Barbie Doll collectors will be very excited. On September 26, 4,000 Barbie dolls will go up for auction.
This impressive collection comes courtesy of Letje Raebel, a Dutch housewife. She bought her first Barbie as a gift for her daughter, Marina. Her daughter scorned the doll but Letje loved it and continued to buy more pieces.
Her collection is very impressive. She has collected not only the dolls but Barbie’s many outfits and accessories. She loved the many fashions created for Barbie, having been a bit of a seamstress herself.
The collection is valued at around 100,000 pounds. The value is very high because Letje Raebel kept all of the various items of Barbie in their respective boxes. All of them are unopened and have never been played with. Truly it is a collector’s dream.
Barbie Millicent Roberts (better known as simply Barbie) has been around since 1959. Invented by Ruth Handler, co-founder of US Toy giant company Mattel, the doll is named after her daughter Barbara. Barbie’s boyfriend, Ken, is also named for one of her children.
Barbie has become the top selling doll all over the world. She has been dressed by such high fashion designers as Christian Dior and Calvin Klein. For many little girls, she has been the symbol of glitz, glamour and possibility. She has been an astronaut, a teacher, a model, even a policeman.
This collection is not just about a doll, it is also a showcase of history and the changing fashions. Truly it is a very valuable piece of history.
