I know how you all like a search, so how about helping me with this?

[MaureenMLove]

Any idea where I might find either a Barbie Collectable chat room, or UK based Barbie Collectable club? Something like that.

I've got what appears to be a Special Edition Barbie, but I have some questions for someone in the know, before I bung it on EBay again. I did have it on there and there was a lot of interest, but a buyer has flagged up that it possibly isn't in the right box. It's never been taken out of the box and is still sealed, but it's very likely thinking about it now, that FIL bought it in a flea market in India for DD about 20 years ago.

Here's what we're dealing with, just so you know I'm not trying to flog Malibu Barbie! . I have Goggled myself, but I'm a bit nervous about getting in to conversations with adults that collect Barbie dolls, iykwim!.

How about this one? barbiedb.com/

Why are you nervous talking to adults about Barbies? How else will you get the info you need?

Ta. It's my overactive mind, given that it was a fella that decided he didn't want the Barbie, it just seems a little odd!

Here's another one in the same box.

Oh, now that's interesting. Thank you so much. So perhaps it is original and the front and back just didn't match. Hmmm.

Here's some info on the box OP.

V&A Museum Collections

It states

This box was original one designed to hold a single Barbie doll, a Christmas Special Edition and the box photograph shows one in a party dress.
The trademarks on the box are those of Mattel, not Leo Mattel, however, the manufacturer is shown as Mattel Toys (India) Ltd.

The dolls made in India for the Indian market by a Mattel subsidiary came boxed in this Special Edition box.

The box is one of those issued with a 'Christmas Barbie' edition and the photograph bears no relation to the content which actually states one toy only. The box is printed with the Mattel Toys (India) Ltd but does not have the LEO MATTEL trademark.

Maybe they would buy your doll so that they have the correct doll in the correct box.

This person also seems to know their stuff so maybe try their contact us link?

Barbie Treasure Chest

I've tried matching holidays, traditional dress, and Christmas to find yours with no luck at all. Logic says that makes it pretty rare if you ask me.

Are you pretty sure it came from India or is that a guess based on the dress style?

Meant to say I'm not convinced yours is a Christmas edition doll (as described in the V&A link) and I wonder if it was just a case of Mattel India using up a load of leftover boxes for different dolls.

Disclaimer: I know naff all about Barbies but do like looking for obscure things.

Following that last post maybe it would be worth getting in touch with the Bethnal Green Museum of Childhood (which is where the toy in Dinky's post is based) and see if they can help.

I think it’s an expressions of India Barbie doll.

One without box on eBay.

Yes as ok he said it looks like the Roopvati Rajasthani expressions of India doll.
Doesn’t look like the right box as to pictures above. The box looks most similar to the 1995 holiday edition barbie, different colours though.

Sorry, that should say “as pp has said”

I think I've found the original Indian Christmas doll in the correct box although there is no other information at the link than the two photographs.

1996 Happy Holidays Barbie (India)

I love how invested we all are
I’ve found a couple more, one in same box from India (but different from doll dinky posted above) and another with the same box and doll as you, but different picture (same as back of dinkys above) very confusing lol.

Oh thank you everyone! I'm not far from Bethnal Green, been there a million times, so that is completely doable!

I'm selling this for DD, btw. 'You're much better at EBay than I am' apparently! They've been stuck in the loft for years and it's time to clear out! I've/she's got two other special edition ones too, but their packaging seems to relate to the doll inside, so they're ok.

Thanks again. I'll contact Bethnal Green this morning and see what happens!