Doll of the Month – Haunted Beauty Mistress of the Manor Barbie

It’s October, and available just in time for Halloween is “Haunted Beauty Mistress of the Manor" Barbie.   She’s dressed in a plum Victorian gown and carries keys to her mansion, and holds her candelabra to light the way.  This beauty was released only two weeks ago as a direct exclusive, and retails for $100.00.

2014 Haunted Beauty Mistress of the Manor (Stock Photo)

Last year, at almost the same time, my favorite of this series “Haunted Beauty Vampire" Barbie another direct exclusive was available.  I think she’s even more perfect for the occasion.  She retailed for the same price and quickly sold out.  Now she is only available on the secondary market.

2013 Haunted Beauty Vampire Barbie

2013 Haunted Beauty Vampire Barbie

Another lovely doll in the same collection is “Haunted Beauty Ghost" Barbie, which is also sold out.  She was released in October 2012, and retailed for 100.00 too. 

2012 Haunted Beauty Ghost Barbie

All three of these magnificent dolls were designed by Bill Greening and are gold label dolls.

Here’s the link to my website for more Halloween Barbie doll information, dressed vintage dolls in Halloween costumes, as well as a link to where you can buy Halloween Barbie dolls. 

Halloween Barbie Doll Page 

Happy Hunting!

July 4th – Independence Day

I love the 4^th of July!  It is a national patriotic holiday that is celebrated in the United States.   It began back on July 4^th 1776, when the U.S. declared independence from Great Britain. 

We love to dress ourselves (and even our Barbie dolls) in red, white, and blue stars and stripes for this festive occasion.  It’s celebrated with family picnics, barbeques, parades, patriotic music, and spectacular fireworks displays.

Amazingly, there are no official 4^th of July Barbie dolls.  There are dolls that can be displayed for the occasion, such as dolls from the “Stars and Stripes” Series featuring Barbie and Ken dressed in their various military uniforms, or colonial period dolls such as Patriot Barbie and George Washington Barbie.  

The one doll that I think is perfect for the occasion is the Statue of Liberty Barbie Doll from 1996.  She wears a stunning red, white, and blue gown.  The other Statue of Liberty Doll, which debuted in 2011, unfortunately wore a sea foam green colored gown.

 

Statue of Liberty Barbie (1996)

As far as the vintage years, there were military uniforms and other vintage clothing which came in the correct patriotic colors, as well as the Olympic Gold Medal dolls who proudly wear their red, white, and blue.  There are also many handmade clothing items that are  available for sale and which are designed especially for this joyful occasion.

I hope where ever your plans may take you for this holiday, that you have a safe and a memorable one!  And may God continue to bless the United States of America!

Happy 4^th of July!

Halloween With Barbie

It’s the night of ghosts, goblins, and other little creatures that come knocking on your door, with the expectations of tasty treats being dropped into their plastic pumpkin buckets.
 

1967 Barbie dressed in a modern
day costume and vintage mask

 

 

Barbie also enjoyed Halloween back in the day.  She dressed up in her first official Halloween costume that was introduced in 1963, and was simply called “Masquerade”. Ken and Skipper had the same attire with the exact same name too, but Skipper's wasn’t available until 1964.

 

Barbie and Ken dressed in Masquerade

  
Other Halloween Worthy costumes on the marketplace in 1964 was Cinderella and Poor Cinderella, Guinevere, Arabian Nights, and Red Riding Hood and the Wolf.  Ken had his options too; The Prince, King Arthur, and Arabian Nights.

 





Barbie dressed in Cinderella (1964)

In the past seventeen years many Halloween dolls have popped up in stores for children of all ages.  Most of these dolls came in pink label boxes, and are not considered highly collectible.  The very first Halloween Barbie was the 1996 Happy Halloween Barbie and Kelly Gift Set, which was a Target exclusive.  Target continues to release new dolls year after year.  Other stores, such as Sears and select grocery stores, also had Halloween dolls available on their shelves.  I find these costumes to be so much fun to dress our vintage dolls in!





1996 Happy Halloween Barbie & Kelly Gift Set

 



1998 Halloween Fun Barbie and
Kelly Gift Set (Target Exclusive)
 


The newly released pink label doll, “Wizard of Oz Wicked Witch of the West”, is another doll that would certainly fit the bill for Halloween.  There have been several versions of this doll over the years.

 



 

The only three gold label “collector” dolls released specifically for Halloween were all designed by Bill Greening, who is one of the major creators for Barbie.  The first was the 2011 Halloween Haunt Barbie (a Barbie Fan Club Exclusive) from the Holiday Hostess Collection.  Ghost Barbie Doll (2012) and Vampire Barbie Doll (2013), both from the Haunted Beauty Series as well as part of the fantasy series, were offered only as a Direct Exclusive, and not available in stores.  Today these three dolls are the most sought after of all the Halloween Barbie Dolls on the market.

 

Haunted Beauty Vampire Barbie (2013)

 

Haunted Beauty Vampire Barbie (2013) 

2011 Halloween Haunt Barbie & 2012 Ghost Barbie

 

 

If you browse through the many dolls that have been available over the years, you will doubtlessly find some others that will fit the bill which are not considered official Halloween dolls.  Remember, imagination is what Barbie is all about!

Have a safe and Happy Halloween!