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...

🦇 Batman & Catwoman Barbie Collector Classic 🦇

My Son is awesome - knowing how much I love the 1960's Batman T.V Series and of course my doll obsession he bought me two presents last Christmas that combine both...

The Batman and Catwoman Collector Classics Barbie and Ken Dolls ... Woohoo!!

                                             

They are both Pink Label which according to Barbie.collector.com  means they are  made for Collectors of all ages, not that I care what label these dolls are - they're beautiful works of art!

Batman's box is covered by cartoon imagery as used in the opening sequence of the T.V Series the writing is also from the classic series with those kitsch cartoon flashes that loved to use over Batman and Robin's awesome fight scenes.

And ... just look at that six-pack!

http://www.barbiecollector.com/shop/doll/batman-ken-doll-y0302

Batman himself is wearing a replica costume to the one Adam West wore right down to is utility belt, some of the colours are a bit off but I can forgive Mattel for that as in all other aspects it's perfect.

You may not know this but Mattel never throw away their moulds even after they've retired the dolls they used them to create this means that any time Mattel want to re release a certain line of dolls they can make an exact replica - minus of course the plastics used at the time.

http://www.barbiecollector.com/shop/doll/batman-ken-doll-y0302

In the Mattel tradition the faces of this Barbie and Ken have been made from previously retired sculpts. The dolls themselves are reproductions of 1960's Barbie and Ken Dolls... I could be wrong but this appears to be what they did when creating these gorgeous dolls

http://www.barbiecollector.com/shop/doll/batman-ken-doll-y0302

Catwoman's box design is identical to that of Batman's. As she doesn't wear a cape more of the background art is visible behind her - it is a full cityscape of Gotham with the Bat Signal projecting out into the night sky from behind the buildings and a cartoon depiction of Batman and Robin scaling a wall to the left of her with the aid of The Bat Rope!

Catwoman is styled after Julie Newmar's iconic portrayal of the beautiful villainess. She wears the same skin tight catsuit with pixie boots and black opera style gloves with golden claws attached, an eye mask and even the cute little kitten ears poking out from under her coiffed hair.

http://www.barbiecollector.com/shop/doll/catwoman-barbie-doll-y0304

Her outfit is accessorised with a gold belt worn on the hips and a golden chain, both replicas of the ones worn by Julie Newmar. The claws on her gloves, unlike Julie Newmar's Catwoman are painted on and not individual claws positioned like fingernails.

http://www.barbiecollector.com/shop/doll/catwoman-barbie-doll-y0304

When her mask is removed Barbie's vintage mould is unmistakable. Her make up is also a reproduction of Julie Newmar's Catwoman, with the same bizarrely styled eyebrows and Egyptian style kohl on her black eyelids with that "flick" at the outside corners that was so fashionable in the 1960's.

www.figures.com

The back of both boxes bear this statement: "Batman is the live action, TV cult phenomenon inspired by the DC comics characters of, The Caped Crusader and his sidekick Robin The Boy Wonder formed The Dynamic Duo, together, they battled colourful master criminals. The purrrrfectly mischievous minx Catwoman was a favourite foe sauntering through the TV episodes. Even today, The Batman Legacy continues as dedicated fans tune to The "Same Bat Channel" to watch tales of Gotham City's beloved DC Super Hero."
                                              

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Some of my Barbies...Yep I do have some...shock horror!!!

Repro Bargin Barbie!

I Bought this little lady on Ebay a few months back...she was nude but I'd already fallen in love with the dress and bought it with matching shoes for Blythe to wear lol when I got this Barbie I just had to give her this dress instead!
I paid £1.99 for her...woot, the seller said she had a slight split to one of her ears, but when I got her home and checked her out I found out it was a hair that had got wrapped around her earring lol happy me!
She reminds me of my cousin Lorna lol lucky Lorna looking like this doll!

I've named her "Retro Lil'"

She's an exact replica of one Mattel's Ponytail Barbe range of dolls from the 1960s, Like the original she came in a cardboard box, wearing a black and white stripy swimsuit and sunglasses.

This Barbie is from the Expressions of India Series. She's the Special Edition. Roopvathi of Rajasthan Barbie - from 1998.

The word Roopvathi means "Beautiful Lady" which I think sums her up!

Rajasthani Barbie

Dress made to resemble the traditional clothing worn by women in Rajasthan.

I've never taken her out of the box, I keep thinking about it, but still haven't been brave enough yet!

The whole premise of this series is that Barbie has visited India and fallen in love with the Traditional clothing the women wear ... although that doesn't explain why her hair has turned black and judging by the Bhindi in the centre of her brow, she has also got married!!

Still I'm not knocking it...this series of dolls are really beautiful.

(Sale Photo)

Part of the 1998 Dolls of the World series...This one is the Native American Pow Wow Barbie

I fell in love with this one as soon as I saw her...She's one of the Dolls of The World series from the early 1990s. Pow Wow version - with "buckskin" dress, unfortunately she doesn't have her turquoise feather in her hair and is also missing the neck sash :( she didn't come with a box, but she does have her original silver ring and earrings. This Chrissie Doll is vintage, either 1980s or early 1990s. She came to me in a bulk purchase of Barbies, which I bought for use in art pieces. As she's so pretty I had to keep her back and add her to my collection! I'm such a sucker like that!! She's wearing her original earrings, but missing her ring and clothing...oh well! Dorothy Barbie Man I love this doll, she's so much like the real thing...her voice box can get annoying tho' if you keep pressing it (like I did) lol Wizard of Oz I bought her nude and the clothes separate from an American seller, which worked out cheaper than buying her from Ebay U.K. Her Ruby Slippers light up when she talks!! She only says one of 2 things, which can get a bit annoying but she does sound like Judy Garland and well I love her!