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: Dramatic Living Barbie

In 1970, Mattel introduced the first fully posable Barbie doll and named her (#1116) Dramatic New Living Barbie. 

Dramatic Living Barbie

The Dramatic New Living Barbie was amazing!   She could tilt her head, bend her knees, rotate her wrists, had posable ankles (so she could wear flats and heels), could bend her elbows, swing her arms up and out, and swivel at the waist with this brand new style body!  With her posable legs, she could even do the splits!  She was available with blonde, brunette or red hair, and had real eyelashes.  She wore a beautiful gold metallic one piece swim suit with an orange fishnet cover-up that was trimmed in gold.

Dramatic Living Barbie (1970)

In 1971 her name was shortened to the "Dramatic Living Barbie" (they dropped the word "new" from the name on the box).  She was packaged in a new style box, and dressed in a polka-dotted swim suit with matching long wrap.

1971 Dramatic Living Barbie (front and back side of box)

Besides the swim suit variations, the two dolls had one other distinct difference.  In 1970 Barbie had side glanced eyes, and in 1971 her blue eyes were center glanced. 

Side glanced eyes (1970) and center glanced eyes (1971)

In the box was the doll, clear X stand, and fashion booklet.  Both the 1970 and 1971 dolls were marked:  ©1968 Mattel, Inc. U.S. & For Pat'd Other Pats.Pend. Taiwan

Fashion booklet and posing stand

In 1970 and 1971 Sears released an exclusive gifts set. The Sears Action Accents gift set came with a Dramatic Living Barbie doll.  There was another difference in this set.  The doll was marked with a "Japan" marking instead of the normal “Taiwan” mark.  She also had a deeper red hair color which was also slightly longer.  For detailed information on this set, click the link below:  

Action Accents Gift Set 

Sears Action Accents gift set Barbie Doll

In 1970 there was one other Dramatic Living Barbie released; Stock #1188, which exclusive to the Japanese Market.   For additional information on her, click the link provided:

Living Barbie - Japanese Exlcusive 

#1188 Living Barbie Japan Exclusive

Here’s the original 1970 Barbie Commercial for the Living Barbie, starring Maureen McCormick:

 1970 Living Barbie Commerical

This Dramatic Living Barbie doll is a must have in any mod Barbie collection!

Happy Hunting!

Visit my website at MyVintageBarbies.com 

 

Barbie of the Month: Dramatic Living Barbie Japan Exclusive

In 1970 the #11188 Dramatic Living Barbie doll was released exclusively in Japan.

 

 

Back of Box

She looks similar to the U.S. Version of the Dramatic Living Barbie. 

 

Dramatic Living Barbie - Japanese Market Only

 

The Japanese version was marked “made in Japan” and the U.S. Dramatic Living Barbie dolls were all marked “made in Taiwan” with one exception; the doll from the Sears exclusive #1585 Living Barbie Action Accents gift set.  She was manufactured in Japan as well.   

 

Living Barbie from the Action Accents Gift Set

The Japanese Barbie had red straight hair which is slightly longer than the U.S. version.  She had side glance eyes, and wore a pink leotard with matching tights.  She was packaged in an open faced box which included a clear “X” stand.  Some of these dolls had a wrist tag, and others did not. Even though she was released in 1970, her box is marked 1969.

Dramatic Living Barbie - Japanese Market Only

 

 

 

End Flap of Box

 

 

Barbie’s friend Living Eli was also introduced the same year exclusively in Japan.  She had dark hair with bangs and two side ponytails tied with blue hair ribbons. She wore the same leotard and tights as Barbie, but hers were a red color. 

Eli - Japanese Market Only

She had the same body as Dramatic Living Barbie. The face mold used for Eli was different.  Her face mold was that of the Sweet Sixteen Barbie from the U.S. market, only painted differently.  She came in a similar open faced box with clear stand as did Barbie. 

Both the Japanese Dramatic Living Barbie doll and her friend Living Eli dolls are extremely hard to find on the secondary market, and when they are available it’s usually at a premium price. 

 

Dramatic Living Barbie - Japanese Market Only

 

 

Finding and acquiring the uncommon is why I keep searching for more, and one of the many reasons I love my collection so much!

Happy Hunting!