Happy Birthday Barbie!

Hard to believe she's sixty, but our favorite girl has reached that milestone. We have over 300 Barbies in the museum and counting, along with houses, books, clothes and accessories. Here are some of our girls and Barbie boys, with a Barbie friend or two thrown in.  My dad's birthday was March 14th, close to Barbie's.  He bought me my first doll, the Gift set with the sparkling pink outfit, and it was the bubble cut doll that reminded me of my mom.  My mom even had a pink suit similar to Barbie's.


Many of these dolls are well loved, but there are collectors who prefer their dolls that way, and out of the box.  The Fennimore Doll Museum, WI, has a large collection of Barbies dressed by a Hollywood designer; go see them if you can.


Barbie is a cultural icon, as is Ruth Handler, her creator.  The man who sculpted her to Handler's specifications was Jack Ryan, once a husband to Zsa Zsa Gabor.  She has a place in the Smithsonian, and many museums and films dedicate themselves to her, including Barbie Nation.  My friend at Fred n Ethels has the six foot Barbie Mannikins, and unfortunately, BTK used the dolls in his "projects."


It just goes to show dolls appear in every aspect of life, sad, grim, wholesome, playful, cultural.


Personally, I find her a good role model.  I learned to sew by making her outfits and designing accessories.  My clothes are the one's my mother made; they are gorgeous, even boots and beaded vests.


I have a program 9 years ago and did a PowerPoint on the history of Lili and Barbie, and it was fun and well received.  I had a double case of dolls on exhibit, too.


Long may Barbie live, and long may her friends, family, and many "knockoffs" live.  My best dolls is Miss Barbie, bought from Franklin Lim Lao, and Takara Jenny.  I love them, all though, and hope to add a few more to the museum collection.

Ken's Vintage Box

Malibu Skipper in Vintage Dress

Fantasy Chic

Vintage Pony Tail Brunette with wrist tag.  She is probably No.5, but I
have to study up on my Barbie numbers!

Todd

Princess of South Africa, Dolls of  the World.  This was a wonderful
series that taught about other cultures and brought a new dimension to international costume dolls.

Barbie OOAK, this one has fold out paper leaves for a skirt, a la antique fortune teller dolls.

An Olympic Barbie hanging around.

Halloween Barbie, from the collection of a self professed Witch

Donnie Osmond by Mattel, a friend

Samurai Barbie

Some of our other dolls wish Barbie Happy Birthday

Mini Malibu

Hi!!

Mini No. 1

Army Barbie

Barbie elegance

Barbie and Bratz declare a truce; Skipper befriends Miss Bratz, who is wearing
Francie's Dress, a 70s creation.

Vintage Box

Ken

50th anniversary Pony Tail

Malibu and her friend Giraffe; she is wearing the coat from Red Flair

Sparkling Pink Gift set; reissue for 50th Anniversary.  I have most of the original; this was my first Barbie.