1961 Barbie Doll #5 Brunette Ponytail

Prior to the Barbie doll, most doll designs on the toy market were infants. The late-1950s debut of Barbie allowed young girls to dream about their future as career-driven women. They became some of the best-selling dolls of all time with over a billion sold.

Presented is a 1961 Barbie doll which is the #5 style ponytail brunette (model 850). The #5 ponytail doll was the first available with three different hair styles. Buyers could purchase one with blonde, brunette, or titian which was a hue of red. These dolls had subtler face paint and a tan-hued vinyl that left their faces looking shinier. It was the first year Barbies had a hollow body with the registered trademark, Barbie®. Those with hollow bodies tended to have more rigid body parts that weren’t as easily bendable. The backside has the 1961 with circle C copyright and R (circle) by Barbie impression. There are no shoes, earrings or sunglasses with this one but a black wire stand is included (also sans box).