1977 Malibu Ken, The Now Look Ken, Ken Simpatia & Partytime Ken

MALIBU KEN #1088

During 1977 the box for Malibu Ken was altered slightly. This new box is much smaller, and the graphics have changed a little, with the Mattel logo at the bottom. It is still dated 1975, as are all the pink Malibu Ken boxes.

1977 #1088 Malibu Ken
1977 #1088 Malibu Ken
1977 #1088 Malibu Ken
1977 #1088 Malibu Ken
1977 #1088 Malibu Ken in original packaging
1977 #1088 Malibu Ken in original packaging
1977 #1088 Malibu Ken original packaging
Reverse of packaging

A note about the later markings: The single end number (for example the number 1 below) after the longer code no. 1088 0500 is not particularly significant or exclusive to any one doll. Most of the dolls from this period can be found with end numbers from 1-6.

© 1968 Mattel Inc. U.S. & For. Patd. Other Pats. Pending Hong Kong
© 1968 Mattel Inc. U.S. & For. Patd. Other Pats. Pending Hong Kong
1088 0500 1 © Mattel Inc.1968 Hong Kong.
or (later version): 1088 0500 1 © Mattel Inc.1968 Hong Kong

THE NOW LOOK KEN #9342

The second version of The Now Look Ken is made of an inferior plastic and has quite a ghastly skin tone, but is certainly better-looking. His rooted hair is shoulder-length, and he has rear-facing hands. There are also minimal differences in the outfit, with a lighter scarf, darker buttons, and trousers which are cut looser around the hips.

1976 #9342 The Now Look Ken
1977 #9342 The Now Look Ken
1976 #9342 The Now Look Ken
1977 #9342 The Now Look Ken
1976 #9342 The Now Look Ken
1977 #9342 The Now Look Ken accessories
1976 #9342 The Now Look Ken
1088 0500 1 © Mattel Inc 1968 Hong Kong

The first box below is the original large version, like the one which came with The Now Look Ken from 1976. As with the Malibu Kens above, the later boxes were smaller, with slightly different graphics.

1977 #9342 The Now Look Ken in original (earlier) packaging
1977 #9342 The Now Look Ken in original (earlier) packaging
1976 #9342 The Now Look Ken original packaging
Reverse of earlier packaging
1976 #9342 The Now Look Ken in original packaging
1977 #9342 The Now Look Ken in later packaging
1976 #9342 The Now Look Ken original packaging
Reverse of later packaging
1977 #9342 The Now Look Ken (Canadian version)
1977 #9342 The Now Look Ken (with Canadian sticker)

KEN SIMPATIA #7380

Mattel Italy produced a variation of Gold Medal Ken with no medal and a slightly different pair of trunks (orange, pale blue and yellow). He was packaged as Ken Simpatia. The code number remained the same. The box side states the contents were made in Taiwan. This is either a printing error or refers only to the trunks, as I’ve seen several examples of Ken Simpatia, and the dolls themselves were definitely all this same Hong Kong-made Malibu-style Ken.

1977 #7380 Ken Simpatia
1977 #7380 Ken Simpatia
1977 #7380 Ken Simpatia
1977 #7380 Ken Simpatia
1977 #7380 Ken Simpatia
1977 #7380 Ken Simpatia
1977 #7380 Ken Simpatia
1088 0500 6 © Mattel Inc 1968 Hong Kong

The packaging reverse has the same design as the front.

1977 #7380 Ken Simpatia original packaging
1977 #7380 Ken Simpatia original packaging
1977 #7380 Ken Simpatia original packaging (Detail)
1977 #7380 Ken Simpatia original packaging (Detail)

The 1977 Canadian Sears Christmas catalogues also show this Ken, describing him only as “Sun-Tanned Ken in bathing trunks” (in French “Ken tout bronzé”). He was packaged as Malibu Ken.

From 1977 Canadian Sears Christmas catalogue
From 1977 Canadian Sears Christmas catalogue
From 1977 Sears Cadeaux de Noël catalogue
From 1977 Canadian Sears Cadeaux de Noël catalogue
1977 #1088 Malibu Ken (Canadian version)
1977 #1088 Malibu Ken (Canadian version)
1977 #1088 Malibu Ken (Canadian version)
Reverse of packaging

PARTYTIME KEN #9927

Partytime Ken was released in Europe and Canada. He wears a tuxedo which is a two-piece outfit, the dickey being attached to the trousers, and the whole ensemble quite shoddily made. Like the doll, the loafers were made in Hong Kong and are the soft, rubbery kind. Only this Ken and SuperStar Ken from 1978 came with squishy black HK loafers. All other black Hong Kong-produced loafers are made of a harder plastic. In France he was called Ken Party-Time, and in Canada he was also known as Ken à la fête.

1977 #9927 Partytime Ken
1977 #9927 Partytime Ken
1977 #9927 Partytime Ken
1977 #9927 Partytime Ken
1977 #9927 Partytime Ken
1977 #9927 Partytime Ken
1977 #9927 Partytime Ken
1977 #9927 Partytime Ken shoes
1977 #9927 Partytime Ken rarer markings
© 1968 Mattel Inc. U.S. & For. Patd. Other Pats. Pending Hong Kong
1088 0500 2 © Mattel Inc 1968 Hong Kong
1088 0500 2 © Mattel Inc 1968 Hong Kong
1977 #9927 Partytime Ken (English version) in original packaging
1977 #9927 Partytime Ken in English packaging
1977 #9927 Partytime Ken (English version) original packaging
Reverse of English version packaging
1977 #9927 Partytime Ken
1977 #9927 Partytime Ken in European packaging
1977 #9927 Partytime Ken European packaging
Reverse of European packaging
1977 #9927 Partytime Ken in Canadian packaging
1977 #9927 Partytime Ken in Canadian packaging
1977 #9927 Partytime Ken Canadian packaging
Revese of Canadian packaging

BOOKLETS & CATALOGUES

The Mattel dealer and mail order catalogues for 1977 show that only The Now Look Ken and Malibu Ken were now available. The Barbie booklet for 1977 only has Kens modelling his clothing range.

From 1977 Makin' It With Mattel catalogue
From 1977 Makin’ It With Mattel catalogue
From 1977 Sears Wish Book
From 1977 Sears Wish Book
From 1977 JCPenny Christmas catalogue
From 1977 JCPenney Christmas catalogue
From 1977 Stroud Distributing Co. catalogue
From 1977 Stroud Distributing Co. catalogue
From 1977 Spiegel Christmas catalogue
From 1977 Spiegel Christmas catalogue
From 1977 Montgomery Ward Christmas catalogue
From 1977 Montgomery Ward Christmas catalogue
From 1977 Montgomery Ward Christmas catalogue
From 1977 Montgomery Ward Christmas catalogue
From 1977 Aldens Christmas catalogue
From 1977 Aldens Christmas catalogue

The Italian booklet below uses prototypes which show Ken Simpatia and Partytime Ken with side-facing hands. The actual Kens all came with rear-facing hands, as shown above.

From 1977 Italian Barbie booklet
From 1977 Italian Barbie booklet
From 1977 Italian Barbie booklet
From 1977 Italian Barbie booklet

This French Mattel catalogue from 1977 is interesting, as it shows a Malibu Ken with green shorts, but with the code number of Funtime Ken (#7194) and with a yellow towel. I remember hearing about this version, but have never seen one MIB and the picture next to it shows a French display stand containing this doll clearly boxed as a regular Malibu Ken. The code number is a printing error, and the yellow towel belonged to Barbie and just accidentally made it onto the photo – compare it with the page underneath from the German booklet.

From 1977 French Mattel Toy catalogue
From 1977 French Mattel Toy catalogue
From 1977 French Mattel Toy catalogue
From 1977 French Mattel Toy catalogue
From 1977 German Barbie booklet
From 1977 German Barbie booklet
From 1977 German Barbie booklet
From 1977 German Barbie booklet
From 1977 Dutch Barbie booklet
From 1977 Dutch Barbie booklet
From 1977 Dutch Barbie booklet
From 1977 Dutch Barbie booklet
From 1977 Dutch Barbie booklet
From 1977 Dutch Barbie booklet
From 1977 Swedish Barbie Bladet 77 comic
From 1977 Swedish Barbie Bladet comic
1977 Swedish Kalle Anka & Co. comic
From 1977 Swedish Kalle Anka & Co. comic
From 1977 Italian Mattel Toy catalogue
From 1977 Italian Mattel Toy catalogue

In the French Jouets Weber catalogue, The Now Look Ken is described as Ken New-Look.

From 1977 French Jouets Weber catalogue
From 1977 French Jouets Weber catalogue
From 1977 German Vedes Spiel + Freizeit catalogue
From 1977 German Vedes Spiel + Freizeit catalogue

The French catalogues below show a Malibu Ken wearing the Partytime Ken outfit, but as far as I know no blonde version of Partytime Ken was ever sold.

From 1977 French Jouets Conseil catalogue
From 1977 French Jouets Conseil catalogue
From 1977 French Jeux et Jouets catalogue
From 1977 French Jeux et Jouets catalogue

Partytime Ken is one of the most commonly found vintage Kens in Europe. This is probably because he was still available for sale as late as 1981.

1980 French Barbie booklet
1980 French Barbie booklet
From 1981 French Selection Jouets catalogue
From 1981 French Selection Jouets catalogue