Barbie of the Month: Miss America

 

On September 12, 1971, girls everywhere were excitedly gathered around their television sets, watching the Miss America Pageant that was held live at Boardwalk Hall, in Atlantic City, New Jersey. 

 

The annual event officially originated in 1921 in Atlantic City, and wasn’t televised live until 1954. In 2006 the show was moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, but it retuned to Atlantic City in 2013.

On the Miss America pageants official web site, Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce President Frederick Hickman describes Miss America in this way: 

“Miss America represents the highest ideals. She is a real combination of beauty, grace, and intelligence, artistic and refined. She is a type which the American Girl might well emulate."  

Rewinding back over forty years ago, it’s interesting to learn about the 1972 Miss America; Laurie Lea Schaefer.  She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Ohio University in 1971, and that same year was crowned Miss Ohio.  She went on to be crowned Miss America in 1972.  

  

Laurie Lea Schaefer -  Miss America 1972

She dressed conservatively, only wearing dresses and skirts to school, and did not even own a pair of blue jeans.  She wanted to be a role model.  She was very proud of her traditional beliefs.  At her very first news conference after being crowned, she stated that marijuana use leads to hard drugs; she believed we had a right to be in Vietnam, but it would be good to end the war.  She thought that abortion should be illegal, and stated that premarital sex wasn’t for her.  She went on to say that she didn’t think that women were discriminated against in America.  And she summed up her beliefs with “I think the majority of young people think the way I do, on just about everything”  

 

In view of Laurie’s and the pageants’ popularity, in 1972 Mattel introduce a version of Laurie in one of their four new Walk Lively line of dolls.  There was Barbie, Ken, Steffie, and Miss America. 

 

These dolls had a walk ’n turn stand, so when they would walk using their legs, their heads would turn back and forth and their arms would swing.  The walk ‘n turn stands were all tan in color except for Miss America’s.  Her stand was white.  All the Walk Lively dolls are marked: ©1967 Mattel, Inc./U.S. Pat. Pend./Taiwan.  

Walk Lively Doll Stands (Miss America's is white)

 

Miss America (stock # 3200) is a beauty.  She uses the pretty and popular Steffie head mold.  She has brunette curled hair that is parted in the middle, with blue eyes, rooted eyelashes, and bendable legs.  She’s dressed in a long evening gown which features a gold lame’, bodice with white attached taffeta skirt that has a white sheer nylon over-skirt.  She completed her ensemble with chunky white closed-toe heels, a Miss America satin sash, silver crown, and a long red cape trimmed with white faux fur.  She carries a bouquet of red roses and a silver scepter.  

Walk Lively Miss America with her original box 1972

 

Also released the same year was a Kellogg’s Corn Flake promotional Miss America doll (stock #3194-9991).  Featured on the box alongside the doll was a photo of Laurie Lee Schaefer, who was promoting the offer.  With just three Corn Flake box tops and $3.00, you could send in for the promotional doll.  She arrived in the mail in a plain brown shipper box, but without the doll stand.  Everything else was the same as the store version.

Back of the Kellogg's Corn Flakes Box

In 1973 the Quick Curl dolls were released.  Quick Curl Miss America (stock #8697) was one of the five new Quick Curl dolls (the other four were Barbie, Francie, Kelly, and Skipper).   These dolls had special hair that contained teeny tiny little wires which allowed them to curl with ease.

Quick Curl Miss America 1973

Quick Curl Miss America was dressed exactly the same as Walk Lively Miss America, except for her crown.  Miss America Walk lively has much more detail and was made of cloth.  Quick Curl Miss America wears a silver paper crown.  Her body and face had some differences.   She had painted on eye lashes, a twist n’ turn waist, bendable legs, came with brunette or blonde hair, and was marked ©1966/Mattel, Inc./U.S. & Foreign/Patented/Other Pat's/Pending/Made in/Taiwan.  She was not on the Walk Lively body.   

Quick Curl Miss America 1973

She also came with a white brush, comb, curling tool, and hair accessories (bobby-pins, rubber bands, and ribbons).   

She was also available as a department store mail-order doll that came in a brown shipper box.

Quick Curl Miss America with her Shipper Box

All of Barbie’s clothes could fit all the Miss America Dolls.  There were three very hard to find ensembles which were made specifically for her, and all were released in 1972; #3215 Royal Velvet, #3216 Majestic Blue, and #3217 Regal Red.

Royal Velvet (top left), Majestic Blue (bottom left) and Regal Red (Right)

Having a Miss America doll in your Barbie Collection is like owning a little bit of Americana.

Happy Hunting!

Barbie of the Month: Sweet 16 Barbie Doll





In 1974 the Sweet 16 Barbie Doll (stock number 7796) was released to commemorate Barbie’s 16^th birthday that was coming up on March 9, 1975. 

 

 

For only two years was this pretty blonde Barbie, with a longer blonde style shag haircut and pretty blue eyes with painted on eyelashes, on store shelves.

 



#7796 Sweet 16 Barbie Doll
(1974-75)

 

The first dolls available were bundled in a special promotional packaging that included an extra set of clothing.  Barbie came dressed in a long pink dotted Swiss dress, wore white square closed-toe shoes, and carried a pink make-up compact case.  Included in the box was a brush, comb, 2 applicators ‘n sponges, 4 barrettes, and 2 label sheets.  Her additional promotional ensemble consisted of longer style jean shorts and a yellow tank top with a large number 16 printed on the front of the shirt.  She is marked © 1966 Mattel, Inc. U.S. & Foreign Patented Other Pat's. Pending Made in Taiwan. 

 



#7796 Sweet 16 Promotional Barbie

 

Only the early promotional and regular packaged Sweet 16's came with wrist tags.  The later dolls did not have them.

 

Later Packaged doll
without a wrist tag

 

 

This girly girl came with cosmetics.  By pressing a label on to a barrette, comb, or hairbrush, a sweet fragrance would be released onto the item and could either be placed or brushed into her hair.  By using the sponge over the blusher you could add color to her cheeks, which easily washed off with soap and water.



Shown: white square close-toe shoes, yellow comb and brush,

pressing labels, pink compact which has the two blushers

colors in the bottom portion of the compact when opened.

In the lid there are two sponges for the applicators (not shown).

 



Girls who purchased this doll could also be included in her birthday party by completing the “Barbie Surprise Birthday Present” coupon on the back of the box by May 1^st, 1975.  In return they would receive a surprise present with special offers. 



Mail in Coupon on the Back of the box

There was also a mail order version available from Montgomery Ward.  This doll came in a brown mailing box marked 7796 with her correct accessories, but she did not wear a wrist tag.



Montgomery Ward
Sweet 16 Mail Order Box

My Sweet 16 doll originally sold for $5.87 but was reduced to $2.99.

Happy Hunting!

Barbie of the Month: Malibu Ken Surf's Up Gift Set

Malibu Ken
From the Surf's Up Gift Set

The Sunset Malibu Barbie, along with her incredible tan, debuted in 1971 and stayed on the market until late 1976.   The Malibu dolls were a huge hit.  This California girl, blessed with long blonde straight hair, blue eyes, deep dark tan, and sunglasses that she wore on top of her head, would make any little girl dream about being a teenager. 

In 1971 Mattel also added Barbie's little sister Skipper and her boyfriend Ken, who all had that same bronzy tan.

 





Sun Set Malibu Barbie, Skipper and Ken (1971)



In 1972 a couple more cuties were added to the line; Malibu Francie and Malibu P.J., and by 1973 one more doll was born to complete the line-up; Malibu Christie.

 

Sun Set Malibu Francie, P.J. (1972) and Christie (1973)

 

In 1974 other dolls appeared using the same body as the 1973 dolls.  They were named “The Sport Set dolls”, and in 1975 the “Gold Medal dolls”.  These dolls did not have Sunset Malibu” in their name, but they were still the same doll with that wonderful dark suntan. 



Gold Medal Barbie (1975)
and Newport Barbie (1974) from the Sports Set dolls





Interestingly, there was only one gift set released that included a Malibu doll during all the vintage years these dolls were available.  And the set didn’t even include Barbie, but instead her boyfriend Ken.  This hard to find 1971 (date on the box) Sears’ exclusive set stock #1248 was called “Malibu Ken Surf’s Up”.  My set originally sold for only $3.99 at Sears.



The Ad for this gift set from the
1972 Sears Catalog

 



Malibu Ken Surf's Up Gift Set (Stock#1248)



This fun grouping came with a Malibu Ken doll who was wearing orange swim trunks.  Also included in the box were a floral shirt, yellow sandals, blue sun glasses, diving mask, snorkel, fins, beach towel, and skim board. 

 

 





 

Gift sets to me are one of the most exciting items to find.   I hope you find a few for yourselves too.

Oh, and be sure to check out this 1971 Malibu Barbie Commercial.  These are always fun to watch!

Link to Video

Happy Hunting!

 

Barbie's Adventures: Disneyland

Barbie recently visited the happiest place on earth; Disneyland, in Southern California.  She went in late Fall, which was a perfect time to go.  There were far less crowds, and the weather was pleasantly warm. 

Famous photo spot just as you enter the park

 

Barbie went dressed in a 1990 “modified” Heart Family outfit which was released for Disney’s 35^th anniversary.  When looking for the right clothes for her trip, I had searched my daughter’s old Barbie dolls and there it was. Disney Heart Family set, used, but completely intact.  I added a navy blue mini skirt to update the outfit, and she was off on her adventure.    

 




 Vintage doll and 35th Anniversary Doll (1990)

 

Once at the park, besides all the amusing rides, tasty food, and entertaining performers, Barbie found some fascinating hidden gems that most people don’t realize are there. 

Disneyland had its grand opening on the afternoon of July 17, 1955, to invited guests and media only.  The park only had eighteen attractions at the time, and many think that the Matterhorn Bobsleds were one of the original attractions.  In reality, the first “thrill” ride didn’t open until 1959, the exact same year Barbie debuted.  

 

The structure has had several modifications throughout the years, but the 147 foot tall mountain still remains one of the most popular rides in the park.  The first tubular steel track coaster in the world zigzags throughout the bottom two-thirds of Matterhorn Mountain.  The top one third of the mountain houses a basketball court, which was built for Disney employees to use! 

 

 

Matterhorn Mountain (1st thrill ride at Disneyland)

When you arrive at Disneyland, you first walk down picturesque Main Street.  It was built as a replica of Walt Disney’s childhood hometown of Marceline, Missouri.  You will even smell the scent of vanilla most of the year, except at Christmastime when it changes to peppermint!

Walt Disney also wanted his family dog Lady somewhere in the park.  You can find that famous pooch inside the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction.  He is the medium-size mixed breed poodle holding the keys in his mouth guarding the jail cells, as you approach the end of the ride.  I knew I would have liked that man!

 



Pirates of the Caribbean

As you stroll through New Orleans square you will come upon a door that has the number 33 next to it.  This is Club 33, which is a VIP private club with a very long waiting list (years), as well as very expensive initiation and annual fees.  Many celebrities and other distinguished guests have frequented the place. It’s the only establishment in Disneyland that serves alcohol.  However, alcohol is served at California Adventure, which is another Disney theme park.  It is a lot of fun and right next 

New Orleans Square



Club 33

   

The Disneyland Fire Department, which is located on Main Street’s Town Square, is one of the original attractions from 1955.  Inside there is wonderful memorabilia, such as the old horse drawn fire wagon that was used during the first 5 years, taking guests up and down Main Street.  Also since opening day in 1955, the Disneyland barbershop quartet still performs several times each day in front of the station.  Above the fire department there is a small apartment where Walt Disney would stay when he visited the park. If the light was on, that meant he was on site.  Today, since his death, it remains on all the time.

 

 

Disneyland Fire Department



The last little tidbit of information that you might find interesting as you stroll the streets of this happy place is in Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, on your way to Fantasy Land.  Look down at the floor and find the spike. It marks the exact center of the park (well, that was until Mickey’s Toon Town was built!).

 



Sleeping Beauty's Castle




Spike in the floor in Sleeping Beauty's Castle



If you’re looking for some vintage Disney clothing for your dolls, you’ll have to look past the vintage years to the 1980’s and 1990’s and beyond.  For some reason, Barbie and Disney didn’t team up until then.  In 2005, for Disneyland’s Golden anniversary, the “Barbie Then and Now” doll debuted.  The 1955 “Then” doll was dressed in a “Mouseketeers” outfit, which is the outfit that was worn on The Mickey Mouse Club that premiered in 1955.    

    

2005 Disneyland's 50th Anniversary "Then and Now" doll



Barbie loves Disneyland and if you have never visited, be sure to add it to your bucket list.  You’ll be glad you did!



Barbie of the Month: Twist 'N Turn Trade-In Barbie

In 1967 the ever so popular #1162 Twist ’n Turn Trade-In Barbie was one of Mattel’s most successful Barbie Doll promotions of all time!   

#1162 Barbie

 

Barbie underwent a total make-over for this rollout.  She had a brand new head mold, her waist could twist and turn, she had long rooted eyelashes, and beautiful long uneven cut hair with a few side pieces that were pulled to the top of her head to form a tiny ponytail. She also had a softer pink skin tone to her body.

 

Here's my #1162 TNT Trade-In Barbie Doll
with her box that has the gold sticker that reads
"Special Introductory Price"





Mattel’s ad campaign was very effective, which was mostly due to the television ad that starred Maureen McCormick, who later played Marsha Brady on the Brady Bunch television show (1969-1974). In just the first month (May 1967), there were 1,250,000 dolls that were traded-in during the promotion.  All the old dolls that Mattel received were given to charity.  It makes you wonder how many number 1 and 2 ponytail dolls were in the bunch!

 



1967 Television Ad

 

 



Magazine Ad from Family Circle Magazine (1967)

 

 

To acquire this new mod Barbie doll, all you had to do was take your old Barbie doll, in any condition, to a participating toy store along with $1.50 (which was half the price of a new doll at the time).  In exchange, you would be handed the new mod Twist ‘n Turn Barbie doll in the hair color of your choice; Sun Kissed (light blonde), Summer Sand (ash blond), Chocolate Bon Bon (dark brown) or Go Go Co Co (Light Brown).  Even though these dolls had cool names for their hair colors, the boxes were marked with the actual humdrum hair color name.

 

The mark on her bottom reads: ‘©1966 Mattel, Inc./U.S. Patented/U.S. Pat Pend. Made in Japan’.  It’s important to note that some of the dolls have “Made in Japan” all on one line.

 



Here's another one of my pretty Trade-In Dolls

 

Barbie came wearing a salmon two-piece swim suit made of a vinyl type material with a one-piece swimsuit, which was white cloth netting trimmed in salmon that went over the top. She wore a matching salmon colored hair ribbon in her hair.  On her wrist was the official Barbie wrist tag.  A paper fashion booklet titled “The World of Barbie Fashions” was included as well.  She was packaged in a sealed plastic bag and she and all of the items listed came inside the official Trade-In box. The #1162 and the #1160 model dolls are identical, except for their box, and the #1162 trade-in doll did not come with the X stand that can be flipped over and used as a chair.



Notice the hair color on the end flap of the box

Today, there is some controversy around some of the rare, unusual hair colors that can be found on these dolls, such as titian, eggplant, champagne, and platinum.  Some of the dolls with these uncommon hair colors have simply changed over time from their original color which was caused by oxidization.  But I believe Mattel added some to the mix, either as a prototype, or just for fun!





 This TNT has the Platinum/Silver Hair Color

 

This was and still is one of my favorite Barbie dolls of all time.  Being one of the lucky girls who traded in one of my old dolls for the pretty new and up-to-date mod Barbie is reminiscent of my childhood, and is a very special memory for me.

Happy Hunting!