Monday, April 12, 2010

Vintage Barbie Case and Clothes

Found at a local antique show over the weekend was this 1962 Barbie doll case packed full of original clothes, accessories, and doll furniture. I love finding these cases: it's like a little treasure hunt, digging through the layers and (hopefully) discovering rare and valuable items buried deep within.


This one was a jackpot: beneath a surface strata of mommy-made, handknit clothes and individual Barbie pieces were three complete, very early Barbie outfits, each of which typically sells for more than the whole case cost me. (Woo-hoo! Happy Dance time!) The outfits (Sorority Meeting, Friday Nite Date, and Red Flare) were complete with their various purses, jewelry, shoes, gloves, hats, and even the serving tray and sodas with straws that comprise the famous accessories to Date.


The booklets seen in the lower right of the case feature ads for various Barbie outfits, including the three mentioned above (click on pics to enlarge):


One of the most amazing finds was at the very bottom of the case, packed in its own clear vinyl envelope: a real fur wrap (feels like bunny) in miniature, Barbie size! Clearly, this Barbie was not a member of PETA. Below, my Barbie, who has euphorically plunged into the case full of goodies, models her new wrap:


A small compartment in the case was loaded with more shoes, purses, belts, picture frames with Ken's image inside, a tiny turntable and Barbie records, tiny Barbie-sized "Fashion" and "Home" magazines, and, treasure of treasures, one of the hardest to find vintage accessories: the teeny-tiny medicine spoon that came with the Nursing outfit! The tiny pieces, including Barbie's pearl necklace, bracelet, and earrings, were carefully tucked into a large purse. Whoever the little girl was who owned this case originally, I thank her heartily now for the care she took to keep her toys together!

Antique Show Report

Yay: Antique Show season is here! I attended our area's first show of the spring over the past weekend. Although dealer numbers were down, and some of my favorites were absent, I did manage to find some great stuff:

-a 1962 Barbie case chock full 'o clothes and accessories, including some really hard to find pieces

-a set of lithographed tin toy kitchen appliances (fridge, stove, and working sink) from the late 1940s/early 50s

-a fantastic, primitive toy kitchen cupboard, circa 19teens

-and a German bisque and composition baby doll, probably made by Kestner, also in the 19teens

Posts and pics to follow!

Friday, April 9, 2010

Fisher Price Bouncing Bunny Cart

One of the last of the Fisher Price Easter Carts made for their special spring toy line was the Bouncing Bunny Cart, created in 1961. The 8 inch long wooden cart is lithographed in a colorful bunny design, and the separate, spring-mounted head bounces merrily as the toy is pulled along. The cart, which makes up the bunny's body, could be filled with candies and treats to serve as an Easter basket. A really cheery vintage toy!

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Fisher Price Chick Basket Cart

One of the smallest and cutest of the Easter Carts made by Fisher Price is the Chick Basket from 1957. Only 6 1/2 inches long, the lithoed wooden pull toy features a yellow and blue paint scheme with a sweet little chick sporting her Sunday best. These carts originally had either a fibre board container or a straw basket attached to the back. Easily damaged or lost, they are usually missing when this toy is found. Mine has a vintage replacement basket that color coordinates nicely.

Fisher Price Bunny Engine

Fisher Price made a number of Bunny Engines for its Easter toy line over the years. These 10 inch long wooden trains had an open area in the back that could be filled with candy, enabling the toy to serve as an alternative Easter basket. This one dates from 1954, and features one of the later lithographed designs.