The September Kovels Antique Trader is here!

From Disney to dollhouses, the September issue of Kovels Antique Trader offers a magical view of the wonderful world of collecting. Brothers Walter Elias Disney and Roy Oliver Disney found Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio on Oct. 16, 1923. Their studio is in the rear of a small office occupied by Holly-Vermont Realty at 4651 Kingswell […]

Barbie Remains a Living Doll

Little could Ruth Handler have realized that her first foray into the world of dolls would help create an America icon, a touchstone of cultural politics and one of the most amazing success stories in the history of children’s toys, all while laying the foundation for a hit movie—Barbie, naturally—starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, […]

Mattel’s New My First Barbie

Barbie reaches new heights. The Barbie doll has had many makeovers since her introduction in 1959, helping collectors date her vintage. Mattel’s new My First Barbie doll is noticeably different from her predecessors and will be easy to recognize. Developed with the preferences and fine motor skills of children as young as 3 in mind, […]

Happy 63rd Birthday, Barbie! 

One of the most recognizable and curvaceous teenage dolls in history, Barbie, is almost eligible for Medicare. She made her debut 63 years ago today. If your mom bought you that first doll, we hope you are treating her well. She may have cost less than $3 to buy in 1959—for reference, a gallon of […]

Barbie Dolls

Keep Barbie barefoot. Don’t store a Barbie doll with shoes on because the shoes may damage or mark the feet. But be sure to store the shoes where they won’t get lost.    

Barbie Still Top Doll for Collectors 

On March 9, 1959, teenage fashion model Barbie Millicent Roberts from Willows, Wisconsin, made her debut at the American Toy Fair. Barbie quickly became one of the most recognizable dolls ever created, sought after by young girls and collectors alike. A recent sale of Barbie dolls by Apple Tree Auction Center of Newark, Ohio, included […]

Computer Engineer Barbie

Barbie’s in the news again. A 2010 book with a cover picturing a glamorous Barbie doll computer engineer— who can’t do her job without asking men for help—was recently discovered by a blogger. She was enraged by the book, titled I Can Be a Computer Engineer. Other women took note and also objected to the […]