American Girl Barbies
The American Girl Barbie series was first sold in 1965 and again in 1966. Only the second Barbie to have bendable legs, she is still a very popular, though somewhat hard to find, doll amongst collectors.
The features of the American Girl Barbie (AMG) that made her stand out and different from the other Barbies is mainly her hairstyle. Barbies sold in 1965 sported a chin length Pageboy hairstyle, with hair colors ranging from blonde to redhead to brunette. Those sold in 1966 had a slightly longer bob and slightly softer textured hair, with the same hair colors available.
Another type of American Girl Barbie, the Side-Part American Girl is also part of the series, though a much more difficult doll to locate given that there were far less produced. Apparently, this hairstyle (parted on the left side, and held back with a soft turquoise ribbon) was difficult to produce, thus the limited edition of this particular Barbie.
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 Vintage Blonde AMERICAN GIRL Barbie Box OSS Stand Shoes US $107.50 |
 Vintage Barbie Midge American Girl FASHION EDITOR N M US $19.99 |
 Vintage American Girl Titian Red Head Barbie Very Nice US $138.60 |
 Vintage 1965 American Girl Barbie doll on SL 1962 body US $10.50 |
 Vintage American Girl Barbie Doll Brunette w Case MORE US $11.50 |
 Vintage Barbie American Girl 1958 US $99.00 |
 VINTAGE AMERICAN GIRL BARBIE W RAVEN BLACK HAIR US $100.01 |
 VINTAGE BARBIE AMERICAN GIRL ORIGINAL PRICE REDUCED US $299.99 |
 2 Vintage American Girl Barbie Dk Brunette Ash 1070 US $11.10 |
The American Girl wore a one piece swimsuit, with a multi-colored striped top piece and an all aqua bottom. She also wore aqua open toe high heels. She had blue eyes and her eyes were lined with the same color blue eyeliner. Barbies made in 1965 wore coral shade lipstick, although this often fades till it's a light orange or buttery yellow color. She also wore coral shade fingernail and toenail polish. Those made in 1966 either followed the same coral color pattern, or some came with 'high color' paint, which was brighter, eyeliner and blush application was heavier, and the lipstick color and fingernail and toenail paint was a darker red or raspberry color.
Accessories sold with her included a wire stand, wrist tag and a booklet.
One of the best ways to know if your Barbie is a real vintage doll is by paying close attention to the markings on the doll itself. Markings on the 1965 Barbie, are indented and say @1958/Mattel,Inc./U.S.Patented/U.S.Pat.Pend. Markings on the 1966 Barbie changed slightly to include "Made in Japan".
If your wanting to buy a vintage American Girl Barbie pay particular notice to the legs. They should move in three stages and damage to this could devalue the Barbie, as would any other signs of wear and tear or use such as stains, pen marks, chew marks, etc.
American Girl Barbie was the last of her kind. The 1967 Barbie, known as the first Mod Era Barbie, looked very different from the elegantly coiffured American Girl and her fashion designer wardrobe, making her a wonderful addition to any collection.