Warman's Barbie Doll Field Guide: Values and Identification
By Sharon Verbeten

This fun, affordable and fact-filled guide allows you to bask in the beauty of Barbie, while providing details to help you identify and assess the value of the dolls in your collection, or those you dream about owning. The perfect size to use at shops, garage sales, and during online auctions, this guide contains fashion sets and nearly 50 years of the most valuable and collectible Barbie dolls.
Amazon Sales Rank: #384342 in Books Published on: 2009-05-30 Original language: English Number of items: 1 Binding: Paperback 512 pages
About the Author Paul Kennedy is the editorial director for Krause Publications' books division. In his ten years with the company he's edited numerous books, including Warman's[registered] Elvis Field Guide, and FAVRE The Total Package.
BEYOND BAD!!!! 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!!! Many Sloppy Errors - Bad Reference Book 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. Best Portable Barbie Book This title not only features an expanded price guide from the previous edition but showcases a part of the collection of renowned Barbie expert Sandi Holder. Holder, who runs Sandi Holder's Doll Attic in Southern California, has been featured in Newsweek magazine, as well as newspapers and magazines around the world. Sandi has served as a Barbie doll consultant for Mattel for years. Her business established a world record for the highest price ever paid for a single Barbie when she auctioned a Ponytail #1 doll for $25,700. My favorite part of the book? The 50-page vintage fashion sets chapter. Great fun and simply beautiful! Whether you are a collector, a big girl with fond memories, or have a little girl who loves Barbie in your family, this is a wonderful little book.