Steffies of the 1970s

Check out my latest video on YouTube or embedded right above. I've gone through many of the US-released Steffie-faced dolls released between 1979 through 1980. I hope you enjoy this video podcast. It's just a little over three minutes.

Attention, Steffie fans!

It's here, it's here!

My new book, Steffie: Out of the Box, is now available for ordering.

What is it? Here's my description:

Fashion doll, Barbie fan, and Steffie collector Alison Rasmussen shares her eclectic collection with untraditional color photographs in this fun reference book. While not a professional photographer, the author includes many candid photos of various dolls created between 1971 and 2011, as well as a reference list of Steffie-faced dolls manufactured by Mattel and its licensed affiliates.

Publication Date: Jul 02 2012
ISBN/EAN13: 0983681635 / 9780983681632
Page Count: 90
Binding Type: US Trade Paper
Trim Size: 8.5" x 8.5"
Language: English
Color: Full Color with Bleed
Related Categories: Antiques & Collectibles / Dolls


About the Out of the Box series of books:

The Out of the Box series is a casual visual reference for doll collectors and fans of the Fashion Doll Review blog. An affordable paperback collection, this series examines specific doll styles, sculpts, and collections in 90 pages of color photographs and descriptions. Fashion dolls are styled and dressed according to the book's theme. Resources and references are included.

Why should you care? Well, first I just about killed myself to finish the book before Barbie Convention. I should have a few copies for sale, if I can get them in time--look for Kathie's Fashion Dolls and the girl with short pink hair if you're interested in an autographed copy. (I just don't know what I was thinking with planning to finish the book after school was out for summer, LOL!)

Second, the retail price of the book is $20. From now through July 31, you can buy the book for just $15. Use coupon code PTUB5SGH when you check out, and you will save $5 off the cover price. That's less than the cost of a basic doll! (The coupon only works through CreateSpace.)

This book is now also available from Amazon. If you have prime shipping or if you are in Europe, this might be a better deal for you, so just hold tight. Plus, I'm hoping to provide a Look Inside preview of this book on there as well.

These books are printed and shipped on demand from CreateSpace--this allows me to print just the copies I need and not have a garage full of them. It's a really affordable way to go in the printing business. In fact, if you have a book you'd like to write, I can highly recommend their services!

Third, you'll know you're supporting this doll blog when you buy a copy of this book. I think you'll like it. In fact--I think you'll like it so much you might want to recommend it to a friend!

Mod Barbie Firelights fashion #1481

Barbie's Firelights fashion was on the market from 1969-1970. It consists of a paisley print evening pajamas with metallic braid trim and blue open-toe shoes. It can be quite difficult to find this jumpsuit in nice shape so if you locate one, snatch it up!

Mod Barbie Ski Scene fashion #1797

Mod Barbie's Ski fashion hit the scene in 1970. It consists of a jacket (contains the Barbie tag), sweater, pants, hat, skis, poles, boots, and goggles. Barbie was sure not to be missed in these bright orange colors. This fashion looks great on a mod doll displayed next to Barbie's mountain ski cabin case (one of my favorites). All of these pieces are relatively easy to find. Check the skis and poles for melt marks and the vinyl pieces for stiffness. It's nice when the vinyl is still supple-it will be easier to get on the doll.

1970 Twist 'n Turn Barbie doll (TNT Flip), stock #1160

This is the twist 'n turn Barbie doll many collectors refer to as the "tnt flip". The TNT flip was also issued in 1969 and 1971 with different swimsuits. Her hair color was available in various shades of blonde and brunette. My doll's box is marked "dark brown". She had shoulder-length hair in a flip style with right sidepart and spit curl.

Her eyes were blue and had rooted lashes. Brow color varied with different hair colors. Her lips were coral with "hi-color" cheeks. The nose is often faded to white. Her skin tone was pink and she had bendable legs. Both the finger and toe nails were painted. The toenail paint is often missing in played-with dolls. She was dressed in a one-piece pink and white nylon swimsuit and her accessories included a fashion booklet, hot pink and silver foil wrist-tag  and a clear X stand. The box graphics depict Barbie in Tangerine Scene, Lovely Sleep-Ins, and Gypsy Spirit. Current market value for a near mint loose doll is about $125.

Talking Julia in Lunch on the Terrace

Julia in Lunch on the Terrace, originally uploaded by alington.

I am the lucky recipient of several recent trades with Kathie, my local vintage Barbie dealer and friend. Fortunately (or unfortunately, if you get my gist), she knows my style of collecting perfectly.

So, when I tell her via text or email that I have such and such dolls I'm considering selling or trading, she will bring "something special" for me to consider.

And sure enough--I am blown away.

This is the first part of my most recent trade: a mint and complete Lunch on the Terrace with spikes. Originally for the American Girl line, I thought I'd give it a try on Julia, of my girls who can pull off a hat really well. I think she's fabulous.

And how great does this outfit look in my green room? Aye! I love, love, LOVE it!

See a close-up on Flickr.

1970 Twist 'N Turn Julia, Stock #1127

The TNT Julia doll was modeled after the TV character portrayed by Diahann Carroll on the series Julia. Julia was a nurse and so was the doll. The 1969 version came dressed in a two piece uniform, the 1970 version had a one-piece uniform. In addition to her uniform Julia also wears an R.N. cap, white nylon panties, and white pilgrim shoes. She has short brown unevenly cut hair which often oxidizes to red. (My doll's hair is still brown). Julia has centered dark brown eyes, black brows, and rooted lashes. Her lips are dark pink and she has hi-color cheeks. She has dark brown skin and her legs are bendable.

Her accessories include a purple and silver foil wristag, a living Barbie and Skipper fashion booklet and a clear X stand. Julia's box graphics depict her in the fashion Fancy Dancy. The back of the box has two promo photos from the TV show. There were several fashions created just for Julia including Pink Fantasy, the Simply Wow giftset, Leather Weather, Brr-Fur ( 2 versions), and Candlelight Capers.

Christie's boyfriend talking Brad, stock #1114

Talking Brad was issued in 1970 and has sculpted black hair, brown centered eyes, and black brows. The lips on my doll have oxidized to brown but they were originally dark rose. He has dark brown skin, bendable legs, and is dressed in a multi-color pullover shirt and orange trunks.

His accessories included a silver foil wrist tag and a clear X stand. He has a pull-string talking mechanism located in his upper back. Brad's original phrases were: 1. My name's Brad, what's yours? 2. Christie is the greatest. 3. Baseball is my favorite sport. 4. Come on, let's go to the movies. 5. I dig the mod look. 6. Hey, let's all go for a ride. Talking Brad's original box graphics depict him in Breakfast at 7 and Rally Gear. There were no specific fashions issued for Brad but all of Ken's clothes will fit him.

Twist 'N Turn Christie doll

Twist 'N Turn Christie was issued in 1970 and has brown chin length curly hair, brown centered eyes, black brows, and rooted eyelashes. (My doll's hair has oxidized just slightly to red) The hair color on the box is marked "dark brown". Her lips are light red and she has hi-color cheeks. She has light brown skin and bendable knees.

She wears a one-piece v-neck pink, yellow, white, and orange abstract print tricot swimsuit. Her accessories include a blue foil wrist tag, a clear X stand, and a Living Barbie and Skipper fashion booklet.

Her box graphics depict Christie wearing Great Coat, City Sparkler, and Let's Have a Ball. There were no specific fashions made for Christie but all Barbie and Julia fashions will fit her. The original price tag is $3, marked down to $1.99. Wouldn't you like to buy her today for that price?

Sears Exclusive Mod Standard Dressed Barbie Doll

Here's a recent acquisition, a mod standard dressed Barbie doll.

This rare standard Barbie doll is dressed in a complete Movie Groovie fashion and has her original head cello and wrist tag intact.

She came packaged in a plain brown box marked "Sears Gift Set Sample". She is tied into the box liner with white vinyl-coated wire. Also included is a living Barbie fashion booklet. She has a blue hair ribbon. "Regular" standards had a pink hair ribbon. She has side-glancing blue eyes. Very little is known about these mod standard dolls but other Sears exclusives have been found with this simple brown packaging and were from catalog sales. This doll was probably a store sample to advertise the Twinkle Town Gift set which consisted of a blonde, brunette, or brownette Standard Barbie doll, a blue 2 piece swimsuit exclusive to this set, and the Movie Groovie fashion. In researching this post I was unable to find any photos of the original packaging of this gift set.

OOAK Fashion Doll Series: TNT Julia doll in jennygrey fashion

This is a TNT (Twist 'N Turn) Julia doll who's had her hair rerooted in the Mod Barbie style. Her eyelashes have also been re-rooted. Her face paint is all-original. This doll was found with all her original hair chopped off so she was a perfect candidate for a re-root.

Julia's two-piece gown and jewelry are a creation of JennyGrey fashions. The colors suit her perfectly.

Collecting Vintage Barbie On A Budget: Part 2

In the second part of this series I will list Mod Barbie fashions which have a current market value of about $50 (or less):

• Knit Hit
• Snap-Dash
• Night Clouds
• Dreamy Pink
• Pedal Pushers
• Dream Wrap
• Dream-Ins
• Silver Sparkle
• Flower Wower
• Loop Scoop
• Great Coat
• Lovely Sleep-Ins
• Tennis Team
• Harem-m-m's
• Fiery Felt
• Baby Doll Pinks
• The Dream Team
• Plush 'N Warm
• Long 'N Fringy
• Sweet Dreams
• Sport Star
• Glowin' Gold

As you can see, your Mod Barbie doll has plenty of affordable choices when shopping for her next fashion!