When it comes to toys that were popular in the 80s, and among people of all ages and genders, only one springs to mind: Cabbage Patch Kids. The first Cabbage Patch Kids (or CPKs, to collectors) were produced in 1982 and became an instant phenomenon, with over 3 million dolls having already been sold by the end of 1983.
Like many other nostalgic toys, Cabbage Patch Kids from the 80s have become a darling of collectors, and can even fetch seriously high prices on the resale market. Though most second-hand Cabbage Patch Kids from the 1980s retail at around $30, rarer dolls or dolls in mint condition can be sold for up to $3,000.
James Dudley (1985) – $3,000
James Dudley is one of many boy Cabbage Patch dolls whose name is made up of two incredibly ordinary first names. However, that hasn’t stopped him from becoming one of the most valuable CPKs on the collector’s market, with a price tag of up to $3,000 in an auction with the right motivated buyers.
There isn’t a consistent rhyme or reason around which CPKs fetch high prices and which don’t, with some 1985 dolls being valued more highly than those from the 1979 run, even when factors like wear and tear or box integrity are equal. As a general rule though, the way to push the value of a doll from the hundreds into the thousands is a box in pristine condition.
Teresa Ann (1985) – $2,000
Cabbage Patch dolls have been around for decades, so it’s unsurprising that there are several red-headed characters in the full lineup. With that said, the most popular amongst them is Teresa Ann, whose adorable ginger pigtails and various outfits have made her a favourite amongst kid enthusiasts and grown-up collectors alike.
Teresa Ann is one of the rarer Cabbage Patch dolls in the roster, and so has been known to fetch up to $2,000 on the resale market. However, in order to get the highest price, any Teresa listing must include her original pink dress as opposed to any updated, homemade or third-party clothes, and it is a bonus if both her box and birth certificate are intact.
Barry Fritz (1979) – $1,500
When you think of famous Cabbage Patch Kids, your mind probably doesn’t go to Barry Fritz immediately. But maybe it should, since Fritz was the first Cabbage Patch Kid ever created, and was designed before the toy company even officially launched. As the first of his kind, and the beginning of what would become an iconic 80s empire, it’s no surprise that Fritz usually fetches huge prices on the resale market.
On average, Barry Fritz usually brings in around $1,000-2,000 at auction, as long as he is certified to be authentic. In fact, even if the clothes he is wearing are of dubious authenticity or perhaps even homemade, Fritz is still always snapped up by collectors due to his rarity and prestige.
Yvonne Millie (1985) – $900
With her delicate flowery sundress and adorable white socks and shoes, Yvonne Millie is one of the cutest Cabbage Patch Kids out there. However, it isn’t just her well-executed cottagecore aesthetic that makes her so popular amongst collectors. As a 1985 CPK and one that doesn’t have super high numbers in circulation, it is always a good day for collectors when Millie shows up at auction.
As a general rule, Yvonne Millie is usually resold for between $800 and $1,000, with the price depending on several factors. The price drops if there is any visible grubbiness or wear and tear on the body and clothes, and drops further if the box is not included in the listing. Even if the box is in sub-par condition, including it can make the listing more valuable.
Felicia Francis (1979) – $850
The 1979 Cabbage Patch Kid Felicia Francis was hugely popular with children on release, thanks to her plentiful long, blonde yarn hair, which was a delight to comb and braid. That, plus her bright blue eyes and unique matching apron and bloomers, has made her both instantly recognisable and hugely desirable on the resale market.
When kept in a condition of gently used or better, Felicia Francis can be sold for up to $850. This number is dependent on whether her box is included and what condition it is in, and whether her birth certificate is pinned to her apron.
Anne Greta (1986) – $810
Ann Greta is a 1986 Cabbage Patch Kid, and one of the only ones released in that year to have a solid following decades later. She is described as having dreamy blue eyes and hair that is more strawberry or popcorn blonde than red, and that in combination with her tartan skirt points to her potential Scottish heritage.
Though Greta’s price tag on the resale market doesn’t ever seem to break into the quadruple digits, she is consistently sold to collectors for $800 or more, even without a box. With that said, this price is usually only reached with the presence of a birth certificate, no visible frayed yarn pieces in the hair, and no dirt or stains.
Andrew Blair (1979) – $698
As the name suggests, all Cabbage Patch Kids are, well… kids. However, that does not mean that they are all the same age. In truth, the CPKs range in age from infants to toddlers to children, and some of the most popular Cabbage Patch Kids aren’t even old enough for preschool. For example, baby Andrew Blair is one of the most beloved CPK dolls out there.
Andrew Blair is slightly less valuable than some other historic Cabbage Patch dolls, due to him having fewer elements like hair, ribbons or bows. With that said, he still often fetches up to $700 at auction, especially when accessories like his scarf and jacket are included, as well as his box.
Adam Gregory (1979) – $600
Adam Gregory is one of the oldest CPKs, having been released in 1979. Another infant, he is set apart by his dark eyes, bald head and affinity for turquoise. Not many Adam Gregory’s are still in circulation, and fewer still have their original box, birth certificate or clothes, and so the dolls available to collectors are often lacking in one of these three crucial areas.
Despite this, Gregory is still usually able to fetch around $600 at auction, especially when his clothes and skin are free of any visible wear and tear. Even if he is wearing adapted doll clothes from other brands, or even third-party clothes purchased on Etsy or eBay, it is still possible to sell an Adam Gregory for over $500.
Roddy Cyrano (1985) – $500
Is it the unique curly blonde yarn hair? Is it the adorable overalls? Is it the low number of this particular CPK in circulation? Whatever it is, the 1985 Cabbage Patch doll Roddy Cyrano is one of the most valuable out there, valued hugely amongst collectors. This is despite the fact that he is one of the only CPKs with his knees on show, which actually looks pretty weird.
Even without his original box and birth certificate, Cyrano is able to fetch over $300 on the resale market. If both those things are present and to a pretty high standard of quality, then the auction price for Cyrano raises to, on average, just under $500, making him the crown jewel of any enthusiasts’ collection.
Zora Mae (1992) – $100
As a general rule, the older a beloved collectible like a doll is, the more it is worth. The main exceptions to this are special edition or anniversary toys, which usually have small, limited runs and thus are worth more due to scarcity. That explains why Zora Mae is worth three times as much as an average Cabbage Patch Kid, despite being made in 1992, much later than the rest of the most valuable CPKs.
Zora Mae was created to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the release of the first Cabbage Patch Kid way back in 1982. Her limited edition pink dress, sun hat and matching booties instantly show that she is ready for a party, which is part of why she’s so beloved today.
Little People Tilly Kay (1979) – $350
Though in retrospect they’re all lumped together, there’s actually a big difference between Cabbage Patch Dolls and Little People Dolls. The latter were the first creations of Xavier Roberts, handmade between 1976 and 1981, and have a design that is almost indistinguishable from the more well-known CPDs.
Due to both lines being the brainchild of Roberts and one clearly being an evolution of the other, enthusiasts often collect both indiscriminately. That’s why Tilly Kay, a 1979 doll that bears a striking resemblance to later Cabbage Patch Dolls, often sells for a minimum of $350 on the resale market, whether in her original mint green dress or not.
Ruby Fox Cutie (1985) – $23.80
What’s the only thing cuter than a baby? Why, a baby animal of course! That’s why in the mid-80s, Coleco released a line of Cabbage Patch Dolls that were dressed in adorable footsie pyjamas but, to make things even cuter, all the PJs were animal themed.
Ruby Fox Cutie is maybe the most popular of this line of toys, with the market full of knock-offs, reproductions and later releases. As a result of this proliferation, even original 1985 versions of this doll are only worth just shy of $24 on the resale market.
Iddy Budds Ranny (1987) – $350
Cabbage Patch Dolls are famous for having pretty silly names, as Xavier Roberts had to come up with a thousand unique ones while developing his original line of toys. Iddy Budds Ranny is obviously no exception to this, and he’s also the most quintessential Cabbage Patch doll for another reason.
Did you spot it? Iddy is literally wrapped in cabbage leaves, a reference to the fact that all Cabbage Patch Dolls are said to be born in a magical cabbage patch that Roberts presides over. That might be why he’s one of the more valuable dolls, fetching $350 on the secondhand market.
Coleco Doll 3900 (1983) – $417
Though all Cabbage Patch Dolls have unique names, it’s not always easy to find out what they are. Once the tags are removed or the birth certificate is lost, it can be nearly impossible to match the doll to the name based on appearance alone, due to the sheer volume of dolls. That’s why numbers are often used in place of names on the resale market.
This Cabbage Patch Doll, known as number 3900, was released by toy company Coleco in 1983. When still in the box, even if it has been opened, and in her original orange and white creamsicle outfit, she is worth just over $400 secondhand.
Yettie Larissa + Maryann Doll (1984) – $521
Like any other doll or toyline released throughout the 80s and even today, there came a point in Cabbage Patch Dolls’ history when the normal appeal of the dolls just wasn’t enough. So, a gimmick was invented to increase sales: siblings! Yettie Larissa and Maryann Doll were released in the same box and marketed as sisters.
Weirdly, the birth certificate in the box references them being twins and having the same birthday, despite the fact that one is clearly bigger than the other. Whatever the story is: the pair of them are worth $521 on the resale market!
Japanese Edition Cabbage Patch Doll (1983) – $2,800
One of the first rules you learn when you get into collecting or trading vintage toys is that certain things affect their base value right off the bat. The older the toy is, the more valuable it is, and the value also increases in the case of limited edition toys, or toys from other countries with other languages on the label.
That explains why this Japanese Cabbage Patch Doll from 1983 is worth nearly $3,000 on the resale market, despite the original box being crumpled and damaged on the outside.
Elvin Tony/”Red Fuzzies” (1982) – $828
Cabbage Patch Dolls are some of the most beloved toys to come out of the 80s, and they have a small but dedicated group of collectors even today. Therefore, it’s not surprising that CPD collectors have developed their own lexicon over time, including calling all CPDs with red felt instead of braided yarn “red fuzzies”.
Elvin Tony is maybe the most famous example of the red fuzzies phenomenon, thanks in part to his red sports coat and blue t-shirt setting it off nicely. All of this lends itself to a pretty high price tag of $828 on the resale market.
All Star Stadium MLB Detroit (1982) – $9,500
We’ve already discussed the fact that special edition toys are worth more than their ordinary counterparts. That’s true whether it’s a crossover with another iconic brand, a toy released to celebrate the anniversary of the property in question, or a toy released to coincide with a popular holiday.
Cabbage Patch Dolls went in another direction with their special edition dolls: creating region-specific figures that celebrated iconic pastimes and hobbies. One example is the unnamed All-Star Stadium MLB Detroit doll, which was released in 1982 and is now worth $9,500 in like new condition.
Coleco Preemie 3870 (1983) – $261
Aside from the main line of Cabbage Patch Dolls, several spin-off lines were introduced, including Cabbage Patch Pets, which had humanoid bodies but faces more evocative of dogs and cats, and Cabbage Patch Kid Cuties: which featured dolls in adorable onesies themed after various animals.
There were also Cabbage Patch Kid Preemies, which were much younger in appearance and smaller in size than your average CPK, and were patterned after children born before their due date. Preemies are pretty coveted on the resale market, and so it’s not unusual to see one selling for $260 or above.
Coleco Dental Braces (1982) – $995
From dolls getting ready for bed to dolls able to hold crayons, the Cabbage Patch Dolls have always tried to showcase relatable scenarios about being a kid. That’s why the above doll, which is unique because of her facial dental gear, makes perfect sense.
Despite the fact that Cabbage Patch Dolls have always had mouths that don’t open and have no teeth, the above doll was created in 1982 to help normalise braces among kids that weren’t teenagers yet. This unique accessory has made her pretty valuable second-hand, with a starting price of $995.
Little People Athena April (1980) – $2,499
Athena April is an African American character, with brown eyes and a red hair ribbon. She is one of the original soft sculpture Little People toys. Standing at about 23 inches, this figure is dressed in a Babyland General Hospital volunteer nurse outfit.
In an April 2023 eBay sale, Athena April earned $2,499 for a seller based in Canton, Georgia, despite the fact that she was dressed in slightly stained clothes.
Christmas Doll (1978) – $1000
Nicknamed the ‘Christmas Doll’, this toy is another excellent example of a Little People character. She has blue eyes and uncharacteristically pale blonde hair, tied into bunches with red ribbons. This 1978 doll is dressed in a cosy festive sweater with red and blue decorations. Most importantly in the case of one doll on eBay, one of her white sneakers was signed by Xavier Roberts.
“Absolutely beautiful condition, no damage or odors or rips or tears,” the seller of this item noted. It sold for $999.99 in April 2023, from a home in Fullerton, California.
Tara Mindy (1986) – $782
Tara Mindy has explosive red hair, not dissimilar to the famous locks of Orphan Annie popularized in the 1982 movie. With green eyes and an aquamarine outfit, this character would certainly stand out on the toy store shelf. She comes with a fluffy pink and gold binky, and she has a matching white bib and boots.
Tara attracted 31 bids when she was listed on eBay.com in April 2023, and she ultimately sold for $782. This was despite the fact that her box was in “poor condition”, according to the seller: “The front plastic window has pulled away from the box in a couple of places.”
Unnamed Brunette Doll (1979) – $1,900
This doll’s name is unknown because it didn’t come with original packaging or a birth certificate. Nevertheless, this brunette doll, dressed in a stripey sweater and bright red hair bows, sold for an impressive total of $1,500 in April 2023.
She came from a home in Moreno Valley, California, with the seller commenting: “Her eyes are not cloudy, they are perfectly fine. She’s in excellent condition, nice blushing body, still looks like new.”
Unnamed Ginger Doll (1979) – $950
Another unnamed doll, without a birth certificate or adoption papers, was listed on eBay earlier in 2023. This toy has ginger hair and bright green eyes, as well as the classic Xavier Roberts signature. “She comes dressed in what I believe is the original Cradle Togs outfit – ‘Grandma’s Little Cupcake’ top and plastic lined diaper cover pants,” the seller wrote.
“Outfit is in great shape, no holes or tears,” they added. “There is a very faint stain right under the word cupcake, I almost didn’t notice it. It probably will wash out, I will leave that to the new owner.” The toy sold for $950 in July 2023.
Betty Luella (1979) – $800
Another Little People doll recently sold on eBay is Betty Luella. She wears a pink pinafore dress with a girl embroidered onto it, plus a matching pink gingham blouse. In an unusual product description, the seller noted: “This was an estate purchase, I am not the original owner… She had a business card stored inside her diaper and I will include that.”
Betty Luella earned $799.95 in an online sale of April 2023. Her previous home was in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Growing Hair Doll – $820
In 1988, Cabbage Patch came out with a line of Growing Hair Dolls, with cornsilk locks that could be pulled to extend their length. They even came with a hairstyle guide, hair ribbon selection and hair brush.
The seller of one Growing Hair Doll noted that they are “harder to find with freckles”, as they presented a brunette doll in a floral dress. She sold for an impressive $820 in May 2023.
Anna Ruby (1990) – $299
This doll named Anna Ruby comes in a Victoriana-inspired outfit: a bright red dress decorated with white lace and bows. She has a bonnet and white, gold-buckled shoes. This toy was also listed on eBay.com with a spare outfit and bonnet.
Dating to 1990, this doll sold for $299 in July 2023. She was listed by a seller based in Blanchardville, Wisconsin, who noted that the doll is in “overall excellent condition” and “comes in original shipper box with all papers”.
Unopened Blonde Doll (1983) – $750
This unopened doll was preserved since 1983 and never played with. When she was listed online, her adoption papers and birth certificate remained unopened, meaning that no one knows this doll’s name yet.
Dressed in a costume covered with pastel cats, in June 2023 she sold for the impressive sum of $750. Shipping alone cost a further $65.
Power Cycle (1989) – $650
One of the most treasured Cabbage Patch accessories, this Playskool Power Cycle is worth more than many of the dolls. In May 2023, one such doll-scale bike sold for $650.
“This is a premium for your ultimate Cabbage Patch collection or a great gift for a collector,” the seller commented. “It will be a wonderful centerpiece to add to your collection. This item does not come up for sale very often complete.”
Joletta Ema – $650
This doll named Joletta Ema sports a leopard print outfit, with yellow buttons and colourful embellishments. The name Joletta is of Latin origin, and it is related to the Roman name Julia, the feminine form of Julius.
This doll has proven popular at online auction. In June 2023, she sold for a total of $650, with an additional $65 charged for shipping. Like many other dolls on this list, she came from a seller based in Winchendon, Massachusetts.
80s Doll in 90s Outfit (1983) – $575
When it comes to the Cabbage Patch franchise, mixing and matching outfits and accessories is part of the fun – and a doll with a mixed wardrobe isn’t necessarily worth less. This unnamed doll from 1983, dressed in an outfit that has a pocket emblazoned with the words “CPK: Class of 1990”, sold for $575 in May 2023.
“Authentic and a great collectible!” noted the seller. “Clean and sanitized. In great condition. Includes original Cabbage Patch outfit. Shipped with USPS. A must-have doll for your precious collection!”
Unnamed Lemon-Haired Doll
The unusual bright lemon-coloured hair of this Cabbage Patch Doll must have caught a few collectors’ attention, because in July 2023, she sold for $549.99 on eBay.com.
Unnamed and left without a birth certificate or adoption papers, this character is dressed in a pink-and-white striped top and spotted green romper. She has green eyes. The seller described her as being in “excellent condition” and “a very clean doll overall”.
Dottie – $500
One of the rarest faces for Cabbage Patch Dolls is the so-called “big nose” – and their unique look is consistently popular with collectors. This doll named Dottie, complete with papers, is unusual for her face as well as her mononym. She sold for $500 in April 2023.
“Here is oh-so-adorable big nose PMK kid ‘Dottie’ in her original outfit with the tag still attached!” wrote the seller. “… These big nose kids are very hard to come by and honestly I hate to let go of her.”
Lucinda Julienne – $465
This African American doll sold for $465 on eBay.com in May 2023, after attracting 25 bids. Her included birth certificate names her as Lucinda Julienne. The seller described her as a “wonderful estate find”.
Box says Hasbro and has the copyright dates 1986, 1989, Original Appalachian Artworks. Hang tag on dolls wrist says 1987 Coleco,” they elaborated. “Number on box and wrist hang tag both say 3900. So not sure of year exactly but definitely 80’s. Also I am not a collector and do not know all the ins and outs of the doll and it’s branding etc. Please be your own expert!”
Cara Erma (1984) – $500
Cara Erma is another highly-valued Cabbage Patch Doll. With red hair and blue eyes, she wears a white pinafore dress and blue blouse. An April 2023 sale on eBay saw her fetch $499.99.
“Sweet, old and early, still gorgeous” is how the seller described this doll. “… New, old stock. Never removed from box… Box has wear, small tears. The top of her dress has a couple of spots – not sure if the maker did that. She was never played with. Cellophane removed from front of box.”
Eddy Larson (2023) – $420
Eddy Larson is a modern Cabbage Patch Doll, dating to 2023. In June 2023, he sold for $420 plus $92 in shipping costs. He is described as a Christmas Edition Soft Sculpture.
He comes with a green sweater emblazoned with the words “My First Christmas” and an image of a festive sausage dog. Eddy also wears a red and green beanie hat, stripey trousers and red sneakers.
Baby Otis (1987) – $462
Despite his lack of packaging and birth certificate, Baby Otis comes with two accessories: a baby blanket and a rattle. His name is identifiable from his personalised sweater.
“[Otis] is in excellent condition,” the seller wrote. “This doll was stored in a protective sealed box shortly after the original purchase.” The toy sold for $462 in June 2023 after attracting 22 bids.
German Cabbage Patch Doll
This rare German Cabbage Patch Kid earned $440 in an online sale of June 2023, after gaining 29 bids in total. A brunette doll with a pink dress and pinky, this character’s name remains unknown because the birth certificates for German CPK toys aren’t visible through the packaging.
The seller wrote that the toy is “New, never played with”: “Box has been opened to photograph head stamping and tags. Original packaging shows some distress (Pictured); zoom in for greater clarity. Not many of these left in circulation.”
Lynn Casey – $450
Commemorative items often hold particular value in the world of franchise fans and collectors. This modern doll, dressed in an aquamarine outfit and brunette bunches, sold for $450 in May 2023 after receiving a single bid on eBay.com.
“Here is the very rare 25th anniversary girl (Lynn Casey) with her little bag and cabbage head bud in mint condition!” wrote the seller. “There were only 200 of these kids created and they are also hand-signed… These kids are very rare and hard to come by so grab her up quick!”