Warman’s Barbie Doll Field Guide: Values and Identification

I think this is a great book for the novice collector.

The market will bear whatever someone is willing to pay for an item, so I never pay attention to estimated values in books, mostly due to prices will increase and decrease at all different times of the year.

I love buying from Dealers as they will only charge you actual MSRP on an item when it first comes out. I understand an item increasing in value, so I understand a dealer charging more for an item when the supply is low & demand is high.

This book is a neat tool to carry in my purse when I am looking at Barbies and find one I have never seen before. I have the previous edition & I have worn it out, so it was nice to see a new one come out!

The best way to get a idea on a value on a doll is to research completed or sold items. Sometimes my dealers will let me know what a doll is worth too. Always do your own research for values, but the book is a great starting point to find valuable dolls!

Rating: 5 / 5

I have a problem with reference books that are filled with errors because they are written by non-collectors. I am assuming this book was written by a non-collector because no self-respecting collector/expert would want to lead other collectors so astray.

The only reason for a collector to purchase a reference book is to assist in their purchases — ensure they are buying a doll with the correct head and body along with the proper swimsuit/outfit. This book has significant errors so the collector is left vulnerable instead of informed. These errors are blatant, hopelessly sloppy and undoubtedly caused because the author does not know her subject matter. That alone is unforgiveable, but additionally, the price guide is terribly inaccurate.

If the subject is of sufficient interest to warrant a reference book, the effort should entail enough research and care in the creation to produce something of value to the reader. This book will mislead rather than empower a collector.

It is clear is that the main motivation for producing the book is money, not sharing accurate information. Collectors deserve better, and there are much better books on the subject.
Rating: 1 / 5

DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY. If you’re looking for a book that will give you inaccurate information, this is the one for you. It was obviously written by someone who knows very little about Vintage Barbie. The pictures are inaccurate, and just plan bad in some cases. They have the American Girl wearing Pilgrims for goodness sake! And to help you identify a Swirl Ponytail they have her pictured wearing an American Girl bathing suit (now I know there are rare ones that came this way, but this book is supposed to guide you in your collecting, not confuse the heck out of you causing you to look for the wrong thing or at least something next to impossible in most cases to find. You can’t even see her ponytail in the picture. I was really shocked, and am returning this book immediately. What a waste of time and I was really looking forward to getting this book too. And as for pricing in this “price guide”, my god, prices are sky high!!!! if the price guide in the book is accurate, I’ve gotten some amazing deals recently, I mean like half price, I know the economy is bad but this edition of the book is supposed to reflect updated values. Have values really dropped in half since this was printed??? Or was this written by Barbie dealers, to “educate” you so as to help relieve you of more of your cash while collecting. I think so… It’s a sham and a shame!!!
Rating: 1 / 5