1964 The Outfits

1964 is arguably the best year for original Ken clothing. As well as loads of new regular outfits and accessories, Mattel also produced a Travel Costume Series and a Little Theatre Costume Series (the original TV commercial for this series is on Youtube). Several earlier outfits were still being produced, and some were reissued with slight variations. The most sought-after of these nowadays is The Yachtsman, with the wonderful cap.

Most Ensemble Paks contain complete outfits, and Fashion Paks contain single items or accessories, but there are several cross-overs and exceptions. Many 1964 sets for example contain only a shirt/jacket and pair of slacks, but were packaged either as an Ensemble Pak (Going Bowling, Campus Corduroys, Country Clubbin’) or a Fashion Pak (At Ease, Soda Date).

The Ensemble Pak packaging went through several changes in 1964. The earliest outfits were packaged in the same boxes as 1963, with the old illustration on reverse. Later they were packaged with a new design on reverse which included Allan. Later still a packaging was introduced with thicker stripes in green-gold or turquoise and a new Ken & Allan design on reverse (see section 1965 The Outfits for more details).

For more information and many more detailed photographs see THE ORIGINAL KEN® BOOK.


THE ENSEMBLE PAKS

CAMPUS HERO #0770

1964 #0770 Campus Hero
1964 #0770 Campus Hero
1964 #0770 Campus Hero in original packaging
1964 #0770 Campus Hero in original packaging

DRUM MAJOR #0775

1964 #0775 Drum Major
1964 #0775 Drum Major
1964 #0775 Drum Major in original packaging
1964 #0775 Drum Major in original packaging

AMERICAN AIRLINES CAPTAIN #0779

This outfit was reissued in 1965 with the addition of a travel bag in navy blue (See section 1965 The Outfits).

1964 #0779 American Airlines Captain
1964 #0779 American Airlines Captain (Shirt & tie not included)
1964 #0779 American Airlines Captain in original packaging
1964 #0779 American Airlines Captain in original packaging

SLEEPER SET #0781

Sleeper Set now came with blue pajamas instead of brown.

1964 #0781 Sleeper Set
1964 #0781 Sleeper Set
1964 #0781 Sleeper Set in original packaging
1964 #0781 Sleeper Set in original packaging

CASUALS #0782

As well as the new t-shirt, the reissue also came with different slacks, which have a hidden YKK zip and snap.

1964 #0782 Casuals
1964 #0782 Casuals
1964 #0782 Casuals in original packaging
1964 #0782 Casuals in original packaging

TUXEDO #0787

Tuxedo now came with a less-tailored shirt (very basic card-like collar) and trousers which fasten with a hidden zip and snap. The later-packaged versions have looser fitting trousers and regular cotton socks (instead of the stretchy nylon ones which previously came with this outfit).

1964 #0787 Tuxedo
1964 #0787 Tuxedo
1964 #0787 Tuxedo in original packaging
1964 #0787 Tuxedo in original packaging

THE YACHTSMAN #0789

The Yachtsman now came with a peaked cap with anchor emblem. For more pictures of this rare cap see THE ORIGINAL KEN® BOOK.

1964 #0789 Yachtsman
1964 #0789 Yachtsman
#0789 The Yachtsman in original packaging
#0789 The Yachtsman in original packaging

COUNTRY CLUBBIN’ #1400

1964 #1400 Country Clubbin'
1964 #1400 Country Clubbin’ (Jacket and slacks)
1964 #1400 Country Clubbin' in original packaging
1964 #1400 Country Clubbin’ in original packaging

SPECIAL DATE #1401

From 1964 Ken’s regular (and tuxedo) dress shirts had a much more basic collar, but they still fastened with two snaps.

1964 #1401 Special Date
1964 #1401 Special Date
1964 #1401 Special Date in original packaging
1964 #1401 Special Date in original packaging

#1402

There is no outfit with this code number to be found. Whether this was an internal error, or Mattel decided to pull an outfit from production, I can not say. If anyone knows the reason for the “missing” Ensemble Pak #1402, please write and let me know: contact@somethingabouttheboy.com.


GOING BOWLING #1403

Unlike the Fashion Pak slacks, these trousers are not labelled. Later versions have slacks with a looser cut. In 1965 a new version of this outfit was released which included white shoes and socks (See section 1965 The Outfits).

1964 #1403 Going Bowling (Shirt & slacks only)
1964 #1403 Going Bowling (Shirt & slacks)
1964 #1403 Going Bowling in original packaging
1964 #1403 Going Bowling in original packaging

KEN IN HAWAII #1404

See Travel Costume Series further below.


ROLLER SKATE DATE #1405

This set came with either white or metallic-grey wheels on the skates (see also THE ORIGINAL KEN® BOOK). In 1965 it was reissued with a pair of white trousers instead of cap (See section 1965 The Outfits).

1964 #1405 Roller Skate Date (Slacks not included)
1964 #1405 Roller Skate Date (Slacks not included)
1964 #1405 Roller Skate Date in original packaging
1964 #1405 Roller Skate Date in original packaging

KEN SKIN DIVER #1406

1964 #1406 Ken Skin Diver
1964 #1406 Ken Skin Diver
1964 #1406 Ken Skin Diver in original packaging
1964 #1406 Ken Skin Diver in original packaging

FOUNTAIN BOY #1407

1964 #1407 Fountain Boy
1964 #1407 Fountain Boy (Slacks not included)
1964 #1407 Fountain Boy in original packaging
1964 #1407 Fountain Boy in original packaging
1964 #1407 Fountain Boy variation overall
1964 #1407 Fountain Boy variation overall
#1407 Fountain Boy (with variation overall) in original packaging
#1407 Fountain Boy (with variation overall) in original packaging

FRATERNITY MEETING #1408

The genuine Fraternity Meeting trousers are not labelled. Some versions have a white polo shirt with a shallower neck-line, which works better with the cardigan, as shown here.

1964 #1408 Fraternity Meeting
1964 #1408 Fraternity Meeting (Shoes not included)
1964 #1408 Fraternity Meeting in original packaging
1964 #1408 Fraternity Meeting in original packaging

GOIN’ HUNTIN’ #1409

The 1965 version of Goin’ Huntin’ came without socks and boots (see NRFB version in THE ORIGINAL KEN® BOOK).

1964 #1409 Goin' Huntin'
1964 #1409 Goin’ Huntin’
1964 #1409 Goin' Huntin' in original packaging
1964 #1409 Goin’ Huntin’ in original packaging

CAMPUS CORDUROYS #1410

1964 #1410 Campus Corduroys (Jacket & slacks)
1964 #1410 Campus Corduroys (Jacket & slacks)
1964 #1410 Campus Corduroys in original packaging
1964 #1410 Campus Corduroys in original packaging

VICTORY DANCE #1411

Most online sellers offer an approximation of this outfit, borrowing pieces from other Ensemble or Fashion Paks. The most common mistake is to add a shirt with long sleeves: only the 2011 reproduction of this outfit came with a long-sleeved shirt. The original Victory Dance came with a labelled jacket and short-sleeved shirt. There was no label in either the waistcoat or the trousers.

1964 #1411 Victory Dance
1964 #1411 Victory Dance
1964 #1411 Victory Dance in original packaging
1964 #1411 Victory Dance in original packaging

THE LITTLE THEATRE COSTUME SERIES

THE PRINCE #0772

The glass slipper is marked JAPAN on the base, and is the hardest piece to find from this outfit. A close-up photo of the genuine accessories from The Prince can be seen in THE ORIGINAL KEN® BOOK).

1964 #0772 The Prince
1964 #0772 The Prince
1964 #0772 The Prince in original packaging
1964 #0772 The Prince in original packaging

KING ARTHUR #0773

Some shields have a greater colour contrast between the center stripe and the background, but this could be the result of fading rather than a genuine variation.

1964 #0773 King Arthur
1964 #0773 King Arthur
1964 #0773 King Arthur
1964 #0773 King Arthur

The later versions are packaged in a smaller box, so had to be arranged slightly differently.

1964 #0773 King Arthur in original packaging
1964 #0773 King Arthur in original (earlier) packaging
#0773 King Arthur in original (1965) packaging
#0773 King Arthur in original (later) packaging

ARABIAN NIGHTS #0774

1964 #0774 Arabian Nights
1964 #0774 Arabian Nights
1964 #0774 Arabian Nights in original packaging
1964 #0774 Arabian Nights in original packaging

RED RIDING HOOD & THE WOLF #0880

The page below from The World of Barbie Magazine Annual shows an entire wolf costume, and may well have been a prototype Mattel originally considered selling. Eventually only the wolf’s head (and grandma’s nightcap) was produced, though the trouser fabric was used for the huntsman’s cap, shown below right.

From 1964 World of Barbie Annual
From 1964 World of Barbie Annual
Huntman's cap from 1964 #0880 Red Riding Hood and the Wolf
Huntman’s cap from 1964 #0880 Red Riding Hood and the Wolf
1964 #880 Red Riding Hood and the Wolf
Wolf’s head from 1964 #0880 Red Riding Hood and the Wolf
1964 #0880 Red Riding Hood and the Wolf in original packaging
1964 #0880 Red Riding Hood and the Wolf

THE TRAVEL COSTUME SERIES

KEN IN SWITZERLAND #0776

1964 #0776 Ken In Switzerland
1964 #0776 Ken In Switzerland
1964 #0776 Ken In Switzerland in original packaging
1964 #0776 Ken In Switzerland in original packaging

The 1964 versions have a label in the shirt only. From 1965-67 Mattel did not attach labels to Ken’s plain white shirts, so the 1965 version of Ken in Switzerland has the label sewn into the lederhosen instead.

Ken in Switzerland: 1964 version has labelled shirts (left), 1965 version has labelled lederhosen

KEN IN HOLLAND #0777

1964 #0777 Ken In Holland
1964 #0777 Ken In Holland
1964 #0777 Ken In Holland in original packaging
1964 #0777 Ken In Holland in original packaging

KEN IN MEXICO #0778

The sombrero strap originally came with a black plastic toggle to fasten. It is usually missing from versions of this outfit bought nowadays out-of-box.  A perfect example can be seen in THE ORIGINAL KEN® BOOK.

1964 #0778 Ken In Mexico
1964 #0778 Ken In Mexico
1964 #0778 Ken In Mexico in original packaging
1964 #0778 Ken In Mexico in original packaging

KEN IN HAWAII #1404

The Ken in Hawaii hat was available in at least three flower-colour variations (Pink, purple & cream / Pink, brown & cream / Orange, brown & yellow). All three can be seen in THE ORIGINAL KEN® BOOK.

1964 #1404 Ken In Hawaii
1964 #1404 Ken In Hawaii
1964 #1404 Ken In Hawaii (Pink, cream and brown flowers in hat)
1964 #1404 Ken In Hawaii (Pink, cream and brown flowers in hat)
1964 #1404 Ken In Hawaii (Pink, purple and brown flowers in hat)
1964 #1404 Ken In Hawaii (Pink, purple and cream flowers in hat)
1964 #1404 Ken In Hawaii (Orange, yellow and brown flowers in hat)
1964 #1404 Ken In Hawaii (Orange, yellow and brown flowers in hat)

THE FASHION PAKS

Unusually, Top it Off! and the following two Fashion Paks all have code numbers.

TOP IT OFF! #1800

The Dreamboat hat can be found in this set with either a pink or a red hat band (though pink is more usual).

1964 #1800 Top It Off!
1964 #1800 Top It Off!
1964 #1800 Top It Off! in original packaging
1964 #1800 Top It Off! in original packaging

BEST FOOT FORWARD #1801

1964 #1801 Best Foot Forward
1964 #1801 Best Foot Forward
#1801 Best Foot Forward in original packaging
1964 #1801 Best Foot Forward in original packaging

SPORTSMAN #1802

1964 #1802 Sportsman
1964 #1802 Sportsman
1964 #1802 Sportsman in original packaging
1964 #1802 Sportsman in original packaging
#1802 Sportsman (Later packaging)
#1802 Sportsman (Later packaging)

The Fashion Paks below obviously only originally included the items shown in the MOC versions. Any extra items or accessories are merely to enhance the photos.

AT EASE

Despite what other websites, guide books, and sellers on Ebay may claim, there is absolutely no proof that At Ease came in any other version than that shown here. All Barbie booklets and Mattel dealer catalogues from 1964 to 1967 clearly mention this one only, and I am yet to find any further physical evidence – such as a MOC set – of any other version.

1964 At Ease
1964 At Ease
1964 At Ease in original packaging
1964 At Ease in original packaging

CHEERFUL CHEF

The regular glove is for the right hand, as shown on Ken below. The packaged version shows a rare left-handed glove.

1964 Cheerful Chef
1964 Cheerful Chef
1964 Cheerful Chef in original packaging
1964 Cheerful Chef in original packaging

DR. KEN’S KIT

1964 Dr. Ken's Kit
1964 Dr. Ken’s Kit
1964 Dr. Ken's Kit in original packaging
1964 Dr. Ken’s Kit in original packaging

LOUNGING AROUND

The new shorts fasten with a hidden zip and snap, and are now much harder to find than the previous ones (sold with Ken’s outfit Sport Shorts) with zip only. A close-up photo of the shorts can be seen in THE ORIGINAL KEN® BOOK.

1964 Lounging Around
1964 Lounging Around
1964 Lounging Around
1964 Lounging Around
1964 Lounging Around in original packaging
1964 Lounging Around in original packaging
1964 Lounging Around
1964 Lounging Around
1964 Lounging Around
1964 Lounging Around
1964 Lounging Around in original packaging
1964 Lounging Around in original packaging

MORNING WORKOUT

1964 Morning Workout
1964 Morning Workout
1964 Morning Workout in original packaging
1964 Morning Workout in original packaging

PARTY FUN

1964 Party Fun
1964 Party Fun
1964 Party Fun in original packaging
1964 Party Fun in original packaging

SHOES FOR SPORTS

A rarer version of this set came with white wheels on the roller skates.

1964 Shoes For Sports
1964 Shoes For Sports
1964 Shoes For Sport in original packaging
1964 Shoes For Sport in original packaging

SODA DATE

The Barbie For Fall ’64 catalogue shows Soda Date with what looks like the beige cotton slacks with back pocket from Casuals, but the Barbie Exclusive Fashions booklets for 1964, and all the MOC versions I’ve seen so far, have (unlabelled) cord slacks as shown here. The Barbie booklet also shows the keys from Rally Day (though they are not shown in the booklets for 1965), but I’m yet to find a MOC version with keys.

1964 Soda Date
1964 Soda Date
1964 Soda Date in original packaging
1964 Soda Date in original packaging
1964 Soda Date
1964 Soda Date
1964 Soda Date in original packaging
1964 Soda Date in original packaging
1964 Soda Date in original packaging
Soda Date (Later packaging)

WHITE IS RIGHT!

1964 White Is Right!
1964 White Is Right!
1964 White Is Right! in original packaging
1964 White Is Right! in original packaging

THE GIFT SETS

Three gift sets for 1964 contained a Ken doll. They were Japan-made 750 Kens, mostly with the new hand mold, and came with either green or blue eyes. All gift sets have been found with both blonde and brunette Kens.

ON PARADE GIFT SET #1014 included Ken dressed in the complete Drum Major outfit. The set came with a yellow or green backing card.

1964 #1014 Barbie Ken On Parade Gift Set
1964 #1014 On Parade Gift Set
1964 #1014 On Parade Gift Set
1964 #1014 On Parade Gift Set (with green-eyed blonde Ken)
1964 #1014 On Parade Gift Set (with green-eyed brunette Ken)
1964 #1014 On Parade Gift Set (with green-eyed brunette Ken)
1964 #1014 On Parade Gift Set (with blue-eyed blonde Ken)
1964 #1014 On Parade Gift Set (with blue-eyed blonde Ken)
1964 #1014 On Parade Gift Set
1964 #1014 On Parade Gift Set (with blue-eyed brunette Ken)

WEDDING PARTY GIFT SET #1017 included Ken dressed in the regular Tuxedo outfit, but instead of a corsage, he had a cushion with tiny ring set into it.

1964 #1017 Wedding Party Gift Set
1964 #1017 Wedding Party Gift Set
1964 #1017 Wedding Party Gift Set ring on cushion
1964 #1017 Wedding Party Gift Set ring on cushion (Kanai Collection Japan)
1964 #1017 Wedding Party Gift Set
1964 #1017 Wedding Party Gift Set (with blue-eyed brunette Ken)
1964 #1017 Wedding Party Gift Set (Blonde Ken)
1964 #1017 Wedding Party Gift Set (with blue-eyed blonde Ken)

LITTLE THEATRE GIFT SET #1018 included a Ken dressed in Arabian Nights plus the complete King Arthur and The Prince outfits.

1964 #1018 Little Theatre Gift Set
1964 #1018 Little Theatre Gift Set
1964 #1018 Little Theatre Gift Set reverse
1964 #1018 Little Theatre Gift Set reverse

This set usually comes on a yellow printed backing card, with the dolls in boxes, as shown below left. The version on the right with the blue backing card is extremely rare, but appears to be genuine. Like the other gift sets from this year, it has slits in the card at base to hold the pedestals. It was possibly a version sold through the catalogues.

1964 #1018 Little Theatre Gift Set
1964 #1018 Little Theatre Gift Set (with blue-eyed brunette Ken)
1964 #1018 Little Theatre Gift Set
1964 #1018 Little Theatre Gift Set (with blue-eyed blonde Ken)

THE KEN DOLL CASES

The original 1962 Ken travel case features three pictures of Barbie, the second from 1963 shows only one, and of these final Ken cases from 1964 Barbie only features on the Canadian version. This suggests that Ken was not only becoming more established, but that (after the 1963 Ken Military/Sportsman range) he may also have begun appealing to boys. In 1966 a case featuring Ken and Allan was sold across Europe. It can be seen the 1966 outfit section.

1964 #395 Ken Doll Case by SPP (lavender)
1964 #395 Ken Doll Case by SPP (lavender)
1964 #395 Ken Doll Case by SPP (yellow)
1964 #395 Ken Doll Case by SPP (yellow)
1964 #395 Ken Doll Case by SPP (green)
1964 #395 Ken Doll Case by SPP (turquoise)
1964 #395 Ken Doll Case by SPP (Canadian version)
1964 #395 Ken Doll Case by SPP (Canadian version)
From 1964 Toys & Novelties magazine (March)
From 1964 Toys & Novelties magazine (March)
From 1964 Standard Plastic Products catalogue
From 1964 Standard Plastic Products catalogue

BOOKLETS & CATALOGUES

There were four booklets produced for 1964, all with a different layout and item selection. Books 2-4 came with the Ensemble and Fashion Paks. Book 1 contains more pages and came only with the dolls. Click on each of the four booklets below to see all of the pages which feature Ken.

1964 Exclusive Fashions book 1
1964 Exclusive Fashions book 1
1964 Exclusive Fashions book 2
1964 Exclusive Fashions book 2
1964 Exclusive Fashions book 3
1964 Exclusive Fashions book 3
1964 Barbie Ken Exclusive Fashions booklet book 4
1964 Exclusive Fashions book 4
1964 Mattel Salesman Product sheet
1964 Mattel Salesman Product sheet
1964 Mattel Salesman Product sheet
1964 Mattel Salesman Product Sheet

Note the prototype King Arthur shield in the advertising below.

From Barbie For Fall '64 catalogue
From Barbie For Fall ’64 catalogue
From Barbie For Fall '64 catalogue
From Barbie For Fall ’64 catalogue
From Barbie For Fall '64 catalogue
Barbie For Fall ’64 catalogue
From Barbie For Fall '64 catalogue
From Barbie For Fall ’64 catalogue
From Barbie For Fall '64 catalogue
Barbie For Fall ’64 catalogue
From 1964 Toys and Novelties magazine (1 December)
From 1964 Toys and Novelties magazine (1 December)

Note that in the advertisement below left, Ken is wearing the blue suit from Special Date with the striped tie from Saturday Date. The Penneys Christmas catalogue from 1964 makes reference to such an outfit (see further below).

1964 Mattel advertisement from Jack & Jill magazine
1964 Mattel advertisement from Jack & Jill magazine
1964 Mattel advertisement from July issue Jack & Jill magazine
1964 Mattel advertisement from July issue Jack & Jill magazine

The 1964 World of Barbie Annual was sadly just a one-off. It not only contains some of the best publicity photography for Barbie & Ken ever taken – and well it should, as Mattel commissioned Life Magazine/Hollywood photographer Allan Grant – but shows a few outfits (like the full wolf costume shown further above) which could well have been prototypes. The pages below show an alternative Masquerade outfit, and a Yukata (casual summer kimono) for Ken.

From 1964 World of Barbie Annual
From 1964 World of Barbie Annual
From 1964 World of Barbie Annual
From 1964 World of Barbie Annual

The Sears catalogue features the PEP RALLY GIFT SET, which must have been an exclusive, as otherwise it doesn’t appear until 1965. It is certainly marked as ‘NEW’ in the Barbie For Fall ’65 catalogue (see section 1965 The Outfits).

1964 Mattel advertisement from Jack & Jill magazine
1964 Mattel advertisement from Jack & Jill magazine
From 1964 Sears Christmas catalogue
From 1964 Sears Christmas catalogue
From 1964 Sears Christmas catalogue
From 1964 Sears Christmas catalogue
From 1964 Sears Christmas catalogue
From 1964 Sears Christmas catalogue
From 1964 Montgomery Ward Christmas catalogue
From 1964 Montgomery Ward Christmas catalogue
From 1964 Montgomery Ward Christmas catalogue
From 1964 Montgomery Ward Christmas catalogue
1964 Canadian Eaton's Christmas catalogue
1964 Canadian Eaton’s Christmas catalogue
1964 Canadian Simpsons Sears Christmas catalogue
1964 Canadian Simpsons Sears Christmas catalogue
1964 Spiegel Christmas catalogue
1964 Spiegel Christmas catalogue
1964 Spiegel Christmas catalogue
1964 Spiegel Christmas catalogue

The Penneys Christmas catalogue is the only 1964 reference I have found to Saturday Date. Despite describing it as coming with a “blue” suit, it is definitely not a mix-up for Special Date. The photo clearly shows the classic grey suit, the description also mentions the striped tie, and besides, Special Date is also featured, two pages earlier. As a curious coincidence the Mattel advertisement from Easter 1964 (see further above) shows Ken wearing a blue suit with the striped tie, so maybe an ultra-rare version of Saturday Date with a blue suit really did exist.

From 1964 Penneys Christmas catalogue
From 1964 Penneys Christmas catalogue
From 1964 Penneys Christmas catalogue
From 1964 Penneys Christmas catalogue
From 1964 National Bellas Hess Gifts for Christmas catalogue
From 1964 National Bellas Hess Gifts for Christmas catalogue
From 1964 Jewel Tea catalogue
From 1964 Jewel Tea catalogue
From 1964 H&H catalogue
From 1964 H&H catalogue
1964 World Wide Discount catalogue
1964 World Wide Discount catalogue
1964 Aldens Christmas Book
1964 Aldens Christmas Book

The Spiegel catalogue below left describes Fraternity Meeting as Fraternity Party.

1965 Spiegel Spring Summer catalogue
1965 Spiegel Spring Summer catalogue
From 1964-5 John Plain book
From John Plain book for 1965
From 1964-5 John Plain book
From John Plain book for 1965
From 1965 First catalogue
From 1965 First catalogue

The Century catalogue below right from 1966 is selling Ken dressed in Drum Major (shown here with the wrong hat!), with no clue as to the packaging. Was he sold as a boxed Ken, with Drum Major as an extra Ensemble Pak outfit? Was he sold as an exclusive Dressed Doll Ken? Or did Century simply have loads of unsold On Parade sets from the previous year (see 1965 catalogue below left) and decided to split them up, selling the dolls off separately (packaged how?)? I suspect the latter, as Drum Major was no longer officially available by 1966, so it would make sense that they were selling off old stock (and at a profit).

From 1965 Century Annual Catalog
From 1965 Century Annual Catalog
From 1966 Century Annual Catalog of Gifts
From 1966 Century Annual Catalog of Gifts

KEN IN EUROPE

In the mid-sixties Mattel introduced Ken to Europe. He seems to have first appeared in 1964, imported and distributed by Jouets rationnels in France, and Brio in Sweden (who sold Ken throughout Scandinavia). By 1965 Mattel had a registered European base in Geneva Switzerland (Mattel SA).

1964 Swedish Mattel/Brio booklet
1964 Swedish Mattel/Brio booklet
1964 Swedish Mattel/Brio booklet
1964 Swedish Mattel/Brio booklet
1964 Swedish Mattel/Brio booklet
1964 Swedish Mattel/Brio booklet
1964 Swedish Mattel/Brio booklet
1964 Swedish Mattel/Brio booklet
1964 Swedish Mattel/Brio booklet
1964 Swedish Mattel/Brio booklet
1964 Swedish Mattel/Brio booklet
1964 Swedish Mattel/Brio booklet
1964 Swedish NK Store poster
1964 Swedish NK Store poster
1964 Swedish NK Store poster
1964 Swedish NK Store poster (Detail)
1964 Swedish Nordiska Kompaniet Barbie Shop price list
1964 Swedish Nordiska Kompaniet Barbie Shop price list
1964 Swedish Nordiska Kompaniet Barbie Shop price list
1964 Swedish Nordiska Kompaniet Barbie Shop price list
1965 Swedish Leksakslandet catalogue
1965 Swedish Leksakslandet catalogue
From 1964 Danish Brio/Mattel Barbie booklet
From 1964 Danish Brio/Mattel Barbie booklet

The French catalogue below shows Victory Dance (packaged) and Special Date, but refers to them both as Sur Son 31 (“All Dressed Up”). Sur Son 31 is only the name for Special Date. The correct French name for Victory Dance is Riviera. I know this from a Jouets Rationnels order form I’ve discovered from 1964. Through this form I’ve also discovered the French names of outfits not mentioned in the catalogues and advertising:

Sleeper Set = AU LIT
Casuals = PIQUE NIQUE
Rally Day = RALLYE
Ski Champion = VAL D’ISÈRE
Country Clubbin’ = WEEK-END
Fraternity Meeting = ETUDIANT

From 1964 French Jeux et Jouets catalogue
From 1964 French Jeux et Jouets catalogue
1964 French jouets rationnels newspaper advertisement
1964 French jouets rationnels newspaper advertisement
From 1964 French April/May la revue du jouet
From 1964 French April/May la revue du jouet
1964 French Barbie advertisement
1964-65 French Barbie magazine advertisement
1964 French Barbie newspaper advertisement
1964-65 French Barbie newspaper advertisement

All 1964 Fashion Paks were available from 1964-1967. The Ensemble Paks were available as follows:*

DRUM MAJOR (1964-1965) (Until 1966 in Europe)
AMERICAN AIRLINES CAPTAIN (1964-1965) (Until 1968 in Europe)
COUNTRY CLUBBIN’ (1964) (Until 1966 in Europe)
SPECIAL DATE (1964-1965) (Until 1967 in Europe)
GOING BOWLING (1964-1965)
ROLLER SKATE DATE (1964-1965) (Until 1966 in Europe)
KEN SKIN DIVER (1964-1965) (Until 1968 in Europe)
FOUNTAIN BOY (1964-1965) (Until 1968 in Europe)
FRATERNITY MEETING (1964)
GOIN’ HUNTING (1964-1965) (Until 1968 in Europe)
CAMPUS CORDUROYS (1964-1965) (Until 1968 in Europe)
VICTORY DANCE (1964). A reproduction of this outfit was issued in 2011 as part of the My Favorite Ken (50th Anniversary) gift set. This is not an exact reproduction, as the shirt has long sleeves and the trousers have turn-ups.

THE PRINCE (1964-1965) (Until 1968 in Europe)
KING ARTHUR (1964-1965) (Until 1968 in Europe)
ARABIAN NIGHTS (1964-1965) (Until 1968 in Europe)

KEN IN SWITZERLAND (1964) (Until 1968 in Europe)
KEN IN HOLLAND (1964) (Until 1968 in Europe)
KEN IN MEXICO (1964) (Until 1965 in Japan)
KEN IN HAWAII (1964) (Until 1968 in Europe)

*Based on information taken from US, Japanese & European Barbie booklets 1964-1968, Mattel Toy catalogues 1964-1967 and Mattel Employee Order Forms 1965-1967.


THE REPRODUCTIONS

The 1964 version of Campus Hero was reproduced for the 2008 Campus Sweet Shop gift set, worn by Allan.

2008 Campus Sweet Shop in original packaging
2008 Campus Sweet Shop in original packaging
2008 Campus Sweet Shop original packaging
Reverse of packaging

An inexact reproduction of Victory Dance was produced for the 2011 (Ken 50th Anniversary) My Favorite Ken gift set. It came with a long-sleeved shirt and the trousers were given turn-ups, despite the fact that the original 1964 version of this outfit came with a short-sleeved shirt and plain-leg trousers.

This set is quite confusing all round. Apart from the fact that an outfit from 1964 is an odd choice to commemorate 1961, the box reverse shows a painted hair Ken wearing Victory Dance (with the wrong trousers) above the year ‘1962’, to which neither belong. (It would almost have been possible to assemble this incorrect version of the outfit in 1962, using the 1961 slacks from Campus Hero, and various 1962 Fashion Pak items – except the shoes would have been brown-and-white instead of black-and-white, as the black version didn’t appear until 1964.)

2011 My Favorite Ken (Ken 50th Anniversary) in original packaging
2011 My Favorite Ken (Ken 50th Anniversary) in original packaging
2011 My Favorite Ken (Ken 50th Anniversary) original packaging
Reverse of packaging