Although a mint inbox holiday barbie from 1988. May be worth as much as 600.

Barbie was the brainchild of Ruth Handler, co-founder (with her husband Elliot) of the toy company Mattel, Inc. Inspired by watching their daughter play with make-believe paper dolls of adult women, Handler realized there was an unfilled niche in the market for a toy that allowed little girls to imagine the future.

On March 9, 1959, Barbie debuted at the New York Toy Fair. The first Barbie wore a black and white striped swimsuit and her signature ponytail. Toy buyers were skeptical because Barbie was unlike the baby and toddler dolls that were popular at the time.

1988 1988 HAPPY HOLIDAYS BARBIE - 1ST IN COLLECTIBLE SERIES by Mattel.

The Year Your Doll Was Made Determines It's Value

The 2023 Holiday Barbie doll embodies the spirit of the season in a gorgeous golden gown that shimmers with starry details. The color gold has always had significance during the holidays as a symbol of warmth and light, making it the perfect color for this 35th anniversary edition of the iconic Holiday Barbie.

Barbie officially debuted on March 9, 1959, at the American International Toy Fair in New York City as a creation of Mattel, Inc.'s Ruth Handler. Handler got her inspiration from the German Lilli doll in 1956, and development of the Barbie doll began soon after. Barbie was first sold in 1958.

As she grew in popularity, Barbie became more than just a children's toy: She emerged from her plastic wrappings to become a powerful symbol of womanhood for the girls who played with her, just as Handler intended.

In 1945, Handler wanted her daughter Barbara to have action figures like her brother Ken, so she created her own. The first Barbie doll debuted at the New York toy fair in March 1959. And thanks to a revolutionary TV ad, Barbie became a household name.

March 9, 1959 Barbie officially debuted on March 9, 1959, at the American International Toy Fair in New York City as a creation of Mattel, Inc.'s Ruth Handler. Handler got her inspiration from the German Lilli doll in 1956, and development of the Barbie doll began soon after. Barbie was first sold in 1958.

For instance, the 2019 Holiday Barbie has a low value of $9, average value of $27 and highest value of $67.