d r e s s i n g  u p  w i t h   t h e  5  's 

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 n u m b e r  5

 The Number 5 Barbie. Item 850.
 She was the same size doll. Issue date: 1961. Box date: 1959. The number 5 doll had a new style torso-more of a hard type plastic and hollow on the inside. The body was similar to the Ken doll's plastic body. This doll has the smaller neck knob and on a straight leg body.  Number 5 doll was dressed in a 1 pc. strapless jersey knit swimsuit.  Doll shown from my collection.



description
Hair colors: assortment of blondes, brunettes, or titian. Lips: large bright red painted lips from factory. Painted red nails.
 

accessories

Pearl earrings, optional sunglasses with blue lenses, a wrist tag, and open toe black heels that were a must; which were all included in boxed new condition.  Also, she came with a fashion booklet - Barbie and Ken book, dated 1961.
 
photo

Information

Some of the Number 5's had the new firmer textured hair (or a saran type hair). Yet, some dolls on the market were seen with the older style, softer hair. Some of these dolls had the combination of the firmer and softer hair. Most of these dolls had the ponytail with softer bangs hair style. Also, some dolls on the market, were made with the same textured hair into a bubble cut hair style. In 1961, some of the Number 5's came with pearl stud earrings which replaced the gold hoops. Most of these dolls had the newer style doll stand like the Ken doll while some dolls did continue to have the old pedestal style stand. I would think Mattel used what materials they had on their line. This practice can be seen throughout years of their factory production and manufacturing habits. Sometimes seen with fabrics too. Good business practice, maybe, not to waste any manufacturing products and materials and with many business trades, changes do come to improve any product or line. This doll was a toy and had many test markets to endure.

Note: The Number 5 Ponytail has been known to collectors as the " Greasy faced" doll. The vinyl from earlier processing techniques has caused the plastic to have some type of breakdown imbalance and the doll's vinyl on face, can appear with a somewhat greasy look and touch to her. The best way to clean; use a clean dry soft cloth and pat gently to remove the build up. Some collectors use different methods to remove the oil but I have always been cautious and used the soft clean cloth technique. Important: not ALL Number 5 Barbie dolls have this problem of a greasy characteristic. These dolls have large red painted lips compared to the previous dolls. Today, they are somewhat hard to find with the original full bright red lips. See info Number 6 link above or here

 
The Number 5 has the same id markings as the first 4 Barbie dolls. To locate quality dolls like shown check my vintage web picks/visit doll shows/National Barbie convention/antique places/catalog auctions

 

MARKINGS
Barbie R/Pats.Pend/ @ MCMLVIII /by/Mattel/Inc. The "R" encircled.
Details: painted red nails tan straight leg body. Number 5 known as "Greasy face". or oily patina to face, not on all Number 5 dolls.

ken historical>>

 Number  6 ponytail