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!

The Hunt

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! 

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!