Talking Busy Steffie

Today, she's particularly excited about having her own TV. Produced originally in 1972, this is one of the three dolls with the Steffie name (the other two are from the same year, Busy Steffie and Walk Lively Steffie).

You can see the video above or on YouTube.

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.

1969 Talking Julia

1969 Talking Julia, originally uploaded by alington.

This is 1969 Talking Julia. She is the favorite talker in my collection--her voice is like butter. She is the one talker Mattel modeled after an actress, Diahann Carroll, who played Nurse Julia, from the 1960s TV show.

Originally, she came dressed in a gold and silver jumpsuit,. I have her dressed in the repro nurse's uniform for now.

She says more phrases than this, but I didn't want to make the video longer than about 30 seconds. You can hear my 11 year-old son's voice at the top of the video, giving you his professional opinion of my talkers.

Also, about 20 seconds into the video, you can see one of our kitties, Lily, in the reflection of the glass top table. It's cute. Our cats don't know what to make of the talkers.

1968 Talking Barbie

1968 Talking Barbie, originally uploaded by alington.

In case anyone has ever wanted to hear a Talking Barbie talk, here she is. This is a 1968 brunette Talking Barbie, dressed in the Close-Ups fashion from 1969 (I think).

If you need to see her original commercial, I found a low quality one on YouTube.

She says some other phrases, too--but I find that I have to keep her up high on a shelf in my glass cabinet. Pulling that string is just cathartic to me. I could sit here all day.