Barbie 35th Anniversary Special Edition Reproduction of Original 1959 Barbie Doll

1993 marked the 35th Anniversary of the humble Barbie doll, to celebrate the occasion Mattel released an exact replica of the original doll which went on sale for the first time in 1959.

These dolls were released as a limited edition under the Silver Label which means that no more than 50,000 were produced and sold Worldwide.

In doing so Mattel gave new Barbie collectors the opportunity to own a genuine "Classic" / Barbie #1 at a fraction of the cost the original dolls go for on the Second Hand Market.

These days the original Barbie is way out of many collectors price ranges and has often raised thousands at auction and in private sales alike - even original 2nd, 3rd and 4th Barbie dolls can fetch prices in the thousands.

Since the release of the 35th Anniversary reproduction Mattel, on discovering the popularity of these dolls have launched reproductions of other vintage dolls from their original doll line.

In keeping with the original doll the 35th Anniversary Barbie is an exact replica. She comes in the black and white striped swimsuit and black open toed mules of the original, "cat sunglasses" that were ever so popular in the 50's, she has red painted toe and fingernails and has her hair styled in a high ponytail twist and fringe just like the original and even comes with a replica of her original box - which is decorated with images of the original dolls in a variety of fashions available at the time and a 35th Anniversary tag on her wrist. 

She also has the gold hoop earrings  of the original but unlike the original the reproduction's are made of plastic not metal and she therefore will not suffer from Green Ear Syndrome which affected a lot of the original Barbie dolls that were displayed with their jewellery in place.      

                                                        

                                                

Unlike the original, the 35th Anniversary doll comes in a plastic box with her cardboard "original box" by her side, she also comes with an "Anniversary Celebration Booklet".

The back of her box has a large black and white image of the doll as well as information on the original 1959 range of Barbie dolls.

She was released in both blonde and brunette versions. The brunette version is identical to the blonde as are the accessories and box she comes with, the only difference besides her hair colour is a small label on her cardboard box which states either "Blonde" or "Brunette". Both versions of these dolls now retired by Mattel.

I had both versions of this doll, my blonde one still in pristine condition in her box as I purchased her. My brunette version was bought loose and nude and now goes by the name "Retro Lil'" she owns a 1950's diner where she sells Rement Burgers amongst other things which are very popular with the rest of my dolls...

✿｡•*¨*•｡ Dorothy Gale, Toto and Retro Lil' •*¨*•｡✿

Here's a couple  Barbie dolls from my collection... Dorothy Gale, with her little friend Toto and Retro Lil', my "repro' Barbie".

Barbie as Dorothy Gale was released in 1999 as part of Mattel's Wizard of Oz Collection..

She  comes in a faithfully rendered outfit, albeit a little shiny, a little basket in which she carries her little dog Tot, who appears to be panting and a pair of "ruby slippers" which light up.

She also says “There’s no place like home!” and “Toto, I have a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.”

Retro Lil' is a 35th Anniversary Barbie, I wrote a post about these Barbies back in 2015, if you want, you read this post (35th Anniversary Barbie) for more information on them.

To my mind the older model Barbies are much prettier  than their modern day counterparts, except for some of the new Fashionistas, but in terms of comparison between the 1950's and 1960's Barbies, and the 1980's and 1990's Barbies and also the early 2000's.

 I'd probably have grown up playing a lot nicer with my Barbie dolls if they had stayed looking like Retro Lil'...