Barbie in Midnight Red

Barbie in Midnight Red, a 1965 release, was part of a collection of 4,000 dolls auctioned off at Christie's in 2006.

A woman in the saleroom purchased the doll on behalf of an unnamed collector. The doll, which was not expected to sell for more than a few pounds initially, ended up becoming the most expensive modern plastic doll sold at auction in the country at the time. When it sold for $17,091, it surprised all of the collectors who had assembled from all over the world to bid on a one-of-a-kind artwork.

This was the highest price ever paid for a Barbie at auction at the time. The unidentified seller also paid $9,550 for Barbie in Midnight Pink. According to reports, both of these hues are uncommon, as the typical color for this Barbie's clothing was Midnight Blue.

Barbie in Midnight Red was part of a Barbie collection that belonged to a woman named Ietje Raebel, who began collecting the dolls in the 1960s. Barbie in Midnight Red is a vintage doll from 1965.

Price: $17,091