Mattel distributes the Cabbage Patch kids Dolls

In 1995 Mattel acquires the rights to manufacture and distribute Cabbage Patch Kids Dolls. With the rights being granted, Mattel was able to continue the line of these dolls which have been popular for many years. Now, more children can have a cabbage patch kid doll for themselves and they aren't a thing of the past.

History of Barbie cont...The Barbie Timeline

As mentioned in our previous post, Barbie made her first appearance in 1959.

The 1960's

• By the start of the new decade in the early 1960's, Barbie began by wearing elegant and sophistacted wardrobes, which were inspired straight from the runways of Paris (designed by Charlotte Johnson).
• Mid sixties fashions included the bob haircut (inspired by First Lady, Jacqueline Kennedy)
• As the sixties progressed, the couture looks gave way to the mod looks and Barbie began to undergo dramatic costmetic changes with the new "Twist 'N Turn Waist"
• The American Girl Dolls were also the first to have the new bendable legs

The 1970's

• Malibu Barbie makes her appearance and the trademark long blonde hair hits the shelves
• Barbie becomes even more lifelike in 1970, with bendable ankels, elbows, and knees.
• In 1972, the new Walk-Lively Barbie makes its appearances on shelves
• Barbie turns 16 in 1974, and to celebrate a section of Times Square in New York Barbie Boulevard for a week.

The 1980's

• The Barbie Collecting Phase begins!
• First annual Doll Convention held in 1980.
• First Black and Hispanic Barbies are produced.
• Dolls of the World Collection begins
• Blue Rhapsody Barbie makers her debut in 1986 (first doll designed specifically for collectors)
• Barbies 30th anniversary in 1989 - Pink Jubilee Baribie

The 1990's

• Barbies wardrobe puts new meaning in elegance, sporting originals by Christian Dior, Vera Wang, and Bob Mackie...
• Barbie welcomes the launch of www.barbie.com
• Various CD-Rom products are released
• 1999 marks the 40th anniversary edition of Barbie

The 2000's

• Most collectible dolls in the world are released including the Millenium themed dolls
• Mattel reduces the number produced of collectible dolls in response to feedback from collectors
• In 2001, Barbie stars in her first feature film "Barbie in the Nutcracker"
• Malibu Barbie Returns in 2002!

Please visit, http://www.barbiecollector.com/collecting/about/history.aspx for more information on the history of Barbie, including her family tree and the history of her boyfriend Ken, and other family members.

Barbie Collecting 101: Labels & Production Numbers

This is a quick lesson for all you dedicated Barbie Collectors out there...

In 2004, Barbie Collector introduced a colour-coded tier like structure, in which each tier represents an identifiable level of doll collecting. This includes special retail destinations, elegant packaging which enhances each doll's beauty, and also communicates which tier the doll belongs to. The tier begins with the "Pink Label" (being Barbie's signature colour), which continues onto the "Silver Label", then onto the "Gold Label" and finally onto the "Platnium Label". Each colour represents the high standards of each tier.

In greater detail, the tier can be broken down as following (Pink being lowest level, Platnium being highest):

• Platnium Label: the dolls are produced in editions of less than 1,000 world wide, which include one-of-a-kind premium dolls...
• Gold Label: distinct dolls which are featured only at fine retailers, with no more than 25,000 dolls produced world wide...
• Silver Label: includes classic themes available at select retailers, and no more than 50,000 are created world wide...
• Pink Label: includes Keepsake Dolls sold at quality retailers...

For more information, please visit http://www.barbiecollector.com/

Where We Came From...

Mattel was founded in 1945 by Harold Matson and Elliot Handler thus the name Mattel was created by combining the letters of their names. Originally the company produced picture frames and doll house accessories. With the success of the doll house accessories they soon began to focus on toys.

Today, Mattel is the world's largest toy company (revenue based) and is known world wide. Some of their best known products are: Barbie, Hot Wheels, Cabbage Patch Kids. Mattel holds licensing agreements with Disney and Harry Potter, among the many recognisable names. Through their dedication in safe and reliable products as well as philanthropic programs, Mattel continues to pave their way to success whether it be in the past, the present or the future.

Rights to Products

In March 1997 Mattel intiated the aquistian of another major toy industry, Tyco toys inc., the third largest toy manufacture in the United States, Tyco successful products such as Sesame Street toys. Mattel also was able to receive rights to another Tyco toy, Hot Wheels. Later, Mattel was able to expand their horizons with rights to Disney and Harry Potter which allows them to develop more toys throughout the years.