Original Listing Description

This auction is for one of the current Holy Grails of Barbie collecting- a 1977 African American "Fashion Photo Christie" doll, in her original box. She was purchased recently from the estate of a longtime collector who kept everything neatly stored in her non-smoking home. I purchased the entire collection, and I was so excited to open a tub to find this girl lying right on top like she ruled the world. My personal collection mostly covers the 1960's and Mod era girls, and knowing what this doll sells for, I'm trying to make back some of what I paid for the girls I'm keeping.Read This- As excited as I was to find her, I did not realize until I made this listing that she has been removed from her original box and displayed, most likely by the previous owner. It does not appear that she has been played with by a child. I slid the backing holding her carefully out of the box to photograph her, and immediately noticed that the paper "camera lenses" had been punched out of the box tabs where they were printed and inserted into the lens of the camera. I also saw that neither of her feet were in the cardboard loop that normally holds them down, and she was wearing her shoes. Usually the shoes are packed separately, but I'm not sure in this case. I slid one foot carefully into the loop, and left the shoes on. I believe everything that originally came with her is present, but I'm not familiar, so please let me know if you spot something missing.The outfit is clean and sparkly, the pants still looped into the cardboard backing. She wears the amazing pink rhinestone earrings, necklace, and ring of the Superstars. Gorgeous face and reddish brown hair, and that wonderful Christie smile. There is a black plastic camera lens piece in a cellophane bag which has been opened and returned to the backing slot...not sure if something was in with it originally. Instructions have two corners ripped off, but present. I've wrapped the clear tubular stand in tissue to keep it from rattling around in the box.As nice as it is to get a doll you know is perfect because she's never been removed from her box, it's just as nice to have one that is mint, but removed by a collector...it sort of gives me permission to take her out of the box and display without the guilt, at least in my own collecting experience. Everything in this woman's collection was pristine and well cared for, even dolls that had been opened, like this.Please ask about anything you can't tell from the photos. Box shows expected wear for the age...some sticky on the window from what appears to be a price tag long gone.Please read my policy below, particularly about the Global Shipping program.She will be shipped to you via USPS at no extra charge, Continental US only.Sorry, no DIRECT International sales, only those enrolled in eBay's Global Shipping program.ABOUT THE GLOBAL SHIPPING PROGRAM-The flat rate you see here only gets this item to the US shipping center. Any further amount from the center to your country is between you and eBay. Ebay has been known to put the wrong International label on the box when it reaches the shipping hub, it’s happened twice to me. I've learned not to ship two items to the shipping hub on the same day, but if it happens, eBay refunds your money when you file a claim and send the incorrect item back to eBay. The ITEM DOES NOT COME BACK TO ME, so there is no guarantee they will be able to get the correct item to you... but they DO refund ALL your money. I tell you this so you will know that my commitment as seller is fulfilled when the item reaches the Global Shipping hub.Payments are expected within 3 days of auction's end. I've been having issues lately with buyers not paying for their win, or communicating with me about why, so please do NOT bid if you do not intend to pay if you win.Thanks for reading this far...Happy bidding!On Jan-10-25 at 09:17:37 PST, seller added the following information:NEW INFORMATION This morning after listing the doll, I got the following message from a Superstar Era collector-- “Hey! I just wanted to let you know that I have a MIB Fashion Photo PJ (I can verify she's never been out of the box) and her paper camera lense already came attached to the camera and she too was also packaged with her shoes on!It seems like there were slight variations to the way the dolls were packaged in some cases. But with knowing what I have, I would say that the lenses and shoes are not dead giveaways that she was removed from the liner.Some Christie and PJ dolls I also noticed were packed with a camera sticker that said "Barbie Play Camera" instead of "Christie (or) PJ Play Camera". So there are definitely slight variations, perhaps in the batch they were produced in.Just some information I thought you'd find helpful from a Superstar Era collector! ?”So I did some research. I looked at several listings for the same doll on eBay, claiming to be Mint in Box, never removed. It was all over the place. Some dolls’ shoes were on, some were off. Some camera stickers said “Christie”, some said “Barbie”, even for a Christie doll. However, ALL of them had the paper lens punched out and inserted into the camera lens. It amazes me that Mattel would have done that much on the assembly line, and not leave it for the kids. With this new information, I’d say use your judgement. I no longer believe the doll has been on display, also knowing what I know about the collector I bought the doll from…she never got around to displaying much, everything was in storage tubs and her heirs said it was a shame she didn’t see much of them, that the joy was in the collecting I’m still open to opinions. Thanks!Mark (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.