A woman has shared her delight after coming across one of the original Barbie dolls in a charity shop – and she can’t believe someone didn’t take it off the shelf sooner
When rooting around a charity shop, you expect to come across old DVDs, games and puzzles, and ‘out of style’ clothing. But every now and then, you stumble across something that makes you do a double take.
For one woman that came in the form of a 1962 Barbie doll – mind in box with its original $2 (£1.52) price tag still attached. Now on sale for $11 (£8.37), the woman couldn’t walk past the collectable doll as she knew she’d be thinking about it for week if she didn’t take it home. On Reddit, she said: “Some how on a busy Saturday, a boxed 1962 Barbie was just sitting on a shelf for $11. Still has original $2 tag.”
This exact Barbie – known as a 1962 Mattel Platinum Blonde Bubble Cut Barbie in the Box – is currently on sale for $599.95 (£456) on The Toys Time Forgot.
Amazed, she added: “I thought it had to be a reproduction just sitting out and not in the case.
“This one does have a green ear but it is is really nice shape otherwise. Think it is missing the earrings. Last eBay auction ended at $710 (£540) but it was not quite as in good condition.”
Commenting on her find, one user said: “That’s an impossible find! I’m so jealous!”
Another user added: “Oh, wow! I get a little fuzzy on Barbie number identifying, but that’s an amazing score for what I think is a number 6 or 7 (based on the red swimsuit) Congrats!”
A third user said: “Someone cleaned out grandma’s house without looking at what was in grandma’s house.”
One more user added: “I know nothing about the history of Barbie, but how did this happen.
“I would have spotted there was something unique about it, worthy of further research.”
Another user added: “Oh my god, amazing! This would be the kind of thing i would pick up, look at, cry a little over, and put back because $11 is just more than I wanted to spend.
“And there would be bound to be a collector coming by soon to really treasure it. I’m so glad this piece found its home!”
A final user said: “Oh wow, it’s your lucky day. I had almost the same one, except not ash blonde, just blonde blonde, and the bathing suit she came in was black and white strapless chevron striped.
“I don’t remember the box saying ‘teen age fashion model’ though. Does anyone else remember that?”
