​​​​​​​Behold The Valley of the Dolls

by David Mansour 

10. Barbie and the Rockers (1986)

61. Kissing Barbie (1979)
62. Miss America (1972)
63. Twiggy (1967)
64. Tutti & Todd (1966)
65. Miss Barbie (1964)
66.Free Moving (1975)
67. Happy Holiday Barbie (1988)
68. Tropical (1986)
69. Teen Talk (1992)
70. Barbie for President (1992)

I love lists, I love rankings, I love Barbie! 

Why I qualify to rank? I’m a longtime Barbie collector, a lifetime Barbie fan. I’ve extensively researched Barbie over 39 years of collecting. I’m considered an “expert” on Barbie, discussing the doll in various media outlets—newspapers, magazines, radio and television including two national spots (CNBC's Squawk Box and the Discovery Channel’s Pop Nation show), I've given a number of public Barbie presentations. And hey, I’ve written a book on Barbie!

Of course, this ranking list of Barbie is only one opinion, mine, however I’m sure most Barbie connoisseurs will agree with my choices.

Putting personal favorites aside, the 5 things in ranking consideration:
1.    Innovative; first of a kind. 
2.    Popularity upon original release. 
3.    Wide appeal to collectors today. 
4.    Importance in the World of Barbie.
5.    Pop culture buzz; legacy or controversy.

Ponytail Barbie will be #1 and I’ll openly admit it from the start.

What can I say? This doll started it all! She is the first Barbie doll. There’s probably not a single person who would dispute putting the Ponytail Barbie at #1, but what 100 dolls would follow in her high-heeled mules and how will they rank?​

Talking Barbie 

Teen Fun Skipper

1. Ponytail Barbie (1959)

Peaches 'n Cream 

11. Midge (1963)

12. Peaches ‘n Cream Barbie (1985)

13. Fashion Queen Barbie (1963)
14. Color Magic Barbie (1966)
15. Skipper (1964)
16. Talking Barbie (1968)
17. Black Barbie (1980)
18. Bubble Cut Barbie (1961)
19. Growin’ Pretty Hair (1971)
20. Brad (1970)​​

6. American Girl Barbie (1965)

81. Scooter (1965)
82. Ricky (1965)
83. Fashion Jeans (1982)
84. Crystal (1984)
85. Animal Lovin’ (1989)
86. Jazzie (1989)
87. Teresa (1988)
88. Astronaut Barbie (1986)
89. Jewel Hair Mermaid (1995)
90. Style Magic (1989)

Style Magic 

Teen Talk Barbie

Wet 'n Wild 

91. Magic Curl Barbie (1982)
92. Movin’ Groovin’ (1997)
93. Hollywood Nails (1999)
94. Jam ‘n Glam (2002)
95. Baywatch (1995)
96. Talking Barbie (1970)
97. Super Teen Skipper (1979)
98. Loving You Barbie (1984)
99. Jewel Secrets (1987) 
100. Dream Glow (1986)
101. Wet ‘n Wild (1990)

21. Twist ‘n Turn “Marlo Flip” Barbie (1969)

22. P.J. (1969)

23. Living Barbie (1970)

24. Talking Ken (1969)

25. Swirl Ponytail Barbie (1964)

26. Stacey (1968)

27. Quick Curl (1973)

28. Earring Magic Ken (1993)

29. Growing Up Skipper (1975)

30. Allan (1964

Hot Skatin' 

31. Golden Dream (1981)
32. Mod Hair Ken (1973)
33. Walk Lively (1972)
34. Julia (1969)
35. Fashion Fever (2004)
36. Hair Fair Barbie (1967)
37. Live Action (1971)
38. Great Shape (1984)
39. Black Francie (1967)
40. Fashion Photo (1978)​​

Movin' Groovin​'

Animal Lovin' 

3. Malibu (1971)

4. Superstar Barbie (1977)

My Scene

Julia

Earring Magic Ken  

Golden Dream Barbie 

Jewel Hair Mermaid

51. Sun Lovin’ Malibu (1979)
52.Casey (1967)
53. Hispanic Barbie (1980)
54. Dolls of the World (1980)
55. Roller Skating (1980)
56. My Scene (2002)
57. Cali Girl (2004)
58. Silkstone Fashion Model (2000)
59. Sweet 16 Barbie (1974)
60. Pretty Changes Barbie (1978)

5. Ken (1961)

Jam 'n Glam 

California Dream 

2. Twist 'n Turn Barbie (1967)

​​​BARBIE 101

Miss America 

7. Totally Hair (1992)

41. Day-to-Night (1985)
42. Ballerina Barbie (1976)
43. Steffie (1972)
44. Superstar Ken (1978)
45. Dream Date (1983)
46. Western (1981)
47. California Dream (1988)
48. Generation Girl (1999)
49. Busy Barbie (1972)
50. Yellowstone Kelley (1974)

Barbie 101. A ranking of the 101 greatest dolls from Barbie's vintage years (1959 to the Y2K early-2000s). All dolls are featured in my book, Behold the Valley of the Dolls: All the Barbies You Can Handle—and Beyond! 

Twist 'n Turn "Marlo Flip" Barbie 

Allan

Kissing Barbie

9. Christie (1968)

Sun Lovin' Malibu

Mod Hair Ken

All Barbie photos from the collection of David Mansour and Behold the Valley of the Dolls.

71. Hot Skatin’ (1994)
72. Beyond Pink (1998)
73. Hawaiian Barbie (1976)
74. My First Barbie (1981)
75. Sunsational Malibu Black Ken (1982)
76. Truly Scrumptious (1969)
77. Gold Medal (1975)
78. Beauty Secrets (1980)
79. Standard Barbie (1967)
80. Teen Fun Skipper (1988)

8. Francie (1966)