Glossary

Now thanks to our online vintage Barbie doll glossary, you too, will become fluent in the most commonly used terms by vintage Barbie doll collectors from around the globe. Make sure that you read this page over a few times and before you know it you will be speaking the language of Barbie doll collectors from around world!

Abbreviations

A/O - All Original.

HTF - Hard to find.

MIB - Mint In Box (factory mint-condition doll in original box).

MIP - Mint in Package. Similar to MIB. Denotes that all accessories are still in their original packaging.

MNB - Mint No Box (pristine doll condition however, no box).

NM - Near mint. Sometimes swapped with "excellent" when describing a doll's condition.

NRFB - Never Removed From Box.

OSS - Original Swim Suit.

Dolls

Ponytail - Originally released in 1959, Barbie came out sporting a ponytail haircut, so hence the nickname, the ponytail was started. There was a whole series of different ponytail Barbie dolls released throughout the 60s.

Bubble Cut - The phrase "bubble cut" stands for the new hairstyle that was introduced in the middle of 1961. Much different from the high ponytail that Barbie sported in 1959, the bubble cut is a short bob that is very full on the sides.

Color Magic - Is a Barbie doll that debuted in 1966. This doll has hair and clothes that can be dyed different colors and is very sought after by collectors.

Twist 'N Turn - A moveable waist common to Barbie dolls of the mid-1960s and beyond. Some Barbie dolls have a variation of this waist.

Value

Book Value - Pricing Guide value of a particular doll. This is not necessarily the amount you can get selling it on the secondary market. Value may vary from guide to guide.

Market Value - Actual price you can expect to sell a particular doll for. Prices vary over time and due to a number of other factors. See online auction sites for market values.

Editions

Collector Edition - Barbie dolls produced in quantities of more than 35,000, and are designed for collecting and displaying. Most dolls come in showcase packaging that includes a doll stand and a Certificate of Authenticity.

Gold Label - Numbered editions of 25,000 worldwide or less, available at select retailers.

Limited Edition - Barbie dolls produced in quantities limited to 35,000 or less. They tend to feature special fabrics and details that set them apart from other dolls, and are designed for collecting and displaying. Most dolls come in showcase packaging that includes a doll stand and a Certificate of Authenticity.

Platinum Label - Numbered editions of less than 1,000 worldwide, available at select retailers.

Silver Label - Keepsake dolls with no more than 50,000 produced worldwide.

Timeless Treasures - Celebrity (Elizabeth Taylor, Elvis, etc.) and/or character (Lucille Ball as Lucy Ricardo) collectible dolls.

Other Terms

C Grading System - A system used by some collectors to rate the condition of your dolls. Designations are C-1 through C-10. C-1 is the poorest possible condition. C-10 is factory mint and NRFB (never removed from box).

Customized Dolls - Dolls created originally for a specific store, catalog or company. Most dolls in the Barbie Collector line also include a doll stand and a Certificate of Authenticity and come in showcase packaging.

Mint & Complete - Pristine outfit and all accessories in mint condition.

Secondary Market - Those other than Mattel who buy and sell Barbie dolls.