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A listing of some major articles which have appeared in past newsletters. Members can obtain photocopies of the articles that interest them by contacting the Archivist (details in newsletter). Articles from 2008 are in bold italics.

Accessories
A Guide to Barbie® Shoes : Jan/Feb 1995
Barbie® Millicent Roberts Final Touches : Mar/Apr 1997
Jewels for Heavenly Creatures : Nov/Dec 06
Open Toe Mules (Japan) : Dec 1994

Barbie® Reference / Identification
A Pivotal Update! : Jan/Feb 08
American Girls : Jul/Aug 2001
American Girl Variations : May/Jun 00
Are your Barbie®’s Safe? A value and insurance guide : Jul/Aug 2002
Barbie® and Friends 1980 - 1985 (Loose sheet notes) : Apr/May 1993
Barbie® Faces Life - Early Vintage Dolls : May/Jun 1996
Barbie® Family Tree : Mar 1995
Barbie® in Australia - a Snapshot : May/Jun 2006
Barbie® in Australia - the Early Years : Jan/Feb 08
Barbie® in the Seventies : Apr/May 1996
Blinkin' Marvellous! : Nov/Dec 2007
Box-ed or de-Box (Back to Basics) : Mar/Apr 2002
Bubblepack Barbie®’s : Jan/Feb 1997
Buy the Book (Back to Basics) : May/Jun 2002
The Case of the Shrinking Barbie® : Mar/Apr 2007
Collector & Limited Edition Production Numbers : Sept/Oct 1999
Ding Dong...Avon Calling : Sept/Oct 2007
Face of Asia Part 1 : May/Jun 2004
The Foot Dimension : Jan/Feb 2005
A Handy Guide to Barbie® Arms : May/Jun 1996
Identity Crisis (Barbie®) : Jul/Aug 2001
Malibu Barbie® 1970 - 1983 : Sept/Oct 2003
Meet a Chatting Diva! : May/Jun 2007
New! Color Magic! Color Fun! : Nov/Dec 2007
Oddities Down Under Part 1 : Sept 1993
Oddities Down Under Part 2 : Oct/Nov 1993
Oz Oddities : Mar/Apr 2001
Ponytail Barbie® - Which Ponytail is that? : Jul/Aug 2005
Rarities Down Under : May/Jun 1996
Ruth Handler : May/Jun 2002
She Doesn't Look a Day Over 40 - 45th Anniversary : Jan/Feb 2004
Sidepart Bubblecuts : May/Jun 1998
Supersize Barbie® (Ask & Answer) : May/Jun 2002
Two of a Kind : Jan/Feb 2003
What's a Name? : Jul/Aug 2002
Who Is Barbie® Roberts? : Nov/Dec 2004
70's Swimsuit Dolls : Jan/Feb 2003
8587 Steffie-faced Barbie® : Jul/Aug 2003

Barbie® Family and Friends
7 1/2 inches of Fun! (Stacie) : Jul/Aug 2007
Blaine Game : Jan/Feb 2006
Dolls with the Steffie> Face Mold : Dec 1995
Family and Friends Overview : Apr/May 1995
Focus on 1 Modern Circle Ken : Sept/Oct 2004
Generation Girl Variations : Sept/Oct 1999
A Girl Named Midge : Mar/Apr 2004
The Happy Family : May/Jun 2003
Happy family Grandparents : Nov/Dec 2005
Harley Davidson Ken : Sept/Oct 1999
Kelly - Two Going On Ten! : Jul/Aug 2005
Ken - Happy 45th Anniversary Pt 1 : Mar/Apr 2006
Ken - Happy 45th Anniversary Pt 2 : May/Jun 2006
Ken - Who is Ken Carson? : May/Jun 2005
Midge! Faithful Friend through 40 years : May/Jun 2003
Sibling Rivalry : Jul/Aug 2004
Skipper Turns 40 : Nov/Dec 2004
Teresa : Jul/Aug 1998
Twenty Years with Teresa : Sept/Oct 2007
When is a Steffie not a Steffie? : Mar/Apr 2004
Yet another "New" Look for Kelly : Jul/Aug 2007

Book Reviews
Barbie® - A visual Guide to the Ultimate Fashion Doll : Mar/Apr 2006
Barbie® Talks by Gwen Florea and Glenda Phinney : Jul/Aug 2006
Dream Doll - The Ruth Handler Story : Sept/Oct 2004
I'm not a Knitter - Review of Knits for Barbie® Doll : Jul/Aug 2006
Knits for Barbie® Doll by Nicky Epstein : Jan/Feb 2003
Knits for Barbie® Doll and Me by Nicky Epstien : May/Jun 2006
Vintage Clothing for the Fashion Doll by Mari DeWitt : Jan/Feb 2005

Booklets
1959 - 1975 : Jul 1992
1964 - 1973 : Sept 1995
Who was Susan Miller? : Sept/Oct 2006

Computers / Internet
Auction Fever (eBay) : Mar/Apr 2002
Barbie® on the Net : Mar/Apr 1997
Buying from eBay : Mar/Apr 2005
Cool Websites : Mar/Apr 2002
Hooray for eBay : Jul/Aug 1999
Internet Sites : May/Jun 1997
Is All Fair in Love and eBay? : Jul/Aug 2004
Take a Drive with Barbie® on the Information Highway : Jun 1995
Tracking Stolen Dolls : Sept/Oct 2004
Web Review - Doll Divas : Sept/Oct 2006
Web Review - doll forums : Mar/Apr 2007
Web Review - playscale furniture : Jan/Feb 2007
Web Review - sites to visit : Nov/Dec 2006
Web Review - patterns on the web : Jan/Feb 08

Conventions / Doll Shows
A Visit to Biloela : Nov/Dec 2007
A Touch of Glam and a Waft of Black Magic : Jan/Feb 2007
Australian Convention Dolls : Nov/Dec 2003
Barbie® Rocked Adelaide : Jul/Aug 2003
More Convention Adventures : Sept/Oct 2003
Barbie® Steps Back in Style - The Convention Special : Sept/Oct 2007
Brisbane 2001 : Sept/Oct 2001
Wrap Up (Brisbane) : Nov/Dec 2001
Canberra Wrap Up (Supplement) : Sept/Oct 2005
Diva Las Vegas at the IFDC : Sept/Oct 2005
Fashion Doll Extravaganza 2004 : Nov/Dec 2004
Halloween Doll Extravaganza 2005 : Jan/Feb 2006
Halloween Fashion Doll Extravaganza : Nov/Dec 2007
History of A.B.C. Conventions : Nov/Dec 2005
Karen and Linda's Big Adventure! - Part One (Toy Fair 2008) : May/Jun 08
Karen and Linda's Big Adventure! - Part Two (Barbie on the Runway Convention) : Jul/Aug 08
Karen and Linda's Big Adventure! - Part Three (Barbie on the Runway Convention) : Sep/Oct 08
Let's Not Forget the "Other" Convention USA Part 1 : Sept/Oct 01
Barbie® American Style - Part 2 : Jan/Feb 2002
Masquerade in Boston : Sept/Oct 2005
N.S.W. - Young Doll Museum : Jul/Aug 2004
Orlando U.S.A. : Jul/Aug 2003
Sensational Sydney! : Nov/Dec 2006
The Mystique of Mardi Gras! : Mar/Apr 08
Variety Galore at the Plangon Doll Club : Jul/Aug 08
Victoria - Kinglake West Doll Museum : Nov/Dec 04
We Are Family - Chicago 2004 : Sept/Oct 04

Display
A Fine Display (how to make your own display cabinets) : Jul/Aug 1995
Display Cases : May/Jun 08
Display Stand : Mar/Apr 2003
El Cheapo Barbie® Displays : Sept 1995
El Cheapo Doll Stands : Mar/Apr 2000
The Use of Thematic Display : Sept/Oct 2007

Dolls Other Than Barbie®
Barbie® Loves Frank Sinatra Gift Set : Nov/Dec 1999
Betty and Baby - A Musical Rocking Chair : May/Jun 2006
Bionic Woman : Mar/Apr 1998
Candi : Nov/Dec 2003
Charlie's Angels : May/Jun 1998
Charlie's Angels : Jan/Feb 2001
Cher ; May/Jun 1998
Cheryl Ladd : May/Jun 1998
Chrissy and her Ice Skating Rink : Jul/Aug 2006
Clones : Sept/Oct 2003
Daisy and Willow : Nov/Dec 1999
Darci : Mar/Apr 1998
Diana Ross : May/Jun 1998
Dinah-mite : Jan/Feb 2000
Dusty : Mar/Apr 1998
Elly May Clampett (Donna Douglas) : Sept/Oct 2006
Elvis - The Army Years : Nov/Dec 1999
Farrah Fawcett : May/Jun 1998
General Mills : Mar/Apr 1998
Havoc : Jan/Feb 2000
Heart Family : Mar/Apr 2003
Ideal's Tuesday Taylor : Mar/Apr 08
Jackie Onassis : Nov/Dec 1997
Jaclyn Smith : May/Jun 1998
Jenny (Takara) : Nov/Dec 1997
Jenny in Chinatown : Nov/Dec 2003
Jenny the Qantas Hostess : Mar/Apr 1998
Jordache : Sept/Oct 2007
Jordache (Fashions) : Nov/Dec 2007
Kate Jackson : May/Jun 1998
Kenner : Mar/Apr 1998
Kurhn Fashion Dolls : Jul/Aug 08
Linda Carter : May/Jun 1998
Mary Poppins : Nov/Dec 2006
Mego : May/Jun 1998
Miss Roberts vs. The Bratz Pack : Jan/Feb 05
Misty : Sep/Oct 08
Momoko : May/Jun 08
Only Hearts Club dolls : May/Jun 2007
Other dolls by Mattel : May/Jun 1998
Patty Duke Teen Doll : Jul/Aug 2006
Penny the P&N Doll : Spet/Oct 2006
Shani : Sept/Oct 2002
Sindy 1960's : Jul/Aug 1997
Sindy 1970's : Sep/Oct 1997
Sindy 1980/90's : Nov/Dec 1997
Sindy by Hasbro 1989-2003 : May/Apr 2006
Sindy Turns 40 part 1 : Sept/Oct 2003
Sindy Turns 40 part 2 : Nov/Dec 2003
Spice Girls : Jan/Feb 1999
Star Wars Princess Leia : Mar/Apr 1998
Sunshine Family : Jan/Feb 2003
Suzanne Somers : May/Jun 1998
Tammy : Jan/Feb 1995
Tammy : May/Jun 2007
Tammy's Family and Friends - Pepper : Jul/Aug 2007
Tammy's Family and Friends - Tammy's Mom : Sept/Oct 2007
Tatum O'Neal : Mar/Apr 1998
Tina Cassini : May/Jun 2006
Toni Tennille : May/Jun 1998
Tyler Wentworth : Nov/Dec 1999

Fashions
Barbie® #1600 Series : Oct/Nov 1993
Barbie® #1600 Series (loose sheet notes) : Sept/Oct 1996
Barbie® #800, #900 Series : Sept 1993
Fashion Editor - The Carmen Look : Jul/Aug 2004
Fashion Editor - Mini Skirts : Jan/Feb 2005
Fashion Editor - Retro-Victorian : Mar/Apr 2004
Fashion Editor - Urban Milkmaid : May/Jun 2004
Fashion Editor - When Women Wore Dresses Part 1 : Sept/Oct 2004
Fashion Editor - When Women Wore Dresses Part 2 : Nov/Dec 2004
High Price Fetched for rare Boxed Outfit Jul/Aug 08
Index to Sarah Sink Eames Vintage Fashion Vol 1 - Sept/Oct 1997
Index to Sarah Sink Eames Vintage Fashion Vol 2 - Sept/Oct 1998
Inventory of Skipper Outfits #1900 Series : May/Jun 1997
Ken #700, #800, #1400 Series : Nov/Dec 1993
Midis : Mar/Apr 2005
NZ Tribute Dolls for Auction : Nov/Dec 2004
A Salute to 45 Years of Fashion : Jul/Aug 2004
Reminiscing: the first 22 vintage Barbie outfits - Part 1 : May/Jun 08
Reminiscing: the first 22 vintage Barbie outfits - Part 2 : Jul/Aug 08
Sew Free and yet, So Stylish! : Jul/Aug 2007
Skipper #1900 Series : May/Jun 1993
Step Back in Time Woman's Day 1965 : Mar/Apr 2003
Stepping Back in Style - Fashions of the 70's : Sept/oct 07
A Stroll Down Fashion Avenue : May/Jun 2004
The Very, very Cute and Desirable Vintage Barbie Pak Items - from 1962 to 1964 : Nov/Dec 08

Hair
All American Girl Haircut Tutorial : Jul/Aug 2000
Barbie®'s Hair Colours 1959 - 1976 : Mar 1995
Let's get crafty - Flip Style : May/Jun 2001
Rerooting Vintage Ken : Mar/Apr 2005
Tips for Re-Rooting Barbie®'s Hair : Oct/Nov 1995
Tips for Restylers : May/June 2001

Interviews
Ruth Cronk : Mar/Apr 2005
Gwen Florea : May/Jun 2005
Sarah Sink Eames : Jan/Feb 2005
Tanya Sheridan : Jul/Aug 2005
A Chat With Carol Spencer : Nov/Dec 2004
Dr Stacy - Dolly Doctor : May/Jun 2007

Licensed Products
Barbie® and McDonalds : May/Jun 2005
Decorate Your Tree with Barbie® : Nov/Dec 2007
3D Daze (Viewmaster) : Mar/Apr 2002

 

Mattel Events and News
Barbie® Accessory Sets Lead Paint Recall Hazard : Sept/Oct 2007
Mattel 2005 Preview : Jan/Feb 2005
Mattel Evening : Jan/Feb 2006
Mattel Roadshow - Destination Freemantle : Mar/Apr 2007
Night of Delights - Mattel Preview : Jan/Feb 2003
The 2008 Barbie Collectibles List (including colour supplement) : Mar/Apr 08

Meet a Collector / Collector Stories
A Tribute to Anne Pascoe : sept/Oct 2007
Barbie is Educational - Special School Doll Club : Mar/Apr 2005
Cheryl Rubs Shoulders with Picasso! : Sep/Oct 08
Confessions of a Collector - Coralie Clune : Jul/Aug 08
DebbieFS … living with a legend : Mar/Apr 08
Elaine Elms - My Favourite Dolls : Mar/Apr 08

Greetings from the Doll Club : Nov/Dec 2006
In Memory of Doreen Budd : Sept/Oct 2007
Introducing Linda Maynard : Jan/Feb 08
Let This Be a Warning - Barbara McEwan : Sept/Oct 2006
Maria and Misty Join the Navy! : Sep/Oct 08
Meet Debbie and Kylie - our new Presidents : Jul/Aug 08
Meet Therese - our new webmaster : Jul/Aug 08

Meet Your Editors : May/Jun 2005
Members' Dream Dolls : Sept/Oct 2006
Morning Tea with the Mt Evelyn Doll Club : Sept/Oct 2007
My Passion for Barbie - Leona Kay Bucheste : Sept/Oct 08
News From Wermont South Special School : May/Jun 2007
Road Trip Adventures - Tracey Thompson : Jan/Feb 2005
The Doll-Man Shops Twice - Joel McKinnon Nov/Dec 08

Meet a Collector:
Yvonne Anastas : Jul/Aug 2005
Carol Anderson : Jan/Feb 2007
Kerrie Barnes : May/Jun 2005
Gail Brown : Mar/Apr 2007
Jodi Carroll : Jul/Aug 2006
Karen Creighton : Nov/Dec 2006
Essy Van Geffen : May/Jun 2006
Nerida Lange : Jul/Aug 2005
Gay London : Sept/Oct 2005
Barbara McCauley : Jan/Feb 2005
Desiree McEwan : Mar/Apr 2006
Jan Ross & Virginia Antidormi : May/Jun 2005
Rebecca Whackett : Jan/Feb 08
Donna Yesberg : May/Jun 07

Doll Artist Showcase:
Adam Cole : Jul/Aug 2005
Contessa Sophia (an OOAK creation) : Jul/Aug 08
Katie Jones : Nov/Dec 2005
Meet Miss Australia - making of Ninimomo Doll : Nov/Dec 2007
NiniMomo - A World of OOAK Pageant Dolls : Mar/Apr 07
Réja vu Designs : Jan/Feb 08

Paper Dolls
Barbie® Paper Dolls : Dec 1992
Betsy and Barbie® : Dec 1992

Patterns/Craft:
Barbie® Hatbox Making : May/Jun 2005
Barbie® Sized Christmas Crackers : Nov/Dec 2007
Barbie® Sized Plum Puddings : Nov/Dec 2002
Chairs Galore (with pattern) : Jul/Aug 2002
Christmas Paper & Cards : NoV/Dec 2005
Creating a Sensation : Jan/Feb 2003
Decorating Barbie®'s Christmas Tree : Nov/Dec 2006
Déjà vu (no not Rae!) : Mar/Apr 08
Déjà vu - Part Two! : May/Jun 08
Déjà vu - Part Three! : Jul/Aug 08
Déjà vu - Part Four! : Sep/Oct 08
Déjà vu - Part Five! : Nov/Dec 08

Dying wool : May/Jun 2000
Hair Apparent - rerooting : Mar/Apr 2004
Make a "B" Stencil : May/Jun 2004
Mini Bag : Nov/Dec 2005
Paper Hat for Barbie : Nov/Dec 2007
Replica Fashion Shop Mannequin : Jan/Feb 1999
Tips for Dynamic Dioramas : Mar/Apr 2002
Tiny Talk - Trees : Mar/Apr 1999
Vintage Barbie box liner (Loose notes) : May/Jun 1998
Who said Paper Hats were just for Christmas Sep/Oct 08
Woven Bead Barbie Belt/Choker : Jul/Aug 07

Crochet
Brides gown. Crown : Dec 1993

Kitchen Craft (Baking with BJ):
Chaise Lounge Cake : Jan/Feb 2004
Dead Dough Outdoor Furniture : Mar/Apr 2004
Cupcake Pegasus : May/Jun 2005
Decorated Chocolate Eggs : Mar/Apr 2005
Holiday Doll Cake : Nov/Dec 2004
Icing Cherry Blossoms : Jul/Aug 2005
Pool Party Trifle : Sept/Oct 2004
Strawberry Crackles : Sept/Oct 2005
Sugar Paste Flowers : Jan/Feb 2005
Viennese Biscuits : May/Jun 2004
Working With Royal Icing Part 1 : Jul/Aug 2004

Knitting:
Couture Knitted Dolls Dress : Sept/Oct 2000
Knitted Cardigan with Shawl Collar : Mar/Apr 2002
Loopy Tote Bag : May/Jun 2005 Mod Inspired Dress : Jul/Aug 2005
Open Road Sweater : Mar/Apr 2006
Sailor Top : Sept/Oct 1997
Shortie pyjamas, robe and slacks : May/Jun 1993
Skating dress and tam : Oct/Nov 1993
Skirt, Cardigan and Jumper : Sep/Oct 2001

Sewing:
Aust. Patterns List : May/June 1999
Barbie® at the School Formal : Sep/Oct 08
Barbie® Bra : Nov/Dec 2006
Barbie® G-String : Nov/Dec 2006
Barbie®'s Holiday Gown (with pattern) : Nov/Dec 2002
Barbie® Panti : Nov/Dec 2006
Bodice for Beading : Sept/Oct 2003
Cartwheel Hat : Nov/Dec 08
Chanel Style Jacket & Skirt : Jan/Feb 2006
Cutting Out Pattern Pieces...the Easy Way : Sept/Oct 2006
Easy Lace Cocktail Dress : Sept/oct 2007
Easy Lace Top : Jul/Aug 08
Enchanted Evening Dress Pattern : Mar/Apr 2000
Furr Ugg Boots : May/Jun 2007
Halter Neck Sundress : Nov Dec 2005
Hipster Ribbon Undies for Barbie® : Sept/Oct 2006
His 'n' Hers Felt Slippers : Jan/Feb 2007
His 'n' Hers Felt Slippers Part 2 : Nov/Dec 2007
How to Make a Sock Sweater : Nov/Dec 2006
Kelly Dress : Nov/Dec 2005
No Pattern Pleated Skirt for Any Doll : Jan/Feb 08
Pattern List Update : Mar/April 1999
Pyjamas for a 12" Doll : Jul/Aug 1993
Simple Lined or Reversible Jacket : May/Jun 08
Slack and Shorts For Barbie®, Ken and Skipper : Jul/Aug 99
Stretch Sexy Mini Dress : Nov/Dec 07
Summer Style Barbie Style : Nov/Dec 08
Trousers in One Hour : Mar/Apr 08

Pets
Barbie®'s Four-Legged Friends : Dec 1995

Photography
Photographing your Dolls : Jul/Aug 1996
Photographing your Dolls : Nov/Dec 2001

Product Trials / Shane's Test Style
Chux Magic Eraser : May/Jun 2005
Charm/Spell Girls : Mar/Apr 2004
Dancing Fire Barbie® : Nov/Dec 2003
Daria and Nichelle : Sept/Oct 2005
Donald Trump : Jul/Aug 2005
Elle Woods Barbie® : Mar/Apr 2004
Fashion Fever : Mar/Apr 2005
Fashion Model Giftsets : Sept/Oct 2004
Fashion Model Collection : May/Jun 2005
Fashion Model Fashions : Nov/Dec 2004
Happy Family - Midge & Baby : Jan/Feb 2004
Happy Family - Nursery Playset : Jan/Feb 2004
Lingerie Models (FMC) : Sept/Oct 2004
Modern Circle 1 & 2 : May/Jun 2004
My Scene - Levi's Shopping Spree : Jan/Feb 2005
Randall Craig Convention Fashion : Nov/Dec 2005
Silken Flame : Nov/Dec 2003
45th Anniversary Fashion Model : Jul/Aug 2004

Restoration / Preservation
Back to Basics - Restoration / Conservation pt 1 : Jul/Aug 2002
Back to Basics - Restoration / Conservation pt 2 : Sept/Oct 2002
Barbie®’s from Mars : Jul/Aug 1994
Barbie®'s Skin Diseases, Part 1 : Jun 1992
Barbie®'s Skin Diseases, Part 2 : Jul 1992
Cleaning, Care and Repair (blue loose notes)
Don't Lose Your Head! : Nov/Dec 2007
Ethics of Repair : Jan 1993
The Great Green Ear Dilemma (Silkstone) : Mar/Apr 2004
NRFB is not Carefree : Nov 1992
Repainting Faces (Let's Get Crafty) : Jan/Feb 2004
Repairing Broken Joints : Jan/Feb 2005
Re-rooting Vintage Ken : Mar/Apr 2005
Skipper Makeover (face paling) : Jul/Aug 1998
Things I Learnt about Rerooting Barbie®'s Hair : Nov/Dec 2007
Toxic Barbie® : May/Jun 2001
Urk! My TNT has Spots : May/Jun 1996
Useful Hints for Damaged Barbie®’s : Dec 1994
Vintage Tips with Robbie - Introduction Card : Mar/Apr 2004
Vintage Tips with Robbie - Maintenance Card 1 : Mar/Apr 2004
Vintage Tips with Robbie - Maintenance Card 2 : Nov/Dec 2004
Vintage Tips with Robbie - Restoring Card 1 : May/Jun 2004
Vintage Tips with Robbie - Restoring Card 2 : Sept/Oct 2004
Vintage Tips with Robbie - Restoring Card 3 : Mar/Apr 2005
Vintage Tips with Robbie - Shoes & Hosiery Card 1 : Nov/Dec 2004
Workshop on Care and Repair : Oct/Nov 1995

Structures
Barbie®'s New Dream House (contents) : Feb/Mar 1993
Barbie®'s New Look in Furniture : Jul/Aug 2007
Scale rooms from 12" Concepts : May/Jun 2005
Skipper's Dream Room (contents) : Nov 1992
Terrific, Tantalizing, Towering, Townhouse Pt 1 : Jul/Aug 2006
Terrific, Tantalizing, Towering, Townhouse Pt 2 : Sept/Oct 2006
The Fascinating 60's Go Together Furniture - What Fun! : Mar/Apr 08
The Tale of the Mystery Furniture : May/Jun 2007

Terminology
Barbie® Lingo : Mar 1995
Barbie® Lingo : Dec 1996
"C" is for Condition : Mar/Apr 1997
Mint doesn't always mean Green : Jan/Feb 2004

Travelling Dolls / Doll Stories
A Christmas Talk : Jan/Feb 2007
Adventures with Ruri : May/Jun 2003
Days in willows : Sept/Oct 2003
It all Started When : May/Jun 2006
Plastic & Pregnant Part 1 : Mar/Apr 2006
Plastic & Pregnant Part 2 : May/Jun 2006
Plastic & Pregnant Part 3 : Jul/Aug 2006
Spring in Darwin : Nov/Dec 2003
Toy Boy Sues Toy Giant : Nov/Dec 2003
Where is Lulubelle? : Jul/Aug 2005

Miscellaneous
2004 Toy Fair Report : Mar/Apr 2004
2005 Aussie Toy Fair Report : May/Jun 2005
ABC Charity Auction : Nov/Dec 2003
ABC Pin Ups : Sept/Oct 2007
ABC Doll Club History Project : Sep/Oct 08
Amazing Barbie Auction® (Itje Raebel and Marina Collection) : Nov/Dec 2006
Are you insured? : Jan/Feb 08
Barbie® Collector Magazine : Mar/Apr 2007
Barbie® touches Gympie's heart of gold : Sep/Oct 08
The Changing Face of Collecting Barbie® : Jul/Aug 2007
Club resources : Mar/Apr 2004
Collectors on Tour in Melbourne : Jul/Aug 2007
'D' Day - The Collectors are coming... : Jan/Feb 08
Decline and Fall of Barbie® Bazaar : May/Jun 2006
Greetings from the Doll Club : Nov/Dec 08
Is eBay Devaluing Your Collection? : Jan/Feb 2007
Non-Buyer's Remorse : Nov/Dec 2006
On Ya Barbie! : Jan/Feb 2003
Ruth Handler : Sep/Oct 08
Smiles all Around for Lovers of all things Pretty! : Nov/Dec 08

Step Back in Time (Prices in 1965) : Mar/Apr 2003
Surviving Auction Burn : Jul/Aug 2005
Toy Fair 2007 : May/Jun 2007
'Tween Marketing : Mar/Apr 2004
Who was April Szymskowski - the History of the ABC : Nov/Dec 2003
Why Husbands Hate Barbie® : Jan/Feb 2003

 

AMERICAN GIRL VARIATIONS

1965 brought a new innovation in Barbie® dolls - bendable legs. While this new body was used on some Bubble Cut dolls and even some Swirl Ponytail dolls (and had been used for the Miss Barbie® doll of 1964), a doll with a new hairstyle was released - the 'American Girl'. This doll had straight chin length hair with a centre part and a fringe; a style we would call a 'pageboy' or a 'bob'. Some rarer dolls were available with longer hair parted on the side and held in place with a turquoise ribbon headband. These American Girl dolls are some of the most beautiful vintage dolls ever produced. In fact, in a recent Barbie® Bazaar poll an American Girl was voted the most beautiful doll produced while an American Girl Side-part came in at number three. The American Girl has become one of the most sought after and coveted of all vintage dolls. But like a lot of Barbie® dolls there are many variations to be found.

The 1965 American Girls (stock number 1070) came with either a short chin length hairstyle or the rarer side-parted hairstyle in a variety of colours, from pale blonde through to dark brown. There was also a range of lip colours used on these dolls. The lip colour is prone to fading. They were made from tan vinyl and were marked © 1958/Mattel, Inc./U.S. Patented/ U.S. Pat. Pend. in indented text. They wore a one-piece swimsuit with a multi-coloured striped top and turquoise bottom.

The 1966 American Girls (stock number same as 1965 dolls) have the same bob hairstyle as the 1965 dolls but the hair fibre tends to be softer and the style is slightly longer. Some dolls have shoulder length hair. The rarer side-parted style was also available. Again a variety of hair and lip colours were used, but the lip colour on these dolls does not tend to fade. These dolls were made from tan vinyl and wore the same swimsuit as the 1965 dolls. They are marked © 1958/Mattel, Inc./U.S. Patented/U.S. Pat. Pend./Made in/Japan. On the earlier dolls this was indented text, while on the later dolls it was raised text. Some dolls have indented text with just the words Made in Japan in raised text. Some of these dolls have more vivid face paint similar to that used on the 1966 Colour Magic dolls. These are referred to as 'high colour' and are by far the most beautiful of the American Girls.

Some rare and unusual American Girls made their way to Europe and Japan in 1966. These dolls were the same as the U.S. issue except that they were made from a new pink toned vinyl. They were available with either the bob or side-parted hairstyle and some had the high colour face. There have even been some found with pink toned straight leg standard Barbie® bodies and the new pink toned head on tan toned straight leg Midge/Barbie® bodies instead of the new bendable style. Some of the 1966 dolls have been found to not only be made of the new pink toned vinyl, but to have the new 1967 Barbie® head. These dolls carry a new stock number - 1163. They have a non-twist waist, bendable legs and the same markings as other 1966 American Girl dolls. The neck knob on this body is larger than that of the 1967 Twist and Turn body, so these dolls look to have fuller faces than the 1967 dolls. They have the 1967 hairstyle - long straight hair with the sides swept up in a turquoise ribbon and a fringe. The hair tends to be a coarser fibre than the later Twist and Turn dolls and a variety of hair colours were used. They have been found with either rooted eyelashes or painted eyelashes. They wore the same swimsuit as the other 1966 dolls although some have been found with swimsuits made from the same striped fabric as 1964 Straight Leg Allan's beach jacket.

There may be other variations out there. Please let us know if you have any. How did these variations come about? We are used to Mattel producing rarities that seem to be made from left over parts and outfits from other dolls. But this doesn't seem to be the case with some of these dolls. Were these dolls made to 'test the waters' for the new vinyl and head mould? Or were they especially made for the foreign market? We can only guess. And does it really matter when these are some of the most beautiful rare dolls around.

 

© Jennifer Burnett

 

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