1983 Ken Cérémonie, Horse Lovin’ Ken, Dream Date Ken, Super Sport Ken & Todd

KEN CÉRÉMONIE #693

Ken Cérémonie was unique to Mattel France. He looks almost identical to the regular domestic Superstar Kens, but is shorter with slightly waxier skin. His suit is the Designer Originals outfit Dandy Lines #3797 (see section 1982 The Outfits), and was probably produced in Hong Kong, like the shoes.

1983 #693 Ken Cérémonie
1983 #693 Ken Cérémonie
1983 #693 Ken Cérémonie
1983 #693 Ken Cérémonie
1983 #693 Cérémonie Ken
1983 #693 Ken Cérémonie
1983 #693 Ken Cérémonie shoes
1983 #693 Ken Cérémonie shoes
1983 #693 Cérémonie Ken
Identification: Made in France
1983 #693 Ken Cérémonie with original packaging
1983 #693 Ken Cérémonie with original packaging

HORSE LOVIN’ KEN #3600

In Canada he was also known as Ken Aime les chevaux, in France as Ken Cavalier, and in Germany as Western Ken. Compared to Dream Date Ken he has much heftier eyebrows.

1983 #3600 Horse Lovin' Ken
1983 #3600 Horse Lovin’ Ken
1983 #3600 Horse Lovin' Ken
1983 #3600 Horse Lovin’ Ken
1983 #3600 Horse Lovin' Ken
1983 #3600 Horse Lovin’ Ken
1983 #3600 Horse Lovin' Ken
1983 #3600 Horse Lovin’ Ken accessories
1983 #3600 Horse Lovin' Ken
Identification: © Mattel Inc. 1968 Taiwan
1983 #3600 Horse Lovin' Ken in original packaging
1983 #3600 Horse Lovin’ Ken in original packaging
1983 #3600 Horse Lovin' Ken original packaging
1983 #3600 Horse Lovin’ Ken reverse of packaging
1983 #3600 Horse Lovin' Ken (Canadian version)
1983 #3600 Horse Lovin’ Ken in Canadian packaging
1983 #3600 Horse Lovin' Ken Canadian packaging
Reverse of Canadian packaging
1983 #3600 Horse Lovin' Ken (European version)
1983 #3600 Horse Lovin’ Ken in European packaging
1983 #3600 Horse Lovin' Ken (European version)
Reverse of European packaging

DREAM DATE KEN #4077

Most versions of Dream Date Ken still have the same swivel head and waist. My version photographed below however, has the less flexible body mold, with a sideways-only turning head and waist, which presumably dates him to 1984-85. There are two versions of his black jacket: one does not fasten, so the buttons are on the right. The other fastens with a popper, so the buttons are on the left. In France he was also known as Ken Soirée, and in Canada as Ken Compagnon De Rêve. Mattel Spain/Congost produced their own variation called Ken Gran Gala, and Estrela in Brazil produced a BOB version.

1983 #4077 Dream Date Ken
1983 #4077 Dream Date Ken
1983 #4077 Dream Date Ken
1983 #4077 Dream Date Ken
1983 #4077 Dream Date Ken
1983 #4077 Dream Date Ken
1983 #4077 Dream Date Ken
1983 #4077 Dream Date Ken accessories
Identification: © Mattel Inc. 1968 Taiwan
Identification: © MATTEL INC 1968 TAIWAN
1983 #4077 Dream Date Ken
or: © Mattel Inc 1968 TAIWAN
1983 #4077 Dream Date Ken in original packaging
1983 #4077 Dream Date Ken in original packaging
1983 #4077 Dream Date Ken in original packaging
1983 #4077 Dream Date Ken with variation jacket
1983 #4077 Dream Date Ken reverse of packaging
Reverse of packaging
1983 #4077 Dream Date Ken (Canadian) in original packaging
1983 #4077 Dream Date Ken (Canadian)
1983 #4077 Dream Date Ken (Canadian version)
Canadian version with variation jacket
1983 #4077 Dream Date Ken (Canadian version II)
Reverse of Canadian packaging
1983 #4077 Dream Date Ken (European version)
1983 #4077 Dream Date Ken (European)
1983 #4077 Dream Date Ken (European version)
European version with variation jacket
1983 #4077 Dream Date Ken (European version)
Reverse of European packaging

Although Mattel Spain used the same stock photos on the boxes, their Ken Gran Gala only ever came with the straight-arm body mold, as shown below and at bottom of page in the Juguetes 1983/4 catalogue from Spanish department store El Corte Inglés.

1983 #4077 Ken Gran Gala
1983 #4077 Ken Gran Gala (Spanish version)
1983 #4077 Ken Gran Gala (Spanish version)
1983 #4077 Ken Gran Gala (Spanish version)

The Kens produced in Brazil were originally called Bob. For more information see section 1984-1987 Bob & Ken by Estrela Brazil.

1984-86 #10.53.06 Bob in original packaging
1984-86 #10.53.06 Bob in original packaging
1984-86 #10.53.06 Bob in original packaging
1984-86 #10.53.06 Bob (variation trousers) in original packaging

(BARBIE & FRIENDS) KEN #4431

The Barbie & Friends set contains three dolls – Barbie, PJ and Ken. Ken’s outfit was also available separately as Fashion Classics #5822 (See section 1983 The Outfits). He is basically a redressed version of the regular Dream Date Ken.

1983 #4431 Barbie & Friends Set Ken
1983 #4431 Barbie & Friends Set Ken
1983 #4431 Barbie & Friends Set Ken
1983 #4431 Barbie & Friends Set Ken
1983 #4431 Barbie & Friends Set Ken
1983 #4431 Barbie & Friends Set Ken sneakers
1983 #4431 Barbie & Friends Set Ken
Identification: © Mattel Inc. 1968 Taiwan
1983 #4431 Barbie & Friends in original packaging
1983 #4431 Barbie & Friends in original packaging
1983 #4431 Barbie & Friends original packaging
Reverse of packaging
1983 #4431 Barbie & Friends (Canadian version)
1983 #4431 Barbie & Friends in Canadian packaging
1983 #4431 Barbie & Friends (Canadian version)
Reverse of packaging

SUPER SPORT KEN

Super Sport Ken was released in Canada, Europe and Australia. In Sweden he was also known as Super Dance Ken, and in Finland as Sportti-Ken. Mattel Spain/Congost released their own unique version. There is also a French version with the unique code No. 241 called Ken Sport Super Danse. He was almost certainly made in France – I’ve seen a few photos of him, and he is short with a shiny complexion, just like the Ken Cérémonie mentioned above.

SUPER SPORT KEN #5839

1983 #5839 Super Sport Ken
1983 #5839 Super Sport Ken
1983 #5839 Super Sport Ken
1983 #5839 Super Sport Ken
1983 #5839 Super Sport Ken
1983 #5839 Super Sport Ken
1983 #5839 Super Sport Ken
1983 #5839 Super Sport Ken accessories
1983 #5839 Super Sport Ken in Canadian packaging
1983 #5839 Super Sport Ken in Canadian packaging
1983 #5839 Super Sport Ken in European packaging
1983 #5839 Super Sport Ken in European packaging
1983 #5839 Super Sport Ken reverse of packaging
Reverse of Canadian packaging
1983 #5839 Super Sport Ken reverse of packaging
Reverse of Canadian/European packaging
1983 #5839 Super Sport Ken side of European packaging
1983 #5839 Super Sport Ken side of European packaging
1983 #5839 Super Sport Ken side of packaging
1983 #5839 Super Sport Ken side of Canadian packaging
1983 #5839 Super Sport Ken side of Canadian packaging
1983 #5839 Super Sport Ken side of Canadian packaging (slight variation)
1982 #5839 Super Sport Ken
Identification: 1088-0500 6 © Mattel Inc. 1968 Hong Kong.

The Spanish version is dated 1984 on the packaging.

1984 #5839 Ken Super Sport
1984 #5839 Ken Super Sport (Spanish version)
1984 #5839 Ken Super Sport (Spanish version)
Reverse of Spanish packaging

KEN SPORT SUPER DANSE #241

1983 #241 Ken Sport Super Danse (French version)
1983 #241 Ken Sport Super Danse (French version)
1983 #241 Ken Sport Super Danse (French version)
Reverse of French packaging

TODD #4253

A new ‘Ken friend’ called Todd was also released this year. His only purpose seems to have been to marry a girl called Tracy. He is similar to Western Ken and Horse Lovin’ Ken, but has different eyebrows and brown eyes. Apart from a Mexican version (which was produced with both the Superstar and the Great Shape era head-mold), he was not released in any other form, and no other outfits were produced especially for him.

1983 #4253 Todd
1983 #4253 Todd
1983 #4253 Todd
1983 #4253 Todd
1983 #4253 Todd
1983 #4253 Todd
1983 #4253 Todd
1983 #4253 Todd shoes
1983 #3600 Horse Lovin' Ken
Identification: © Mattel Inc. 1968 Taiwan.
1983 #4253 Todd original packaging
1983 #4253 Todd side of packaging
1983 #4253 Todd
1983 #4253 Todd in original packaging
1983 #4253 Todd
Reverse of packaging
1983 #4253 Todd in Canadian packaging
1983 #4253 Todd in Canadian packaging
1983 #4253 Todd Canadian packaging
Reverse of Canadian packaging
1983 #4253 Todd in European packaging
1983 #4253 Todd in European packaging
1983 #4253 Todd European packaging
Reverse of European packaging
1983 #4253 Todd (Mexican version) in original packaging
1983 #4253 Todd (Mexican version)
1983 #4253 Todd Mexican packaging
Reverse of Mexican packaging
1983 #4253 Todd (Mexican version)
1983 #4253 Todd (Mexican version with later head mold)

BOOKLETS & CATALOGUES

The 1983 booklet came in three versions. The first two are proper booklets and were printed in 1982 in the Philippines. In the first version Horse Lovin’ Ken and Todd are missing, and there is a noticeably different-looking prototype of Dream Date Ken. The third booklet is actually a fold-out, and was printed in Taiwan.

From 1983 World of Fashion booklet (1982 Philippines edition)
World of Fashion booklet (1st 1982 edition)
From 1983 World of Fashion booklet (1982 Philippines edition)
World of Fashion booklet (1st 1982 edition)
From 1983 World of Fashion booklet (1982 Philippines edition)
World of Fashion booklet (1st 1982  edition)
World of Fashion booklet (2nd 1982 edition)
World of Fashion booklet (2nd 1982 edition)
World of Fashion booklet (2nd 1982 edition)
World of Fashion booklet (2nd 1982 edition)
World of Fashion booklet (2nd 1982 edition)
World of Fashion booklet (2nd 1982 edition)
From 1983 World of Fashion booklet (1983 Taiwan edition)
World of Fashion booklet (1983 Taiwan edition)
From 1983 World of Fashion booklet (1983 Taiwan edition)
World of Fashion booklet (1983 Taiwan edition)
From 1983 World of Fashion booklet (1983 Taiwan edition)
World of Fashion booklet (1983 Taiwan edition)
From 1983 Mattel Toys catalogue
From 1983 Mattel Toys catalogue
From 1983 Mattel Toys catalogue
From 1983 Mattel Toys catalogue
From 1983 Mattel Toys catalogue
From 1983 Mattel Toys catalogue
From 1983 Mattel Toys catalogue
From 1983 Mattel Toys catalogue
From 1983 Sears Wish Book
From 1983 Sears Wish Book
From 1983 Sears Wish Book
From 1983 Sears Wish Book
From 1983 Sears Wish Book
From 1983 Sears Wish Book
From 1983 JCPenney Christmas catalogue
From 1983 JCPenney Christmas catalogue
From 1983 JCPenney Christmas catalogue
From 1983 JCPenney Christmas catalogue
From 1983 Spiegel Christmas catalogue
From 1983 Spiegel Christmas catalogue
From 1983 Montgomery Ward Christmas catalogue
From 1983 Montgomery Ward Christmas catalogue
From 1983 Canadian Sears Christmas Wish Book
From 1983 Canadian Sears Christmas Wish Book
From 1983 Canadian Mattel Toys catalogue
From 1983 Canadian Mattel Toys catalogue
From 1983 Canadian Mattel Toys catalogue
From 1983 Canadian Mattel Toys catalogue
From 1983 unidentified Australian magazine
From 1983 unidentified Australian magazine
From 1983 French Mattel jouets catalogue
From 1983 French Mattel jouets catalogue
From 1983 French Mattel Toy catalogue
From 1983 French Mattel Toy catalogue
From 1983 French Nouvelles Galeries catalogue
From 1983 French Nouvelles Galeries catalogue
From 1983 Italian Mattel catalogue
From 1983 Italian Mattel catalogue
From 1983 Italian Mattel catalogue
From 1983 Italian Mattel catalogue
From 1983 Italian Barbie booklet
From 1983 Italian Barbie booklet
From 1983 Italian Barbie booklet
From 1983 Italian Barbie booklet
From 1983 Italian Barbie booklet
From 1983 Italian Barbie booklet
From 1983 German Mattel Toys catalogue
From 1983 German Mattel Toys catalogue
From 1983 German Mattel Toys catalogue
From 1983 German Mattel Toys catalogue
From 1983 German Barbie booklet
From 1983 German Barbie booklet
From 1983 German Barbie booklet
From 1983 German Barbie booklet
From 1983 German Barbie booklet
From 1983 German Barbie booklet
From 1983 Swedish Barbie booklet
From 1983 Swedish Barbie booklet
From 1983 Finnish Barbie booklet
From 1983 Finnish Barbie booklet
From 1983 Finnish Barbie booklet
From 1983 Finnish Barbie booklet
From 1983-4 El Cortes Ingles Catálogo de Juguetes
From 1983-4 Spanish El Cortes Ingles Catálogo de Juguetes
1984 Spanish Barbie booklet
1984 Spanish Barbie booklet