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In 1986, Pleasant Rowland, a former teacher from Wisconsin, started a company that revolutionized the way children learn about American history by placing young girls at the forefront of the narrative.
Through the creation of American Girl dolls, Rowland transformed the toy industry, providing competition to iconic brands like Barbie. Each doll was crafted with a unique historical background, representing eras ranging from the mid-19th century to World War II and beyond. Accompanying these dolls were book series narrated from the perspective of the character, typically a girl aged between 8 and 11.
Initially, these dolls were priced around $65 in 1986 (equivalent to about $174 today) and could only be purchased through catalogs. Despite this, the brand quickly gained popularity, generating approximately $1 million in its first year.
Fast forward to today, and the original fans of these dolls, including beloved characters like Addy and Felicity, have matured, yet their admiration for American Girl remains strong, especially among Millennials who grew up with them. With a new American Girl doll movie in development by Mattel, it’s an opportune moment to revisit your childhood favorites to see their current market value, particularly for collectors. Below is a list of some of the most prized American Girl dolls and accessories from the 1980s and 1990s that could yield significant returns if you’re considering selling.
- Molly McIntire Doll (1986)
- Samantha Parkington Doll (1986)
- Kirsten Larson Doll (1986)
- Felicity Merriman Doll (1991)
- Addy Walker Doll (1993)
- Addy’s Trunk (1993)
- Molly’s Christmas Box (1986)
- Felicity’s Writing Chair (1991)
- Kirsten’s Wooden Trunk (1986)
- Samantha’s Wicker Table & Chairs (1987)
Molly McIntire Doll (1986)
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Molly McIntire, Samantha Parkington, and Kirsten Larson were the inaugural American Girl dolls introduced in 1986, making them highly sought-after collectibles today.
Molly embodies a girl from the World War II era, complete with glasses, a navy blue A-line skirt, and a dark blue wool sweater adorned with an argyle pattern. Key accessories that indicate she is from the original release include a genuine steel penny, a silver locket that opens, and glasses with a curved end. Just the glasses have sold for around $120 on eBay. If you possess the doll complete with her accessories and outfit—especially with the original box—one set was recently sold for $3,000, while another fetched about $800.
Felicity Merriman, the fourth doll in the lineup, represents Colonial America during the Revolutionary War. Her original attire is highly coveted, and some collectors are willing to pay up to $400 for a complete set, depending on the accessories included. For example, Addy’s wooden trunk from 1993 is particularly desirable, featuring a hidden compartment and a Civil War-era newspaper inside. Its resale price typically ranges from $200 to $400.
Similarly, Molly’s Christmas Box from 1986 consists of a small nurse doll and a snow globe with a wooden base, which can sell for about $140, while the entire Christmas collection from that year could yield even more.
In 1991, Felicity’s Writing Chair was added to the collection, originally designed for writing the Declaration of Independence. A mint condition chair complete with its original box recently sold for approximately $100.
Kirsten’s Wooden Trunk, echoing the storage solutions of early settlers, can fetch between $150 and $375 on eBay. If you have her accompanying bed, nightstand, and quilt, the total could be even higher.
Introduced in 1987, Samantha’s Wicker Table & Chairs set includes two chairs with floral cushions and a Victorian lemonade set. The wicker set alone is valued between $50 and $150, but with the lemonade set, it could reach over $600.
In summary, these American Girl dolls and accessories are not just nostalgic artifacts but can also be significant assets. Take the time to explore your collections—who knows what treasures await!
