000
Near Mint / MIB	Original box, all accessories, minimal handling	$20,000 – $27,450+

Blonde vs. Brunette: Brunette #1 Barbies are rarer and generally command a 10-20% premium over blondes in the same condition.

Accessories matter enormously. A complete #1 Barbie includes: black and white striped swimsuit, black open-toe heels, white sunglasses, gold hoop earrings, and the original stand with metal prongs. The stand alone can be worth hundreds.

Authentication & Fakes

Check the feet. Holes in the feet = #1 or early production. No holes = later version
Examine hip markings. The specific text and formatting on the right hip confirms the production era
Hair construction. Original #1 ponytails have a specific construction method. Rerooted hair is detectable by experienced collectors
Box verification. Original boxes have specific printing, colors, and construction. Reproduction boxes exist
Professional authentication. For high-value purchases, consult established Barbie specialists or vintage doll dealers

Where to Sell

Heritage Auctions - Major vintage toy and doll sales
Specialist Barbie dealers - VintageBabs and similar established dealers
Christie's / Sotheby's - For exceptional, museum-quality examples
eBay - Viable for well-documented, photographed examples

The original $3 doll that executives didn't believe in now sells for thousands. Ruth Handler would have loved that irony.

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Common Questions

How much is an original 1959 Barbie worth?

Depending on condition and completeness, $2,000 to $27,450+. A doll-only example in fair condition starts around $2,000. Complete with original box and accessories in excellent condition, you're looking at $15,000 to $27,450.

How do I know if my Barbie is a #1?

Check the feet for holes (to accommodate the metal stand prongs) and the right hip for the "Pats. Pend." marking. The #1 also has white irises and sharply arched eyebrows. If the feet have no holes, you likely have a #2 or later.

Are reproduction Barbies worth anything?

Modern anniversary reproductions and collector editions are worth their retail price, typically $20 to $100. They're not the same as a genuine 1959 original.