There are many old dolls at flea markets and thrift shops. Some of them are cute, others charming, while some creepy. Some of these vintage dolls can be worth money. You can find vintage dolls in the shops and attics. Barbie, the doll you adored so much, could be worth a fortune.
Original 1959 Barbie
The original 1959 doll is the most sought-after vintage doll. If you can find one in good condition with her iconic 1950s ponytail and black and white striped swimsuit, then she is a great choice. In 2022, one original Barbie was sold on eBay for less than $6,000.
Quick Tip
Barbie should be in a like-new state (or even in her original box, if that is possible) to be considered the most valuable.
Pre-1982 Cabbage patch kids
Cabbage Patch Kids were a huge hit in the 1980s. The majority of vintage Cabbage patch Kids are sold for $50. However, they can be worth more if in perfect condition or if among the very first produced. Original dolls by Xavier Roberts before 1982 are the most valuable. One Montreal Expos Cabbage Patch Kid sold for over $5,300.
Original American Girl Dolls
American Girl dolls remain popular and expensive, but vintage versions dating back to the 1980s are worth a lot of money. In good condition, an original Pleasant Company doll (the original name for American Girl) could be worth thousands of dollars. One Samantha doll signed in 1987 was sold for nearly $4,500.
Quick Tip
Most valuable dolls are those that have the original box, clothes, and accessories, and are in perfect condition. The most valuable dolls are those that have been signed by Pleasant Rowland.
Kenner Blythe Dolls 1972
The Blythe doll was a 1970s icon. It featured a Barbie-sized head, a large body and moveable limbs and eyes. It’s worth more if you have a 1972 doll, the only year it was sold in America. One with working eyes sold for more than $2,000.
1950s Madame Alexander Cissy Dolls
Madame Alexanders are not always very valuable. However, the dolls from the 1950s can be worth a lot of money if they are in good condition. Cissy, a fashion doll from the late 1950s is one of the most collectible. If they are in good condition and have their original clothes and accessories, many sell for hundreds. A in excellent condition sold for nearly $900 in 2022.
Strawberry Shortcake and Friends 1980s
Strawberry Shortcake dolls can be extremely valuable, as they are more than just sweet memories. Banana Twirl, for example, sold in new condition for nearly $1,000. To find one worth money, look for a “friend” doll made in smaller quantities than Strawberry Shortcake.
1983 Rainbow Brite
Rainbow Brite, with her colorful clothes and star-shaped cheek marks, captured the imaginations of children in the 1980s. You may be able to find her in the original packaging. A Rainbow Brite in its original, sealed box was sold for nearly $400 and is regularly priced at that level.
Vintage doll values: Factors that affect their value
You can get a good idea of the value of a vintage doll by considering these factors:
- Condition Dolls in new condition or in perfect condition are the most valuable. They aren’t as valuable if they have been played with, which is what most of them were.
- Charm — Don’t undervalue the value of nostalgia. It’s more valuable if people remember a doll fondly or if it was iconic of its time.
- rarity– The most valuable dolls are those that were produced in the first or second year of production or lesser known sidekicks. Signed dolls by artists can also add to the rarity.
Helpful Hack
Look up the auction site prices for dolls in the same condition. You should remember that sellers can charge whatever they want for vintage dolls, but you can get a sense of the value by looking at what others paid.
Vintage dolls have more than sentimental value
Vintage dolls can be highly valuable because they are a reminder of childhood, but some were never touched by children. It could be worth more than just sentimental value if you have a doll that you can remember, or one you’ve heard about.