Barbie has been one of the most popular dolls and for almost fifty years has been a part of every girls wish list for Christmas or other special occasions. She has also been one of the best seller toys online and one of the hottest collectible toys.

According to Mattel, manufacturer of Barbie, there are already more than 100,000 Barbie collectors around the world. Roughly ninety percent are women in their early 40s, buying around twenty Barbie dolls and spending $1000 or more every year.

At auction, vintage Barbie dolls from earliest production are the most successful. In 1959, original Barbie was sold for $3.00. In 2004, Barbie in mint box from 1959 was sold for around $3552. And in 2006, a Midnight Red Barbie doll from 1965 was sold for $17,000, which actually set a world record.

Looking back, Mattel has sold a lot of Barbie dolls particularly to collectors. Barbie dolls sold included vintage reproductions, dolls based from characters in television series like Star Trek and The Munsters, and porcelain versions.

Barbie dolls in various ethnic identities were also sold and became great collectors items. Barbie dolls ranging through gold, pink, silver, and platinum were also sold due of course for the effort of Mattel in introducing the Color Tier system for its collectors edition.

Aside from Barbie, companions created by Mattel for her were also successfully sold to collectors. These include African American Christie, Steven (boyfriend of Christie), Midge, and Hispanic Teresa. Dolls created to become her siblings and cousins also appeared to be very appealing to collectors. These include Francie, Todd (twin brother of Tutti and Stacie), Stacie (twin sister of Todd), Tutti (twin sister of Todd), Jazzie, Krissy, Skipper, and Kelly.

This year, Mattel celebrates Barbie’s continued success for 50 years. Barbie was actually launched March of 1959.

As Barbie celebrates her 50th anniversary this year, collectors also celebrate as Mattel released new reproduction of 1959 Barbie doll, the original. Many collectors were filled with joy with Mattel’s decision about the 1959 Barbie doll. And in the coming years, they are expecting that Mattel will release new productions of some other well-loved Barbie dolls for them to joy.

Barbie is a fashion doll created by Mattel. She was launched March 1959 and from then on has been one of the famous dolls. It is believed that credit for Barbie’s creation and success should be given to American businesswoman Ruth Handler who was inspired by German doll called Bild Lilli and eventually was led to the idea of developing a similar doll but should be called Barbie.

For almost fifty years, Barbie has been a part of every girls’ wish list for Christmas or other similar occasions. She has been one of the kids’ most favorite toys and has been one of the best seller toys online, particularly in eBay and Amazon.

However, although Barbie has definitely been a part of every girls’ life, she continued to be the subject of many lawsuits and controversies, oftentimes involving parody of the doll and her lifestyle. Recently, Barbie has faced stiff competition with Bratz range of dolls which are dolls that have also been so popular to girls.

But despite the lawsuits, controversies, and competition, Barbie remained distinct and really playable. Right now, Barbie already have forty pets including horses, a panda, cats and dogs, a zebra, and a lion cub. She owns a wide range of vehicles, including trailers, jeeps, and the trendy pink Corvette convertibles. Not to mention that she also holds a pilot’s license and operates commercial airliners aside from being a flight attendant.

Barbie has also a lot of friends which makes playing with her more fun. Friends of Barbie actually include African American Christie and her boyfriend Steven, Hispanic Teresa, and Midge. Barbie has also some siblings and cousins, Todd (twin brother of Tutti and Stacie), Tutti (twin sister of Todd), Stacie (Twin sister of Todd), Skipper, Kelly, Krissy, Francie, and Jazzie. Playing Barbie together with her siblings and cousins is actually a whole lot of fun.

Barbie also has a love life. In fact, she has an on-off romantic relationship with Ken Carson or simply Ken. Ken actually was released in 1961 and like Barbie has also been so popular. Both Barbie and Ken have fashionable lines of clothing as well accessories which kids really like.