Top 10 Most Expensive American Girl Dolls Of All Time

Rosemary May 09, 2024 | 04:10

Many American girl dolls cost up to thousands of USD. Check out full details of top 10 most expensive American girl dolls of all time.

Are there any vintage American Girl Dolls in your possession? If so, you might be in luck because the renowned quality of production from the Pleasant Company, prior to the acquisition by Mattel, has contributed to the notable increase in value of these cherished and classic dolls in recent years. Since their 1986 debut, the original American Girl Dolls—Kirsten, Samantha, and Molly—have grown incredibly popular and become highly sought-after collectibles. These dolls might fetch several thousand dollars on the market if they are in good shape. This is a list of the priciest dolls available right now.

Top 10 Most Expensive American Girl Dolls Of All Time

What Determines the Value of Antique American Girl Dolls?

The primary factor propelling the current market for collectible American Girl dolls is nostalgia. However, there is a sizable doll collecting subculture that seeks out every bit of doll history available. However, if you're ready to get rid of a few childhood mementos and need to make some room in your home, search for these qualities.

Search for any one of the six original dolls. The American Girl dolls Addy, Felicity, Josefina, Kirsten, Molly, and Samantha are without a doubt the most sought-after collectibles.

Seek out dolls made throughout the 1980s. These original dolls are the most precious of all of them, having been introduced in 1986.

Look for dolls with white bodies. Looking behind the costumes reveals that dolls with white torsos instead of flesh-colored ones were produced exclusively during the early production years and are therefore more valuable.

Never undervalue the accessories. Online sales are also good for American Girl Doll accessories, if you have a lot of them.

Seek for accessories and dolls in their original box. The dolls that are still in their original packaging will get you the highest price.

Top 10 Most Expensive American Girl Dolls

1. Molly McIntire

In 1986, American Girl dolls Molly McIntire, Samantha Parkington, and Kirsten Larson were initially introduced. It should come as no surprise that these dolls are now quite valuable. In fact, you might be in for a sizable payout if you own all three dolls. Recently, a signed set went for over $20,000 on eBay.

Molly, who wore glasses, a navy blue A-line skirt, and a dark blue wool knit sweater with an argyle pattern, was meant to resemble a girl from the Second World War. A silver locket that opens, glasses (with a curved end), and a real steel penny are a few accessories that identify the first-release original. Given that the spectacles most recently sold for $120 on eBay, the accessories by themselves are extremely valuable. If you have the doll with those accessories and her whole clothing, you'll clean up even more—one doll sold for $1300 and came with nearly all of the matching accessories still in their original box. On the other hand, one with a hat sold for more than $1900 on the website.

2. Kirsten Larson

Kirsten Larson was the American Girl Doll that Kirsten Lawson used to play Laura Ingalls Wilder from Little House on the Prairie. Readers followed the straw-blonde Swedish immigrant and her family as they established a new life on the American wilderness. Due to their rarity, antique Kirsten dolls are highly valued by doll collectors. Kirsten was one of the original dolls from the lineup, and she was retired in 2010.

Kirsten dolls that are in excellent condition can fetch between $1,000 and $3,000. For instance, a Kirsten doll from 1989 brought $3,300 at auction, partly because of her unusual attire—a school dress instead of her usual blue dress and pink apron combo.

3. Addy Walker

Addy Walker was the company's first Black doll, launched in 1993. The character in her book series reveals that she was born into slavery in North Carolina and subsequently fled to Philadelphia with her mother in order to find freedom. In an effort to authentically depict the time period and the nuanced history of slavery in the United States, the business even collaborated with Black history experts.

4. Josefina Montoya

Josefina Montoya, who left her native Mexico at the age of five, moved to New Mexico in 1824. After her mother passed away, she and her family struggled, and she hoped to one day become a famous healer. As of 2018, American Girl was still making Josefina dolls, however well-kept earlier ones may fetch up to $300.

5. Nellie O'Malley and Other Best Friend Dolls

You may not be familiar with the American Girl Dolls' Best Friend series if you're not an avid fan. These books and dolls were taken out of the narratives of the major characters and given a limelight of their own. There were five of these dolls produced between 2004 and 2008, and their value is lower than that of the original lineup due to their lesser recognition.

These Best Friend Dolls are almost mint and may fetch up to $500 on the internet. One famous Irish best friend of Samantha, Nellie O'Malley, went for $499, for instance.

6. Julie Albright

Julie Albright was born in 1974 and experienced the social unrest of that decade. She was raised in San Francisco, the hub of the era's protest and opposition, the daughter of divorced parents. She was a budding feminist and a flower child. Julie is still produced by American Girl, however several of her appearances and ensembles have been retired. Some can fetch up to $300 for sale.

7. Kit Kittredge

Born in 1934, Kit Kittredge was perhaps the most well-known American Girl doll of them all. He lived a hardscrabble life during the Great Depression. She was a tomboy who wanted to be a journalist and loved Amelia Earhart. Since Kit has been produced since 2000, American Girl may withdraw her at any time, which is most likely the reason why authentic Kit dolls fetch $230.

8. Kaya'aton'my

With a birth year of 1764, Kaya'aton'my, often known as Kaya, is the "oldest" American Girl doll. She Who Arranges Rocks is how her name is translated. Kaya belonged to the American Northwest Nez Perce tribe. She can fetch up to $596 for an American Girl doll because of her attractiveness and senior status.

9. Felicity Merriman

Felicity Merriman, the fourth American Girl Doll from The Pleasant Company, transports you back to colonial America. Felicity, a redhead with an incredibly strong sense of independence, is a well-liked doll among collectors. In addition, even though she is in the starting lineup, she is always up for grabs.

Depending on their condition, original dolls from the 1980s and 1990s might fetch anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000. For instance, a lot that included multiple outfits and accessories together with Felicity's original box sold for $2,000 online.

10. Samantha Parkington

Price: $5,000–10,000

In the series, Samantha Parkington is a young orphan from the Progressive Era who is raised by her grandmother. She is wearing some amazing turn-of-the-century attire, such as a drop-waisted dress with maroon highlights and matching gold-shaped brooch and ribbon.

Should you decide to sell yours, be aware that autographed copies signed by Pleasant Rowland herself command a high price. Signed copies have sold for $5,000 to well over $10,000 in recent months. Even if it's not signed, you can still benefit from it: Some people have usually made between $400 and $600. Keep a look out for the doll's distinctive accessories, such the real Indian head coin and the imitation velvet hat with a rose ribbon around the band, if you have the first-edition copies of the doll.

Most Costly Accessories for American Girl Dolls

1993 Addy's Trunk

Apart from the American Girl dolls, a lot of their furniture pieces are also highly valuable. For instance, Addy's wooden trunk, which has two handles and a lid, is highly sought-after. Inside the trunk and lid of the original 1993 edition is Harper's Weekly, a newspaper from the Civil War era. Addy can fit comfortably in it and have enough of space to keep her clothes. To store her other treasures, there is a secret compartment as well.

The 1993 model had hinges made of black iron, and the lid was attached to the trunk. It would undergo a facelift in 2007 with a fully detachable top cover. The resale range is often between $200 and $250. That being said, someone just paid $375 on eBay for one, so you could sell yours for much more money.

The 1986 Molly's Christmas Box

In 1986, the Molly collection received a Christmas box to correspond with the publication of Molly's Surprise. The entire set came in a box tied with twine, containing a little nurse doll and a snow globe (the globe's base was made of wood in 1986). Along with 24 blue stamps, the package said, "Keep Hidden Until Christmas Day."

You'll be glad to learn that the snow globe with the genuine oak base is valuable if you own one; it recently sold for roughly $140. You may be able to make even more money if you own the entire 1986 Christmas collection. At the moment, someone is asking $550 on eBay for theirs.

The Writing Chair of Felicity

The Windsor writing chair, which was a duplicate of the chair seen on the cover of the book Felicity Learns A Lesson, was added to the Felicity collection in 1991. It's an exact replica of the Windsor writing chair that Thomas Jefferson constructed to facilitate the writing of the Declaration of Independence. An inkwell and pen were added to later iterations of Felicity's chair, but they were discontinued in 2008.

Recently, a mint-condition writing chair with its original box and booklet sold for roughly $210 on eBay. Another brought in roughly $245 and contained the toys for the writing, reading, and tea lessons. The chair pulled in between $50 and $100 in other cases.

The Wooden Trunk of Kristen

Because they lacked closets, early settlers frequently stored their clothing and other belongings in trunks. It was the inspiration behind Kristen's blue wooden trunk. It was big enough to accommodate both her bed and the doll, much like Addy's trunk. Red and green flowers were painted on the top and sides, and there were two heart-shaped cutouts on the side.

On eBay, you should be able to get between $200 and $375 if you sell her trunk. You might even receive $650 or more if you also had her quilt, nightstand, and bed—all of which were intended to go well with the trunk.

Samantha's Chairs & Wicker Table

Samantha's wicker table and chairs, along with her party set, are her most treasured American Girl accessories.

A wicker table and chair set was added to the doll's collection at the same time that the book Happy Birthday, Samantha! was out. Every one of the two wicker chairs had a floral-patterned seat cushion. A recent addition to the collection, Samantha's Victorian lemonade set was designed to go well with the narrative. Everything was included, including glass goblets, saucers, napkins, a tablecloth, and a glass pitcher.

In summary

American Girl dolls have been a part of girls' childhoods since 1986, when the company first released its range of playthings. Even though the dolls were formerly thought of as toys for kids, many individuals now value them as treasures. The value of certain American Girl dolls could surprise you. American Girl dolls can fetch price tags of several hundred or even thousands of dollars.

The designers also place a lot of value on America's multicultural melting pot. It is impossible to overestimate the importance of the dolls' ability to enable countless girls find themselves reflected in their favorite fictional characters and playthings. They come in a variety of ethnicities.

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