How to Identify Original Barbies
The #1 Barbie is a highly sought-after collector's item. Hundreds of Barbies have been manufactured since the original, even a new vintage version that was built to look just like the original. None of them, however, has the same attributes as the original. If you think you've spotted an original, you should look at a few parts -- mainly the head and feet -- to determine whether you're looking at the real thing or a replica.
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Instructions
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Check the feet. The original Barbie has holes aligned with copper tubes in the heels of the feet and the right foot is marked with a "Japan" stamp.
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Check the eyes. The original Barbie's eyes look to her right (if you're looking face-to-face with it, the eyes look to your left). The eyes are outlined in black, the irises are white, the eye lids have blue eye shadow and the eyebrows are arched to look like upside-down Vs.
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Check the head. The original Barbie had either blonde or brunette hair, so if your Barbie has any other hair color, it's not an original.
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Tips & Warnings
The markings on the Barbie don't necessarily indicate that the Barbie is an original. The same markings appear on Barbies manufactured at different times. The year 1958 appears on the original Barbie and Barbies made in the early 1960s and the year 1966 can be seen on newer Barbies, especially if the Barbie was manufactured in Malaysia. Also, there is a throwback Barbie that looks almost exactly the same as the original Barbie, clothing and accessories included, except it was manufactured in 1994.
Don't be mistaken when you're attempting to buy the originals, because you could be fooled into spending a lot of money on Barbies that aren't the #1 Barbie.
