2,000 Barbie dolls to be auctioned off in Chicago

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The first Barbie doll was created in 1959. Ever since, it's been a playtime classic- and a collector's item.

At Leslie Hindman Auctioneers in Chicago's West Loop, one of the world's great Barbie collections is up for sale.

"The collection is called 'Modern Barbie.' It's 2,000 dolls from the collection of Janice Pye. She was a wonderful woman from Zion, Illinois, and she was incredibly passionate about collecting dolls for about 20years," Bonnie O'Donoghue said.

Pye, who died last year, traveled the world putting together Barbie's adventures and fantasies.

"They represented every iconic moment in popular culture since then. From NASCAR to 'I Love Lucy' to Audrey Hepburn and Cher," O'Donoghue said.

The original Barbie was designed as a racy gag gift for the guys. That didn't sell. But in 1959, Barbie was sold as a toy, and it's been selling ever since. According to Mattel, three Barbie dolls are sold every second.

Pye's dolls aren't the kind most kids play with. They are porcelain, and their values vary.

"Our first Barbie starts at $10 and they go up from there to Marie Antoinette, the most valuable doll we have in the sale. She'll start at $500," O'Donoghue said.