For sale is a RARE 1961 BRUNETTE BARBIE BUBBLE CUT DOLL Model #850 made by Mattel. Doll sale includes original 1960s red dress, striped top and the jacket. The interior of the jacket has the Barbie made by Mattel label. The doll is in excellent condition. This doll does not have the common “green ear” discoloration which is common to these dolls. The backside of the doll is marked “Barbie, PATS PEND MCMLVIII by Mattel”. Doll has beautiful blue eyes and pink lipstick. Hair is brunette with tight bubble cut, red fingernail and toenail polish. Polish and lipstick are in good condition and visible. One of the feet is marked “Japan” on the bottom.
In 1961, Mattel issued a new kind of Barbie doll called the “Bubble Cut” which had a new bouffant hairdo. The first-issue Bubble Cuts generally have shorter, tighter hairdo’s and thinner faces than the later ones. They still have the beautiful red Barbie lips as well (except for the White Ginger). Eyes and eye shadow are shades of blue to turquoise. The rare 1961 Bubble Cut is the Brownette (Brunette or Brown Sable).
Barbie is a fashion doll manufactured by American toy company Mattel, Inc. and launched on March 9, 1959. Barbie has been an important part of the toy fashion doll market for over six decades and has been the subject of numerous controversies and lawsuits, often involving parodies of the doll and her lifestyle. The first Barbie doll wore a black-and-white zebra striped swimsuit and signature topknot ponytail, and was available as either a blonde or brunette. The doll was marketed as a “Teen-age Fashion Model”, with her clothes created by Mattel fashion designer Charlotte Johnson. The first Barbie dolls were manufactured in Japan, with their clothes hand-stitched by Japanese homeworkers. From 1959 until 1972, Barbies were made in Japan and have “Made in Japan” or “Japan” stamped on the bottom of their feet.
Barbie’s appearance has been changed many times, most notably in 1971 when the doll’s eyes were adjusted to look forwards rather than having the demure sideways glance of the original model.
