1987 Jewel Secrets Ken & Tennis Ken

This is the last year described here in detail. Ken and his clothing became simply too tacky, as the ridiculously uncollectable Jewel Secrets Ken below demonstrates. Since 2006 things have improved and there are some fantastic Kens (and if you search this website thoroughly, you might just find a 21st-Century Ken I’ve sneaked in!). However, my collection ends here, in no small part owing to environmental concerns about plastics and packaging: I’m still waiting for Earth-Lovin’ Ken, made from 100% recycled and recyclable/biodegradable materials.


JEWEL SECRETS KEN

The Caucasian Jewel Secrets Ken has a new head-mold which was used twice more; for the Barbie and the Rockers Ken (blonde), and the BiBops Bobby doll (auburn). Mattel took tacky to a whole new level with all three dolls, especially Jewel Secrets Ken, who came with this glitzy silver outfit and super-cheap accessories. Which is a shame, as it does tend to disguise the fact that he has quite a handsome face. In France he was also known as Ken Diamant, in Canada as Ken Bijoux Secrets, in Italy as Ken Gioielli Segreti, and in Spain as Ken Diamantes. Mattel Mexico possibly produced a version called Ken Brillantes Secretos as companion to their Barbie.

JEWEL SECRETS KEN #1719

1987 #1719 Jewel Secrets Ken
1987 #1719 Jewel Secrets Ken
1987 #1719 Jewel Secrets Ken
1987 #1719 Jewel Secrets Ken
1987 #1719 Jewel Secrets Ken
1987 #1719 Jewel Secrets Ken
1987 #1719 Jewel Secrets Ken
1987 #1719 Jewel Secrets Ken
1987 #1719 Jewel Secrets Ken
1987 #1719 Jewel Secrets Ken accessories
© Mattel Inc. 1968 Malaysia
© Mattel Inc. 1968 Malaysia
1987 #1719 Jewel Secrets Ken
1987 #1719 Jewel Secrets Ken in original packaging
1987 #1719 Jewel Secrets Ken original packaging
Reverse of packaging
1987 #1719 Jewel Secrets Ken in original packaging
1987 #1719 Jewel Secrets Ken (Variation packaging)
1987 #1719 Jewel Secrets Ken original packaging
Reverse of variation packaging
1987 #1719 Jewel Secrets Ken (Canadian version)
1987 #1719 Jewel Secrets Ken in Canadian packaging
1987 #1719 Jewel Secrets Ken Canadian packaging
Reverse of Canadian packaging
1987 #1719 Jewel Secrets Ken in European packaging
1987 #1719 Jewel Secrets Ken in European packaging
1987 #1719 Jewel Secrets Ken European packaging
Reverse of European packaging
1987 #1719 Ken Diamantes (Spanish version)
1987 #1719 Ken Diamantes (Spanish version) in original packaging
1987 #1719 Ken Diamantes (Spanish version)
Spanish version: © Mattel Inc 1968 Spain

JEWEL SECRETS KEN #3232

1987 #3232 Jewel Secrets Ken
1987 #3232 Jewel Secrets Ken in original packaging
1987 #3232 Jewel Secrets Ken original packaging
Reverse of packaging
1987 #3232 Jewel Secrets Ken in original packaging
1987 #3232 Jewel Secrets Ken (Variation packaging)
1987 #3232 Jewel Secrets Ken original packaging
Reverse of packaging

KENNY JEWEL SECRETS #8719

1988 #8719 Kenny Jewel Secrets (Argentinian version) in original packaging
1988 #8719 Kenny Jewel Secrets (Argentinian version)
1988 #8719 Kenny Jewel Secrets (Argentinian version) original packaging
Reverse of Argentinian packaging

TENNIS KEN #1761

Tennis Ken or Ken Tennis was released in Europe, Canada and Mexico. Domestically he was only available together with Barbie in the Tennis Stars #7801 gift set. The gift set box is dated 1988, so it was sold either late 1988, or 1989. I’ve read it was a Toys R Us exclusive. I have yet to find any printed catalogue evidence, but the boxes seem to back this up, as they are only ever found with Toys R Us price stickers.

1987 #1761 Tennis Ken
1987 #1761 Tennis Ken
1987 #1761 Tennis Ken
1987 #1761 Tennis Ken
1987 #1761 Tennis Ken
1987 #1761 Tennis Ken accessories
1987 #1761 Tennis Ken
1987 #1761 Tennis Ken copyright markings
1987 #1761 Tennis Ken in original packaging
1987 #1761 Tennis Ken in original packaging
1987 #1761 Tennis Ken original packaging
Reverse of packaging (Blue shorts version)

Despite these two boxes showing an altered photo of Ken wearing white shorts on the reverse, I’ve yet to find an actual version of him with white shorts.

1987 #1761 Tennis Ken original packaging
Reverse of packaging (White shorts version)
1987 #1761 Ken Tennis (Mexico)
Reverse of Mexican Barbie packaging
1988 #7801 Tennis Stars Barbie & Ken in original packaging
1988 #7801 Tennis Stars Barbie & Ken in original packaging
1988 #7801 Tennis Stars Barbie & Ken original packaging
Reverse of packaging

BOOKLETS & CATALOGUES

From Mattel Toys 1987 catalogue
From Mattel Toys 1987 catalogue
From Mattel Toys 1987 catalogue
From Mattel Toys 1987 catalogue
From Mattel Toys 1987 catalogue
From Mattel Toys 1987 catalogue
From 1987 Sears Wish Book For Kids
From 1987 Sears Wish Book For Kids
From 1987 Sears Wish Book For Kids
From 1987 Sears Wish Book For Kids
From 1987 Canadian Sears Wish Book
From 1987 Canadian Sears Wish Book
From 1987 European Barbie booklet
From 1987 European Barbie booklet
From 1987 European Barbie booklet
From 1987 European Barbie booklet
From 1987 French Barbie booklet
From 1987 French Barbie booklet
From 1987 French Barbie booklet
From 1987 French Barbie booklet
From 1987 French Barbie booklet
From 1987 French Barbie booklet
From 1987 French Barbie booklet
From 1987 French Barbie booklet
From 1987 Italian Mattel Toys catalogue
From 1987 Italian Mattel Toys catalogue
1987 Danish Tennis Ken advertising
1987 Danish Tennis Ken advertising
From 1987 Finnish Barbie Journal
From 1987 Finnish Barbie Journal

Rockers Ken and the second version of Derek can be found in the section 1986-87 Derek & Ken Rockers.