Wednesday, September 7, 2011

BARBIE DOLLS BOUGHT AT LOCAL AUCTION HOUSE

I am not a Barbie doll expert but I do know a vintage Barbie Doll when I see her. I know enough to look at the markings on her bottom and to check her foot for the word Japan. Last Thursday a box of Barbie's came up for sale at the auction. I had been told that they would be separated and sold by the piece. I spent quite a bit of time checking them out for their markings and their defects.  Among the dolls were a pile of clothes. Many of them Barbie clothes. To my luck they all were auctioned off together and their were not many collectors. I got this whole box for $25.00. I am now armed with books from the library to see if I can figure out the dolls and clothes. The clothes can some time be the real prize. These clothes have been played with so that will hurt some.
Several have some damage and 2 of them I can not figure out where they are from I see no markings. So I am going to share my dolls with you by picture and see if I can get any help.
The first doll I have identified as Twist and Turn Mod Barbie. Marked 1966 Mattel US Patented US Pat Pend made in Japan. Her leg clicks 3 times so she can pose. In the box was her original bathing suit top and what is probably the bottom of the suit. I have listed her for sale on eBay starting at $9.99. Hopefully she will sell for over $50.00 and I will double my purchase price on this one doll. Last night one like her sold for over $70.00.  What is missing from her swim suit is the hard to find belt. She is in nice condition considering she was played with. No neck splits, there is some soiling to her arms.
The doll I am working on know to identify is this one. She is marked Midge 1962 Barbie 1968 by Mattel Patented. Japan is on the bottom of her foot. She also has no neck splits. There is light green at her ears and a couple of spots of green on her arms. I am working at trying to identify her so I know who she is and then see if I have the outfit she wore. Any help is always appreciated. I will continue over the next days to share my other finds in this box of Barbies from the auction.
Thanks for stopping by and if you can help me on identifying this doll thanks. Grace

Thursday, September 1, 2011

SELLING WAR BOOKS AND COLLECTING ASH TRAYS LOCAL AUCTIONS CAN BE FUN

Today is Thursday and tonight we are going to our normal Thursday night auction. We have auctions on Monday's and Thursday.
We bought some WWW2 books and a set of Time Life Civil War books to sell at Thursday's auction. Hopefully they will get to them since they are full of items to auction off. Last week we had 8 WWW2  books and sold them for $102.50 we netted $82.00. We bought them for $8.00 and probably got more and sold faster than on eBay. Monday night auctions are not good for books for some reason.
The one thing I saw was some vintage Barbie dolls. Most have some body damage some where, green ears, legs stained and one has a split in neck area. They probably will get bid up to high for me to buy and resell. Time will tell.
What I bought last Monday night was some Las Vegas ash trays. I have started to collect ash trays from casinos and businesses. Since smoking is less popular these old ash trays can be collectible. Fun and inexpensive to buy most times.


I am now up to 18 Las Vegas or other advertising ash trays. This little silver colored one in the second picture almost went back to the auction house as an undesirable. I turned it over and see that it says
copyrighted made in Occupied Japan. It will stay in my collection for now.
Thanks for stopping by and hope that you have a great rest of the week. Grace