10 of the Most Valuable American Girl Dolls and Accessories From the ‘80s and ‘90s

In 1986, a Wisconsin-based former teacher named Pleasant Rowland founded a company that ended up teaching youngsters about American history in a way no one saw coming: with young girls right at the center of it all.

With American Girl dolls, Rowland helped redefine the toy industry and even gave Barbie a real run for her money. Each doll character had a diverse background and belonged to a specific historical era—from the mid-19th century to World War II and beyond. They had their own corresponding book series to match, all of which were told from the perspective of that character, a young girl usually between 8 to 11 years old.

At first, the dolls—which retailed for about $65 circa 1986, worth about $174 today—were only available to purchase via catalog. Still, the brand took the world by storm, earning about $1 million during that first year in business.

Decades later, the first fans of those original dolls (and additions like Addy and Felicity) have all grown up, but love for that line is still strong, especially amongst Millennials, many of whom grew up alongside the toys. Now with a new American Girl doll movie in the works from Mattel, there’s never been a better time to track down the one you might have had back in the day to see what it’s worth now, especially with collectors. Below are some of the most valuable American Girl dolls and accessories from the ‘80s and ‘90s that could fetch you a historic fortune—if you’re looking to resell, that is.

1. Molly McIntire Doll (1986)
2. Samantha Parkington Doll (1986)
3. Kirsten Larson Doll (1986)
4. Felicity Merriman Doll (1991)
5. Addy Walker Doll (1993)
6. Addy’s Trunk (1993)
7. Molly’s Christmas Box (1986)
8. Felicity’s Writing Chair (1991)
9. Kristen’s Wooden Trunk (1986)
10. Samantha’s Wicker Table & Chairs (1987)

Molly McIntire Doll (1986)

Molly McIntire, Samantha Parkington, and Kirsten Larson were the first three American Girl dolls that were released back in 1986. It’s no surprise that these dolls are pretty valuable today.