Original Listing Description

This vintage 1960 Barbie doll was a super exciting find for me in the summer of 2001. My 17 year old daughter had been away to Italy for a year as a Rotary Foreign Exchange Student. We missed her immensely and I was searching for a welcome home gift that would mark the special occasion. Being that she grew up playing with Barbies, when I saw this doll at a moving sale I knew I had found THE GIFT. I was stunned at how pristine she was - quickly learning it was because she was deemed "too mature" at the time for a little girl to play with. Her mother had tucked Barbie, box and all, in a closet. Substituting instead a Ginny doll for her daughter to play with. (I bought the Ginny doll too).My daughter was thrilled to tears with the gift, but had grown-up during her year away. She valued the doll as an investment, so once again Barbie was carefully tucked away, this time in a temperature controlled locked safe. Fast forward 20+ years and my daughter has given the go-ahead to sell her super special Barbie. (Her son is excited by Legos.)Ready for her new Best Friend we offer this 1960 vintage #3 (transition #4) Barbie Doll.Original 1960 #3 Barbie with Blue Irises and Brown curved Eyebrows. This is one of the FEW Barbies made with the Brown Eyeliner AND she is from a later in the year issue of a new vinyl plastic formula that would NOT turn a sickly white. (Collectors refer to the tan-toned dolls to be #4.) However this doll has the brown eyeliner making her a RARER 1960 #3 TRANSITION BARBIE!! EXCELLENT COLORING all around on her swimsuit, hair, red accents, cheek blush, sunglasses and box: I believe due to the fact she has been stored in a closet for her first 40 years and a safe the past 23 years.Included with her is The Barbie COTTON CASUAL Dress #912. It has a name and date inked on the inside: Beth 1-7-60. It was purchased with the doll but obviously stored separately thus showing some dust accumulation on the the top of the bodice.This doll comes complete with:Original pair of white and blue black and white swimsuit which still fits like a glove. I don't think it has ever been completely off.Matched pair of black shoes (one plain/one stamped "Japan") designed for the No. 1 with holes in the shoe bottoms to accommodate a stand. (NO stand was with her when I purchased in 2001.)This beautiful item has been gently stored away for her entire existence in a pet-free, smoke-free home. Her Body is in AMAZING SHAPE for being over 60 years old.The plastic has not changed colors. Her skin smells like crayons. Her joints are nice and tight. Her lips, nose, fingers and toe nails are still bright red.Her cheeks are blushed.On her bottom right butt cheek you can clearly see "Barbie™ Pats Pend © MCMLVIII by Mattel Inc," On her left butt cheek is the B 42. (usually referred to as a mold number)Brown eyeshadow & Brows and curved (not pointy) brow line indicates she is a #3 Barbie. The original top Hair band is intact.Her Bang curls are still tight.Pearl Stud Earrings are intact. Her right side earring shows slight green from metal ear stud. Her left earring is clear & clean.There are no visible neck splits Included is her Barbie COTTON CASUAL Dress #912. It has a name and date inked on the inside: Beth 1-7-60. It was purchased with the doll but obviously stored separately thus showing some dust accumulation on the the top of the bodice.There are some faint dark blotches on her right calf. A few mold indents may be visible on the rest of her body as is normal for this type of molded plastic doll body. I did not undress her completely but did see one such blemish on the back of her torso under the swimsuit. Please study ALL photo's as they are part of this items description. There are NO foot tubes/holes on this #3 doll.THE BARBIE BOX is in near mint condition! Marked Stock No 850. BLOND, Japan. copyright 1959. No tears or rips. Minor top lid curving and bubbling of the color design paper pressboard. The bottom inside lid has some discoloration as does the box bottom with a moisture mark near one end. I have left her on the folded cloth napkin as she was found. While I have done my best to highlight issues, please note this doll is being sold "as is" so please inspect the photos carefully and make sure you're aware of these issues before placing your bid.IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE ASK BEFORE BUYING. (Condition: Pre-Owned)

Note: This item has been sold and is no longer available. This page serves as a historical price reference for Barbie collectors and appraisers.