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| 1966 Christmas Morning My Barbie Fashion Shop all wrapped up behind Me, and my Barbie Keys to Fame game in front of me. |
Today I glanced over and saw my fashion shop, which brings
back so many memories from my childhood. It was one of my favorite
Christmas presents. I received it Christmas morning in 1966, which would
make it 47 years this coming December! Unfortunately I don’t have the
original anymore, but I found myself another one years ago.
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| Front of the Box |
This cardboard structure is everything girls dream about when playing Barbie; shopping, fashions, spending time with friends, and going to a fashion show.
The set included a sign announcing the fashion show and a 16 page instruction booklet. The yellow cardboard floor folds up and has a strap so the items can fit easily inside for storage, and also makes for a handy carrying case. The set measures 38x24x17, and originally sold for $4.47.
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| From the Outside Looking In |
It comes with two walls that include shelves, a stage with
curtain and backstage door, a closet, and a large picture window that holds a
Barbie size mannequin. There’s a corner unit connecting the two walls
that includes an outside window.
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| Invitations, Modeling Cards and Magazines |
Free standing is a table, two chairs,
three-way mirror, display case, 8 fashion card invitations, 8 modeling cards,
and 3 cardboard magazines (Style Magazine, Sub Deb Fashions, and Barbie
Magazine). There is even a cardboard hat mannequin that fits in the
outside corner window on which to display hats.
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| All Set Up! |
The set included a sign announcing the fashion show and a 16 page instruction booklet. The yellow cardboard floor folds up and has a strap so the items can fit easily inside for storage, and also makes for a handy carrying case. The set measures 38x24x17, and originally sold for $4.47.
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| Part of the Instructions Booklet showing how to close it up for storage |
The Fashion Shop was produced in 1963 (as stated on the back of the box) and was on the market for several years. The 1964 Sears Christmas catalog calls it a Fashion Salon, probably because the front of the box reads “Complete with modeling salon and elegant furniture and fittings” just below the words “Barbie’s Fashion Shop by Mattel”. The box front also shows Mattel’s famous slogan “You can Tell It’s Mattel…It’s Swell!”
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| 1964 Sears Christmas Catalog |
This great piece of American toy history is one of the more popular items for collectors. I sure like mine!
