Can you guess how many Barbies this superfan collected in 1987? It will blow your mind

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.