Original Listing Description

Vintage Mattel 1959-1960 Barbie 850 Ponytail Doll #3 with original hard-to-find 1959 Gay Parisienne #964 dress and rabbit fur stole. Auction also includes a 1961 Barbie white vinyl carrying case, her original zebra swimsuit, miscellaneous accessories, two early booklets, and a small assortment of untagged and/or handmade clothing. Doll has blond hair, blue eyes, brown eyeliner, curved (not pointed) eyebrows, and Barbie TM on backside mark. No holes in bottom of feet. Standard 11 inch Barbie height. Provenance: One owner, received Barbie as a gift in late 1959 or 1960 in Portland Oregon, the carrying case a year or so later. Doll has been stored in case (not displayed or in open) for almost 60 years. This particular Barbie is an international traveler. She has lived in five different countries (United States, Indonesia, England, Singapore and Mozambique), made seven separate ocean crossings (Pacific, Atlantic and Indian), and she’s none the worse for wear. Her claim to fame is that she might be the only Barbie ever to have lived in the Mozambique home owned by South African leader Nelson Mandela and his human rights activist wife Graca Machel (who were not in residence at the time Barbie was there). This Barbie is in very good overall condition, gently played with for a few years when new. Photos show some changes in skin coloration, as to be expected prior to the change in the plastic body in Ponytail Doll #4. The ponytail hair band has mostly come undone, so hair hangs loose. Slight tarnishing in both ear lobes from metal earring posts, one earring post with loop still in place. Doll has original red fingernail and toenail polish. Gay Parisienne #964 outfit includes the dotted blue taffeta dress, white rabbit fur stole with white satin lining, and a pair of blue shoes with holes in the bottom. The outfit does not have the white gloves, hat, gold purse, or faux pearl post earrings. The faux pearl necklace is broken, many of the beads included in small bag. Dress and stole are tagged. YKK zipper in dress. The knit zebra swimsuit is in good condition, with just a few loose threads. Outfit includes the white sunglasses, one ear piece broken off. No black shoes. This doll appears to have come with faux pearl earrings on loops - not gold loops. The earrings are in poor condition, included in small box along with other beads. [Photo taken with red handbag and red shoes.] A 1979 faux fur cape #2667 is also included in this sale, an item from the Barbie Superstar ‘Sleek n Chic’ collection. Unknown provenance, not from this owner’s Barbie. The 1961 “Ponytail” white Barbie vinyl carrying and storage case is in good condition except for some smudges and for two splits in the vinyl on the inside crease edges. Has hook for hangers (no hangers) and a pull-out ‘dresser’ box. Measures 12.25 x 10.25 x 2.5 inches. The “Barbie, Teen Age Fashion Model” booklet has the pink Barbie-only cover, dated MCMLVIII [1958] by Mattel Inc. on the lower left front cover. This booklet does not include depictions of the Gay Parisienne, Roman Holiday, or Easter Parade ensembles, so it is not a 1959 first issue. The “Barbie and Ken” booklet is dated 1962 by Kokusai Boeki Kasha, LTD, on the bottom of the inside front cover. In addition to the two booklets, there’s an undated promotional one-sheet piece for the “new” Midge doll #860, on the reverse side is an advertisement for Barbie’s Dream House #816. Other miscellaneous accessories include a pair of red shoes with holes in bottom, a lone white shoe, a red vinyl purse, and a gold metal purse. Both purses can function as doll accessories, but they don’t appear to be Barbie items. The gold flat-piece metal purse might be a logo tag from a regular handbag. Miscellaneous clothing items are either handmade or presumed to be from other sources. Shipping charges are based on USPS Medium Flat Rate box for mailing within the United States. Insurance fees will be covered by seller. Seller’s Note:I am listing this Barbie for a family member who has had the doll since it was new. I have used the website: www dollreference com for most of the identifying information, including ID as Ponytail #3 due to brown eyeliner, which reportedly was not used on Ponytail #4 dolls. Please contact me with any questions or comments. (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.