Price tag: $3,100
Lilli dolls are one of the dark secrets of the Barbie world. When Ruth Handler and her daughter Barbara vacationed in Switzerland in the 1950s, they discovered a German made doll named Lilli. Ruth loved it so much that she pitched a similar concept to her husband, one of the co-founders of Mattel. Within a few years, Barbie was born.
Lilli dolls, however, have a racy backstory. The doll had been drawn as a cartoon in a tabloid for years, depicted as an independent, scantily clad secretary who dated older men for their money. The doll was supposed to capture male ideals of feminine beauty.
This one was made between 1955 and 1965, featuring arched eyebrows, blue eyes and a high ponytail with a curl at the front. Even with some light wear, she sold for over $3,000.
