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A8816 Doll, 'Barbie', with clothes and accessories, various materials, Mattel, Japan / United States of America / Australia, c.1963. Click to enlarge.
  • Image 1 of 1, A8816 Doll, 'Barbie', with clothes and accessories, various materials, Mattel, Japan / United States of America / Australia, c.1963. Click to enlarge

Barbie doll with accessories

Barbie, the world's favourite doll, was introduced at the New York Toy Fair in 1959 by Mattel Inc. Designed by Ruth Handler and named after her daughter, the 295mm Barbie was the first doll to represent the fashion-accessorised teenager that young girls aspired to become. Television marketing was another very successful first for Mattel, and the continually changing fashion outfits and accessories kept sales moving.

Barbie was joined by her boyfriend Ken in 1961, girlfriend Midge in 1963 and …

Parts of this object

Summary

Object No.

A8816

Object Statement

Doll, 'Barbie', with clothes and accessories, various materials, Mattel, Japan / United States of America / Australia, c.1963

Physical Description

Blonde Barbie doll with clothing, accessories and wardrobe. The clothing includes various ensembles made by Mattel including 'Holiday Dance', 'Poodle Parade', 'Outdoor Life', 'Aboard Ship', 'Under Fashions' and 'Gold 'N Glamour'. There is also a selection of clothing made by the donor's grandmother. Accessories include shoes, jewellery, handbags, stockings, gloves, wigs, sunglasses and books. The grey wooden wardrobe was made by the donor's father.

Short URL

https://ma.as/199960

Source

Credit Line

Gift of Belinda Webb, 1983

Acquisition Date

27 February 1983

Cite this Object

Harvard

Barbie doll with accessories 2023, Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences, accessed 25 March 2023, <https://ma.as/199960>

Wikipedia

{{cite web |url=https://ma.as/199960 |title=Barbie doll with accessories |author=Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences |access-date=25 March 2023 |publisher=Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences, Australia}}

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