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Vintage number 3
 
Both the number 1 & 2 dolls were available with blonde & brunette hair.

These dolls smell like crayon. The First Barbie doll was item 850. Doll image shown- graphic from Mattel cd rom

Part 3- Number 1 and 2 Barbie doll info See stand

See more of the Number one Barbie stand  view stand | view stand

 Barbie ..a yesteryear treasure... still exciting today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
first ads
Some of the first advertisements for Barbie were shown on the Mickey Mouse Club television program.
 
. l o o k i n g  BACK  with Ruth's idea of child's play, her idea
has flourished and developed to a patent that has endured as the icon Barbie doll. Ruth envisioned a play doll by understanding the rewards she seen that her own child gained in playing with teenage- like paper dolls.

The doll was not like no other before. It didn't take long for children to want this exciting toy doll and the doll's fashions. For those who played with this doll, and for the new collectors finding their connections to Barbie, enjoy the collecting experience as a hobby. It all began with the first Barbie doll as item 850-the Number one.

 
first Barbie
It all began with the first Barbie doll as item 850. The Number 1 Barbie. Notice the arched eyebrows in the photo below. Number 1 & 2 Barbie description as follows:

Barbie Number 1 & 2 was made of a flesh-toned plastic. The first Barbie dolls wore a one piece black & white jersey knit swimsuit, which was used through 1961. In 1959, the accessories were white sunglasses with blue lenses, black open-toe shoes and hoop earrings. Characteristics of a Number One & the Number Two dolls were very similar, with one exception. The Number One doll had open holes (for a copper tube to fit inside), in both feet, so the doll could stand on her posing stand. Unique idea! The NUMBER 2 doll does not have the holes/tubes in her feet bottom.  Markings for Number 1 and 2 dolls.

Barbie TM/Pats. Pend./aMCMV111/by/MCMLVIII/by/Mattel/Inc

 

Both dolls had similar facial similaries. Body can fade to white or ivory.  arched eyebrows-black eye paint-colorless pupils-bright red lips. All dolls had red nail polish on nails and toes. These dolls smell like crayon. Yes, crayons.  These dolls can be seen with a variety of styles in eye paint but all the 1's and 2's have the pointed, arched, or the boomer rang style eyebrows with NO iris color. The Number 1 doll box has the TM trademark. The Number 2's box also has the TM markings and both doll boxes ( 1 & 2 ), are dated 1959. The Barbie fashion booklet that came with the Number 1 Barbie had the first 3 rare fashions pictured. The Barbie fashion booklet that was included with the Number 2 Barbie, shows the Commuter Set fashion. Both of these dolls have the unusual facial paint compared to the later ponytails. These dolls are a treasure to own in any condition. They are costly on the secondary market. Due to the rarity, slight imperfections, are understandable since they were hand painted in the early days. Much has been written over the years about the Barbie doll. The doll was a toy and made to wear doll size fashions. Items shown not for sale.