The $25,427 Barbie Doll
Monday August 4, 2003
I don't know how I (and most of the media) missed this one, but on May 17th, 2003, a world record for sale of an individual Barbie doll was set. The doll, a completely mint-in-box #1 Barbie doll from 1959 sold for an unbelievable $25,427 at a Doll Attic Mail/Phone auction. I realized this just yesterday while doing price research for my book.
This is an unbelievable price--a collector could pay that much for a 1860s Huret complete with trousseau--or TWO perfect Bru dolls. Or any number of other rare, precious antique dolls. Most vintage #1 Barbies sell in the $5,000 to $10,000 range. So, why did this one sell so high? Sandi Holder of the Doll Attic, on her web site, says: "Barbie has proven herself to be 'recession proof'...There has been much talk about the gorgeous #1 Barbie which realized a final price of $25,527 (which holds the coveted place as the highest recorded sale of a single [Barbie] doll). I have had many calls wondering her final price and some that have heard incorrectly, so I wanted to set the record straight. She was a museum piece, a dream come true for a very special lady".
This is an unbelievable price--a collector could pay that much for a 1860s Huret complete with trousseau--or TWO perfect Bru dolls. Or any number of other rare, precious antique dolls. Most vintage #1 Barbies sell in the $5,000 to $10,000 range. So, why did this one sell so high? Sandi Holder of the Doll Attic, on her web site, says: "Barbie has proven herself to be 'recession proof'...There has been much talk about the gorgeous #1 Barbie which realized a final price of $25,527 (which holds the coveted place as the highest recorded sale of a single [Barbie] doll). I have had many calls wondering her final price and some that have heard incorrectly, so I wanted to set the record straight. She was a museum piece, a dream come true for a very special lady".
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