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

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http://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: 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!

 

For more Barbie, Check out my website! www.MyVintageBarbies.com

 

 

Barbie of the Month: Walking Jamie

In 1970 Sears released the exclusive #1132 Walking Jamie doll.  She was never available in the Mattel Catalog.
 

Jamie came with a choice of three hair colors; blonde, brunette and titian, which was styled in a shoulder length flip.  She had brown eyes and rooted eyelashes.  On Jamie’s back she had a button.  When pressed, her legs would move, her arms would swing, and her head world turn as she walked. 

Button on Jamie's back

 

 

Jamie is marked: ©1967 Mattel, Inc./U.S. Patented/ Pat' d Canada 1967/Other Pat's Pend/Japan

 

Original Box

In her original box, she was dressed in a yellow, pink and orange knit mini dress, with a matching belt, yellow panties, and orange calf length boots.  A sheer pink nylon head scarf tied in her hair completed the outfit.  There was a clear plastic X stand as well as a fashion booklet.  She originally retailed for $4.97 in the Sears catalog.
 

 


Walking Jamie

Jamie also had two gift sets which included a Jamie doll.

The first was #1584 Jamie Furry Friends Gift Set (1970-71) which retailed for 8.99 in 1970 and $7.99 in 1971.  The stand-alone Jamie doll was reduced by $1.00 in 1971 as well.  The set came with a fuzzy orange coat with attached belt, matching hat, her original outfit (dress with belt, pink head scarf, yellow panties, and boots) gray poodle, pink collar and leash, dog dish, white bone, box of dog food, and pink bow shoes. 
 

Jamie Furry Friends Gift Set

Sears Ad

 

The second set, #1247 Jamie Strollin' in Style Gift Set from 1972, is not listed in the 1972 Sears catalog.  That makes me to believe it may have only been available at Christmas time in the Sears store (the stand-alone doll wasn’t listed in the catalog in 1972 either, but I did read the doll was available by mail-order through the fall).  The gift set included the doll wearing a red, blue, and yellow knit dress with crocheted blue belt, matching red calf length boots, and a blue sheer nylon head scarf.  Also included in the box was a second outfit which consisted of blue bell-bottom knit pants, with a matching blue and yellow knit top.  Blue pilgrim shoes completed the outfit.  Jamie also had a white poodle with a blue collar and a blue and yellow ball.



Walking Jamie Strollin' in Style Gift Set
Not shown: Blue pilgrim shoes. (Photo courtesy of Catherine)

 

Strollin’ in Style is by far the most difficult of the two gift sets to find complete, and it usually commands a higher price on the secondary market.

The only clothing that was made specifically for Jamie were the items packaged in her gift boxes, and the clothing she wore in her original box.  Fortunately, Jamie was the same size as Barbie and could wear all her beautiful fashions as well.
 

 

Jamie did have two Sears exclusive doll cases that were made for her in 1971; Jamie’s Party Penthouse, which was a luxury apartment that also could hold four dolls (it retailed for $9.99), and Jamie’s Studio Apartment, which opened into a room of her own, and could store one doll (it retailed for 4.49).

Jamie's Party Penthouse

 

Jamie's Studio Apartment Case

 

With the decrease in price after only one year, Walking Jamie probably wasn’t the doll kids were asking for.  But forty-six years later she is the doll collectors are wanting!

 

Happy Hunting!



Be sure stop by my website at MyVintageBarbies.com


 

Barbie of the Month: Live Action Barbie

In 1971 Mattel released #1152 Live Action Barbie, as well as the much harder to find #1155 Live Action Barbie on Stage.  Both were the same doll, but Live Action Barbie on Stage included some extras.

 

Live Action Barbie

 

 

With the 1970’s underway, Barbie and her fashions stayed in step with the contemporary fashions of the decade.  Instead of the typical swim-suit that many of the earlier dolls were packaged in, we saw more dolls dressed in trendy hip outfits in the 70’s.

Live action Barbie wore a pink and purple tie-dyed one piece jumpsuit, trimmed with a wide leather  fringed sash with a leather headband that she wore across her forehead. To complete her outfit she had two leather fringed wrist sashes.   She had blonde hair, real eye lashes, and blue eyes.

 

 

There were four different Live Action dolls released in 1971 and 1972: Live Action Barbie, Ken, P.J., and Christie.  They all came in cool, totally 70’s fashions with some type of fringe included in their ensemble. 

 

 

All the Live Action dolls that were sold separately from the Live Action on Stage package came with a Touch‘n Go posin’ stand.  All their bodies could dance to a beat when they were positioned on their stand.   All little girls had to do was move the stand to make them dance! The female dolls had a more active body than Ken.   Barbie, P.J., and Christie had bendable knees, elbows, and ankles.  Their waist could swivel, as well as their legs, arms, and neck.  Ken only had bendable legs and a looser waist. 

 

 

Touch 'n Go Stand

 

Touch 'n Go Stand Instructions

 

 

The Live Action Barbie on Stage included Barbie, Ken, and P.J.  They were only sold in 1971, which makes them much harder to find on the secondary market (Christy never came with a stage.) The stage was motorized and included a remote control (batteries not included) which allowed the doll to dance to a fast or slow beat.  Included in the set was a 45 rpm two-sided record for each doll, and each had their own select set of songs on their record.  Live action P.J. came with a guitar as well.

 



Live Action Barbie on Stage

 

Live Action Barbie on Stage (back of box)

Live Action on Stage P.J. and Ken

“I’m happy I’m Barbie” was the record that was included with Live Action Barbie.

If you look closely at Live Action Barbie’s eyes, you will notice that they are very similar to the eyes of Walk Lively Barbie (1972).  You will see that Walk Lively has lighter eye makeup, shorter eyelashes, and her eye brows are a little further apart.  She also has a lighter shade of blonde hair. 

 

Live Action Barbie (left) and Walk Lively Barbie (right)

 

If you compare the waist of Live Action Barbie to Dramatic Living Barbie (1970), one would think they were exactly the same.  But there is a difference in them as well.  Both have twist-n-turn waists, but Live Action’s is more flexible.  

 

In 1973-1974 Mattel released a Live Action Baggie Version (#8588).  The company most likely had an excess of these dolls, so they sold them at a reduced rate in a baggie rather than a box.  The Baggie version did not include the stand.  There was a mail order version too, which did include the Touch and Go stand.

 

#8588 Live Action Baggie Version and Mail Order Version

 

 

In 1971 and 1972 Sears released an exclusive gift set; Live Action P.J.  Fashion ‘n Motion gift set, which retailed for $8.99.  It included the doll dressed in her original outfit as well as an additional ensemble, Touch and Go stand, and two sided record that played the song “Hey Little P.J. Gal”

 

Live Action P.J. Fashion 'N Motion Gift Set

 

 

Here’s the song “Little P.J. Gal” for Live Action P.J.:

Play song "Little P.J. Gal"

Here are two commercials from 1971:

1971 Live Action Barbie on Stage Commercial

Play Commercial for Live Action Barbie on Stage

1971 Barbie and P.J. on their Touch and Go Stands Commercial

Play Commercial for Barbie and P.J. on their Touch and Go Stands

 

 

Live Action Barbie on Stage

Live Action Barbie, P.J., and Christie are marked ©1968 Mattel, Inc./U.S. & Foreign Patented/Patented in Canada 1967/Other Patents Pending/Taiwan. 

 

 

 

To find the Live Action Barbie on Stage still in her box would be considered a great find!   It’s easier to track down P.J. and Ken in their “on Stage” box than it is Barbie.  But I did find her, and I hope you do too!

 

Happy Hunting!

 

 

Visit my website at www.MyVintageBarbies.com