Mattel France, Germany and Spain produced their own versions of several regular Kens (as well as Derek and the Heart Family Dad) throughout the 1980s. Mattel Spain even produced their own clothing. The Mattel France Kens are marked Made in France or © Mattel Inc. 1968 France on their backs. The Kens made in Germany (for the French market) are marked © Mattel GmbH West Germany. The Kens made in Spain (also occasionally made for the French market) are stamped © 1968 Mattel Inc Spain or are unmarked. They were packaged in unique boxes, and the French ones were given unique code numbers. The Kens produced in France and Germany resemble Kens sold in the US. The Spanish-produced versions are noticeably different, always using the Mod straight-arm body-mold, and having almost naively painted faces.
KENS SOLD IN SPAIN
Mattel in Spain initially worked with the Spanish toy company Congost, during the late 1970s and early 1980s, as seen by the logo on the packaging of Ken Gran Gala and Ken Super Sport.
Mattel Spain also produced their own versions of many outfits, using different fabrics and threads. Some were similar, others quite different. The outfits were given alternative names, but kept the original code numbers. The shoes are made of hard plastic, but are unmarked. Mattel Spain Ken labels are stickers.
The pictures below show the regular outfit on the left, compared to the Mattel Spain version on the right.
Many more photos of the Mattel Spain/Congost items I have can be seen in the other sections from 1983-1987. Si usted tiene la información (por ejemplo, un catalogo) sobre Mattel Spain/Congost Ken de los años 80, por favor hágamelo saber: contact@somethingabouttheboy.com
KEN SOLD IN FRANCE
Several Kens were sold in France in exclusive French packaging. To make matters really confusing though, not all were actually made in France. Some were produced in Spain (Ken Super Féerie, Ken Super Tempo) or Germany (Ken Loisirs, possibly SuperStar Ken). Curiously, I’m yet to find a German-made Ken in German packaging.
The boys definitely produced in France are the unique Ken Cérémonie (see also 1983 Boys section), Day-To-Night Ken (Ken Super Club), Sea Lovin’ Ken (Ken Super Regate), and Super Sport Ken (Ken Sport Super Danse). There should also be a uniquely packaged French version of Crystal Ken (as Ken Super Gala), but I’m not sure if it was produced in France or Spain, as I’ve yet to find one NRFB.
The two Kens below were made in Spain for the French market (Despite the multi-language packaging, I’ve only ever found these Kens in France). Unlike the Spanish-made dolls actually sold in Spain, these are given unique code numbers.
Note how this Derek, like all Spanish-made boys, has the straight arm body mold. Like the Music Lovin’ and Dream Glow Kens above, the packaging contains descriptions in four languages, but I’ve only ever found this Derek, packaged like this, in France. This Derek was also sold in Spain, but it is probable he would have been packaged differently (only in Spanish) and given the regular code number (2428).
These items rarely appear for sale online and are seldom found complete or in good condition. They are totally under-researched, and even French and Spanish Barbie websites hardly mention them. If you can provide any images or information please write to me at: contact@somethingabouttheboy.com.