Flocked hair Ken 1961
My #1 Ken arrived wearing red swim trunks. I still have those trunks. I do not recall if I received the outfit Ken wears now at the same time I received the doll. Knowing my mother, she purchased at least one Fashion Pak at the time the doll was purchased. I can visualize myself tossing Ken's red trunks aside and storing them in my light blue double Barbie trunk in exchange for the fashion he wears now or one of his others. I vaguely remember a tennis outfit. As a child, Ken offered me little interest except for the periodic physical examinations I conducted on his non-working parts. I was curious.
After reading Jorge Ramiro's blog about Ken's 50th birthday, I wondered when the first Black Ken was introduced into the Barbie and friends family. Christie's boyfriend, Brad was introduced in 1969; Cara's boyfriend Curtis, was introduced in 1974, and there have been other dark-skinned male friends in the Barbie line since then. Steven (the name given Christie's boyfriend in the 1980s) and Jamal (originally Shani's boyfriend) are two of the others. But I wanted to know when-the-first-Black-doll-was-given-the name, Ken.
I found my answer in The Ultimate Barbie Doll Book by Marcie Melillo, (Krause Publications, November 1996). In my opinion, this is the most comprehensive reference for Barbie dolls made from 1959 through 1995. I would love for the author to write a followup.
Sunsational Malibu Ken, also known as "Afro" Ken because of his curly Afro
According to the section in Melillo's book devoted to "Ken Dolls and Other Like-Sized Friends Regular Issue 1961-1995," the first African American (AA) Ken was introduced in 1981 (box date) with a market date of 1982.
While the original 1961 Ken, like the one from my childhood, celebrates his 50th birthday, Sunsational Malibu Ken, a.k.a. "Afro Ken" celebrates his
30th. Will there be a reproduction "Afro" Ken to commemorate three decades of Black Ken? Oh but wait... there has already been a 40th Anniversary AA Ken. So I suppose there will not be any fanfare for the first Black Ken's true anniversary. Oh well...
Happy birthday anyway, Ken and Ken.
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ReplyDeleteOhhh,
ReplyDeleteThis Is Very Cool!
And Very Important,Too!!
It Was Made All Around The World A Great Celebration Of "Black Barbie 30 Anniversary"...
But Just You,Debbie Brings An Important Information About The First Afro Doll Named KEN.
We Just Have To Say You:
Thanks!!
Hugs Debbie!!
March 13, 2011 11:30 AM
You're welcome, Jorge.
ReplyDeleteYes, Mattel did honor Black Barbie's 30th Anniversary. Maybe the'll do something for Black Ken, too.
:-)
dbg
When Sunsational Malibu Ken was created in the series, the African American doll was Sunsational Christie.
ReplyDeleteHi Willena -- You're absolutely right. I own Sunsational Malibu Christie, too.
ReplyDeletedbg
Yay! Happy Birthday, Ken - in all your colors ;-D
ReplyDeleteI just purchased a 'BRAD' hybrid doll on eBay. He has a 1981 Sunsational Afro-KEN-head on and has a handsome double-breasted suit- with a 1968 torso. Question. Why do they market- like on eBay- BRAD as a 1981/ 1968 hybrid? I also bid a good price on this doll- NOT knowing that they 'made' 1968 hybrid KEN/BRAD dolls.Thanks for your investigative answer.
ReplyDeleteSellers on eBay often use keywords (not necessarily related to the item being sold) to attract the attention of potential buyers. These keywords are often deceptive tactics to entice people to bid and/or to increase the final price. Your doll sounds like a redressed Sunsational Malibu Ken (black version) dressed in what might be a vintage Ken fashion. The doll does use the same head sculpt and body as the original Brad, but it was released in 1981 as Sunsational Malibu Ken. Brad had molded/sculpted hair whereas the latter doll had a curly rooted Afro.
DeleteMattel has often reused doll head sculpts and bodies for several years to decades. Therefore, a nude or redressed doll's ID cannot always be determined by copyright years (or keywords used by eBay sellers whose chief goal is to sell the doll).