Everyone has a different story as to why they started a particular
collection. Mine was undoubtedly because my mother was an avid doll collector.
I noticed her excitement over the years as she headed off to the local
flea markets and doll shows in our area. She didn’t care if anyone wanted
to look at her collection; it was purely for her personal enjoyment. If anyone
wanted to admire her trove, then that was just an added bonus! She didn't collect Barbie dolls, although she did
pick up a few of those along the way (which I now have!). But she did
have many other lovely dolls.
If I had to pick a timeline as to when I officially started
my collection, it would probably be 1989, with the purchase of the number two “Happy
Holidays Barbie”. Of course my original Barbies from when I was a kid
were on display in my home long before the purchase of my first “collectors”
Barbie. The initial Happy Holidays Barbie debuted in 1988 and is
considered Mattel’s first official "collectible" Barbie. Once
that collecting bug hit me, I was off and running with my new passion; Vintage
Barbies!
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| Peace & Love 70's Barbie (2000) |
Twenty-three years later my collection has grown to include at
least a sample of almost every doll available from the vintage years, along
with many of the beautiful fashions and accessories! Of course I've added
some new ones too, such as Holiday Barbies, the gorgeous Silkstone dolls, and
some fun ones like the “Peace and Love 70's” doll (I had to have her since I
was a teenager back then!). I've picked up porcelains, reproductions, and new collectors dolls over
the years too. But the vintage dolls remain my passion.
I’m hoping the next decade will bring me some
prototypes, the harder to find dolls, and the more unusual ones, as well as a few more
of the amazing Silkstones! I know my Barbie collection will never be
complete. And I wouldn't want it to be,
because half the fun of collecting is the hunt!
