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KCCI archives: Barbie superfan from Iowa proves you're never too old to play with toys

Marian Welch of Knoxville, Iowa, collected over 1,000 Barbie dolls.

KCCI archives: Barbie superfan from Iowa proves you're never too old to play with toys

Marian Welch of Knoxville, Iowa, collected over 1,000 Barbie dolls.

The basement of her. Knoxville bungalow looks *** whole bunch like *** Barbie Bazaar. You're how old? Hm. 70 aren't you? *** little too old to be playing with dolls? No, it all began back in 1979 when Marion Welch read *** bit on Barbie in *** collector's magazine and that was it. She was bitten by the bug. How badly has it bitten? You? You can tell by how many dollars you got around here. Ok. So how many do, do you have 1243? That's inventory are listed and tagged and most have never been out of their boxes. What is it about? I don't know, it's just that I like him. But if Marion had to pick one thing, the eyes have it, each doll's eyes are different. There's *** different markings on the eyes, the eyes are very expressive. If you really look at them very expressive. Marion has no idea how much dough she's doled out for all of these dolls, but they are insured for $16,000. Now, the original, I do not have this one is close to it. The first Barbie hit the shelves way back in 1959. And ever since there's been some controversy about her curves. Don't tell Marion that Barbie's measurements are unrealistic because she will quickly tell you that every inch of Barbie equals six inches on you and me and that means everything and I mean, everything is within the realm of reason. She made 36 inch. That's not. No. Marion says her devotion to this doll isn't out of proportion either, but she is planning to downsize, look around. I don't have room. So at 70 years of age you're not too old to play with Barney. No, not yet. Give me about five years. Maybe. I'm Steve Carlin covering Central Iowa for news channel eight.
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KCCI archives: Barbie superfan from Iowa proves you're never too old to play with toys

Marian Welch of Knoxville, Iowa, collected over 1,000 Barbie dolls.

The recent “Barbie” movie has undoubtedly renewed interest in the pop icon, but the statuesque doll has had fans for decades.Since the first Barbie doll was released in 1959, the toy has had a legion of followers. They admire her beauty, poise and propensity for holding down numerous jobs.One Knoxville woman, in particular — Marian Welch — was a Barbie superfan. A KCCI reporter visited her home in 1987 to interview the enthusiast and take a look at her massive collection.WATCH the video to discover just how many Barbie dolls Welch had and why she thinks you’re never too old to enjoy them.If you enjoyed this video, here are a few more blasts from the past. Jim Brown visits Iowa to promote movie in early 1990sIowa man converts silos into a homeUnlikely sight: A moose on the loose in an Iowa cornfield

The recent “Barbie” movie has undoubtedly renewed interest in the pop icon, but the statuesque doll has had fans for decades.

Since the first Barbie doll was released in 1959, the toy has had a legion of followers. They admire her beauty, poise and propensity for holding down numerous jobs.

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One Knoxville woman, in particular — Marian Welch — was a Barbie superfan. A KCCI reporter visited her home in 1987 to interview the enthusiast and take a look at her massive collection.

WATCH the video to discover just how many Barbie dolls Welch had and why she thinks you’re never too old to enjoy them.

If you enjoyed this video, here are a few more blasts from the past.

Jim Brown visits Iowa to promote movie in early 1990s

Iowa man converts silos into a home

Unlikely sight: A moose on the loose in an Iowa cornfield