The Most Expensive Cabbage Patch Kids Dolls And How To Find Them
Since they were released in 1982, Cabbage Patch Kids have become an international sensation. Collectors hunt for the oldest, rarest dolls and are willing to pay a lot for them. Dolls that were made before the official release--such as 1979 Little People dolls--are worth thousands. Others released after 1985 can be close to or over $1,000 as well. To learn about the most expensive Cabbage Patch Kids, and how you can determine the worth of one, read on.
Cabbage Patch Kids Were Inspired By "The Little People"
Cabbage Patch Kids were inspired by "The Little People" dolls that released in 1978. These were originally created by Martha Nelson Thomas and later altered and sold by Xavier Roberts. The Little People were quite popular, selling for anywhere from $60 to as high as $1,000.
In 1981, Roberts was approached by designer and licensing agent, Roger L. Schlaife. Schlaife wanted the licensing to the dolls, but first, he altered their appearance and made a more creative name: The Cabbage Patch Kids.
The Little People Dolls Are Still For Sale
Although the original Little People dolls are not as well known, you can still find some online. Expect to pay at least a few hundred dollars for each doll, used. The better the condition, the more expensive the Little People doll will be.
One Little People doll, a freckled girl with red pigtails, sold for $525 on eBay. She had the "Xavier 79" signature, which raised the price. This is much more expensive than most Cabbage Patch Kids.
Little People And Cabbage Patch Kids Were Made Differently
The Little People and Cabbage Patch Kids dolls had some key differences. Little People had soft bodies, soft heads, and large thumbs. Cabbage Patch Kids have hard bodies and heads. And while Little People had woolen hair, Cabbage Patch Kids have yarn hair.
You can also check the tag; dolls with their original body tags tend to sell more, and it will reveal what year it was made. Depending on how old your doll is, it might sell for thousands of dollars.
These Things Make A Cabbage Patch Kid More Expensive
Many factors can raise or lower the selling price of a vintage Cabbage Patch Kid. Obviously, condition matters; lightly used dolls tend to be more expensive. But dolls that are still in the original, unopened boxes are the most costly of all.
Beyond that, any Cabbage Patch Kid with adoption papers, its original clothing, and a Xavier Roberts autograph will sell for more. If they are a limited edition or overseas doll, they will also be worth more.
The Original Cabbage Patch Kids Are Incredibly Rare
The first two Cabbage Patch Kids are some of the rarest and valuable dolls out there. The first is Otis Lawton (1982), and the second is Delila Lorinda (1983). When they first released, they cost $30. But they are worth much more today.
Because Otis and Delila rarely appear on the market, it's difficult to determine how much they are worth. Some Cabbage Patch dolls from 1985 sell for $2,000 or $3,000, so Otis and Delila might sell for around $5,000.
Roberts's Signature Determines When The Doll Was Made
Some of the most costly Cabbage Patch Kids on the market are ones signed by Xavier Roberts. If you don't know how old your doll is, you can tell by the signature. According to Antiques Prices, Roberts signed the dolls in a different color each year.
In 1983, Roberts signed the dolls with a black pen. Green was used in 1984, blue in 1985, red in 1986, aqua in 1987, lavender in 1988, and rose in 1989. All of these are highly sought after.
Ann Greta Can Be Close To $1,000
One of the most popular Cabbage Patch Kids from 1985 was Ann Greta. In 2021, she was listed on eBay in mint condition with her adoption papers and pacifier. After seven bids, Ann sold for $810.
Although Ann Greta is popular, used dolls might not cost as much. A used version with no papers, original clothes, or signature is only around $210. You can recognizer her by her red hair, twin braids, and blue eyes.
A Doll's Original Clothing With The Cabbage Patch Kids Logo
One Cabbage Patch Kid that was listed on eBay did not have a name-- but she had unique clothing. This doll from 1986 included the original Cabbage Patch Kids clothing with an embroidered logo.
These clothes are a rare find. Few vintage Cabbage Patch Kids come with their original clothing, and buyers don't often see the logo on the doll. Because of this, her bidding price rose to $700. And she didn't even have adoption papers or a signature!
Boxed Dolls Sell For Hundreds More Than Unboxed Ones
Vintage boxed dolls always cost more than unboxed ones. One 1985 doll--a brunette with a red dress and white apron--sold for $650 on eBay. Others cost more; a 1983 Cabbage Patch Kid, who remained in the box and was signed by Xavier Roberts, went for $4,999!
The prices vary for several reasons: demand, condition, and release. If a Cabbage Patch Kid had an exclusive and/or international release, it will cost more. This is why many collectors will only get unboxed dolls.
The $500 Jesmer Doll Only Released In Europe
The Jesmar doll was actually not made by Coleco; he was created by the toy company Jesmar. The company created a few Cabbage Patch Kids to fulfill the craze in the 1980s, mainly for overseas customers in Spain, Italy, and West Germany.
Jesmar, a ginger boy with green eyes and a yellow pacifier, was sold at high prices overseas. As a result, collectors have a difficult time finding him. One lucky collector eventually bought one for $470.
A 1979 Little People Doll Sold For Over $1,500
Barry Fritz was born in 1979 before the official Cabbage Patch Kids company began. It is incredibly rare, and one eBay seller knew that. They sold her for $1,544.89, even though her clothes were not the original.
Barry is a Little People doll, which you tell by her soft head (Cabbage Patch Kids have hard heads). She was hand-crafted by Xavier Roberts and handed directly to her new owners. Because of this, antique collectors struggle to find Little People dolls like Barry.
Teresa Ann From 1985 Sells For Thousands Of Dollars
The older the Cabbage Patch Kid, the more it's worth-- but the condition matters, too. In 2021, one of the most expensive dolls sold was Teresa Ann from 1985. Buyers pay anywhere between $1,500 and $3,000 for this blue-eyed beauty.
The highest-value Teresa includes her birth certificate and an autograph from Xavier Roberts stamped on her bottom. These details heightened the price from the hundreds to the thousands. Used dolls from 1985 are still expensive, but they cost less than a mint condition antique.
The Twin Girls From Tsukuda, Japan
Did you know that Cabbage Patch Kids were released in Japan? In 1985, Coleco Company released a few Japanese dolls, the most popular being the twins from Tsukuda. These blue-eyed twin girls both have brown ponytails, red dresses with the word "twins," and pacifiers.
Few people find both of these dolls, but one eBay seller did. They ended up selling the twins for $465, not including their birth certificates. Tsukuda twins with paperwork are likely worth much more.
The La Princess Collection From 1985
This unique doll, whose name remains unknown, is from the La Princess Collection. This collection was released in 1985, and few dolls from it remain today. Her flower hair tie and dress revealed her collection, and she sold on eBay for $750.
Believe it or not, this Cabbage Patch Kid was not in mint condition. She had no papers, no autograph, and no confirmation that she even wore her original clothes. But the rare La Princess Collection still costs a lot without these.
The Fraternal Twins, Irish Edition, Can Sell For $800
Vintage Cabbage Patch twins are hard to find, but limited edition ones are even tougher. In 1985, Coleco released a pair of Irish twins. Irish twins are not biological twins, but siblings born within 12 months of each other. Together, this brother and sister are worth hundreds of dollars.
A few Irish Cabbage Patch twins have popped up over the years. One sold for $850; another sold for $700. The lowest price was $388, and that included the adoption papers.
The 1986 Mark Twain Set
In 1986, Cabbage Patch Kids released the Mark Twain set, which included doll versions of Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn, and Becky Thatcher. Although these dolls were often sold together, few people own complete sets nowadays. At one auction, these dolls sold for $200 each.
Another listing offered all three unpackaged dolls on eBay. The seller asks for $725 for the dolls, which are in mint condition but have no paperwork. If any seller includes paperwork, the price might reach over $1,000.
In His Original Box, James Dudley Costs $3,000
Born in 1985, James Dudley seems like an average Cabbage Patch Kids with his brown hair and sports jersey with the number 31. But when he was listed on eBay, a collector bought him for $3,000. Why? Because he was in the original box.
Cabbage Patch Kids who are in their original boxes are worth much more than unboxed dolls with adoption papers. James had it all: the box, the vintage rarity, and his papers. Even an unboxed James with papers and a signature costs $1,500.
The Little People Doll Andrew Blair
In 1879, Xavier Roberts released one of his original Little People dolls, Andrew Blair. This doll was designed to look like a baby, with his bald head and onesie. Like all Little People dolls, Andrew was a once-in-a-lifetime find.
In 2019, an Andrew Blair doll appeared at an auction. The listing included Andrew's birth certificate, dated August 8, 1979. He sold for $698 due to his high-quality condition and paperwork. Who knows when this doll will appear again?
The 2006 Hannah Cindy Mossy Creek Edition Doll Is Expensive
Even recently-released Cabbage Patch Kids can sell for a decent amount, as long as they are hard to find. The Hannah Cindy doll from 2006 is a great example. She was part of the Mossy Creek Kids special edition release, and an eBay seller listed her for $295.
Although that might seem like a high price for a 2006 doll, someone thought she was well worth it. It got bought quickly! Hannah had some stains on her clothes, but otherwise, she was in great condition.
A 1978 Major League Baseball Doll Sells For $10,000
In 1978, Xavier Roberts created Little People dolls that were essentially rough drafts of the Cabbage Patch Kids. Few were made, but even fewer were themed with the Philadelphia Phillies. These dolls, dressed in Major League Baseball uniforms and waving a flag, sell for $10,000.
One sold on eBay with his original birth certificate. Another, listed at the same price, included his original box. The package contains a birth certificate, baseball helmet, major league uniform, flag, and a baseball card.