Original Listing Description

THIS EXTREMELY RARE VINTAGE DOLL IS ABSOLUTELY NOT IN MINT LIKE NEW CONDITION AND IS NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN. FOR THE ADULT COLLECTOR. IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A MINT ITEM OR A PLAYTHING FOR A CHILD THIS IS NOT THE DOLL FOR YOU. THANKS!Here we have an extremely rare 1959 Mattel #1 Barbie body with a rare 1960 Mattel #3 blonde Barbie head on it. This combination of head and body, although extremely rare, surface more often than one would think in varying degrees of condition, so many collectors, myself included, are of the opinion that most of these dolls are factory transitional dolls, a situation in which Mattel was using up the leftover #1 bodies they had on hand and putting #3 heads on them. Mattel was, and still is, famous for being thrifty when it comes to using up leftover doll parts so factory transitional dolls were and are nothing unusual for them. This 1959 doll body does have the holes in the bottom of the feet with the metal tubes. I purchased this doll a couple of years ago and it breaks my heart to sell her but I've recently moved and money is very tight and I need to pay rent and bills and eat. This doll was in pretty rough shape when she came to me. She was filthy and heavily played with. Most of her original lip and eyelash ridge paint was missing/rubbed away and a child had drawn red ink marker lipstick on her. The ink had bled some into the surrounding vinyl creating a pink stained "halo" around the mouth. The child had also used what appeared to be colored pencil to give her eye makeup. I have restored this doll. First she got a good bath and shampoo and condition. I very, very carefully removed as much as I could of the child's offensive ink and pencil handiwork and used my artist's acrylic paints to conceal some staining and restore some color and beauty to the doll. I repainted her lips in a tomato red shade that resembles the lovely color that the original #1, #2 and #3 lips often oxidize and fade to. This color blends with a conceals what's left of the ink staining rather than making it more apparent by contrast, like a true blood red would. I touched up her black eyelash ridges and original brown eyeliner. Her fingernail and toenail polish was mostly gone so I gave her a new manicure and pedicure to match her lips. Thankfully, this doll's eyebrows are all original! Her hair had been cut some and is frizzy so I simply put it into a bun on the top of her head and used a bit of soft hold hairspray to keep it in place. I have used a "less is more" approach when working on this doll, trying to preserve as much originality as possible and not overdoing her. I also want my work to be reversible if a future collector with better skills than me wants to restore her themself. I did seal my paint with Modge Podge, but that can be removed with alcohol and a little patience. The doll's body has both faded and darkened as is common...with improper storage in hot climates the #1, #2 and #3 bodies and limbs will fade to ivory as usual but then can yellow a bit after that. I have taken photos with and without the flash to show this, and some of the photos with the flash make the yellowing look worse than it is. She looks better under normal or natural light to the naked eye. The doll body does show scuffs and play wear here and there as is to be expected but overall is very sturdy with firm joints, no splits and no chews or missing fingers and toes. The metal tubes in the feet are protruding a bit as is normal from the vinyl shrinking and changing shape over the past 66 years. There is also some staining on both feet from more than one pair of shoes being left on too long over the years. The first three Barbie heads are made of a vinyl formula that does not develop green ear like subsequent ones do so you don't have to worry about that. I do not detect any smoke damage or mildew or other foul odors. As mentioned before I cleaned her and she smells only of crayons as she should. This doll is far from perfect and some may not choose to believe she is a transitional, maybe they think a child switched heads, but my education and experience shows me that these transitional dolls DO exist so I'll choose to believe that she is one of them. You can clearly see that the head and body have aged together and have been together a very, very long time. It all just looks and feels "right". I also would view this doll as a rare and interesting piece of Barbie history, as a conversation piece, and not expect her to be a perfect beauty. While she is certainly attractive, she's been through a LOT...she's had a hard life and she's been restored...so she has some character to her. All in all this is a truly fabulous and extremely rare doll that I think you will be very proud to own. I have certainly enjoyed her...I love her so very much...but my financial situation is such that I absolutely must part with her. Thanks for looking! ITEM SOLD AS IS WITH NO RETURNS SO VIEW THE PHOTOS CAREFULLY AND ASK ANY AND ALL QUESTIONS PRIOR TO BIDDING. THANK YOU. PAYMENT IS REQUIRED AT AUCTION END. NO HOLDS OR PAYMENT ARRANGEMENTS CAN BE MADE. IF YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY, PLEASE DO NOT BID. THANKS FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING. SHIPPING IS ACTUAL USPS COSTS FOR PRIORITY MAIL IN A FLAT RATE BOX AND SIGNATURE WILL BE REQUIRED UPON DELIVERY. I HAVE A SMOKE FREE HOME WITH A CAT. (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.