Tuesday, March 10, 2009






This has been one of the most important weeks for Barbie! She turned 50!





Barbara Millicent Roberts



March 9, 1959


This was a very special find at a garage sale I found a few years ago.
A porcelain Barbie.



Mattel came out with a line of Porcelain dolls in the early nineties.

This one is called Plantation Belle





This is a cardboard display piece. My sweet Brother gave it to me!




Since this week was Barbie's birthday I thought I would share a bit about where she originated from.


The creator of Barbie, Ruth Handler used to watch her daughter Barbara play with her paper dolls often giving them adult roles. Since most dolls at that time were more infant, Ruth realized that there could be a market for an older style doll which she pitched the idea to her Husband, a co founder of Mattel.


When Ruth and her Family where in Europe in 1956 they came across a German toy doll named Bild Lilli. She was exactly what Ruth had in mind. She purchased three of the dolls. Gave one of them to her daughter and took the other two back to Mattel. The Lilli doll was based on a popular comic strip character.


Lili was a working girl and knew what she wanted and was not above using men to get it.


The Lilli doll was made in 1955 and was originally sold to adults but became popular with children who enjoyed playing with the doll and buying her matching clothes.
The Bild Lilli dolls were bought out by Mattel in 1964 and production was stopped.


I hope you enjoyed learning a little more about Barbie's history!


Lindsey

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11 comments:

  1. UnknownMarch 11, 2009 at 12:35 AM

    Look at that cute barbie baby nurse with the little bassinettes! Oh, how sweet! WOW! A porcelaine Barbie! What a fabulous find! Thanks for the fun Barbie photos! :)

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  2. AnonymousMarch 11, 2009 at 7:31 AM

    Thanks for that history, Lindsey. Seems there is some "controversy" surrounding Barbies birth. ☺

    ♥

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  3. Victoria - Florence and MaryMarch 11, 2009 at 8:13 AM

    It's so exciting seeing all the celebrations for Barbie's 50th - she looks so good for her age doesn't she! LOL!

    Victoria xxx

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  4. PearlMarch 11, 2009 at 9:34 AM

    It's always fun to learn more about Barbie and her friends... great images - loved the handbag the porcelain Barbie is holding! Thanks for sharing and I hope you're having a wonderful day...
    God bless...

    ~hugs 'n prayers~
    Pearl

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  5. Heidi AnnMarch 11, 2009 at 10:14 AM

    Lindsey - I am just in awe of your Barbie collection! And Happy Birthday to Barbie! Love her, always have! And I love your posts about her, too.

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  6. Lindsay-annMarch 11, 2009 at 3:59 PM

    Hi Lindsey
    I enjoyed hearing about Barbie's history. I love the porcelain Barbie and the Plantation Belle Barbie. I wonder if Barbie will still be going in 50 years?
    Lindsay

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  7. Happy@HomeMarch 11, 2009 at 4:52 PM

    I am impressed with your endless knowledge of all things Barbie. I think you could probably open a Barbie museum.

    Love the picture of the Barbie and basinettes.

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  8. KatCollectsMarch 11, 2009 at 10:24 PM

    I love the plantation belle doll, so pretty. I hope you are having a good week.
    Hugs,
    Kathy

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  9. Anne FannieMarch 12, 2009 at 11:33 AM

    Hi Lindsey, I've never seen a porcelain Barbie! I usually collect all the old ones, so I don't pay that much attention to the newer ones they put out. It is very pretty though!
    About 3 years ago, I added to my collection 2 Bild Lili Dolls. I have the one that is the size of Barbie and also one of the smaller ones they made. I purchased them directly from someone in Europe on Ebay. It came in the original plastic cylinder tube. I felt like my collection was complete with her! Don't you wish you could be celebrating your birthday and not look a day older too? LOL
    ~Ann

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  10. ~Lavender Dreamer~March 14, 2009 at 12:19 PM

    Wonderful! I am SO in love with Barbie because of you! Do you think I need a few in my doll collection?

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  11. Heartfelt livingMarch 16, 2009 at 4:34 PM

    Thank you for posting the history of Barbie! I love the porcelane Doll. Do you a have a special room for all your Barbie collection?
    I started a doll room two years ago but my son moved back home to go back to school, so I guess I will have to wait a bit longer to finish it.

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