Silken Flame

Vintage Barbie illustrations, built environment, clones and more

  • Welcome!

    Thanks for swinging by my vintage Barbie fan site, where you’ll find articles on Barbie’s built environment, Barbie illustrations, vintage rival and clone dolls and playsets, and miscellaneous musings/deep dives. What are you looking for?

    Color illustrations of Barbie and Midge from little Mattel fashion booklets that came with the dolls. Shown are: Sheath Sensation, Red Flare, Dinner at Eight, Sweater Girl, Career Girl, Movie Date, and Senior Prom.

    Vintage Barbie Illustrations

    Plus the illustration “sidebars,” short entries on niche topics:

    Barbie Family Deluxe House exterior bearing illustration showing a yellow brick house with two pairs of doors: arched, louvered red doors with rectangular shutters to either side, and arched glass doors. Skipper, Tutti and cat cavort on a brick path leading to the red doors. Through the glass doors walks Barbie, holding a tray of drinks, onto a fieldstone pation on which Francie sits at a white circular table with umbrella and two wrought iron chairs. Greenery surrounds them. A dog sits close to Francie in the extreme foreground.

    Barbie’s Built Environment

    3 shots of doll penthouses. L: color catalog image with caption reading "Here's Tressy's modern penthouse apartment." C: Jamie stands inside her "Party Penthouse" case. R: Photograph from the front of Tuesday Taylor's pentouse packaging shows Tuesday seated inside her structure.

    Articles relating to clones, rivals, and off-brand Barbie-style products

    Four images of Sixties Sparkles nostalgic Black Barbie wearing: her original swimsuit; reproduction of the red swimsuit worn by vintage bubble cut and swirl ponytail Barbies; white pak playsuit; and the 12 Days of Christmas (2022) Belle dress).

    Miscellaneous Musings and Deep Dives

    There’s still more to come, but before you scroll away, here’s the first image ever posted to this blog back in 2022: some of my dolls, dressed in vintage or vintage reproduction, in front of backgrounds belonging to Bill Cotter:

    Four vintage or reproduction dolls in front of 1950s-1960s photographs of Disneyland. Counterclockwise from top left, vintage Walking Jamie in Studio Tour crosses in front of Tomorrowland, with the Clock of the World, Monsanto Hall of Chemistry, and Douglas rocket visible. Next, reproduction My Favorite 1981 Black Barbie in vintage Red Flare in front of Fantasyland, with the Matterhorn, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, and the Sky Buckets visible. Third, vintage bubble cut Barbie in Crisp 'n' Cool stands in front of the Monorail and Autopia sign in Tomorrowland. Finally, reproduction blonde Stacey from the Nite Lightning set, wearing the Matinee Fashion dress from the reproduction 1965 My Favorite American Girl set, along with short white gloves and gold dimpled clutch.
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  • Barbie’s Seventies Travelogue, the Appendix: What to Pack
    Katherin Johnson Barbie, redressed in the vintage Apple Print Sheath but wearing her own black heels with ankle straps and pearl earrings, sits on a stack of white plastic luggage. In the background is a phone booth (Pos'n Tammy's phone booth if you're familiar). Peeking around the corner of the phone booth is a grey-and-white toy tuxedo cat with orange eyes. This is a Barbie cat from, I think, the 80s, and will be referred to as Kiki for succinctness through the rest of this post's alt texts. The floor of the scene is gold-and-white zigzag pattern, while red curtains fill the background. This is my interpretation of the Black Lodge fron Twin Peaks but for Barbie, which isn't really relevant to this post's topic, I just like it and had to use something. All pics in this post are set in the Black Lodge unless otherwise specified.

    In this series so far we’ve detailed how, during the Seventies, an array of vacation spots popped up for Barbie’s enjoyment. We’ve also seen how she gets from place to place, by land, air, or water. At this point she’s got all she needs, except… Barbie, you’re not packed!

    But what to pack?

    This latest entry in our Seventies Travelogue is an appendix and not a chapter proper because Barbie could pack her bags right from the beginning, with Winter Holiday’s overnight bag and Commuter Set’s hat box, both 1959, quickly followed by her American Airlines flight bag in 1961.

    Commuter Set reproduction Barbie with blonde ponytail, bead necklace, red feathery crescent hat, white satin blouse, white gloves, and navy jersey Chanel-style suit stands holding a red cardboard hat box with the Barbie signature in white on the front. Next to her is a small wood table (Mattel Modern) holding the plaid overnight bag with black trim from Winter Holiday. On the floor before them sits the American Airlines flight bad, unzipped. Kiki's head and tail emerge from the AA bag.

    Either bag is serviceable for a quick getaway, but for lengthy journeys she’ll need more capacity than this; and a stylish traveler like Barbie would never be caught toting around a hodgepodge assortment of bags as seen above.

    What she really needed was a matching luggage set, such as the one sold for Penny Brite in 1965. The 8″ Penny was supposed to be 6 years old or something, but that didn’t stop her from having a car which came complete with an adorable line of baggage. The much-taller Barbie probably couldn’t operate Penny’s vehicle very easily, but the luggage actually fits pretty well; even the purse strap is pretty much the right length.

    Midge wears Sorority Meeting: a brown sheath, matching knit brown vest with off-white trim, white open-toed heels, and brown felt hat with off-white trim. Over her shoulder hangs a hard plastic off-white purse adorned with a molded sunburst. In front of her is the wood table holding an off-white hard plastic suitcase, also with a sunburst emblazoned on the front. Beside the table is the blue chair from Barbie's Dream House. A hard plastic off-white hat box with sunburst sits upright on the chair. Kiki stretches atop the chair back.

    Penny’s play sets had a more Populuxe feel than Barbie’s, all boomerangs, amoeboids, and candy colors. Some of her sets were recolored and put back in production for Dawn in the Seventies, and possibly on another occasion as well, but I believe this is the lone instance of the luggage with its atomic sunbursts. I just adore this set. It may be my favorite Barbie-compatible luggage set. However, other Barbie rivals also offered worthy baggage alternatives in this timeframe. Another fave is Tammy’s hat box, which came in white or black with different ensembles, always trimmed in red.

    Color illustration of Tammy's Travel Along (left) and Model Miss (right). Tammy, with blonde flip haircut, models the two fashions. Travel along is a grey checked belted dress with patch pockets, white closed-toed shoes with bows, a pair of red-framed glasses Tammy holds in her hand, a red scarf tied over her head, a pair of heart charms hanging from her belt, plus a black hatbox on a strap with a red band around the outside. Model Miss is a bright blue swing coat with white stripe down the front housing a row of blue buttons, white trim at the wrists, a matching hat that's basically a hairband from ear to ear with white puffs at the two ends, a red shoulder bag, red closed-toed shoes, and the hat box but in white with red trim.

    What you don’t see illustrated above is the smart little red swoosh on one side of the cases, as aerodynamic as it is midcentury-slick.

    Blonde Casey wears a red minidress/jacket with white trim and a double row of white buttons with a matching red hat plus a pair of white closed-toed heels. She sits in the blue chair, holding Tammy's hat box. A red V-shaped swoosh or boomerang decorates the front of the hat box. The wooden table, behind her, holds the black version of the hat box sitting upright, showing the same red swoosh. Kiki sits behind the second hatbox and looks back over her shoulder toward Casey.

    Tressy, too, had a hat box. From the outside it’s not much to look at, but the lined interior and mirror help it attain new heights of hat box sophistication.

    Two shots of Tressy's hat box taken from an eBay listing. At left, the box lies open in two pieces. The interior is lined with red-and-black plaid and one side holds a small circular bit of mirror. In the second image the hat box is closed. On the outside, it is blue with two blue straps, and the word Tressy in black script on the front.

    You might argue this piece is not a good fit for Barbie since it’s so prominently labeled “Tressy” on the front, but it’s canon that Tressy’s friends borrow her personalized hat box and even her passport.

    The Grand Dame of mid-Sixties off-Brand Barbie luggage is the Samsonite Sillhouette line from Payton, marketed for “teenage” dolls in general.

    Photograph from Theriault's catalog of two miniature Samsonite Silhouette luggage sets. Left is one for "popular teenage boy & girl dolls." It contains eight total pieces, four in teal, four in white.In each color are a large suitcase, two smaller suitcases, and a train case. The white set appeared in the first image in the post. Characters that somewhat resemble Barbie and Ken are illustrated on the packaging. Right is packaging for a set of four pieces, now in red. The illustration shows a blonde flip-haired character in a striped suit, surrounded by teal luggage pieces, next to a sign that says BUS STOP. Some of the text reads, "Miss Teen; luggage that sets the pace for luxury! Luggage opens and closes."

    This image is from Theriault’s, who give the date for both as 1963. These four-piece sets were the first to give Barbie ample packing space for weeklong trips or longer. (Even I can admit that the Penny Brite suitcase is a little slim, and that plus a hat box and purse still doesn’t amount to much carrying capacity.) The train case, a classic shape but a fresh innovation in Barbie’s sphere, even has a removable tray like the real ones did.

    Reproduction brunette side-part American girl, with her blue headband, wears the yellow, green and blue -checked dress from the Color Magic Fashion Designer set and turquoise open-toed heels. She sits on the plaid sofa from Barbie's first Dream House, and next to her sits a teal plastic train case, its lid ajar, and the removable shallow tray partially slid out to the side toward Barbie's hand. Sitting catty-corner is the blue chair with an open teal plastic suit case in which Kiki reclines. Between sofa and chair sits the wood table, not really visible, stacked with two other teal plastic suitcases, one larger than the other.

    One other, earlier Samsonite offering also deserves notice. This one, found in My Merry sets dated 1958, actually predates Barbie. The My Merry Guest Closet, an accessory set possibly geared for Alexander-style dolls, included a classic tan suitcase stamped Samsonite and adorned with a little travel sticker. The My Merry Overnight Closet had the same case but with two stickers. No shade to the Silhouettes, but this earlier, well-worn case is my favorite for Ken or anyone who’s feeling hard-boiled.

    Back at the phone booth. A nineties Ken with brown hair wears Rally day: a red cap and tan jacket, plus a pair of black slacks and black shoes. He stands in the open doorway of the phone booth, turned halfway toward the insde. In his near hand is a boxy tan suitcase with two little stickers, one at the top left corner and one at the bottom right, that are a little colorful but inscrutable. Faintly, the word "Samsonite" is stamped into the center of the case. Atop the booth sits Kiki, posed as if ready to pounce or at least swat Ken's head as he passes beneath.

    (Apologies for this Nineties fellow–you can see I’m no Ken collector.)

    Anyway, back in the mid-Sixties, one other major category of fashion-doll-appropriate baggage appeared by 1965.

    Christie with oxidized hair wears the white jacket, gold belt and white pilgim shoes of White 'n' With It. She sits at one end of the plaid sofa and is surrounded by soft-walled vinyl bags with two handles, zippers, white piped trim, and airline logos, most printed in white. They are for: Air France, in a frosty pink; B.O.A.C., in glossy red; Pan Am, in sky blue; AZlitalia, in dark green; SAS (Scandinavian Air) with blue test on a sheen-y white; Airr Iberia on lavender; and TWA on the same green as Alitalia. An additional red bag we can't read sits sideways off the end of the couch, and one more unreadable red bag lies open on its side, unzipped. Kiki is halfway out of this bag, arms stretched to the right but head turned gazing to our left. She looks spirited. Just between us, One of the red bags is a second BOAC and the oher was one of the less-glamorous domestic airlines, so I didn't try to make them clear in the shot.

    I believe these airline-branded bags are actually a little larger than Barbie-scale; her own American Airlines bag can tuck neatly inside most of them, and they could be a lot for her to lug in one hand. However, Barbie’s posh international lifestyle requires at least one or two. At midcentury, when air travel was still the province of the privileged few, a branded airline bag–especially one from an international carrier–was a status symbol. I made sure my doll had at least a BOAC (British Overseas Airways Corporation) and Pan Am bag, those being the first airlines to routinely serve the jet-setting New York-Paris and New York-London routes.

    The manufacture dates of these bags can be tricky to pin down–one forum user remembers them as freebies given to child travelers, so some may never have been advertised or labeled to sell. However, many have been found packaged for retail, and those I’ve seen carried (c) dates between 1965 and 1972, with ’65 and ’68 being common. These usually contained sets of jacks–plenty of the vintage ones you find for sale now still have their jacks–and were produced in Hong Kong for the companies Chemtoy of Illinois and Wells Manufacturing of Ohio.

    Two mini airline bags packaged on colorful cardboard backs. Left is a yellow bag with white trim and green bold text reading ALLEGHENY AIRLINES. Right is a while bag with a red art deco logo for CONTINENTAL AIRLINES with a little insignia of an aircraft in an oval. Both packages contain jacks and balls. Left, the package is predominantly lime green and yellow with an image of two children playing jacks. Large text reads "59 cents, twin set Jax 'n Ball with Airline Jack Bag." Smaller text not readable in the image includes the (c) 1967, Hong Kong manufacture, and Chemtoy Co., Chemincal Sundries Co., Chicago, ILL. 60650. Right is a white bag decorated with many colorful illustrations of flight bags for other airlines. A character dresses as a flight attendant, I suppose, with blue suit jacket and beret, holds between her fingers another of the bags, this one with a CHEMTOY logo. Text reads "Little Stewardess Jax 'N Ball "Airline Bag" Purse." Smaller text lists the contents ("1 AIRLINE BAG; 1 BALL; 8 JAX'S") and similar copyright and manufacture info to the first. The card bears a price sticker for 69 cents and a store logo that may say "Grant's."
    Domestic carriers? Surely, but I’d still add the 1967 Allegheny Airlines and ’68 Continental Airlines miniature bags to my collection. Both via Worthpoint.

    While we may know only approximate manufacture dates, the stickler for era-appropriateness can check that their doll’s bag has the right look by reading up on the airlines and their logos. For example, BOAC merged into British Airways in 1972; and per Logopedia the Pan Am logo on my Barbie’s flight bag was used from 1958-1971. One can also consult this remarkable early-Sixties Boeing ad:

    A poster illustrating 25 different flight bags that existed in real life, for humans. Whereas the bags in the previous picture were all one shape, these are all different shapes, some square, some tall rectangles, most slightly wider than they are tall, one that looks like a bowling bag. Airlines represented incluse Air France, Air India, BOAC, Braniff, El Al, Lufthansa, Pan Am, Qantas, TWA, United, and more. Text at the bottom says "To zip smmoothly and comfortable anywhere in the world," along with some smaller text, a picture of a jet aircraft, and a logo BOEING Jetlines.

    As shown above, human-sized travelers had access to a much greater diversity of flight bag shapes than did Barbie-sized travelers. However, the doll-sized bag proportions were at least accommodatingly ample. Below, Stacey demonstrates how her United shoulder bag can hold an entire second outfit (the remaining pieces from her United Airlines flight attendant ensemble):

    With the Barbie's Friend Ship Plane as a backdrop and black "tarmac" beneath, blonde short flip Stacey reproduction stands next to the Friend Ship's service cart, wearing the United Airlines flight attendant uniform's blue slacks and red shirt with long striped sleeves. Over her shoulder is a largish square bag with a clear fron on which the United logo can only faintly be read because of the colorful contents within: navy skirt, white shirt with "wonder bread" polka dots, and red vest. On the service cart, top shelf is the second red BOAC bag. While the one isn the previous image just said BOAC in large letters with a swoosh logo, this one says "fly BOAC" with the swoosh, then spells out British Overseas Airline Company below. Middle shelf holds the Barbie American Airlines bag, which is canvas and not vinyl like the other bags. On the ground in front of the cart is a lavender bag for Japan Air Lines and the sky blue Pan Am bag.

    Clear-fronted bags like Stacey’s square shoulder one, along with other clear-fronted ones having the more common oblong shape and handles, originally held Liddle Kiddles knockoffs, roughly dating them to 1967-68, give or take.

    Payton, makers of the Samsonite Silhouettes, also released mod-appropriate “miniature Go Go luggage” in yellow and green. Except for the color refresh they were identical to the Silhouettes but no longer had Samsonite branding. The images below, from Joe’s List, are undated; but 1968-ish is a pretty safe bet.

    Two sets each of four pieces of plastic luggage, one all-yellow and one all-green, mint on card. Text says "Payton miniature Go Go Luggage; Designed for all the popular size dolls; Each piece opens and closes; 4 matching pieces." A character is illustrated with long blonde flip hair with bangs and a little pink hair bow--VERY much like TnT Barbie--wearing a psychedelic printed yellow, green and pink jacket, striped shirt, yellow miniskirt with black belt, green patterned or fishnet tights, and black shoes, holding a pink train case with two more pink cases beside her. Yes, it really does say "popular size dolls" whatever that means. The three suitcases are labeled "vanity case", "pullman," "overnighter," and "wardrobe." In the earlier photo of Payton Samsonite in the package, the labels aren't really visible but the red set that was not marketed for boy dolls had slightly different labels: "Ladies' Overnight," "Pullman Case," "Ladies' Wardrobe," and "Beauty Case."

    Over in Mattel world, 1968 brought Barbie a brand new hat box with the fabulous, Sears-exclusive Travel In Style gift set, which is rare. Luckily the box was also sold as part of the Tour-Ins accessory pak, which is common.

    Oxidized Julia wears the Junior Designer turquoise sheath with turquoise open-toed heels. She stands next to the blue chair. In her hand and supported by the back of the chair is a green plastic hat box with white, green and blue stripes and sticker-like details that say "Rome," "London," and "Paris." Kiki stands on the chair, her front paws against the back of the chair, like she's reaching toward the hat box. Both Kiki and Julia have their heads turned back toward the camera as if they've been interrupted.

    Francie, too, had hat boxes. The one from the Clear Out ensemble, shown below left via That Toy Girl on eBay, is the most common and is doll-agnostic. The hatboxes for Tweed-Somes (shown below right via bartalk on eBay) and Partners in Print are Francie-branded and are rare, along with their outfits.

    Images from eBay. Left is a red plastic hat box with white, red and blue stripes and sticker-look details that say "Rome," "London," and "Paris." Right is a green plastic hat box with white, green and pink stripes and the word "Francie" scrawled along the top right.

    During the Seventies, Mattel again provided Barbie with a mismatched assortment of small luggage pieces. The gold-colored case that came with the Friend Ship, shown below left, may be just about large enough to tote a paperback novel and pack of cigarettes–and what else do Ken and Barbie really need in their carry-on? The brown Busy Barbie case, below right, is covered with stickers suggesting international travel, like the My Merry Samsonite suitcase Ken toted before. However, the Busy case is exactly the same size as an earlier Skipper/Tutti piece regarded by many as a lunchbox. The aluminum-look Star ‘Vette suitcase, below center, appears to have more generous proportions but is practically two-dimensional.

    Vintage blonde Stacey wears Mainly for Rain, a red, green and blue houndstooth long coat with blue trim and buttons, matching hat, and high blue boots. She is seated--on what, we can't see--behind a 1970s plastic coffee table of pink with a white oval top. Before her are three "suitcases." The silver-look plastic suitcase stands upright, partly balanced by her hand. It has a pink, yellow and orange stripe down the middle somewhat reminiscent of a luggage strap, but wider. This looks like a fine suitcase or at least briefcase size for Stacey, from this angle. On its side lies the gold- or mustard-colored case from the Friend Ship, which, in Stacey scale, is about the size of a dictionary. Standing next to it is a brown case, about the size of a lunch box, with stickers for four locations including Tokyo and Spain. Unlike the foregoing hat boxes, these are actual stickers with color illustrations. Kiki stands on the table and rubs her cheek against the corner of the brown case.

    Once again, competitors had enough space for all Barbie’s stuff in matching luggage sets. Miner Industries offered a four-piece Samsonite-style set, similar to the Samsonite Silhouettes but with a hat box, metal-look latches and hardware, and mirrors embedded in the hat box and train case lids.

    One Modern Circle Melody, with mod Barbie's face mold, teal short flip hair, and a purple mini dress and green scarf from Scooby Doo's Daphne, looks like she's walking through the frame. Teal plastic luggage sits nearby, some open, some standing upright. These pieces are a brighter hue than the earlier Samsonite Silhouettes, and they have the appearance of metal closures and handle attachments. On the floor, a train case sits slightly open with jewelry visible in a compartmented top tray. A hat box sits wide open, a circular mirror visible in its lid, full of open-toed shoes of carious hues (I panicked and couldn't think of any good hats for this scene). A large suitcase sits upright, closed. On the small brown suitcase a slightly smaller suitcase sits open, a bit of magenta material within, and Kiki also within, kneading the material.

    Miner’s set was advertised from 1975-77. In 1978 Shillman’s Mini-Mod line introduced its own Samsonite-inspired set of three pieces, this time in pink, with more metal-look hardware and tiny airline logo stickers. Compared to official Payton Samsonite, these sets are rare today.

    On a stark white vinyl backdrop, Proudly Pink Silkstone Barbie, wearing a blue-and-white Seventies Glamour Group minidress with wide blue belt and Seventies calf-length pak boots, sprawls on the floor next to a hard plastic green sofa that is 90s Barbie but actually kinda child-sized relative to Barbie. Behind her is a large Samsonite-style suitcase in bright pink with metallic painted accents along the top edge where the case closes and locks and where the handle attaches. On the front of the suitcase, centered near the top, is a sticker with a blue Pan Am logo. On the small couch sits a slightly smaller suitcase of the very same design, but with a United logo sticker in red and blue. Next to that a pink plastic hat box lies open, with the same metal appearancce and the site of the hinged handle and molded locks. The lid of the hat box is open at a 90 degree angle and Kiki sits inside, fitting nicely. It looks like a good size for her to curl up comfortable inside, though now she sits erect. She looks back over her shoulder at Barbie, who reaches out to pet her.

    Upon the retirement of their pink suitcases, Shillman/Mini-Mod debuted a long-overdue set of soft-sided luggage in 1980.

    Two boxed sets of MS Shillman "Mini-Mod" luggage. Left is the set of three pink pieces (hat box, small suitcase, large suitcase) with metal-look details. Although I believe all originally had stickers, only one faces out from the package: A small Pan Am logo on the top center of the largest case. The cardboard backing features a color illustration of a woman with three pieces of metal-detailed purple luggage. She wears a yellow skirt-suit and has yellow sunglasses perched atop wavy brunette hair. Text reads "De-luxe Mini-Mod Fashion Doll Luggage Set" (plus more that is too small to distinguish). Right is a set of soft-walled (cloth) luggage in white with brown straps, the white fabric printed with little clubs and rosettes and the initials "MS" intertwining. There is one cylindrical duffel bag, one open-topped rectangular shoulder bag, and one larger suitcase-shaped bag. In addition to brown leather-look straps they have metal accents like a button closure on the duffel and some silvery circles on the strap of the suitcase bag that suggest adjustable strap length. The box shows a photograph of a Mini-Mod doll with straight blonde hair, wearing a blue coat, with the shoulder bag on her shoulder and the other two at her feet. Test says "Mini-mod Designer luggage set, 3 pieces, matching soft-side signature luggage for all dolls. High fashion styled. Tote bag - overnighter - barrel bag."

    Though strictly speaking an Eighties product, this marked and monogrammed Vuitton-style set is ideal for late-Seventies Barbie’s chic Superstar life.

    On a stark white vinyl backdrop, 1980 Black Barbie in a late-Seventies Best Buy orange jumpsuit with gold accents stands next to the diminutive hard plastic couch. Over her arm is a sizeable cloth suitcase in white festooned with little logos and monograms and with leather straps and piping. On the couch, nearly dwarfing the couch, is a cylindrical duffel. On the floor before the couch a rectangular tote lies on its side. Kiki's hind legs and tail are visible sticking out from the tote as if she is playing.

    Stretching even further into the post-Seventies future, the ’90s Barbie Millicent Roberts line for adult collectors was chock full of callbacks to memorable early Barbie offerings. The Jet Set baggage particularly evokes the Winter Holiday overnight bag, although its brown leather-look trim is a mismatch for the black-trimmed original, held in Barbie’s right hand below.

    Brunette ponytail Barbie reproduction wears Winter Holiday: striped hoodie with half-length sleeves, black footed leggings, and platform shoes with white uppers. She sits in the blue chair with her feet on the matching ottoman (how else? this doll's legs don't bend). In one hand she holds her Winter Holiday overnight bag, about the size of a bowling bag in red plaid with black accents. At her side is a large soft-sided red plaid bag, not quite the same plaid, with brown leather-look straps and pouches and gold-toned buttons and whatnot. The brown leather, if I'm perfectly frank, is not that appealing. The bag has both short handles and long shoulder strap. The small brown table is toward the back and holds a smaller red plaid bag with brown leather, this one about the size and design of the one Barbie holds, plus a red hat box with rope handle and plaid printed on the front. Where is Kiki? She skipped this scene.

    Though it doesn’t complete the Winter Holiday suite, the Jet Set baggage can serve on its own as a stylish and capacious alternative for vintage Barbie’s mountain getaways.

    Another nostalgic ’90s release for adult collectors was the Spiegel-exclusive Summer Sophisticate doll. To me she’s less “sophisticated” and more “Doris Day plays a wedding planner,” but she did have a nice retro hat box. Here are some of her sudsy-looking accessories, via A Little of Everything for You on eBay:

    Photo from eBay listing shows the bottom part of a doll's sheath dress, pink with yellow and white stripes in a high-sheen fabric. Next to the dress is a pale greenish blue hard plastic hat box with the Barbie logo in white and a white cord handle. Other pieces are white cat eye sunglasses with blue lenses looking a little melty--less sharp than the vintage ones--along with pearlescent pinkish open-toed shoes and a pearlescent white purse with pink trim. A high-sheen pink jacket sits just on the edge of the frame and may have a flower corsage on the lapel. If not wedding planner I guess this style could be Mother of the Bride.

    And here’s just the hat box in the Commuter Set context:

    On a stark white cinyl backdrop, blonde ponytail Barbie reproduction wears her own repro Commuter Set suit, now with the blue-and-white checked collared shirt and no necklace. In one hand she holds a hard plastic teal/aqua hat box by its white cord. Kiki stands beside her, stretched with front paws up on her leg, gazing toward the hat box curiously or longingly.

    Like so many early Mattel releases for adult collectors, Summer Sophisticate and Jet Set are both easy to find in like-new condition.

    Finally, the Hallmark miniature Barbie train case and hat box ornaments are circa Y2K in manufacture, but they’re also detailed copies of real children’s luggage from the Sixties, perfect for the younger travelers in Barbie’s orbit.

    On white vinyl backdrop, Black Francie reproduction stands wearing Shoppin' Spree. In one hand she holds a rectangular zippered black vinyl train case covered with screened-on images of vintage Barbie modeling her fashions before colorful rectangles. In the other she holds a sizeable hat box with a closeup of Barbie's profile and a handful of small images of Barbie in assorted fashions, also on black vinyl and closed with a zipper. At the back of the scene Kiki, wandering by, looks over curiously.

    Or do they err in the less-common direction: are they a little large?

    The two Hallmark cases sit unzipped on the wood-look coffee table from Barbie's first Dream house. On the right the hat box lies on its side, partway open, Kiki peeking out. To the left the train case lid is open and a white cat with green eyes and pink bow looks out (a 90s Barbie cat). The two cats have locked eyes from their separate cases. It doesn't necessarily appear friendly.

    At this point, Barbie’s vacation is just about booked. So until we meet again and as Casey’s flight bag says: Bon Voyage!

    The Friend Ship sits open as a backdrop with a white high-sheen floor before it. In front of the Friend ship, to the left, are a large number of suitcases lined up with their slimmer sides facing the camera. They include white Samsonite Silhouette, teal Samsonite Silhouette, tan My Merry Samsonite, the larger Penny Brite suitcase, the slim aluminum-look Star Vette case, the pink Shillman luggage and the team Miner luggage. The Japan Airlines flight bag sits before them, and stacked behind them in a part of the Friend Ship actually made to hold luggage are the soft-walled sets from Shillman and Barbie Millicent Roberts. To the other side, within the ship at the booth-style seating various hat boxes are stacked. Partially visible are the Summer Sophisticare, Tammy, Penny Brite, and Tour-Ins hat boxes. At front right on the floor are four train cases: two Miner and two Samsonite Silhouette. Front and center stands Casey in her red outfit with white trim (a Shillman ensemble that looks very similar to a real 60s flight attendant uniform). She holds out another flight bag. Although it's not evident to the viewer, this is the Air France bag turned around backwards. the back is a glossy white with the words "Bon Voyage!" printed in red scripts and illustrations of four other flight bags for different airlines at the four corners: a blue KLM bag, a red BOAC one including its little swoosh, teal SAS, and red Qantas. My one regret is there's almost no way the viewer can distinguish all that detail because I crammed so much into the scene. Anyway, near Casey's feet sits a hot pink pet carrier, its metal-look cage door front slightly ajar. Kiki is stepping out with both front paws, looking around curiously. Should be a fun flight.
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  • Sidebar: Window Shopping

    A recurring theme in fashion doll illustration…

    ’62 Barbie coloring book page “colored” by me
    Black-and-white line drawing of bubble cut barbie in a short-sleeved top. short gloves, and pearls, facing away into a shop wondow. Midge in pillbox hat stands beside her. In the window is a stacked hat like the one belonging to Career Girl Barbie, along with a button-up jacket and scarf. Caption at bottom reads, "Ooo, Let's Shop!"
    and another for you to color.
    Color illustration of three characters looking into a shop window containing three more of themselves. Outside the window, Mary (blonde bobbed hair) wears a red suit with wide collar and black envelope purse; Tressy (brunette flip) wears a green swing coar with 3/4 sleeves, white gloves, brown handbag with strap, and conical hat matching her coat; Cricket (a youth with brown hair in loose curls) wears a checked coat with white scarf and carries a black purse. Inside the window, Mary wears a pink-and-white checked suit; Tressy, a black-and-white checked suit with collarless jacket and mock turtleneck shirt beneath, carrying a red-and-black checkerboard. Mary and Tressy in the window both wear thick black-famed glasses. Window Cricket wears a fit-and-flair green checked pinafore dress with white apron and long-sleeved white undershirt. A cookbook titled "Kitchen Ideas" hangs near her head and a cake sits near her feet. Her hair in the window is quite bouffant. Text reads, "It's window shopping time! Mary's wearing Tressy's WINDOW SHOPPING outfit. It comes with a black pocketbook with lovely clasp, black vinyl high heels. Tressy's FIFTH AVENUE outfit comes with matching hat, red and gold scarf, hi-styled pocket book, long white gloves, vinyl high heels, and white initialed handkerchief. Cricket's WINDY WEATHER outfit includes a pale blue scarf, pocket book with "pearl" button, and black vinyl shoes. In the window, EXECUTIVE SWEET includes stenographer's notebook and pencil, dictionary, and eye glasses. CHECK MATES comes with eye glasses, checker board and checkers. KITCHEN CUTIE comes with dainty lace trimmed apron, cake and plate, knife fork, spoon and cook book."
    Tressy, Mary and Cricket fashion booklet ca. 1965
    On a red background, color illustration of a woman with brunette flip hair style walking in a blue swing coat covered in red diamonds, with tall collar and two large buttons at the neckline. She wears a tall gold hat, white button pearl earrings, black heels. On one arm she carries a black handbag and in the other hand carries a striped shopping bag. Behind her is a brick wall (black brick outlines on the red background), set into which are a glass door (indicated by rectangle of white and blue scribbles) and a window displaying a blouse and scarf drawn in yellow and blue.
    mid-Sixties Miner Industries doll carrying case
    Color box art from gift set mixes illustration with photographed elements, so that an illustrated character appears to browse a shop window displaying mostly the same pieces she is wearing, except inside the window they are photographs and not hand illustrated. Blonde Jamie wearing a red coat with pink trim and wide pink belt, plus puffy red hat and red boots to mid-calf, walks a grey poodle outside a shop window. White trees are illustrated across the street in the background amidst hazy green. Inside the shop window are photographed components overlaid onto the illustration: the blonde Jamie doll in her yellow/pink/red minidress wears pink pilgrim shoes. A toy bog stands beside her to one side, her boots lie next to her on the other. Suspended in the air are her coat and hat as worn by the illustrated character in the scene. Text reads "new 'n wonderful Walking Jamie Furry Friends Set; I really walk! My arms swing, My head turns! I wear Barbie clothes, too!"
    1970 Jamie gift set (via Theriault’s)

    …plus a bonus: when the shopping gets real.

    Color illustration of Barbie and Ken, arms overloaded with wrapped packaged, standing next to a sign reading "Bus Stop." Ken wears his Rally Day fashion, a red cap and brown coat; plus black slacks and shoes. Barbie, with a blonde ponytail, wears a red crescent hat, red open-toed shoes, red sweater, and gray skirt (mostly as in Sweater Girl with some Commuter Set accessorizing).
    ’62 Barbie and Ken jumbo trading card

    Happy holidays from Silken Flame!

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  • Rival Fashion Booklets (1962-66)
    Two color covers to fashion booklets. Left says, "Tammy by Ideal; the doll you love to dress! " Right says "Tressy fashions by American Character; a high fashion outfit to match every hair style that you can create for Tressy!" The background at left is pink scattered with softly colored dots of white, green, blue, etc, while left is purple. On both, a woman faces front but lwith her eyes turned to the leff; she hais blonde hair parted on the right side and pursed lips. Tammpy wears a light blue jacket over a blue top and has slightly messy short flip hair, while Tressy has a bouffant updo and pearls.

    Soft hues suffuse a 1962 fashion booklet for Ideal’s Tammy. Clothes are shown worn by the character in detailed scenes, with accessories, background figures, and other immersive touches. See the booklet cover above, left; just a few of its charming fashion illustrations are below.

    Trio of images from Tamkmy fashion booklet: Checkmate, a white pleated skirt, red checked shirt, blue blazer, and acccessories such as a red shoulder bag and camera. In the Swim, two figures posed in a red one-piece swimsuit, one with a red-trimmed white coverup that comes to a point in front at her waist, standing on a beach; and Sweater Girl, a red cardigan and gray skirt with a red-and-black crescent shaped handbag, red framed glasses, camera, and date book, standing before a wrought iron fence. Tammies are all blonde with one of the In the Swim figures being an ashier shade. The text is not really readable in the image published on this site, but here's the original: For Checkmate, "The girls are going to a matinee. Tammy will look lovely in her 3-piece outfit of red checked blouse, white pleated skirt and blue wool blazer jacket lined in matching checked material. With her camera she'll snap pictures of her friends posting with the stars of the show. Her accessories include a shoulder bag, double strand pearl necklace, hair bow, nylon stockings and weekly news. White shoes and style book. Complete set (without doll) $4.00" Fun in the Sun, "First a relaxing swim in her eyeful red one-piece bathing suit and white cap. Then, out of the water she dons her ponjo and slippers, and flops onto her beach mat to enjoy the sun. Style book. Complete set (without doll) $2.00" Yes, it says ponjo. Sweater Girl: "A birthday gift from Dad is Tammy's magnificent red cardigan sweatewr with push-up sleeves. She wears it over a gray sheath skirt. Her elegant 2 strand necklace matches the pearl buttons on her sweater. Mom's present is a new camera and a red and black purse. Eye glasses, Date book and Style book. complete set (without doll) $3.00."

    The following year, another booklet advertised all the same fashions and added many more. In addition to brand new drawings of all the previous offerings, I counted seven new (what I would call) ensembles, as well as sixteen new “pak” type outfit pieces, all illustrated on Tammy. Tammy’s family is introduced; Tammy’s mom gets six all-new ensembles, which also fit Tammy. Tammy’s little sister gets six for herself, and Tammy’s father and brother get a dozen to share.

    Perhaps the glut of new fashions to present, including basic separates and menswear, drove the art style’s shift to cleaner lines. While cartoonish, the limited finesse of the second book could serve as an opportunity to detail the fashions more accurately. Since all the fashions from the first book were still available and represented, we can do some side-by-side comparisons.

    Three images of Tammy in Walking her pet, a red knee-length skirt, plaid top, red scarf tied at neck, and red shoulder bag, along with a small white dog with floppy brown ears on a leash. At left, an image from the first booklet on a blue background. Center, color photograph from a department store catalog. Right, a cartoonish drawing from the second booklet. All Tammies are blonde. First panel text reads: "Dressed in a fashionable leather skirt with wool plaid top and contrasting sheer red scarf, Tammy takes her pet for a walk. Her accesories are a goldheart, a red shoulder bag and shoes. Style book. Complete set (without doll) $2.50." The gold heart is pinned at her waist in this image. Middle panel reads "The teenager voted most likely to succeed!" Descriptive text was cropepd from the third image.
    Walking Her Pet, before and after the art revamp. Center image is from a 1963 Sears Christmas catalog; both illustrations seem to insist on a fuller skirt.

    Unless otherwise specified, all department store catalog images in this post come from the lovely christmas.musetechnical.com.

    Three images of Tammy as a cheerleater, again blonde, in the same order as previous image. In the department store catalog the doll's hair is in ringlet curls. In each image she has a white sweater with a big red letter T, a flared red skirt, and white socks and shoes. She holds a black bullhorn (that is significantly smaller than her head in the photograph version) and, in the illustrations, a baton. Left and right panels have identical text: "Tammy leads the school cheers with her megaphone. She's wearing a bulky white sweater with letter T, short red flared felt skirt and matching cap with shin strap. Tammy wears high socks with her white sneakers. She twirls her baton as the stadium roars. Style book. Complete set (without doll) $3.00." Middle just says "TAMMY by Ideal SEE HER ON TV; Outfit only $2.99." Right
    Cheerleader Outfit depictions. In the ’62 Montgomery Ward catalog the tiny nature of her bullhorn makes it look almost like she’s taking a selfie.

    On the first booklet’s cover, Tammy wore Dream Boat. A second, layered illustration appeared within.

    Three images from catalogs, in the same order again, of blonde Tammy in a light blue fit-and-flare dress with cropped jacket with 3/4-length sleeves and gold crescent-shaped handbag. Her jacket looks fuzzy and white in the department store catalog but is otherwise the same blue as her dress. In the image from the first catalog, assorted parygoers are sketched smaller in the background, including one Tammy without the jacket. A camera and date book hover near her head in the first image. Left panel has descriptive text: "It's date night and Tammy's going to a party. Her beau will be proud to escort this vision in blue satin and brocade with removable embossed silk jacket. Her pretty flowered headband and dainty shoes will make Tammy look like the queen of the ball. She has a gold purse, date book and camera. Style book. Complete set (without doll) $3.50"

    While the ’62 Ward’s catalog shows the jacket in white, the booklets keep it the same blue as the dress. The booklets are correct based on examples I’ve seen.

    One of my absolute favorite Tammy fashions is Pizza Party. Imagine if you saw someone wearing this.

    Tammy in Pizza Party, a top consisting of four vertical striped in blue, yellow, red, and green, coming to points tipped by tassels at the bottom. With this she wears red leggings or what the booklets call "leotards." The first booklet image includes a couple friends sitting around a table with a colorful brick fireplace in back. A pizza and red framed glasses are also included. Text in the left panel: "The gang's coming over for a pizza party. Tammy will greet them in her casual outfit of hip-length harlequin top trimmed with cute black tassels and her favorite red leotards and wedgies. She'll wear framed glasses as the girls pour over the weekly news and munch delicious pizza. Style book. Complete set (without doll) $2.50." Note that the illustration shows one guest male, one female.

    Model Miss is another favorite. While the booklets agree that the coat is blue with white trim, the catalogs sometimes show red with white trim. Both versions have been found in the wild (the hatbox is always white with red accents).

    Composition of four images showing Tammy in her Model Miss outfit. The outfit consists of a flared kneelength coat in blue with white trim running down the center front--holding blue buttons--and white bands near the cuffs. The front has two patch pockets in the same blue. With the coat, Tammy wears a matching blue headband with white puffs, perhaps earmuffs. She carries her red shoulder bag and a round white hat box with a red band encircling it and wears red closed-toed shoes. In the first image, from the first booklet, blonde Tammy stands before a cityscape lit as if at night, with one building reminiscent of the Empire State building. Her date book and another paper item hover nearby. In the middle, two department store catalog images are stacked vertically, the top one showing blonde Tammy doll in a red version of the coat+hat, her shoulder bag in black; the lower one shows brunette Tammy in the typical blue attire. The final image at right is the more cartoonish blone Tammy standing before a plain pink background. Left panel includes description: "Tammy has a part time modeling job!" She'll scoop up her chic jacket, book, pearl bracelet, and dash out with her model's hatbox flying. Heads will turn as Tammy rushes along in her trapeze style wool-lined coat with white grosgrain ribbon running down the front. Her perky blue cap is side-decorated with pompoms. Red shoes complete her fashion ensemble. Date book, Nylon stockings and style book. Complete set (without doll) $4.00"
    Model Miss interpretations, plus department store catalogs from ’63 (Montgomery Ward again) and ’64 (JC Penney)

    As mentioned, there were also new ensembles, including two for skating (different types of skating), one for golf, one of knitwear, one non-knitwear to be worn while knitting, some foundation garments, and Fur ‘n Formal, the party dress Tammy models on her Evening in Paris carrying case.

    Row of five blonde Tammies in the vartoon style. Fun 'n Formal is a fit-and-flare dress in salmon color printed with gold flowers, a white fur shrug, a flowered hairpiece, white closed-toe shoes, and gold crescent-shaped clutch. Skate Date is a sleveless yellow top with white pattern, full red skirt, white roller skaes, and black bag for the skates with "tammy" written on it in red. Purl One is a denim-look sleeveless shirtdress with red buttons, black shoulder bag, red closed-toe shoes, and cylindrical black handbag for holding knitting supplies. Knit Knack is a full pink skirt with zig-zag knit pattern, short-sleeved peasant blouse, some sort of white hat, white closed-toe shoes with bows. Figure 8 is a winter hat and scarf, white long-sleeved top, red mittens, red slacks, white socks, red loafers, and a pair of white ice skates slung over Tammy's shoulder. Text: Fur 'n Formal: "Tammy dazzles the class at the Junior Prom in her evening gown of gold metallic brocade. A gorgeous stole, pearl necklace, pearl bracelet, long white gloves and gold bag add to her glamor. Her hair is crowned with flowered headband. Nylon hose and matching hed shoes. Style book. Complete set (without doll) $4.00." Skate Date: "Tammy is tops in fashion in her skating dress of gold brocade and velvet flared skirt. She has stretch panties and full length nylons. A gold headband holds her hair in place while skating. Roller skates and shoes included. She totes her gear in a spacious plastic skating bag. Style book. Complete set (without doll) $4.00." Purl One: "This tailored sleeveless shirtwaist dress with button down front is perfect for Tammy who loves to socialize while knitting. Red and black shoulder bag, checked hanky, knitting bag with wool, 2 knitting needles and matching shoes complete with outfit. Style book. Complete set (without doll) $2.50." Knit Knack: "Tammy's Sunday afternoon date is glamorized by her sleeveless crocheted and knitted square necked dress. Her beau is stunned by this stylish frock with its hand crocheted beret and matching white shoes. Style book. Complete set (without doll) $2.00" Figure 8: "Tammy cuts a fine figure on the ice. Her ice skating outfit is made of wool pants with a white knitted jacket with gold buttons. She sports a gaily knitted woolen scarf and hat with pompons. Scandinavian type gloves keep her hands snug and warm. Ice skates, shoes and carrying strap included. Style book. Complete set (without doll) $5.00."

    And in 1963 Sindy was introduced across the pond. Adapted from Tammy, she had her own wardrobe. While both Sindy and Tammy may own a school outfit, a rainy day outfit, a party dress, et cetera, almost all differ. I did find one matching ensemble in their ’63 wardrobes: Sleepytime, through which we can observe how Sindy’s illustrations also have their very own style.

    Four images of a short pink empire-waist gingham nightie with matching bloomers. The first, from the first booklet, shows the outline of a canopy bed and vanity with mirror in the background, with some brushes and things floating around the mirror. The second is a department store catalog image with that looks like a red-headed Tammy. The third is cartoony and Tammy holds what looks like a drink with a straw. The fourth, of Sindy, shows a girl with blonde, bobbed hair, her head turned right to face something she's holding, maybe a hand mirror. She carries a cloth drawstring bag in her other hand. The art style here is a little Art Nouveau with sinuous curves in her hair and simplified facial features.The bakground is bright, almost electric pink. The left panel has text: "Tammy prepares for bed wearing her checked lace-trimmed pajama tops. Pantaloon bottoms and comfortable slippers. First she must set her hair with comb and curlers. Noew she is ready to have a glass of milk before going to bed. Style book. Complete set (without doll) $2.00"

    The Sindy booklet image above right comes from sindydoll.wordpress.com, who also compare the illustrations to photographs of the outfits on dolls and thoughtfully contextualize the designs alongside real-life fashions of the time.

    Another, shorter-lived Tammy “clone” was Tina Cassini. Her booklet illustrations, via Toy-Addict, strike just the right balance of chicness and sharpness.

    Three images of Tina, a Tammy-sized doll. In the fashion sketches she is tall and shapely like Barbie of contemporary sketches. She is brunette with a short flip in the sketches, more of a bubble cut in the department store catalog. Left is booklet sketch of Tina in Glitter Gal, a sleeveless evening dress of black glitter with a bubble skirt, black gloves not quite to the elbow, black scarf around her head, double row of pearls. The illustration shows her on a bit of red carpet with a curves staircase and crystal chandelier behind her. Right is booklet illustration of The Smart Sport, a plaid skirt-suit with red shirt/knee socks/flat shoes/shoulder bag. A slim red cap matches the plaid of the suit. Center is the Tina doll photographed for a department store catalog, again wearing Smart Set. The doll has downcast eyes like early Barbie. In small insets are Tina in Glitter Gal and in a sailing suit with flared white pants and long-sleeved navy top, and a long red evening down with long white gloves. There is a significant amount of text on each of the three panels. The first reads: "This Winter and Fall outfit can also be worn most any cool evening. GLITTER GAL, Thina will make a dramatic entrance at any cocktail party or semi-formal affair in this wonderfully feminine black, glitter coktail dress. And all these wonderful trimmings that include a black silk kerchief, evening shoes, shimmering double-strand pearls, smart black gloves and stylish clutch bag. The fashionable, bubble-bottom dress is great for dancing too. M2010-200." Middle panel reads: "Meet Tina; Oleg Cassini's Little Lady of Fashion with the newest, most exclusive wardrobe; $2.77; 1. Tina arrives in "Smart Sport" outfit. Includes hat, blouse, jacket, skirt, stockings, loafers. Doll is 12 inches tall. Movable joints, rooted hair... Elegant 'TINA' fashions designed by Oleg Cassini; 2 Glitter Gal. Dress gloves, kerchief, shoes, "pears," bag... 3. Sea Queen. Jacket, slacks, blouse, scarf, sunglasses, shoes... 4 Din 'n Dance. Gown, gloves, jewelry, high heels, ribbon... Dolls not included with outfits." Fashions are listed at $1.77. In the third panel, text reads "Here, there and everywhere that sporty gals go... they'll want to look their very best. THE SMART SPORT; The sporting season's sensation is this fashionable suit outfit called the "Smart Sport". It has been specially designed and exquisitely tailored for outdoor gals... and includes this perfect hat, jacket, blouse, skirt, stockings, loafers and stylish shoulder bag. Doesn't Tina look sensational?" Left and right panels both have a "signature" at the bottom from Oleg Cassini.
    ’64 Sears catalog excerpt in center via WishbookWeb

    Though the Tammy illustrations lost some charm in between booklets, the later, cartoony version was also used for some paper dolls that I think are just divine. We’ll discuss them sometime, but for now let’s turn our attention to Tressy.

    In contrast to Tammy, the girl next door, American Character’s Tressy–like Tina–was all glamour all the time. Only, her 1964 fashion booklet was light on sophistication, its uncolored pencil sketches produced by a seemingly amateur hand.

    Black/white pencil sketches of a Tressy character that look inexpertly drawn. In each, Tressy has different hair: an updo, a side ponytail, a pageboy. The outfits are called; Summer Holiday, Sleepy Time Gal, and World's Fair. Summer holiday and World's Fair are sleevelss fit-and-flare dresses, Summer holiday with a purse embellished with flowers, World's Fair with a camera on a strap (illustrated with a b/w photo), wide-brimmed hat, and some flowers. At center, Sleepy Time Gal is a frilly, empire-waisted nightie. All panels include text descriptions. Left reads: "Summer Holiday #20902 (without doll) Pretty cotton basket weave dress with white lace, flower-trimmed straw bag and vinyl heels. Complete Set $2.00" Center: "Sleepy Time Gal #15900 (without doll) Sweet two-piece pajamas in imitation silk, embroidered nylon and lace. Complete Set $1.50." Right: "World's Fair #25902 (without doll) Tressy visits the World's Fair in her full-skirted printed rayon dress, black straw picture hat and vinyl heels. She carries a beautiful camera, personalized with her hame and wears a bright corsage. Also includes gloves. Complete Set $2.50."
    The work of a professional?

    Evening Jewel was only offered in this booklet. The sketch looks a bit similar to Barbie’s After Five, although the finished product does not.

    Left is a department store catalog image of blonde tressy with a frilly hat sitting atop her fluffy coiffure, wearing a strapless dress with moderately full knee-covering skirt, all in yellow. Right is the pencil sketch showing a picture hat with dark bow that could be from Barbie's After Five, plus the dress represented in outline. In the sketch it's shown that the "Evening Jewel" in question is a rhinestone brooch pinned at the waist. Right panel text reads: "Evening Jewel #20905 (without doll) Satin, taffeta and nylon cocktail dress with large rhinestone, matching hat, vinyl heels. Complete Set. $2.00"
    with excerpt from a ’64 JC Penney catalog

    Chic Shift and Neat Knit were only illustrated in this booklet (of four we reviewed, at least), though they were still available for purchase in later volumes.

    Four images. Left and right from department store catalogs, middle two black/white pencil sketches. The two at left show Chic Shift, a long-sleeved, mock-necked, knee-length belted knit dress. In the dept store catalog we see the dress is sky blue with brown belt. Both characters have chin-length hair with bouffant top knot. At right, Neat Knit is a straight-skirted checked shift with a belt tied at front and solid-colored long sleeves and mock turtleneck, producing the appearance of a jumper over a sweater. The catalog image makes the neck more of a rolled boat shape and shows the top in white, the overdress in red-and-white check. The sketch looks like a dark-colored shirt, (a dark shirt with darker check overdress did exist in addition to the red/white version). The sketch shows a ponytail haistyle, while the photo shows a brunette updo. Chic Shift is described: "Chic Shift #15901 (without doll) Smart knit shift dress, suede belt with two gold studs, vinyl heels. Complete Set $1.50." Neat Knit is described: "Neat Knit #15903 (without doll) Brught patterned knit shift with turtleneck collar and soutache belt. Complete Set $1.50."
    with ’65 Wards and ’64 Sears catalogs (the latter via WishbookWeb)

    Those later volumes, including this circa-1965 one, brought Tressy’s illustrations some much-needed color and quality. This one also introduced her little sister, Cricket. Outfits were divided into categories: Playtime, Daytime, and Party.

    Images from a different Tressy catalog, with sketches maybe in oil pastel, closer to the look of Barbie booklets. Left shows In the Swim, medium brunette long flip Tressy in a red one-piece swimsuit, sunglasses, and straw hat, holding a white coverup trimmed in her. A woven beach bag sits beside her. Center is Bowling Beauty, blonde flip Tressy in a black sweater emblazoned with a white T, red shorts, holding a bowling ball with pins, trophy, and scorecard hovering near. Last image is a title page for the Playtime Clothes section showing characters in swimsuits, sailor tops, slacks and capris. In the Swim and Bowling Beauty are described simply, "Tressy has a beach bag, sun bonnet, glasses." and "To help Tressy bowl there are three pins, bowling ball, score sheet and trophy." They are listed at $3 and $2.50 respectively. The righthand panel is more text-heavy: "PLAYTIME is carefree fun time! And here come Tressy and Cricket ready for all kinds of playtime adventures. "Tey know that different activities call for different outfits. And to be well-groomed young ladies, they style their hair to go with their clothes. "PLAYTIME is not worrying time! Tressy and Cricket want to run in the wind, or dance a hectic hoe-down without thinking about messing their hair. "So, for playtime, they choose simple, easy hair-styles... like pony tails, braids, pigtails, or short hair bobs. Tressy makes sure that her makeup is in keeping, too... simple and light for these activities. "And here's how they look, well-groomed for playtime fun..."

    In the Swim was also the name of a Barbie number.

    New for daytime, the youthful Chit Chat is one of my favorite Tressy looks.

    Two images from the color booklet. Left is a cover page for the Daytime Clothes section with Tressy in a red suit, Cricket, her little sister, in a pink flared dress, and other characters in swing coats or something hazily beyond them. Right is a composition of two Tressies wearing Car Coat and Chit Chat. Car Coat is shown as a green double-breasted "three quarter length" coat with white-trimmed hood. Tressy has a side braid and is shown weearing a slim skirt that is not part of the ensemble. Right, a red-headed Tressy with topknot wears a fun striped shift with two buttons on its belted waist. She speaks on the phone and holds a newspaper. Description on the left side reads: "DAYTIME! Such a lot of different things to do--school, work, shop, luncheon, visit-- "Tressy and Cricket have a beautiful wardrobe to fit in with their daytime activities. "Their hair styles should fit in, too. Neat, always. But now their hair can be a little more elaborate than their casual playtime look. Long hair can be worn in a pageboy or flip. In between hair can be plain, or with bangs. Simple upsweeps are fun, too (for lunch or meeting special people!) "Tressy can add a little eyebrow pencil and lipstick for a real daytime teenage look. "And here's how they look, well-groomed for daytime fun..." At right, Car Coat ($2) and Chit Chat ($1) are briefly described: "Tressy's ready for the top down in her three quarter length lined coat." and "Tressy lets her friends know what's going on with her very own newspaper and telephone."

    Tressy’s Sophisticated Lady, a daytime ensemble, is altogether unlike Barbie’s.

    Composition of three images of Tressy in Sophisticated lady: a black empire-waisted velveteen shift with tie belt at waist, white collar, and full white sleeves of crepe. The sketches show the sleeves elbow-length, while the department store catalog image shows them to the wrist. Each character has an updo, with the color versions in medium brown. Lefthand panel bears a description: "Sophisticated Lady #15902 (without doll) Fashionable velveteen and crepe Empire shift dress with soutache tied in a bow and vinyl heels. Complete Set $1.50."
    Including another excerpt from the ’64 Sears wishbook.

    In Tressy’s first, grayscale booklet, the “Surprise” of her Surprise Party fashion must have been what the dress looked like–the naked eye cannot perceive it. In the color version we see it and Cricket’s version, too.

    Left panel from the black-and-white book shows the Surprise Party ensemble, but the character is drawn so faintly that she's barely detectable except to say she's wearing a full-skirted party dress. Other elements on the page--text, wrapping paper, other accessories--are prefectly clear, so it's not just a bad copy. Middle is the "Party Clothes" title page from the color booklet showing young people dancing amid streamers and the like. At right the Surpise Party outfit is illustrated in color, revealing that it's a yellow dress with lace overskirt and matching shawl. Cricket, Tressy's little sister, wears her own yellow dress with lace accents. Borh have chin-length brown hair. Ont he left panel, the outfit is described as: "Suprise Part #25901 (without doll) Surprise! Surprise! --in a party dress as pretty as a package made of nylon taffeta and cotton. The matching shawl can be used on head or shoulders. Also includes dainty corsage, vinyl heels and three beautifully wrapped gift packages (empty). Complete set $2.50" At right Surprise Party is still $2.50 and described, "Surprise! Surprise! Tressy's all ready to give her three gift wrapped packages and corsage to her friend." In the middle panel, the description of PARTY CLOTHES reads: "Tressy and Cricket are queens at every party they attend in their lovely gowns. "PARTY TIME is use your imagination time! Use your imagination to dress up, starting from the very top of your head. In perfect taste are exciting hairstyles... upsweeps, bee-hives, and poufs... with bits of ribbon and jewelry added for that final dress up look. "Tressy can go all out with her dress-up makeup. Heavier eye shadow, darker eyebrows, glistening lipstick, gleaming nail polish--all help make her the belle of the ball! "And here's how they look well-groomed for party fun..."

    A recurring fashion was On Fifth Avenue. Barbie’s On the Avenue refers to the same avenue.

    The black-and=white catalog shows On Fifth Avenue as a slightly flared, dark-colored doat with light trim and a bucket-shaped hat. Accessories illustrated are a scarf, handbag, long glove, shoe, and handkerchief. At center, a color catalog image shows the coat in brown with light trim. The color illustration at right shows a green dress and hat with mustard colored trim. The lefthand tressy has a chin-length bob while the others have blonde shoulder-length hair. The outfit is described in the lefthand panel: "On Fifth Avenue #30903 (wthout doll) Tressy leads the fashion parade in her hi-style coat of flocked rayon, matching hat, printed scarf, stylish hand bag, gloves, delicate monogrammed hanky and vinyl heels complete the picture. Complete Set $3.00"
    The ’64 Penney catalog again supplies an image of the real deal.

    Another booklet of the same year added Tressy’s friend Mary Make-Up to the mix. Like an early Tressy appearance in the ’63 Sears catalog, Mary modeled the dark-colored version of their dress.

    Left is a wide illustration of mary (short, platinum blonde hair) holding hands with Tressy (long flip brunette) holding hands with Cricket (ash blonde bun). Mary wears a straight, sleeveless sheath in navy with white trim and a white rope belt; Tress wears the same dress in red; Cricket wears a ballet outfit. At right, department store catalog color photograph of Tressy,, dark blonde hair swirled around her head, in a black version of the dress (still with white trim). In the booklet image. Text describes the characters at some length: "HERE'S MARY MAKE-UP... a special gift and a special girl... Tressy's best friend! She's wearing her own shift. But, oh, what can she borrow from her best friend. "It's TRESSY... her hair grows, her legs pose! Isn'tit lucky that Tressy and Mary are exactly the same size? Tressy has such lovely hi-fashion clothes and accessories to lend to her best friend. Short or long or in between, Tressy's hair makes her a queen! You can set and style Tressy's hair to match her hi-fashion outfits and............... "CRICKET, Tressy's little sister, her hair grows too! She likes nothing better than to tag along with Tressy and Mary and act grownup. Cricket is still too small to borrow, so she has her own wardrobe and accessories. And Cricket has posing legs just like her big sister Tressy. "Tressy doll: $4.98. Cricket doll: $4.50. All prices shown in this booklet are approximate and may be less in some areas."

    Unlike most competitors, all Tressy booklets include instructions for hair styling. The art style evolved for the styling instructions, too.

    Left image is a black line drawing of a doll on pink background. A lock of her hair is held straight up by a disembodied hand, and another hand is aimed at her belly button. Arrows indicate pressing the button while pulling the lock of hair. Center is a color drawing, likely oil pastel, of a brunette flip hairstyle. Text says "TO MAKE HAIR MEDIUM..." Right is an illustration of platinum blonde short-haired Mary dyeing a lock of her hair brown with a marker.

    Whereas Tammy’s later booklet iteration pared down its decorative elements, Tressy’s became more elaborate, the three characters inhabiting detailed scenes. In case the premise wasn’t immediately clear, one scene emphasized how Mary could wear Tressy’s outfits–even carrying a hatbox with Tressy’s name prominently of the front–while showcasing several of their modish looks.

    Two-page booklet spread from Tressy, Mary and Cricket book. The scene shows Cricket sitting on the floor in a sailor-look outfit with red top, white scarf, and white pants. Mary with short platinum hair and a long lock wrapped around the crown stands wearing Bon Voyage: a white blouse with full sleeves, a red skirt, and a sweater vest in red and white checks that falls to the hem of the skirt, along with short white gloves and a blue hatbox with Tressy's name written across the front. Next to her, Tressy with a brown bouffant and a bow in her hair wears Miss Suburbia: a black-and-white checked blouse with white collar and cuffs, red necktie, red patterned shorts, and red kneesocks. On the facing page is a rack of clothing showing Sugar n Spice: a white shift with black polka dots, ruffled sleeves and black tie belt; Pink Champagne, a full-skirted pink party dress with matching wrap; and Blue Ribbon Winner, a brown-and-white patterned shift with brown vest. A dog on leash to go with Blue Ribbon Winner stands in the lower right corner. Flavor text reads: "Tressy can lend her best friend... a suitcase full of clothes. And they come with such Beautiful accessories! Mary wears Tressy's BON VOYAGE outfit. It comes with a hat box, passport, 3 picture postcards, airline ticket, gloves, and high-heeled shoes. Tressy's Miss Suburbia outfit comes with a red tie, helanca knee socks, and white sneakers. Cricket's Ship Ahoy outfit includes white sneakers and a spy glass."

    On the rack above, Sugar ‘n Spice seems inspired by a ’64 Mary Quant design.

    Barbie and Tressy both have ensembles named Black Magic. On this occasion, Mary struts her stuff in Tressy’s.

    Four! Images of Tressy and Mary in Black Magic, a narrow floor-length belted gown with V-neck, strand of pearls, black glvoes above the elbow, and sheer wrap. The first picture is a department store catalog with a brunette Tressy in an updo. The booklet images are: black-and-white Tressy, brunette Tressy with topknot in color, platinum short-haird Mary in color.
    Left image is the ’64 Sears wishbook again

    Both Barbie and Tressy have a Hootenanny, too. While Barbie’s, in the Sew-Free line, seems bound for a barn dance, Tressy very clearly wears hers to perform anti-establishment anthems at some smoky Greenwich Village coffeehouse.

    Four again of Tressy in Hootenanny, a long-sleeved black top, brown slacks, and necklace with sunburst pendant. She carries a guitar and a drawstring bag. The b/w booklet shows her with side-parted long flip hair, while the other images show side ponytails, blonde in the department store catalog at right and brunette in the middle two pictures from color booklets. In the booklet that included Mary, Cricket sits crosslegged in a red shirt and green skirt with her own guitar. Mary wears Good News: a white top, colorful striped pants and matching scarf. As usual she has short platinum hair. Text on this image reads, "Hooray! Hootenanny tonight! Tressy's Hootenanny Outfit comes with a six-stringed guitar, harmonica, sheet music, leather bag, medallion, folk music booklet and sneakers. Cricket's Hootenanny Outfit comes with a guitar, sneakers, and sheet music. Mary wearing Tressy's Good News outfit, with a newspaper."
    One last appearance of the ’64 Sears wishbook capturing Tressy’s beatnik chic.

    None of which is to say that Tressy borrowed from Barbie, or vice versa. Some lesser characters and clothing lines definitely did borrow, though. This 1965 Bobbi book is positively shameless:

    Right: A Barbie, Ken and Midge booklet showing their three heads floating on a blue background. Barbie, at center, has a red ponytail tied with a blue bow. On her left, Midge has a black colored flip. The girls eyes are both cast to the right. Ken, looking over Barbie's right shoulder, has a blond crew cut. At right, "Bobbi for 1965 New Fashion Dress" booklet cover has two floating heads on red background. In the center, a character with a red ponytail tied with a blue bow has her eyes turned to the right. Behind her on her left, a character with a black flip also has eyes turned to the right. They don't quite look traced from Barbie and Midge but definitely copied.
    Bobbi vs. Barbie
    Row of four color illustrations from Bobbi booklet. The outfits are labeled, L-R: Brid's Dream (yes, Brid); Party Dress; Bobbi Coat; Evening Gown. The images show a bubble cut bride in long white gloves, veil, and tiered skirt facing forward; Ponytail character facing the side but looking over her shoulder toward the front, wearing a green striped swing dress with wide green belt; Blonde short flip with brown hat wearing a matching sheath and jacket, the same length, in red and gold pattern with brown fur at the cuffs and white gloves; character with brunette bubble cut in a black mermaid dress with very long black glvoes, facing right, holding a microphone on a stand with one hand and a red scarf with the other.
    Bobbi
    Four images from a Barbie booklet. The outfits are, L-R: Bride's Dream, Swingin' Easy, Golden Elegance, Solo in the Spotlight. The character poses, hair, clothes are identical to the previous Bobbi image. The Bobbi images in this case do look traced or otherwise reproduced from these. The differences are that the Barbies' skin is uncolored--stark white--while the Bobbis have a peach tone; the Barbies have accessories illustrated on the page around them, like handbags, gloves, shoes, jewelry, a bouquet for the bride, that the Bobbi costumes may not have included; and each frame in both pics has a different shaded background and they do no correspond to one another. Close study also reveals that Barbie as bride wears a choker missing from the Bobbi bride, and Golden Elegance shows open-toe shoes while those with Bobbi Coat are closed. But the character drawings are pretty near identical.
    vs Barbie
    Four panels showing a character with short flip hair, sometimes more blonde and sometimes more brunette, wearing costumes labeled: Skating Girl, Sleepy-Time, Party Dress, and Country Walk. Skating Girl wears a striped sweater, short, flared red skirt, red tights, white iceskates, and knit patterned hat and scarf. Sleepy-Time is a short, frilly pink nightie; the character also holds a handmirror in one hand, which she faces, and a drawstring bag in the other. Party Dress is a belted, pink shift with short sleeves lace collar and wide ruffle at the bottom. Country Walk includes a plaid skirt, longish brown jacket, and green sweater. She holds a black dog on a leash.
    Bobbi…
    All the same images as above, in all the same colors and everything (except the background shades which all are different). Here the fashions are all the same names, except Dream Date instead of Party Dress. Dream Date also shows a record, record player, and clutch purse, and Country Walk has a white dog instead of black, but otherwise they are just alike, traced or otherwise copied.
    vs Sindy!

    This round of 1963 Sindy booklet pics comes from the extensive collection over at The Little Sindy Museum.

    Other “lesser” fashion booklets of the time period tended to use photography or simple sketches of the garments laid flat. One even used photographs of the dressed dolls to trace from.

    Tressy and Cricket had one last fashion flutter in 1966 with a new mod look. (Mary, sadly, was out of the picture.) The booklet was in the style of the earlier volume for Tressy and Cricket, with categories for play, day, and party. The boundaries between “play” and “day” had eroded–can you tell which ensembles, below, are for play, and which for day?

    Five mod Tressy outfits on different colored backgrounds. Frug Away is an A-line knee skirt with suspenders over a white shirt, with long necklaces, white fishnets, shoes with ribbons that criss-cross up the calf and tie. "Tressy's ready for dancing. Comes with frug shoes, dance instructions and swingin' shakers. Wild 'n Wonderful is also a knee-length A-line skirt with suspenders, this one in red with a heart charm tied at the waist over short-sleeved black-and-white-checked top and tights, along with red sneakers. "Tressy's ready for fun and right in fashion. Comes with a Lucky Troll, chain locket and clutch bag. Blue ribbon Winner is a cropped white double-breased jacket with 3/4 sleeves and black buttons over a black A-like, knee length skirt with white boots to mid-calf. "Tressy's a winner in her black dress with white vinyl jacket. Comes with white boots, don, bone and blue ribbon medal. Final image is a scene of two characters before a table laden with food. Left, Two For Tea is an empire-waist babydoll dress with red bodice, green belt, red skirt and red half sleeves, The character holds a tea cup. "Tressy takes time out for tea and cookies. Dress in pink and yellow. Right is Serendipity, an A-line shift with wide green standup collar, patch pockets in white with yellow polka dots, and scarf of the same material. "Tressy's right in style in her blue and green 'Mod' dress. Comes with gold scarf and sunglasses." The characters wear white open-toed shoes and their skirts too are knee-length.

    After her mod refresh, Tressy was advertised in department store Christmas wishbooks for two more years. Much of the clothing advertised for her in these catalogs did not appear in any American Character Tressy booklet that I could find, but booklets for the European Tressy versions help to fill in the gaps.

    Left: In a department store catalog color layout, five Tressy dolls are posed with different hairstyles and outfits. Three of the dolls have flip hairstyles with top fullness. One has a beehive, and one has a trim pageboy. Text on the page describes the fashions: "$4.99 Set of 5 outfits; Tressy's New "Mod" Wardrobe; There's a Tressy outfit for every occasion. Causal, empire-style dress with red, white dots and check skirt and striped outfit in red, white and blue. Sporty red and white polka dot and striped blouse with solid-color slacks. Party dress with Chelsea collar. Career girl sirt and blouse. 3 pairs of hose. Shoes not included. Right: color illustrations of dressed characters on white background separated by vertical black lines. The style is sort of comic book or Saturday morning cartoons. Across the top: Coffee Break is a green full-skirted dress with wide white collar (the "Chelsea collar" mentioned at left). Character perches on a stool with a pastry on a napkin in her lap, a teacup and spoon or stirrer in her hands. Next, Love Letters is the "career-girl" outfit, a straight black knee-length skirt and lace-trimmed sleeveless blouse. The character is seen opening some mail. Third is Special Date, an empire-waist shift, the top white with red dots, the skirt black-and-white checks, with a square neckline and red bow at waist. The character holds an ice cream sundae. Bottom row: Wild Enchantment, a teal blue shift with wide green collar, white-and-yellow patch pockets, yellow shawl or scarf; In My Solitude; a red belted shift, white boots with black trim, newspaper, mod-look purse with thick white handle in a perfect cirlce and circular round black bag; and Soda Pop Cutie, similar ot Special Date but with a white Peter Pan collar, blue bodie with row of red buttons on white trim, and sptriped blue-and-white skirt. Special Date and Soda Pop Cute wear red bows in their hair in both the photo and illustration.

    Above left, the ’66 Sears catalog archived by Wishbook Web advertises a collection of five mod Tressy fashions, at least some of which were listed and priced in the mod Tressy catalog sans illustration. Four of the five appear in a single “budget fashions” spread from a Palitoy (U.K.) pamphlet that employs a flatter, cleaner art style than the U.S. Tressy booklets, reminiscent of Saturday morning cartoons.

    The ’66 Montgomery Ward catalog advertises a different set of five mod fashions (and also shows Tressy in Serendipity). Two for Tea and Good News, both from American Character’s mod booklet, are among the five. The other three are unknowns–except they appear in a Schildkroet booklet from Germany which someone amazing scanned at high resolution and shared. In Germany, the characters Tressy, Mary, and Cricket are replaced by Gaby, Kessy, and Babsy respectively. I’m in love with the cover of their booklet:

    Color-blocked cover in green, purple, and blue, with the names Gaby, Kessy and Babsy in handwritten script and marker illustrations of the characters: brunette Gaby with top knot; platinum Kessy with short bob; and straw-blonde Babsy with a braid encircling her crown. All three have thick black eye makeup and pouty mouths.

    The German names for the fashions Gaby and Kessy, in the inset below, share with Tressy’s mod Montgomery Ward-robe are Derby, Abend in Gold (Evening in Gold) and Rummelplatz (Fairground).

    Color catalog layout. A large Tressy with platinum blonde hair wears the dress known in the US as Serendipity and in the UK as Wild Enchantment, described elsewhere. Five other outfits are shown laid out flat: Two for Tea, the red babydoll dress with yellow bodice and blue bow at waist; Derby, another babydoll shape divided vertically with half in brown polka dots on white background, half brown and white stripes, with a dark bow at waist; the second version of Good News which is a blue shift with brown trim, white boots with black trim, and the circular mod purse; A gold off-the-shoulder sheath with clutch purse and open-toed heels; and a white crop top with red trim and solid red slacks. It looks like these outfits all have shoes, unlike the previous catalog entry, though the images are indistinct. In an inset are three illustrations from the German Gaby/Kessy booklet. They are less comic-book-style than the UK ones, more like the hasty style of early Barbie fashino sketches but with cartoonishly oversized heads. They wear, L-R: Derby, the half brown striped, half brown polka dot dress. Here the belt tied in a bow looks green. The chatacter also wears a wide-brimmed white hat which is included in the department store catalog, too. Next, Abend in Gold, the off-the shoulder sheath which includes a sheer wrap and gold clutch; and Rummelplatz, the red slacks and red polka dotted crop top that was in both department store catalog sets. The character holds a soda pop bottle which, on inspection, is also visible in both department store catalogs.

    I assume Derby does not refer to the city in England. However, diverse place names do pop up in the international booklets. It’s interesting to see, for example, the first U.S. On Fifth Avenue which became On Park Lane in the U.K.; and the second On Fifth Avenue version which became, in Germany, Kurfuerstendamm (per Wikipedia, the “Champs-Elysees of Berlin”).

    Left: Green swing coat, matching hat shaped like an inverted bucket, red scarf, white glvoes, white open-toed shoes, and brown handbag work by a cartoonish woman with cropped blonde hair. Text reads "On Park Lane." Center, two characters in a brisk sketch style. Left wears the same clothes at the first panel and is labeled Einkaufsbummel. Her short hair is ashy blonde. Beside her a brunette wears a blue double-breated coat, white gloves, pillbox hat with red polka dots and matching tie ribbon or scarf, and carries a polka-dotted shopping bag. Labeled Kurfuerstendamm. Right panel, on a goldish background, a more realistic sketch of a woman with longer blonde flip hair wearing the same ensemble as Kurfuerstendamm. Text reads, On Fifth Avenue #30905, $3.00. For Shopping trips, Tressy wears a royal blue coat. Comes with matching scarf hat, money, shopping bag and gift wrapped package. It looks like Tressy's original red jersey dress with white trim is visible inside the coat; the German character has a pink garment under her coat which is consistent with how Kessy dolls were sold.

    The children of Germany also visited Piccadilly, New York, and Paris through Gaby’s fashions. The French Tressy by Bella had many fashions with place names too, all located in France: Martinique, Saint-Tropez, chez Maxim’s…

    Tressy’s story ended abruptly in ’67, at least her American Character arc did. As for the many international Tressy versions, we’ve browsed only these couple booklets–others have proven hard to track down.

    Tammy’s tale continued well past what we covered, but those booklets too are elusive. In particular, I couldn’t find any that showcase her fashionable friend Glamour Misty, who made the scene in ’65 right after most of Tammy’s family disappeared. (Hmmm…) And did the eerie but beautiful Wendy Ward ever merit an illustrated booklet? So many rival fashion booklets, yet so many (hopefully) still to see… I’m keeping an eye out.

    Four images from color booklets, The first we've observed before: Tammy in her red swimsuit with white coverup. Next is Tressy in Sugar 'n Spice, the white sheath with black polka dots and black tie belt that was presented earlier hanging on ar ack, but now it's worn by Tressy with bouffant brown hair. Next is the Tina booklet, showing a woman with black short flip hair in a navy suit, holding a program and speaking into a microphone. She is lit by floodlights and the heads of audience members fill one lower corner. Text reads "Finale..." FInally, Sindy is drawn in black and white with a short bob. She is smiling brightly, with one hand on her hip and one hand fluffing her hair. She wears a shift dress that is colored in with a plaid/check pattern of pink, orange, yellow and green, with a green bow at the next. The background is solid green. At the bottom, text reads "Summer days; Short-sleeved shift in multi-check cotton, trimmed at the next with a green bow. 12855 Complete with hanger: 4/6d"
    Chic looks for Tammy, Tressy, Tina and Sindy

    Where to next? This is the most recent post on Barbie’s clones and rivals. We previously encountered Tressy at her penthouse and beauty parlor. We previously encountered Tammy in her suburban havens. We’ve also discussed Mattel’s fashion booklets for Barbie at some length. Or just head up to the Table of Contents to see more options.

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  • Barbie’s ’70s Travelogue, Part III: Arrive in Style

    In the first two posts in this series, we covered new and exciting destinations that opened their doors to Barbie during the Seventies. Whether it was a ski holiday, a fishing trip, or a beach vacation, while Sixties Barbie could dress for the occasion, only Seventies Barbie ever arrived. But did she arrive… in style?

    1980's first Black Barbie sits in a row of two orange plastic seats with a brown wood-look table before her. Along the wall are small rectangular windows showing illustrations of the ground below an airborne plane. Barbie wears a gold sleeveless dress that just covers her knees, with a metallic gold belt, ruffles and a row of buttons at the collar, and a matching purse with metallic gold handle. On the table before her sits a teal train case with silver hardware. On the ground next to her feet is a light purple zippered bag with two handles, partially cut off at the bottom of the shot.

    Yes, of course she did. Let’s find out how.

    We’ll dive straight in with the headlining act: Barbie’s most stylish mode of transit, 1959 to present. Naturally, that can only mean the Friend Ship, Barbie’s United-Airlines-branded commercial aircraft which was advertised in 1973-74.

    Photograph on blue background of blonde child reaching over the top of the Friend Ship to hold a Quick Curl blonde Barbie, who wears a United Airlines uniform with yellow smock and pushes a gold-colored plastic cart with three shelves. She stands near the plane's service station with cabinets and food preparation utilities. Ahead of that is some booth-type seating where Ken with long dark hair (70s long, over his ears) in a checked blazer and tan pants is seated. Text reads "BARBIE'S Friend Ship; Realistic United Airlines interior design! Opens to over 4 1/2 feet from compact flight bag. Airline accessories include stewardess smock. Dolls not included. "Friend Ship" and other United Airlines service marks used with permission of United Airlines."
    Friend Ship in a 1973 World of Barbie booklet via Toy-Addict

    Granted that Barbie is usually in uniform and on the clock while aboard the Friend Ship, but even that was pretty glamorous at the time. The ship included a galley, service cart with accessories, passenger seating, plus illustrated areas for the cockpit and storage for luggage and outerwear. Opening out to amost 5 feet long, it can serve as an eye-catching display.

    A second view of the opened Friend Ship withough dolls. The cart is parken in the open space next to the galley, while the empty hanger rack visible above it. Two rows of two orange plastic seats sit facing each other over the table with three windows beyond. Ona vinyl panel that swings open at the front, a captain character is illustrated sitting in the cockpit. Behind him an arched dark wood-look door in the vinyl can open and close but doesn't lead into another space for play, just out the back of the vinyl panel.
    Friend Ship spotted in the wild (an antique mall) by redditor Sydneyskyex3.

    The cousin of the Friend Ship, Barbie’s Chris-Craft-branded Dream Boat was advertised in 1975 but went out with the tide after just one year. Functionally, it’s very similar to the plane: a case that opens out to form a long vessel. Inside is a galley kitchen with booth seating and, in a second space, a day bed that converts to bunk beds. While the Friend Ship exterior resembles an airplane even while closed, the folded-up boat is just styled like an anonymous rectangle. However, when open for play its exterior forms important parts of the scene: the ship’s decks, ladders down toward the water, and space for the removable bridge Ken operates below.

    Color catalog image of a boat that fols out and open similarly to the Friend Ship. Two spaces inside the boat are a kitchen with seating area, and a small space for two bunk beds. Porthole windows line both. The vinyl panels that swing open at either end create fore and aft decks that can support the dolls, and the rear panel is also illustrated with a dark brown ladder. On top of the open case is a further deck and on that is a separate plastic unit with illustrated controls for operating the craft. A yellow plastic ladder leads from top deck to aft deck, and yellow poles connected by string form railings along the backs of the fore and aft decks. Malibu Ken sits at the control panel, Malibi Barbie on the top deck, and Malibu PJ at the table. All wear their swimsuits. In an inset it's seen that the closed-up case is blank white with an orangish top and handle. Text reads "A Great Gift Value Barbie's Dream Boat 10.99"
    Dream Boat in the 1975 JC Penney Christmas catalog via christmas.musetechnical.com

    Finally, during this decade Barbie was regularly seen zipping from location to location on four wheels. While automobile travel was certainly not new to her (for that matter, she could hop into various quirky little biplanes and speedboats, whether official or no, in the ’60s too), her ’70s autos took on a more vacation-y bent. Like the Dream Boat, the Country Camper, which we also visited in an earlier entry, was both the mode of transport and the destination. It was advertised from ’72 to ’77 and was joined by the similar Beach Bus in ’74.

    Two similarly-shaped squarish buses/campers. Left one is yellow with swirly rainbow/bubble/flower art detailing and the Barbie logo. Right is a color graient from blue through pink to gold resembling a beach and the sea and sky. A sliding door is close din the left image but open in the right, and a swinging door on the back of the van is also open at right. A skateboard is propped up against the Beach Bus nd a table with umbrella and two chairs hold Barbie and Ken. Text at right reads "NWW! Barbie's Beach Bus 8.88" with additional text too small/indistinct to read.
    dianwense-1 on eBay; christmas.musetechnical.com

    In ’77, the Star Traveler elevated Barbie’s style on the road from van life to, per the JC Penney Christmas catalog, “a 36 in. long lookalike of a GMC motor home.” The interior was comparatively luxe, with kitchenette, dining area with L-shaped seating, swivel chairs, bunk bed, shower, and a total of two sinks; camp chairs, hibachi and detachable deck were also included for roadside cookouts. Like the earlier bus and camper, Barbie could use this commodious RV to return to nature. It could also serve as practical transport for her new Superstar lifestyle, hitting all the stops on a sold-out world tour.

    Color photograph box exterior for a vehicle that is longer than the bus and camper. It is yellow with a pink stripe going down its length and a Barbie logo with a Superstar-look Barbie illustrated. Superstar Barbie stands next to an open door of the vehicle, while Ken and Skipper inside look out the windows. Box text says "Barbie Star Traveler MotorHome, the ultra-deluxe scenic cruiser for Barbie doll & her friends! 3 FEET LONG!"
    wingmyth on eBay

    One final Superstar vehicle, the Star’Vette, was less spacious than any of the foregoing and seems more geared to bopping around town. Yet it too is an option for long-haul travel, evidenced by the aluminum-look suitcase strapped to the luggage rack; it even had a trailer hitch in back.

    Another color photo box image. Barbie with long blonde hair, wearing pink, sits in a pink two-seater convertible detailed with aerodynamic-looking star art. A silver suitcase with a pink and yellow stripe down the middle sits on a luggage reck in back. It looks like a radio antenna also extends from the back above one of the wheels There is a suggestions of city skyline in the distance. Text says "Barbie Star'Vette, The dream machine for Barbie doll & her friends! Real Super-car detailing! Unassembled, Doll Not Included."
    arianeu1 on eBay

    A trailer hitch… luggage rack… and a suitcase… before Barbie’s vacation gets going she may need just one or two more things!

    Blonde Commuter Set reproduction Barbie stands holding her hat box in one hand, the other hand resting on Barbie's American Airlines flight bag, which in turn sits on the edge of the Friend Ship cart. The exterior of the Friend Ship looms in the background, with the appearance of a row of porthole windows. Also lined up on the cart are the Winter Holiday plaid overnight bag, a small gold-colored case that came with the Friend Ship, a second small, darker brown case covered in travel stickers that came with Busy Barbie and friends. In front of the cart sits the aluminum-look suitcase from the Star'Vette and a round green hat box.

    Where to next? This post is part of the Barbie’s Seventies Travelogue series. If you’re just joining us, you may next choose to peruse Part I or Part II. Or turn to the Appendix. Our most popular story on the world inhabited by Barbie is the one on penthouse apartments, which also has some Seventies flavor. The overall most popular posts on this site are about shoes and fashion booklets. Or just head up to the Table of Contents to see more options.

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  • Sidebar: Miss Lively Livin’ game (1970)

    Because of its gorgeous design, we’ll briefly pause to appreciate one last Barbie board game of the vintage and mod eras, even though its art uses photographs in lieu of hand-illustrated characters. The whole package is such a sumptuous rainbow that it’s irresistible.

    Game board and box via Your New Fun Exciting Thing on eBay.

    Look closely at corner squares on the board to see shots of the characters occupying contemporary playsets the Lively Livin’ House and Cafe Today.

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  • The Barbie World of Fashion game (1967)
    Square game box with color illustrations of blonde TnT Barbie, including one that is the full length of the box from top to bottom, posing in Francie's pink-and-blue knit ensemble The Combo, complete with its pink patterned stockings and pink bow shoes. Ont he top half of the box is written "the Barbie World of Fashion game by mattel," while the bottom is filled with blue-green marker-looking illustration of Barbie and friends, sometimes surrounded by various sailboats, atolls, castles, a leaning tower, and other suggestions of world travel (described in much more detail below). Text along the bottom of the box reads "Round-The_world 3-D Molded Playing Board; for 2, 3, 4 Players!" In fron stands a blonde mod-style Barbie, the Fair Fair reproduction, wearing her blond hair extensions attached to a pink headband, and the pink and blue sweater dress Knit Hit with blue closed-toe shoes.

    We’ve noted before how the lush illustrations of the Queen of the Prom and Keys to Fame board games enriched the world of Barbie visuals in the early-mid ’60s. In the mod era “lush” was less on-trend, but 1967’s Barbie World of Fashion game, with its travel-focused play, was illuminated by bright, bold interpretations of the characters and ensembles.

    On the game box, shown above with a Hair Fair repro doll for scale, the game’s playable characters–Barbie, Francie, Casey, and Skipper–are shown stylishly attired. Added references to travel include Casey toting her train case, Skipper waving flags, Barbie donning a lei or kneeling by her matching luggage set, and Francie rolling around in a pile of travel brochures and cash.

    Four color photograph details from the game box, as detailed in the text, collaged together inside bold ellipses. Most are images of the full, clothed character, except Francie in Mini-Chex who is shown from the elbows up. The mentioned "train case" Casey carries is small enough it could be a box purse, but it is inferred to be luggage from the context. It is gold-colored. The second Casey holds a bouquet of white flowers, and Skipper waves little flags but they got cut off by my messy collaging (Francie in Mini-Chex overlaps). Both Caseys have brunette bobs. Francie has a blone flip and Skipper has long, straight blonde hair.

    Some characters are dressed sensibly, such as Casey in Floating In and Wild ‘n’ Wooly; Francie in Mini-Chex; and Skipper in Trim Twosome, all shown above.

    Other fashion choices are more questionable, such as the oversized Barbie wearing Francie’s The Combo, who dominates the scene; Barbie’s also found stretching out Francie’s striped swimsuit, and Barbie and Francie wear each other’s similar numbers Trailblazers and Hill-riders, all seen below.

    More details in bold ellipses. Seated Barbie in Francie's striped swimsuit wears a lei. Francie lies down with her chin on one hand, gazing down at a pile of travel brochures and maybe plane tickets that she caresses. Some cash floats above her shoulder. Barbie kneels next to a suitcase and hatbox in lavender with purple trim. All Barbies illustrated here are Tnt with long straight hair and a little pink box, and all on the box art are blonde. Francie is a more dirty blonde.

    The clothing swaps may be calculated, since gameplay involves buying whatever fashions are available regardless of whether they’re sized to suit.

    One last box illustration shows Barbie on the phone with Ken. No fashions were produced for Ken in the year of the game’s release, and here both characters wear nonexistent fashions (though Barbie’s reminds me sliiightly of Knit Hit).

    Floating heads and shoulders of Ken and TnT Barbie on the game box. Both are blond-haired and blue-eyed. Barbie holds a pink telephone handset and Ken a purple one. Ken wears a light blue sweater while barbie wears a wide-necked top of some sort covered in a pink and blue diamond pattern. A thick gold band at her wrist could be jewelry but looks like a cuff. In all images Barbie has the pink bow in her hair that the doll came with at this time. It is prominent here. In corners of the image we can see overlap from other portraits already described: Barbie's lei; Skuppers flags of the world (including Italy, Israel, Great Britain), one of Casey's piles of cash, plus a windmill and the base of the Eiffel Tower.

    While the booklets of the mod years are World[s] of Barbie Fashions, this game takes place in a Barbie World of Fashion. The similarities between game and booklets go beyond just their names, though: on the game board, Barbie is depicted (in her own clothing) in sometimes-modified booklet poses. Adding a parasol to Jump Into Lace to navigate the Congo; draining the blues from Swirly Cue for Soviet Russia; sweating in the Sahara in Scene Stealers, and so forth.

    The game board is a kind of swirly looking Mercator map covered in colorful dots representing the spaces on the board, where players can "fly" to a new location, go shopping, or draw other cards. Interspersed are several illustrations that look like slightly soupy versions of booklet illustrations. Blonde Barbie wears Togetherness inthe middle of South America; Dancing Stripes in the intermountain western USA (I don't think the locations are really meant to be precise); Trailblazers in a swnow scene in northern Canada (this one may be ash blonde); a version of Swirly Cue that's just pink, yellow, and white in Moscow. Brunette Barbie wears Jump into Lace and Scene Stealers in different parts of Africa. These are all circled and shown magnified along the margins of the image. On the lower left and righthand sides of the map, over the ocean, are blonde Barbies in Zokko! and Extravaganza. In the bottom center, east of South America and west of Africa, there is a logo with two Francies that will be described momentarily.

    The in-game fashions the characters tour the world to model and purchase are direct booklet copies in a slightly larger format, which is nice:

    Kinda blurry shot of the 15 fashions that come as little cards in the board game, plus a two-page spread from a contemporary booklet. In the booklet, Barbie, Francie and Casey all model their fashions, while the cards include a few of Skipper, too. Barbie and Francie fashions on the cards include Pazam, Knit Hit, Togetherness, Hill-riders, Floating In, Dancing Stripes, Jump Into Lace, Scene Stealers, The Combo, Extravaganza, Underliners, and a Francie-worn wedding gown, all ranging in price from $30 to $100. Of these, Scene Stealers, Knit Hit, Dancing Stripes, Hill-riders and Pazam also appear in the booklet, along with other fashions including Francie's Mini-Chex and Wild n Wooly.

    Though the game board is mainly populated by Barbie, a pair of booklet Francies also appear:

    The logo in the botton center of the game board is a bright yellow rectangle with text reading, "The BARBIE (R) World of Fashion Gabe by Mattel. (c) 1967 Mattel, Inc., Hawthorne, California, Made & Printed in U.S.A." Atop the rectangle is a cluster of buildings from around the world: skyscrapers, onion domes, clock towers, greek columns, etc. To either side stand blonde and brunette Francie, in booklet poses, wearing The Combo and Floating In. Scattered around their feet are hat boxes and suitcases in pink, blue, purple, and red, some with white stripes and white lids, others with little sickers indicating their world travel.

    And such colorful, appealing suitcases!

    Where to next? This is the most recent post on early Barbie illustrations. The most popular posts in this category are on fashion booklets and carrying cases. Other popular posts on this site include those on penthouse apartments and on shoes. Or just head up to yon table of contents to see all the options.

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  • Illustrated fashion packaging
    Three overlapped photographs of mostly black-and white packaging for early-60s Barbie ensembles. Each has a large size illustration of Barbie in black and white down the lefthand side with text in mostly pink at right (only visible in one of the three photos because it's duplicated on all the packages and didn't need to be shown three times). The Barbie figures wear, L-R: a full-skirted sundress with tie back, wide-brimmed hat, and closed-toe shoes; a two-piece swimsuit covered by a loose-fitting jacket plus open-toed shoes; a babydoll-shaped nightie and heels with pompons on the toes. Each Barbie has her signature ponytail, the middle brunette and the others blonde. The text reads: Another beautiful Barbie teen age fashion; Barbie is the bus Teen Age Fashion model who has a complete wardrobe of lovely new fashions to wear! You can dress Barbie in the latest Paris fashions... in glamourous [sic] party dresses... in school sportswear... swimsuits... accessories from the Barbie Teen Age Fashion collection styled exclusively for your Barbie doll to wear..." The text is interspersed with little pictograms, for example, a drawing of a wardrobe--like her "chifferobe" from Suzy Goose--before the word "wardrobe," an Eiffel tower after "Paris," a full-skirted frilly dress before the verb "dress" in "you can dress Barbie," etc.
    Barbie illustrations on the backs of boxed early ensembles: 916 via yolla; 986 via marysnn814b; 976 via kekaionekea, all on eBay. Colored outlines are just to further distinguish different packages. All had the same text as shown at right.

    Barbie’s early ensembles were sold in boxes with cellophane fronts that neatly displayed the contents, along with black-and-white illustrated backs featuring a bit of snappy text.

    Only for a short while did Barbie appear alone on any packages; once Midge was introduced, even the earlier fashions still in production came in updated packaging that included her.

    Two similarly mostly-black-and-white pictures of packaging with pink accents. At left, Barbie in Garden Party and Midge in Red Flare complete with purse, both wearing open-toed shoes and gloves, both blonde, appear to walk side by side. Text reads "Another beautiful teen-age fashion for Barbie and Midge; Barbie, the "Teen-Age Fashion Model," and Midge, her best friend, are modern young sophisticates with complete wardrobes of lovely new fashions. You can dress both Barbie and Midge for every wonderful occasion in the latest Paris fashions; in glamorous party dresses; in school sportswear; in swimsuits; and in accessories fromt he exclusibe Barbie and Midge Fashion Collection by Mattel." Interspersed are the same pictograms. At right, Barbie now has a blonde bubble cut and her Garden Party dress is filled in with warm pink. Midge is brunette and wears Crisp n Cool. In the background, Ken and Allan look on. The text is slightly updated and no longer includes pictograms: "Another Teen-Age Fashion for all Barbie and Midge Dolls; Barbie & Midge [in pink scrawled text]; Barbie and Midge are modern young sophisticates with complete wardrobes of lovely new fashions. You can dress all Barbie and Midge dolls for every wonderful occasion! Glamorous party dresses, school sportswear or new style swimsuits... with accessories from the exclusive Fashion Frosting(TM) Collection by Mattel." A new caption reads, "These fashions are designed exclusively by Mattel and are tailored only of the finest quality fabrics, fashioned for perfect fit and finished with zippers, buttons and dressmaker details."
    In 1962 Midge joined the fray, and by ’64 the design had evolved to feature Barbie’s bubble hairstyle. Both via brendassouthpacificplace on eBay.

    The design above right would continue to be used through ’66, sometimes with Fashion Queen and Miss Barbie listed below Barbie & Midge.

    Some ’60s pak fashions also had illustrations on the back, but not too many and not too elaborately.

    Trio of images of the backs of pak fashions. They are black and white, except the center one is printed on salmon pink cardboard so it is black and pink. Left one shows pontyail Barbie in profile and is labeled Barbie. The other two are labeled Barbie and Midge and feature both characters (from the neck up). Barbie looks essentialls the same in all, facing right like on the front of the ponytail fashion booklets. Midge is turned to face Barbie. She gets a little cuter between the second and third images as her drawing gets a little more detailed. Each pak also has a booklet affixed in back: pink-backgrounded Barbie and Ken, blue-backgrounded Barbie Ken Midge, and a five-head World of Barbie Fashions with Barbie, Francie, Casey, Skipper and Tutti.
    Evolution in pak-aging. Via eBayers Shapem and adayinthepast.

    The rightmost pak’s Barbie-and-Midge-themed cardboard backing, for 1966’s Tailored Tops, has a (c) date of ’63 but includes a booklet with a (c) date of ’66 on which Midge does not appear. Her days were numbered.

    Square package with mostly black-and-white imagery, except a pink border and bold pink text reading "New Twist 'N Turn Waist Lets You Pose Her Any Way You Want!" To the left is a large-size drawing of Barbie in her TnT two-piece swimsuit with coverup. She is twisting and turning. To the right are six smaller images of TnT Barbie, mostly blonde, one brunette, taking on all manner of poses including with arms bent as she certainly could not do. The six fashions are listed in the text. Like the rest of the graphics, they are not in color. Black text at bottom reads: The Barbie Look - smart new teen age fashions more exciting than ever! Exclusive designs featuring quality fabrics and dressmaker detailing - by Mattel"
    Another from brendassouthpacificplace. Her store’s stock must be seen to be believed.

    In ’67, ensemble packages advertised the T’n’T Barbie doll. The one shown above is special: its dressed characters look similar to booklet fashion sketches, but they aren’t from the booklets. In fact, three of the depicted ensembles (#1805 Bouncy Flouncy, #1806 Pajama Pow, and #1807 Disco Dater) were never illustrated in any Mattel Barbie fashion booklet. (This package itself contains a fourth ensemble that was never illustrated in a booklet, #1810 Bermuda Holidays.) Like the majority of 1967’s fashions, the rest of the ensembles represented here–#1683 Sunflower, #1686 Print Aplenty, and #1687 Caribbean Cruise–were drawn on American Girl Barbie for the booklets.

    The following year, a comparative calm descended. The packaging for Twinkle Togs shows exactly the sketches that appear in 1968’s booklets:

    Black and white packaging except for curlicued decorative border in red or deep pink. Barbie and Stacey pose in their swimsuits in large illustrations. Between them and about knee-high to them stand TnT Barbie, mostly blonde, one brunette, in Underliners, Jump Into Lace, Trailblazers, Togetherness, and Knit Hit. Large text reads, "Twist 'n' Turn Wast! Pose them any way you want!" subtitled "The Barbie (R) Look." Smaller text reads, "Exciting new teen-age fashions--the best of two fashio worlds from Fifth Avenue to Carnaby Street--just for Barbie and her New Friend, Stacey! Stacey is just Barbie's size--they love wearing each other's clothes! See allt he Barbie looks--exclusive designs featuring quality fabrics and dressmaker detailed, by Mattel."
    Barbie and Stacey enjoy “the best of two fashion worlds from Fifth Avenue to Carnaby Street,” via Deal Hunters Florida.

    The year after Stacey’s introduction, P.J. was added to the composition (seen below on the box for #1880 Winter Wedding). Where is Christie?

    This packaging has red background with white areas in which text and figures are placed in black, purple and red. The drawings are essentially still black-and-white but with large solid-colored washes of red over the clothing. On the left is text reading, "The Barbie Look! Swinging! On-the-go! Groovy fashions ready for any kind of fun--made for Barbie, Stacey, and Barbie's new friend, P.J.--a gal who's tuned in to the new scene. They can wear each other's clothes, 'cause they're all the same size! All Barbie's fashions feature designer styling with quality fabrics." Crossing the rest of the box, Barbie is shown in a wolly-looking coat and hat with knee-high boots, captioned "For new "Living" Barbie, now as poseable as you are! Pose her all over from head to toe!"; P.J. with two ponytails wreathed in beads and a belted, buttoned mini with long sleeves, scarf and ankle boots captions "For new 'n groove P.J."; and Stacey with side ponytail in a bell-sleeved babydoll top and bell-bottomed pants, captions "For Stacey, Barbie's British friend!"
    Another brendassouthpacificplace wonder.

    Barbie’s differently-sized colleagues (Ken, Skipper, Ricky, Francie, Tutti) had fashion packaging we won’t explore here, except to note that the Francie ensemble box art in this last style includes a unicorn:

    Same style of packaging as previous but with green background and accents in black and white. Francie has a very bouffant flip with hairband and wears a long coat, top and leggings in herringbone, miniskirt, belt and knee-high boots. Becky wears a hood, patterned fur mini-length coat, minidress, and knee-high boots. Captions say "for Francie, Barbie's MODern Cousin" and "for Backy, Francie's Favorite Friend." (Sorry Casey!) Main text reads: "The Francie Look; The latest, most lively, smashin' fashions--made specially for Francie and her favorite friend Becky--a girl who's on the go! They can wear each others clothes cause they're just the same size! All Francie fashions feature designer styling in the very best fabric for fun!"
    Becky! #3444 Midi Plaid packaging from fashiondollmarket on eBay.

    Where to next? This post is about vintage Barbieillustrations. Our most popular post in the category is on Mattel fashion booklets. The most recent post in the category is on the World of Fashion board game. Other popular posts on this site include the Many Abodes of Barbie series (currently covering 1962-1970) and our Chronicle of Barbie shoes, 1959-67. Or just head up to the Table of Contents to see more options.

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  • Japan-exclusive furniture (1967)
    Grainy color photograph of blonde TnT Barbie in a skirt-suit of red fabric lined with white trim and white shell, sitting on a sofa printed with fauvist blue-and-red abstracted flower shapes. The arms of the sofa are almost like wheels with flat bottoms, made with white plastic outlined in red. Next to her are two chairs in the same style, and in front is a rectangular coffee table with the same fauvist print atop, and legs that look like hairpin legs from one angle but span the width of the table. Rounding out the scene is a floor lamp, also in white, with drum-shaped red shade. Midway up the side is what looks like a little table supporting a round clock.

    “There’s lots of fun furniture, too!” enthuses a 1967 Barbie booklet produced for the Japanese market. “Desks, chairs, reception sets, and other colorful furniture with a twist. Have even more fun with Barbie! Yellow dress with red chair… your dreams will fill your heart.” (Translation is very approximate.)

    And there are pictures, too. Two versions of the booklet, shown above and below, advertise two versions of the “reception set,” both with brightly-printed upholstery and coffee table to match; curious circular armrests; and a funky clock embedded in a floor lamp.

    As for the rest of the furniture, we don’t get to see the desks, nor do we see the “other colorful furniture.” What we do see is a startling assortment of chairs, again with variations between the booklets.

    Left: four almost indescribable chairs in curving white plastic, some almost look like paper, with seats and backs decorated in red, blue, pink (one color per chair) and gold trim. One looks like a dining table with no arms; one like a barrel chair with curving back that becomes arms; one with a straight back and two arms that come up from flat sheets that serve as legs, then curving under and away. The fourth might be suitable for a cafe or breakfast table with four curving legs, a lace-edged cushion on the round seat, and a pink circle embedded in a bent cane style back. Second image shows three more chairs, in the same general style as the first but with colors and other decorative elements all swapped around. In an inset, the reception set appears again, but now the upholstery is red with some patterning, the lampshade is blue an conical, there is no clock, and brunette TnT Barbie wearing Tropicana sits on the sofa.
    Left, chairs advertised in the first 1967 booklet. Right, page from the second 1967 booklet shows different chairs and reception set.

    Did all of these variations exist? Did any of them? What about the desks? Keiko Kimura Shibano, in her very thorough book on Barbie in Japan, reproduces the booklets and mentions that the furniture is “very scarce.” The many, varied, and detailed scenes used for the book’s excellent photography do not appear to feature any of this exclusive furniture. Is it out there somewhere?

    The book does include one photograph of another Japanese market exclusive: “Twist ‘N Turn Barbie’s Golden Chair Set,” another rough translation, or what Kimura Shibano refers to as the “Twist ‘N Turn Barbie house.” The “house” in question is little more than packaging to hold a doll, chair, and mini TV (the last was also sold in the US in some accessory paks). An advertisement for the set, unearthed on Pinterest and attributed to one ggsdolls, is undated. The doll and fashions shown both in the advertisement and in Kimura Shibano’s photograph of a real set all appear in the ’67 pamphlets, so we can approximately date this set to 1967–but this whole post is approximate.

    Advertisement showing photographs of Barbie with text in Japanese. In a large image at top, T'n'T Barbie with light brown hair, wearing a pink-and black (maybe navy) striped turtleneck sweater, white belt, and matching dark skirt, sits in a chrome chair with light brown or white flecked cushions. A second, matching chair sits next to her on which sits a small portable television set showing a picture of a character with brunette flip hairdo. Further down are two more pictures of TnT dolls in the same chair. One has darker hair and sits inside a box with cellophane front that is somewhat house-shaped, although Barbie could hardly stand in it. The TV is next to her on a shelf that punches out from the box wall, and a mirror and some shelves are illustrated inside along with striped wallpaper. This doll wears a red skirt-suit with white trim (another doll wore this ensemble in the booklet imagery above). The third doll is more blonde. She sits in the chair in front of the house box, while the box interior of wall, chair, TV, and we can now see tiled floor, has been pulled out to sit next to her. She wears a hot pink coar and white closed-toe shoes. A large lemon-shaped red spot mid-page says 1,200 yen and small text at lower right indicates the KB company (who manufactured Barbie in Japan for Mattel's worldwide distribution).
    I think this vintage ad was scanned by ggsdolls.

    As the advertisement’s images show, in quality the chair was beyond anything available stateside, with convincing chrome look (actually plastic) and real upholstery. The silhouette is contemporary, the color palette restrained. Rarely has Barbie reposed in such refinement.

    There’s one last Japanese-exclusive furniture item that definitely did exist, though it too is rare. This one could seat two!

    Blonde, blue-eyed T'n'T Barbie stands in a simple red shift dress and closed-toed heels. Next to her is a swing with awning that comes up a little above her shoulder. The frame is white metal and the seat and awning are striped red and blue on white. It looks wide enough to seat two, although it also looks low for Barbie, with the edge of the seat hitting at about her upper-mid calf..
    See it at Theriault’s.

    It looks similar to the earlier Go-Together/Miss Barbie lawn swing that was available in the U.S., but while those were plastic with cloth awning and seat, Theriault’s describes this one as a metal frame with vinyl elements. They indicate its year as 1967.

    An aside: This piece, once part of Barbie designer and utter legend Bill Greening’s collection, was auctioned off along with many of his treasures. It’s beyond sad that Mattel booted Bill, and I don’t wish to make light of it here. To browse the many rarities included in his Theriault’s auction is simultaneously fascinating and heartbreaking.

    But back to the topic at hand. In 1967, Barbie had many places to sit in Japan. We don’t know for sure if she had a desk, as the booklets claimed, but if she did it’s likely she could sit there as well. I’d also like to mention in closing that the T’n’T Barbie who modeled fashions for those ’67 pamphlets was frequently shown sitting on her x-stand. By no means a Japan-exclusive piece, this may have been an exclusive utilization thereof.

    Four color photographs of TnT Barbies modeling mostly Japan-exclusive fashions. In each image one doll stands and one sits on the clear x-stand. In the first, seated Barbie wears Print Aplenty while standing Barbie, hair in pigtails, wears Francie's swimsuit; the background is a beach scene. In the others, Dolls wear shift-style dresses, sometimes with patterns and lace or feather details, and most have hats. They pose before European cities and landmarks. One doll seated before a street scene has a phone next to her on the ground.

    Where to next? This post is about Barbie’s early built environment. The most recent post in this category is part three of the Barbie’s Seventies Travelogue series, and the most popular are those on Mattel Modern and Susy Goose furniture and on penthouse apartments. Otherwise, the overall most popular posts on this site are about Barbie shoes, 1959-67, and about Mattel fashion booklets. Or just head up to the Table of Contents to see more options.

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  • Sidebar: Go-Together furniture sets, illustrated

    Our write up of Barbie’s Go-Together furniture for the many abodes of Barbie series pauses to appreciate the immersive representations on the sets’ packaging. Let’s revisit that imagery more comprehensively.

    The first box art featured ponytail Barbie.

    Box for Barbie go-together furniture kit convertible sofa-bed & coffee table. In a color illustration, blonde ponytail barbie wearing a pak knit striped top, pak yellow slacks, and blue scarf as belt sits on a sofa with orange and yellow upholstery and white base and arms. Before the sofa sits a long coffee table, rectangular but with slight roundedness in a modern style, with colorful tiles over the top. On the table are a telephone, television, and tray with one glass, while Barbie holds a second glass. A wall behind Barbie is yellow and holds framed still life art; the wall is bent at right angles with the second side of brick with wall candle holder.
    #0408 via Worthpoint
    Barbie go-together furniture kit chair, ottoman & end table packaging. In a color illustration, Titian ponytail Barbie in Crisp 'n' Cool sits in an easy chair with her feet up on a circular ottoman. Both are in white plastic with yellow-and-orange upholstery. Next to the chair is a tile-topped table holding a framed photo of Barbie and Ken and circular table with two glasses. The table has a small lower shelf on which a radio sits. All are of white plastic though the plasticity is not explicitly illustrated. Behind the character and her chair, part of a wall is shown with wood paneling up to about hip height, above which built-in shelves hold books, plants, and apossible bowl of fruit.
    #0409 via Pinterest
    Barbie go-together furniture kit chaise longue & side table. In a color illustration, brunette ponytail Barbie in Modie Date walks toward a lawn chair in pink, orange, yellow and white stripes next to a tulp-shape side table on which a phone rests. On the ground are magazines, a tray with two glasses, and a radio.
    #0410 via Worthpoint

    Two sets featured the Fashion Queen.

    Box for Barbie go-together furniture kit lawn swing & planter. In a color illustration, Blonde bubble cut Barbie--looks like double bubble a la Fashion Queen--wears Friday Nite Date and stands in front of a double swing. The chair and awning are of pink, white, orange and yellow stripes and the rest of the structure is white (plastic, though that's not clear in the illustration). Sitting on the swing is a radio and some magazines; next to it is an architectural-pottery-style modern planter, also in white, holding a leafy fern or similar.
    #0411 via Theriault’s
    Barbie go-together furniture gift set. Illustration shows images of two scenes. At left, Barbie with brunette flip hair a la Fashion Queen wears lunch date. She stands next to a sofa and chair in white plastic with orange-and-yellow upholstery. Before these is a tile-top cofee table and a wide circulate ottoman. The walls behind her are one solid yellow with a hanging plant and one orange brick with a candleholder.
    #4005 via Worthpoint

    In one illustration Barbie is a bubble cut, while another appropriately features Skipper instead of her big sister.

    Barbie n Skipper dining room furniture. Titian bubble cut Barbie in Invitation to Tea stands next to a drop leaf dining table with two chairs, set for two. Beneath the table is an ovoid pink rug. Illustrated on the walls are a china cabinet and fireplace. On the mantel are a plant, a teapot, and lamp, and above these is a circular mirror with candleholders.
    #4010 via Worthpoint
    Skipper n Skooter double bunk beds and ladder convert to twin beds. Skipper in night clothes sits on the lower bunk of gold-toned bunkbeds. A circular yellow rug sits at her feet. Illustrated along the wall behind her are shelves and a vanity with stool.
    #4011 via Thread Chicks (eBay)

    Finally, one illustration shows bend-leg Barbie, AKA American Girl Barbie, enjoying the furniture.

    Barbie n Skipper living room furniture group. In the illustration, Titian-haired bend-leg Barbie wearing Disc Date sits in an easy chair with her feet on a rectangular stool. Next to her on one side is an end table with glasses on a tray, framed photo of Barbie (different hair color and cut, so maybe not THIS Barbie!). To the other side a coffee table with telephone and television and a sofa. The upholstery is green floral and all the furniture is made of blue plastic. On walls behind barbie are visible a fireplace, a large potted plant, and many pieces of framed art.
    #4012 via Theriault’s

    The box illustrations burst with charming little Barbie-centric details, like the framed “photo” of Ken and Barbie visible immediately above, first appearing in set #409; the illustration is a faithful depiction of the genuine article:

    White frame "photo" of blonde ponytail Barbie in Enchanted Evening (probably--just the stole is visible) and Ken in a tux.
    The genuine article on a non-Barbie backdrop by Donna Mibus.

    Same for the television as depicted on sets like #4012 and #4005:

    Close up of box illustration of Barbie in Lunch Date standing in a living room set. On the tile-topped coffee table can be seen a small TV with handle on top, in which human figures are just visible, as well as a radio. A couple indistinct magazines are scattered on the ottoman.

    The walls of Skipper’s room, as we noted in the original post on these sets, include both framed photos and dolls of Barbie’s friend group; its box art reflects all of these in miniature. And the box for #4012 clips off the top corner of a lovely formal portrait of Barbie as seen in the actual furniture group,

    Photo of cardboard wall from a Go-Together set. Half the wall is yellow-toned brick, the other half is spring green. Many pieces of framed artwork hang on the wall (screened onto the cardboard). Featured is one "painting" of a brunette swirl ponytail Barbie in a reddish dress with a sillhouette similar to Belle/Campus Belle. Other pieces include landscapes and still lifes. One small image in a gilt-look frame could be Barbie again in a white picture hat, and another shows a little girl with brown bobbed hair (doesn't look like Skipper) in ankle-length black dress with white collar standing next to a long slender siamese the same height as her.
    wall part via vintagedollstoys (eBay)

    a portrait which brings swirl ponytail Barbie into the illustrated Go-Together fold.

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  • Barbie’s ’70s Travelogue, Part II: Unofficial Adventures
    Composite of two color photographs from vintage catalogs. At left, Malibu Barbie in a plain red swimsuit (like, maybe the bubble cut/swirl ponytail suit?) sits on a bamboo-look chipboard sofa inside a boxy one-room "house" with straw-look roof. Fronds, palms, and a foamy sea are illustrated outside a floor-to-ceiling window/sliding glass door along the back wall. At right, Quick-Curl Kelley occupies a tent-shaped "A-frame" structure, seated on a plastic green and brown sofa with matching chairs and stool to either side, plus a red and black freestanding fireplace in a conical shape that echoes the A-frame.
    Sears catalog images from 1976 and 1973 via christmas.musetechnical.com

    Last time, we looked at play sets representing various far-flung locales frequented by Barbie in the Seventies. While Mattel was shuttling their characters between mountains and beach, other manufacturers concocted their own dream destinations for Barbie and her rivals. Let’s review a few that helped further expand Barbie’s horizons.

    A-frame Ski Lodge by Omlie Industries

    Close up of the A-frame and its furniture, this time with no doll. This shot includes a circular yellow table in addition to the furniture pieces already described.
    via saltyladybird on eBay.

    The first notable entry in off-brand vacation destinations arose in 1973, one year after Barbie’s own Ski Cabin, and was intended “for all fashion dolls.” At 20 inches high with a Malm-style freestanding fireplace, the A-frame Ski Lodge managed to be both spacious and cozy, its hard plastic furniture in rich tones with stylish silhouettes.

    A battered box for the A-frame, showing the structure and all furniute described. Text reads, "A-frame ski cabin for all fashion dolls; Complete with beautiful furniture; Colorful - durable - plastic; No permanent attachment of parts; Roomy - for ease of play - 20" tall; Made in U.S.A."
    via tjsoula on eBay

    If the folks at Omlie made any other Barbie-suitable play sets, we’re keen to learn about them.

    Suntan Tuesday Taylor’s Vacation House by Ideal

    Semi-grimy box front for Suntan Tuesday Taylor's Summer-Winter Vacation House. "It's a sunny A-frame beach house! It's a super two story ski chalet!" Set and contents pictured on box front are as described in the main text.
    Savacool and Sons

    The alpine fun continued at Tuesday Taylor’s chalet in ’77. A two-story structure with upper floor reachable by ladder, it boasted stunning views (as in Tuesday’s penthouse, photographed backgrounds offered panoramas through floor-to-ceiling “windows”). Its packaging also advertises its suitability for all 11 1/2″ dolls. Barbie was formally invited!

    Color catalog listing for Suntan Tuesday Taylor and her play set. Text reads: "17. Suntan Tuesday Taylor. Now she can get a suntan and change her hair color to suit her mood too! 7.44, Doll only." "18. Summer/Winter House. 12.99. Back flips up to form a 2-story winter house." Both the one-story beach house configuration and two-story ski chalet are pictured. In an inset showing the doll in a two-piece swimsuit and sunglasses with tan lines exposed, additional text reads, "She tans like magic!"
    1977 JC Penney catalog on WishbookWeb

    At Tuesday’s summer-winter getaway, the fun didn’t end with skiing. The second story flipped down and the cardboard inserts changed to convert chalet to beach bungalow.

    Just like in her penthouse, Tuesday’s vacation decor was viscerally Seventies, including lots of curving, injection-molded plastic, houseplants, and a stereo system embedded in the coffee table. Her chairs had reversible cushions to suit her summer and winter moods, while the bed could be stripped to serve as a beach chair and the dresser flipped to reveal a kitchenette.

    Photograph of the lower level of the ski chalet version of the house. Furnishings are of white plastic with colorful cushions, a rainbowy area rug probably printed on the wood-look floor, and a plastic plant in a hanging white pot.
    Source: nafititi4 on eBay

    The walls could be swapped between a surf-y supergraphics aesthetic and a cold-climate wood look with funky triangular shelves depicted on one wall.

    See some great pictures of Tuesday and her environs at crissyandbeth.com.

    Hawaiian Villa by Empire

    Box front for Hawaiian Villa play set featuring a color photograph of the set. The boxy room and furniture are described in the main text and in alt text at the top of the post. In this image, a Dawn-sized fashion doll (6 or 7 inches high), with long, straight blonde hair, sits in a chair much too large for her, also wearing a dress much too large for her. A child rests on elbows to one side, gently pressing a finger to the doll's hand. Smaller insets to the opposite side show the room folding up into the trapezoidal lid. "Text on the box reads: Hawaiian Villa; by Empire; Folding Carry-All Case; - Complete with furniture! - Designed to fit all 7" to 11 1/2" dolls!" Under the two inset images are the captions: "EZ-Fold construction for opening & closing!" "Includes handle for easy carry!" There is also a small Empire logo at lower right, with red text on white and a red crown shape atop the large, bolded first E.

    Just down the beach from Tuesday’s bungalow we find Empire’s 1976 Hawaiian Villa, another set produced for fashion dolls, generally–from 7″ up to Barbie’s height, per the packaging. Indeed, the box above shows a petite fashion doll in residence, dwarfed by her own chair (and garment). Surely the target tenant was closer to Barbie’s size.

    Empire’s gimmick was that its rooms folded up accordion-style into their trapezoidal roofs for carrying and storage, an interesting choice when you consider that a roof is really inessential to most play sets and can even hinder play. In photographs, this villa’s non-removable roof tends to make it look less sun-drenched than it otherwise might.

    One more photograph of the Hawaiian Villa and its furniture, consisting of bamboo-look sofa and chair with "upholstery" (just printed cardboard) in aqua covered in gold scrolls; bamboo-look coffee table and side table; plus record player and radio.
    This and previous: cmtrades on eBay.

    The structure and furniture were made of heavy chipboard, the house walls printed both inside and out with doors, windows and other decorations. The bamboo-look furniture included a sofa, chair, some tables, a radio and hi-fi.

    Rustic Lakehouse by Empire

    Box for the Rustic Lakehouse has the same text and general layout as the previous described structure, just replacing the words "Hawaiian Villa" with "Rustic Lakehouse." The same doll seated in the house wears a navy pantsuit or similar, with a white belt, that seems to fit her better. Most of the furniture in the house is the same, but reskinned to be less islandy and more woodsy. Instead of a coffee table there is a television. On its screen is a photograph of a young child on a tricycle (unexplained why this would be a TV program). The sofa is "upholstered" in plaid. The roof is shingled instead of thatched, and a glimpse of the exterior shows a log cabin look lined with wildflowers. Other decor is described below.
    via thegalivanstore on eBay

    Empire’s other 1976 vacation structure is another waterfront folding room, this one geared to a forested getaway. With duck decoy decor and a chair upholstered in cannons and eagles, this set looks downright masculine. It appears to be home base for a fishing expedition or other sportsman-like activity, perhaps an offbeat choice for a Teen-Age Fashion Model, but on the other hand Barbie’s had fishing gear since 1959.

    Closeup on chipboard furniture inside the folding one-room house. The chair has a screening including the US Revolutionary War symbolism listed in the main text--the eagle is golven and clutches a stars & stripes bunting--plus a side table with audio equipment similar to that included in the previous structure, only wood-look instead of bamboo. On two visible walls are "windows" onto a lake, and shelves overtop of the windows are lined with silver plates and tankards and multiple decoy ducks. Screened on the floor is a white bearskin rug.
    American-revolution-themed “upholstery” (it was the bicentennial, mind) plus about 1/3 of the decorative ducks, via pastjoystoys on eBay.

    Is that a polar bearskin rug? Some exotic wildlife must roam these parts.

    The Bionic Woman’s Bionic Dome

    Box for The Bionic Eoman Dome House. Additional text reads, "Bionic Woman Doll Not Included; Assembly required; Giant inflatable dome house 17 1/2" high 26" wide - where Jaime Sommers goes for days of fun" In color photographs, A Bionic Woman doll is shown resting on a beach chair, standing next to a green free-standing fireplace, and standing outside the dome which is clear vinyl encircled by inflatable white supports. In the latter two images, the doll wears a blue halter-necked bra top and long matching wrap skirt. The beach shair and a basic chair glimped inside the dome are of white plastic with pink fabric stretched between supports to form the back and seat.
    Source: batcavetoys on eBay

    Another ’76 set, this one is “where Jaime Sommers goes for days of fun,” per the box art above. Not versed in Bionic lore, I initially thought this set to be a technofantastic tent reimagined for Bionic missions abroad–for work, not leisure–with the clear plastic dome and its contents meant to be invisible to Jaime Sommers’ foes. In reality only the dome itself is (mostly) clear, leaving its neon-bright contents in plain view–an operational vulnerability for sure.

    Views of the actual product form an old auction, here we can see the floor of the tent is a circular vinyl "rug" ringed in neon pink, yellow, and green. Screened on the back wall of the tent is matching decor: a built-in shelving system housing a monitor (black screen with white text that says "READ OUT: PRIMARY CIRCUITS"), a phone, a vase, some books, an 8-track or computer that reads and writes magnetic tape with a label that says "Audio Visual Control," A possible record player, and another computer-looking device with text reading "Auxiliary Bionic Computer Access." On a second wall is screened a potted rubber plant, a pink coat on a coat rack, a yellow closet door, and a black and white photograph of a man (maybe the six-million dollar man).
    Bionic dome outside and in, via Worthpoint. Inside, we see that Jaime needs lots of computer equipment for her days of fun. Same, honestly.

    Luckily the ’76 JC Penney Christmas catalog, not pictured, further emphasizes that the set is really “for rest and relaxation,” and goes on to say of the bra top and wrap skirt Sommers wears on the box art, which could be mistaken for beach attire, “Includes evening outfit shown.” Disco chic? Anyway, this is a dome on the move that might manifest just down the shoreline from the Lakehouse–or pretty much anywhere else. Like the A-Frame ski lodge that kicked off this post, the Bionic Dome sports varied seating (beach chair and chair-chair, in this case) and a nice MCM fireplace; and since we’re between missions, it’s no concern if the smoke gives away our position.

    Sears/Kenner Airline Reservation System

    Color catalog listing for a playset consisting of one "wood"-paneled wall and several hard plastic and chipboard pieces of furniture. One is a tall computing cabinet with magnetic tape reels and keyboard; one file cabinet, one desk computer with typewriter/printer, phone, and other units; and another desk, possibly with embedded computer, labeled RECEPTION. The first two listed computer elements have small bucket chairs that swing out from them, and a Barbie-sized Wonder Woman doll sits in one. Text boxes on the ad read: "Clocks have movable hands. Set the time in themost glamorous cities of the world!" "Comfortable swinging seat" "Computers work with the touch of a finger" "Datagraph revoles... give "real" computer action" "Airline Reservation Center $4.98" "Christmas is for Children; Dolls and Accesories".
    Airline Reservation System in the 1979 Sears Wishbook via wishbookweb.

    Our last entry, from 1978, isn’t a destination at all, but an airline reservation may have helped Barbie (or Tuesday, or Jaime) get where she needed to go. The catalog entry above, from the second year the set was sold, shows Wonder Woman hard at work booking reservations, though she herself did not fly commercial. The airline reservation system consisted of extensive high-tech computer equipment, communicators, a world map, and clocks showing times from desirable round-the-world destinations: San Francisco, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Rome, New York, and London.

    The set also features a file cabinet labeled “Top Secret.” Top secret airline bookings? Maybe for the Bionic Woman. Or maybe because this set was produced alongside the Sears Computer Play sets, with their Man from U.N.C.L.E./espionage vibes.

    Box art showing a color illustration of a similar set to the Airline Reservation System. The illustration shows the wood-paneled wall with a single clock, the Top Secret filing cabinet, and the two desk units: Reception, with computer elements clearly depicted (black screens and various toggles) plus the piece with typewriter, phone, and, int his view, magnetic reels and other gizmos. A blonde character sits in the attached bucket seat. Text reads, "Desk Model Computer Play Set for 11 1/2" Fashion Dolls; Sears; No batteries needed; works with the push of a finger; includes: - working desk model computer - office diarama [sic] - cardboard desk and file cabinet; for ages 5 to 11 years, doll not included."
    We keep our TOP SECRET files in the RECEPTION area. via bucksgarden on eBay.

    Can’t get enough of Barbie’s travel arrangements? Read the next installment!

    Photograph of blonde Casey doll wearing a red Shillman minidress with white trim and red het. She carries luggage, pushes a cart loaded with more luggage, and is surrounded by luggage. At back a pair of skis rest against a red, white and blue structure that is mostly not in the shot, but some letters are visible spelling "Barbie's Fri..." over a row of porthole windows.

    Where to next? This post is about Barbie’s early built environment. The most recent post in this category is part three of the Barbie’s Seventies Travelogue series, and the most popular are those on Mattel Modern and Susy Goose furniture and on penthouse apartments. Otherwise, the overall most popular posts on this site are about Barbie shoes, 1959-67, and about Mattel fashion booklets. Or just head up to the Table of Contents to see more options.

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