Collectors of Color: Dolls "more like me"
Dateline: 01/08/99
I exchange email with collectors from all over the world. Often, I help them with problems, to locate a specific doll, a club in their area, or even solve a problem. But in the last six months, I have been increasingly receiving email from African-American collectors that are frustrated at the lack of collectible-quality (not "Pink Box") Barbie® dolls.
Recently, after getting another plea for help from an African-American collector, I turned to an acquaintance of mine locally who is a collector, and an African-American woman1. We met in the "Pink Aisle" at a local Toys R Us, and she offered me some insight into her own frustrations, problems, and a rather unique solution that she has arrived at.
First we talked about our childhood experiences; being older, I played with ponytails and bubblecuts. She is younger, and so grew up at the tail-end of the "Mod" era. Black dolls were more available to her as she was growing up, although they were not nearly so plentiful (or well executed) as today. Distinct face molds had not yet been created; black dolls of all kinds were merely cast of a brown plastic or vinyl. Still, she was excited to have dolls that looked in her words "more like me". She had both black and white Barbie®; played with both and still treasures them today.
Her frustrations began when as an adult collector, she decided to focus her collection. Now she was faced with a lack of African-American dolls; while they are plentiful at the play level, in the Limited Editions, Collectors Editions, and other "high end" doll lines, there are few (if any) black dolls available. One recent example of a doll that was produced in this line was Romantic Interlude; this doll was warmly welcomed by many black collectors. The Angels of Music, and Timeless Sentiments Collections (with Harpist Angel, Heartstring Angel, and Angel of Joy) have all featured AA versions. Byron Lars dolls in the Runway Collection are quite popular, featuring African-American Barbie® dolls in stunning, lavish outfits. But, what if a black collector wants an Illusion from the Masquerade Gala Collection? Perhaps she wants a Peacock, from the Birds of Beauty collection? Or a Sunflower from the Artists series? Porcelain Barbie® dolls are simply out of the question. Some series have scattered instances of black dolls; The Classic Ballet Series with three dolls, features an AA doll only in the Swan Queen; The Sugar Plum Fairy and Marzipan are sold in white versions only.
While Mattel would not comment for this article, my friend and I have arrived at some conclusions of our own. The most obvious of these: there are apparently fewer AA collectors; so even when Mattel does produce dolls of color, they seem to sell fewer of them than their white counterparts. Since they sell fewer dolls, (and more of these dolls wind up being marked down) Mattel is undoubtedly reluctant to produce more AA dolls, only to watch them sit on store shelves and gather dust. Economic realities drive the production numbers.
So, what is the solution for African-American collectors who do want their own Sunflower Barbie® from the Artist Series? Do as my friend does; buy a white version of the doll you desire, remove the outfit and accessories from it, and dress an AA doll from the play line. And while it isn't a perfect solution, it gives her what she wants; an African-American version of the Barbie® dolls she admires in white, but wants in black.
1This individual has requested that she remain anonymous.
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