Barbie of the Month: Pep Rally Gift Set

With fall approaching and football season already in full swing, the perfect gift set to showcase this month is Barbie Midge & Ken Pep Rally Gift set, stock #1022".

This fabulous gift set didn't come with dolls, but included three complete outfits for football season and a booklet.  #875 Drum Majorette, #876 Cheerleader and #775 Drum Majorette.  Barbie, Ken, and Midge were set for the big game!

The set was released in 1965.  The big square box that the set comes in measures 16 1/2 x 14 inches.  The box is marked:  ©1964 Mattel, Inc., Hawthorne, California, USA  / Costumes imported from Japan. / Printed in U.S.A.

The sides of the box

Barbie wore a red and white drum majorette ensemble, which included a white skirt, red jacket trimmed in gold and silver, sheer tights, plush hat, white boots, white gloves, and she carried a gold baton. Ken wore a matching drum major ensemble. His included a plush hat, red trousers with a white stripe on the side, white jacket with gold and silver trim, white shoes and socks, and he carried a gold baton as well.  Midge was the cheerleader.  Her outfit includes a full red skirt and white sweater, emblazoned with the letter M.  She also wore white socks, red shoes, and carried red and white pompoms, and carried a megaphone for cheering.

This darling set retailed for $5.97 in the Sears catalog, but the ensembles could also be purchased separately, which would be at a slightly higher cost of $7.04.

A year earlier, 1964, the #1014 Barbie, Ken and Midge on Parade was released.  This is the same set as the Pep Rally Gift Set, but it included all three dolls; Barbie, Ken, and Midge.  The set is shown in the 1964 Mattel catalog, but it was not available in either the Sears or Penney's catalog that year. 

Mattel Catalog:  Notice the word "NEW"
The first picture is from 1964 and the second picture is from 1965

Interestingly, I did see the #1022 Barbie, Midge, and Ken Pep Rally Gift set" listed in the Sears Catalog in 1964 with a retail price of $5.87, but it was not in the Mattel catalog that year.  

Since the Pep Rally Gift set was "new" in 1965, why would it be in the Sears catalog in 1964?  I'm thinking it was a printing error and the Barbie, Ken and Midge on Parade was supposed to be the one featured in 1964.  But anything is possible in Barbieland!

These were taken from the 1964 and 1965 Sears Catalog.

I love the gifts sets, and love collecting them.  I hope you find some for your collection too!

Happy Hunting

Be sure to visit my website for more Barbie!

http://www.myvintagebarbies.com/

Barbie of the Month: Barbie and Ken (Tennis) Gift Set

The #892 Barbie and Ken (Tennis) Gift Set is one of my favorites.  Interestingly, we all call it the “Barbie and Ken Tennis Gift Set”, but Mattel didn’t include the word “Tennis” in the name, although the picture on the box depicts the couple with their tennis racquets. 

 

The set was released in 1962 and 1963 only.  The early set came with a #750 flocked hair Ken and #850 Ponytail Barbie doll or #850 Bubblecut Barbie.  Later it could be found with a painted head Ken as well.

Ponytail Barbie and Flocked Hair Ken

This fabulous set included so much. Barbie in her red one-piece swim-suit and Ken in his red swim trunks and yellow towel, or red swim trunks and matching striped terry-cloth lined jacket.  Both dolls were placed in their plain white boxes, box liner (no top), black metal stands, and proper wrist tags. Ken wore cork sandals and Barbie sported her red open toe shoes and pearl earrings.  Barbie’s box included the blue 1962 Barbie and Ken booklet as well.

The clothing consisted of nearly the complete #941 Tennis Anyone ensemble: Jacket, socks, shoes, tennis book, sunglasses, tennis racquet, and tennis balls. The white tennis dress was replaced with a white scoop neck playsuit.  Ken had the complete #790 Time for Tennis ensemble: shirt, sweater jacket, shorts, socks, shoes, sunglasses, tennis racquet, and tennis balls.  Each tennis ensemble for Barbie and Ken include two tennis balls, but the gift set had a total of two.

This beautiful set also included Barbie’s pretty yellow silk sheath dress, orange gathered pak skirt, pink bra and panties, orange clutch purse, orange open toe heels, red wide pak belt, and pearl necklace.  Ken also had a pair of white undershorts, green corduroy pants, green socks, red and green sport shirt, and brown shoes with white tops.

The box is one of the bigger gift set boxes.  It measures 17 inches deep by 27 inches wide (for those of you wondering if you have room to showcase it!).  It has a blue liner to which the clothes are attached by white string.

End of box showing the stock number

The set was featured in the Mattel Catalog in 1962 and 1963.  It retailed for $15.00.  In 1962 and 1963 the Montgomery Ward catalog contained the set as well, but the box was replaced with a plastic doll carrying case.  The retail price for that set was 13.77, or $10.99 without the case. 

1962 and 1963 pictures of the set in the Montgomery Ward Catalog

This is a very difficult set to find, both complete in the box or the box alone!  It’s such a treasure once you acquire it.

Happy Hunting!



Be sure to visit my web site for more Barbie!
www.MyVintageBarbies.com

Barbie of the Month: Reissue Skipper

Reissue Skipper

In 1969 Mattel added a last minute update flyer to their spring catalog. One of the six items featured was Barbie’s little sister, the #950 straight-leg Skipper doll.  She was packaged wearing the same swim-suit as she wore back in 1964, when she originally debuted.  She was available through 1970, when she was only included in the 1970 Sears catalog, priced at $1.97.

Photo from the 1970 Sears Catalog

This young girl wasn’t exactly identical though.  Even though she had the same swim-suit and hair style as the 1964 version, she had a pinker skin tone and a modified box. 



#950 Reissue Skipper in the updated box



Just glancing at the box you’d almost think it was identical, but if you take a closer look you will see that the new box features Mod Barbie dolls dressed in 1969 and 1970 Mod clothing, rather than early dolls dressed in early 1960’s clothing.

1964 and 1969 boxes

Reissue Skipper has blue eyes and pink, peach, or yellow lips, and was available with blonde, brunette, or titan hair colors.

1964 and 1969 boxes

1964 and 1969 boxes

1964 and 1969 boxes

She is marked: ©1963/Mattel, Inc.

The similar box included skipper in her one-piece red and white swim-suit, red flat shoes, brass headband, white plastic brush & comb, black or gold wire stand, and booklet.  Note:  the brass headband often tarnishes and caused some green to transfer onto Skippers head and hair when left on her head.

Since Skipper was only available from 1969 to 1970 and was only featured twice, (once on a flyer and once in the Sears catalog), she is extremely rare to find in-box.   She is certainly a very popular doll among collectors.

Happy Hunting!

Barbie of the Month: Talking Stacey

In 1968 Mattel released the stunning  #1125 Talking Stacey doll, who was Barbie’s friend from England.   She was available from 1968-1970.

 

 

Talking Stacey wore a long side pony-tail in a choice of hair colors;  blonde or red (copper penny as red is often referred to). She tied it with a pretty green ribbon.  Her legs were bendable, she had a twist n’ turn waist, blue eyes, and beautiful long eye-lashes.



The Mattel catalog referred to the hair colors
as Copper Brown and Summertime Blonde.

In 1968 through the first part of 1970 Stacey wore a two-piece striped swim suit.  By late 1970 it was changed to a one-piece style suit.   The one piece suit was never featured in the 1970 Mattel catalog.



The harder to find one-piece version
which was only available late in 1970

 

On the back of her neck was a pink pull talking ring which was used to make her speak.  With her British accent she could say:
 

Let's have Barbie over for tea.

I think miniskirts are smashing!

What's playing at the cinema? Shall we go?

 

Oh dear! What shall I wear to dinner?

 

Being a model is terribly exciting!
 

 

This picture is used in the
1968-1970 Mattel Catalogs

Stacey did not have her own line of clothing.  Since she was the same size as Barbie their clothes were interchangeable.  The only clothing that was made specifically for Stacey was the items included in these two gift sets:  #1545 Stripes are Happening  and #1591 Night Lightning.  Both sets included the Twist ‘n turn version of Stacey.
 

Each year a variation in the box she was packaged in appeared.  In 1969 she had a smaller box with a clear cover.  In 1969 her box was similar, but wider with additional information along the front side. In 1970 a new lighter colored box was introduced, with different graphics to match her new swim-suit.

(left to right) 1968 doll, 1969-70 Doll, and late 1970 Doll

 

Inside the box with Stacey was a clear “X” style stand and fashion booklet.

1968-1969 versions of Talking Stacey are marked:  Talking: ©1967/Mattel, Inc./U.S. & Foreign/Pats. Pend./Mexico.   The 1970 version is marked: 1967/Mattel, Inc./U.S. & Foreign /Pats. Pend./Hong Kong.

Stacey's Wrist Tag

 

Commercials back in the day are always great to watch, go to u-tube and search for Taking Barbie and Stacey commercial from 1968!

 

The beautiful Stacey head mold is one of the most popular, and has been used on many dolls in the Barbie family. The original is a must in any Barbie collection!
 

Happy Hunting!




 

Dressed Box Japanese Market Dolls

I recently acquired a fun little Barbie item, a Dressed Bubblecut Barbie exclusively from the Japanese Market.   

 

 

1965 Dressed Bubble Cut wearing Fashion Editor from Japanese Market 

 

 

These dolls are very difficult to identify, unless they are still in their original box.

The Japanese market dolls were packaged in normal western style clothing as well as a western style box, with only two additional stickers affixed to the box that the U.S. boxes did not include.   



Western Dressed Doll Box sold in Japan

 

 

The first sticker is found on the inside of the bottom box inside flap, where Barbie’s head would be positioned.  It is a white Tariff Stamp Sticker with black lettering. 

 

 

Tariff Stamp Sticker

 

 

Western Box without sticker and Japanese Market Box with Tariff Stamp Sticker

 

 

The 2^nd sticker is a KB sticker found on the top outside end flap of the box which also has the fashion number of the dressed doll.  

 

KB Sticker on end flap box

 

Also in the box was a fashion booklet and stand.  The earlier dolls included a 2-piece black metal stand with plastic base with the lettering “Barbie” written on it.  The later ones had a gold one-piece wire stand.

 

 

 

 

A Japanese fashion booklet was also included with these dolls.  And I believe others may have included a western booklet.

 

 

 

There are also rare boxes that had these western dolls in packages that were very similar, but the photographs on the box were Japanese faced dolls rather than Western faced dolls.

 

 

Box Variation

 

 

There is very little written about these dolls, and I’m still learning, but they are certainly something to look further in to, and even to acquire! 

Let me know if you have any more information you want to share!

 

Happy Hunting!

 

 

Barbie of the Month: Skooter Cut ’n Button Costumes

In 1966 the Sears exclusive #1036 Skooter Cut 'n Button Costumes set was released.  It’s the only gift set that was ever made specifically for Skooter.

 

#1036 Skooter Cut 'n Button Costumes Gift Set

Skooter, who was marketed as Skipper’s friend, was available in three hair colors; blonde, brunette, and titian.  She parted her hair down the middle and tied it with double ponytails and red ribbons.  The doll was available with either straight legs or bendable legs.   Skipper and Skooter were the exact same size, and could wear each other’s clothing.

 

 



This pretty gift set included only the straight-leg version of Skooter, who was dressed in her two-piece red and white swim-suit.

 

Bend-leg Skooter, Straight-leg Skipper, and Straight-leg Skooter

 

The set had three fabulous sew free clothing items:

Sailin' Blues:  a blue sun dress that was trimmed in red, with white polka dots and a sail boat design on the front skirt.

Sailin' Blues

 

Windbreaker:  a red coat with navy blue trim and blue buttons with built-in matching belt.

Windbreaker



Windbreaker with leftover fabric



Granny Gown:  a long pink nightgown, with a matching night cap and pink slippers.

Granny Gown uncut

 

The set was advertised as “Fun for you to make without sewing a stitch!”  These clothes were put together in just two easy steps. 

1. Cut out the printed cloth.

2. Button together.  Now dress Skooter!

 

Instructions included with the set

 

Also included in the box were Skooters’ red flat shoes, comb and brush, as well as a fashion booklet, instruction book, and wire stand.  It originally retailed for $3.97.  Interestingly, you could buy the dolls individually for just a $1.00 less, $2.97.  For just a dollar more you would think everyone would have bought the set, but $1.00 was a more significant sum in 1966.

 

Since Cut ‘n Button Costumes set was only obtainable from Sears for one year, it’s another gift set that’s difficult to find intact in the original box.   

 

Happy Hunting!

 

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