RainierView Loc: Eatonville, WA

We inherited thousands of Barbie Dolls that were collected by my wife's parents. We know nothing about them but have been selling them on eBay pricing them on the lower mid price of whats listed. But can't find anything even close anywhere to 2 of them.

On those 2 dolls my wife discovered they have the manufacturing date on the dolls butt. They are dated 1958 in Roman Numerals MCMLVIII. Japan is stamped on the bottom of their feet I googled when the first Barbie was made, and it was March 9 1959. I searched eBay for 1958 Barbies and all listed there were made in the 60s as a 1958 reproduction. On their butts with the dates, they are called Midge. None have dates in Roman Numerals.

I'm hoping someone on the Hog might have some knowledge of Barbies, or where I could contact an expert or a serious collector. These are obviously very rare and I'd like to find out their value.

This is a copy and paste of what I found on some values:

Original Barbie - The original first edition Barbie from 1959 is very rare. Money, Inc. reports that even in played-with condition, she is worth $8,000. In pristine condition, she could be worth more than $27,000.

The MCMLVIII dolls we have are pristine.

These are photos of the 2 dolls and their markings. Notice on the left cheek one has the number 5, the other has a 7. I'm wondering if that is a style number or the number off the assembly line. Either way, these are very old.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

The Five Most Expensive Barbie Dolls in History
Stefani Canturi Barbie – $302,500.
De Beers 40th Anniversary Barbie – $85,000. ...
Original Barbie – $27,450. ...
Lorraine Schwartz Barbie – $7,500. The fourth most expensive Barbie doll is the Lorraine Schwartz Barbie. ...
Marie Antoinette Barbie – $1,250. The Marie Antoinette Barbie is a special edition that was produced in 2003.

fjdarling Loc: Mesa, Arizona, USA

Maybe a reputable collectibles dealer can refer you to a Barbie expert. It certainly does look like you have some rare ones there - maybe prototypes or production models used for the initial advertising campaigns. The second one you show looks vaguely familiar, but I can't say for sure. I would be surprised if your mother-in-law didn't keep any notes regarding where and when she purchased her dolls. Good luck!

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Google search for "prototype barbies from 1958" brought up this page: https://www.google.com/search?q=prototype+barbies+from+1958&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS917US917&oq=prototype+barbies+from+1958&aqs=chrome..69i57.18959j1j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America

Perhaps an original LILLI?

https://www.messynessychic.com/2016/01/29/meet-lilli-the-high-end-german-call-girl-who-became-americas-iconic-barbie-doll/

Jazztrader

Start with a call or letter to Mattel corporate:
https://www.mattel.com/en-us

Wkndr Loc: Sitka, Alaska

RainierView Loc: Eatonville, WA

Thanks. I haven't been able to find a reputable dealer or expert. I'll keep trying.

RainierView Loc: Eatonville, WA

Thanks to every one that posted advise. I put my comments to some of your help in the wrong spot. This is new to me, but I'm figuring it out.

RainierView Loc: Eatonville, WA

Hope these 2 are worth something. Most we had and still have were and are worth far less than what they paid.

RainierView Loc: Eatonville, WA

Thanks.

RainierView Loc: Eatonville, WA

Thanks, that was very interesting.

RainierView Loc: Eatonville, WA

Good idea. I'll be calling them today. Thanks.

RainierView Loc: Eatonville, WA

Hope these 2 are worth something. Most we had and still have were and are worth far less than what they paid.