Barbie of the Month: Growing Up Skipper and Growing up Ginger

Growing Up Skipper

In 1975 and 1976 Mattel released two interesting and controversial dolls; #7259 Growing Up Skipper and #9222 Growing Up Ginger.  

Growing Up Ginger

Both dolls had the ability to grow from 9 inches tall (9 ¼ inches was the height of the original Skipper) to 9 ¾ inches in height simply by turning her left arm all the way around counter clockwise.  As you turn her arm her breasts would develop as well.  To return to a little girl, merely turn her arm all the way around clockwise.  

Growing up Skipper debuted at the New York Toy Fair in February 1975.  The box she’s packaged in reads; “2 dolls in 1 for twice as much fun!”  She went from a “cute little girl” to a “tall, curvy teenager”, according to the packaging. 

Once she was for sale in stores, newspapers all over the country had a heyday writing articles about this “Super Teen Skipper”.   Mattel received numerous letters from women’s groups and parents complaining about the doll and her ability to grow breasts. 

In 1975 she had pale blonde colored hair, and when the second version was available in 1976 she had slightly shorter, golden colored hair.  In 1976, the brunette Growing Up Ginger was offered as well.  She was only available in 1976, which makes her much harder to find on the secondary market, and especially in the box.

Both dolls are marked © 1967 Mattel Inc. Hong Kong U.S. & For. Pat.

There were six outfits exclusively designed for the Growing Up Skipper and Ginger Dolls.  Stock numbers 9021, 9022, 9023, 9024, 9512, and 9513.

#9021

#9022

#9023

#9024

#9512

#9513

Even though these aren’t my favorite dolls in the Barbie line, I still enjoy having them as part of history in my vintage Barbie collection. 

Happy Hunting!


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Barbie of the Month: #857 Mix 'N' Match Set

The beautiful #857 Barbie Mix ‘n Match Gift Set is one of the earliest gift sets available.  It debuted in 1960 and was re-issued in 1962.  In December I featured the #861 Barbie Mix ‘n Match Gift set that was released in 1963 with a Bubble Cut Barbie doll, which was an update to the magnificent set that I am highlighting today.

This is a lovely #5 ponytail from the 1962 set

1960 was the first year Barbie gift sets were available.  There were three sets that year, and all are incredible!  They were the #856 Party Set, #857 Mix ‘n Match set, and the #858 Barbie Trousseau set (which was a double set).  

Included in the #857 Mix ‘n Match set was a #3 or #4 ponytail Barbie doll, and everything Barbie needs to make 70 different combinations of fabulous outfits.  Barbie, dressed in her traditional striped swim suit and pearl stud earrings or gold hoop earrings, also had sunglasses and black open-toe heels.  These were packaged together with her pink booklet with her picture on the front. 

#857 Mix 'N' Match Set 

In 1962 the set was available again, but with a #5 or #6 ponytail Barbie doll.  In this almost identical set she wore the same striped swimsuit, but a gold Barbie wrist tag was added (when found with a number 6 ponytail, she is in the red swim-suit).  The 1962 pink booklet featured Barbie and Ken’s photograph on the front.

1960 and 1962 booklet included in the set

In 1960 and 1962 the outfits and partial outfits included in the set are all from the 900 series ensembles which are #919 Undergarments (bra and panties), #963 Resort Set (jacket, shorts, t-shirt, hat) #976 Sweater Girl (orange sweater top, matching cardigan sweater, gray flannel skirt), #975 Winter Holiday (leather coat, hooded tee-shirt, black knit pants,travel bag), #981 Busy Gal (red and white blouse), and #967 Picnic Set (jeans and red checked shirt).  There was also a crystal necklace and black pedestal or wire stand.

Interestingly, if you look at the Mattel catalog for these sets in 1960 and 1962, you’ll notice that in 1960 the photograph shows the blue checked #916 commuter set blouse rather than the red checked picnic blouse that the description below the picture describes, and what the set actually came with.  In 1962 Mattel corrected the catalog description of the set by describing these partial sets of clothing more clearly for the retailer to read (see picture and description below).

The 23 x 12 box is marked ©1959, 1960 Mattel, Inc, Hawthorne, Calif. Stock No 857 and originally retailed for $12.00.  Inside there is an attached plain white box which includes a box liner placed in the center of the larger box to fit Barbie.  Inside the larger box bottom is a yellow liner on which all the clothes and accessories were placed.

I love how the cover of the box stands up for display

I’ve wanted this hard to find early set for quite some time, and was ecstatic when I finally found it!  I hope you find your dream sets too.

Happy Hunting!   

Barbie of the Month: Dressed Skipper

Have you ever wondered why there isn’t much written about the dressed, boxed, 9 ¼ inch Skipper dolls?  I did, so I researched it!  These rare dressed Skipper dolls were very limited, and were released in 1964.





Barbie’s little sister Skipper entered the marketplace in 1964.  She was dressed in a one-piece red and white cotton swim-suit.  She wore a Skipper red and silver foil wrist tag and a brass head band.  If the band was left on her head it would often turn areas on her hair and near her ears green.  Inside her cardboard box there was a wire stand, white brush and comb, red flat shoes, and a booklet. 

1964 Skipper



The dressed Skipper dolls were available through the Mattel catalog  when purchased in the #1083 Skipper Master Assortment.   She did not come with a swim-suit, and was only available in the following 1964 fashions:

            #1901 Red Sensation

            #1902 Silk N Fancy

            #1903 Masquerade Party

            #1904 Flower Girl

            #1907 School Days

            #1908 Skating Fun

#1901 Red Sensation, #1904 Flower Girl, #1903 Masquerade Party
#1908 Skating Fun, #1902 Sink N Fancy

 #1907 School Days

 

Also included in the Master assortment, besides the six dressed dolls, were twelve standard Skipper dolls dressed in a red and white swimsuit and twenty-four packs of Skipper ensembles (which were also sold separately as item #1300).  The twenty-four packs of clothing consisted of two each of all ten ensembles that were released for Skipper in 1964.  There was also a counter display tray for the six dressed dolls.   Unfortunately, there was only a description and not a picture of the Master assortment in the Mattel catalog. 

The box of the swim-suit Skipper and dressed Skipper look very similar, with just two big differences.  The sides of the dressed box have three horizontal stripes on it, and the end flap of the box is white with a marking “dressed doll”.

Side of Dressed and Regular Box

 

 

 



End Flap of Dressed and Regular Box

 

I believe the dressed Skipper dolls did come with a wrist tag, and did not have a cardboard liner in the box like the regular dolls had.  Of course there are exceptions to every rule in Barbieland.  If you happen to see a Japanese Market Skipper dressed doll, they do have liners in their boxes!  And they were available later than 1964.  

 

Now you have it; 1964 was the only year these hard to find U.S. Version dressed Skipper dolls were available.  And that is why they are ever so scarce!

 

Happy Hunting!

 

More Skipper doll information at: www.MyVintageBarbies.com