Identifying Vintage Ponytail Barbies: Your Ultimate Guide

[@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017]

I was just reading about the mysterious "waxy face Barbie #5" and here you are, telling the story.

[@dorisbrinkerhoff8124]

this is very helpful. they look a lot alike .

[@louie2s]

Nice video trying to explain the arbitrary numbering system. I agree for the most part, however my childhood "#6" blonde ponytail with coral lips from 1962 was on the Barbie #5 hollow body with the small neck knob. It is her original body as the only other doll I had then was a Midge on the Midge/Barbie body. Mattel would use up previous parts when changing from one version to the next. So likewise there are #3/4's with tan legs but faded body/arms and other combos. Also a lot of heads/bodies did get swapped back in the day as well as currently, so this is a great guide but realize there are Mattel manufacturer variations & consumer made variations when evaluating dolls.

[@Yakketie]

Thank you!! I was 99% sure I have a #3 but now I'm 100% sure

[@LeeDee5]

Your collection of ponytail Barbies is magnificent. I don't think Mattel thought we'd be here 65 years later pinpointing every single detail about their ponytail Barbie(s).

[@TheNostalgicToyArchive]

Thank you! I doubt they ever imagined that their play line dolls would be resold 65 years later for prices far beyond their original retail value! It’s a testament to just how high quality they are and how collectible they became :)

[@claudiaromero2041]

Ian, thank you so much for this video. I was starting to get confused about the Barbie’s and didn’t know what they were talking about. I still feel confused when people talk about the body cast, but maybe you will make a new video on that. This really helped me, thank you

[@TheNostalgicToyArchive]

Glad I could help!

[@janealae]

Best ever flea market find was a number three bar for two dollars! She needs some help but she still looks really good!

[@TheNostalgicToyArchive]

WOW. You scored. Big time!

[@cesarvilla2677]

Another way to differentiate the ponytails. The first three ponytail Barbies have a distinctive crayon smell. Also the #5 and #6 were issued with wiry bangs. The ponytails issued before have softer poodle bangs.

[@MissPenguin14]

Today I thrifted a vintage ponytail lady and was trying my best to find out who she was and I stumbled this video! Thank you so much for this in-depth explainations! I have a bunch of your other videos saved to watch later! Lovely lovely collection and content, subbed! :)

[@TheNostalgicToyArchive]

Glad I could help! Thank you for the nice comment :)

[@cathyemmerson471]

You cleared up a lot of questions I had about the markings on the buttox. I really enjoy listening to you talk and all of the knowledge that you share. I look forward to more uploads.

[@TheNostalgicToyArchive]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you 😊

[@moxie96]

Can you do this about bubble cut Barbies too? They do look different year to year themselves too

[@TheNostalgicToyArchive]

Yes! I'll definitely be visiting the Bubble Cuts soon. :)

[@flynn7274]

I have 2 #5 Barbie PTs and one 1961 bubble cut & fortunately I knew to get them without the greasy face. I've had these 3 for about 8-10 years & they are beautiful -completely matte faces. Sometimes on my 60s Barbies & Ken dolls the arms might get sticky I just have to take them out & give them a good wash & air them out.

[@patrickdolan2137]

Thank you very much for the indepth expose for those Barbies 1-7! Well done, friend, you are the only one, so far who has attempted this! Very nice & interesting!!!🎉🎉🎉😊😢

[@TheNostalgicToyArchive]

Thank you very much!

[@nellocipolla4698]

Ian, it was really interesting to see your video and I'm glad I met you. I will definitely also watch all the other videos you have uploaded and will upload in the future. Thanks 😘

[@TheNostalgicToyArchive]

Thanks so much! Much more to come.

[@Vicky-yx9ud]

Nice video! Maybe It’s the clearest I’ve ever seen about a Ponytails! ❤❤ I have 1-4 ; 3-5 and 1-7, Also your collection is amazing! 🎉🎉

[@TheNostalgicToyArchive]

Oh thank you! Sounds like you have a lot of great ones as well, thank you for watching!

[@chris-q7c4x]

The orange colored lip stick was an actual popular shade made by revlon. Mainly for Marilyn Monroe . Thus was popular in real fashion

[@TheNostalgicToyArchive]

Love that!

[@RachelHoffmanDolls]

WHAT A GREAT VIDEO!!!!

[@TheNostalgicToyArchive]

You are so kind, thank you!!

[@TheNostalgicToyArchive]

Thank you so much, Rachel! I owe a lot of what I know to your amazing content!

[@dolls2remember]

amazing video!! thank you! I hope to own one of these some day!

[@TheNostalgicToyArchive]

@@dolls2remember Aw, thank you! I love your channel btw! I hope you do too, vintage Barbie has a special place in my heart ❤️

[@moxie96]

Absolutely thank you for this video! I know I will not get 1-3 in my life but I suspect I have a 5 and a 6/7

[@TheNostalgicToyArchive]

My pleasure, so glad it helped you!

[@whatanitemare]

Loved this video. Looking forward to watching more. Had to sub!

[@TheNostalgicToyArchive]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@JanetJamesPenfold]

Great video Ian! Your video was very helpful in confirming that I have 1 blonde, 1 titian, and 1 brunette number 5 Barbie. Happily, non have greasy face! I also have 1 number 6 blonde Barbie and I have the 100th Anniversary Montgomery Ward (mail order, no nail polish) re-issue of 1972 which looks like a beautiful brunette 5.

[@TheNostalgicToyArchive]

That's awesome! So glad this video helped. I love that Montgomery Ward reproduction too!

[@chris-q7c4x]

That you so much for the info. None of the other channel s or books presents this as well or in a way that it can be understood and useful

[@TheNostalgicToyArchive]

Glad it was helpful! That was my goal for this video, so I’m very happy to hear it helped you. More to come :)

[@royd.6831]

Thanks for this informative video! Four years ago I bought my first vintage Barbie: a 1961 blonde ponytail in a complete American Airlines flight attendant outfit. She was in perfect condition with a poodle cut in front and a tightly rolled curl at the bottom of her pt, and she started my fascination with Barbie in general.Thanks to your vid, I guess she's either a 4 or 5, but it doesn't matter 'cause I'll never sell her, lol. 😊

[@TheNostalgicToyArchive]

Thanks for watching! I love the American Airlines outfit, it’s one of my favorites

[@royd.6831]

@@TheNostalgicToyArchive Same! And it came with a shoulder bag and a great AA branded carry-on bag. I can't believe this was once considered playline quality! 😄

[@Vanessa-nh5es]

🤗🖤♥️🎈🔥🧜🏻‍♀️😍😍

[@sharonevans6864]

I have a Barbie # 6/7 that was given to me. She has a 7 on her left buttock but it does not say patented on her right markings so I am not sure if she is a six or seven. Guess it does not really matter but I was surprised to see the number 7 on her left buttock. Enjoyed your video. I am in the process of trying to clean this doll and your information was very helpful. Take care!

[@TheNostalgicToyArchive]

Thanks for watching! The markings on the left buttock unfortuntaly do not mean anything, the numbers they put there are often just stock numbers and could be a conicidence that yours happens to say "7". To me sounds like your doll is a Number 6 Ponytail.

[@sharonevans6864]

Thank you so much !

[@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017]

Omg, I didn't know #1 Barbies could go for $15k.

[@TheNostalgicToyArchive]

Crazy, right?!

[@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017]

@@TheNostalgicToyArchive I'm seeing one listed at $20k now.

[@MW-fl9se]

Detailed, through analysis, much appreciated. My #3 Barbie has a factory updo. I'm the original owner. Anyone have info or experience about factory updo Barbies? They seem to be scarce.

[@TheNostalgicToyArchive]

You’re so lucky! I love the factory updos, they’re so special. Thanks so much for watching!

[@maunasiliandergamba2387]

There is nothing that Barbie didn’t copy from Built Lili- Barbie is just differently marketed German Built Lili

[@dorisbrinkerhoff8124]

i get confused when someone switches the head

[@VincentLarson-g1b]

Don't #3 ponytails also have a mold marking on their upper left thigh?

[@TheNostalgicToyArchive]

I believe it’s just the 4s that do, it’s a faint mold marking. From what I have gathered it’s inconsistent and some don’t have much of one which makes it hard to distinguish.

[@ArcticCat-dm8xm]

I have a vintage Barbie Doll..Made by Mattel in 1966..She has red hair in a pony tail and I believe is called Titan. It was made in Indonesia. Does anyone know if it is valuable.