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
DRUM MAJOR #0775
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).
SLEEPER SET #0781
Sleeper Set now came with blue pajamas instead of brown.
CASUALS #0782
As well as the new t-shirt, the reissue also came with different slacks, which have a hidden YKK zip and snap.
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).
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.
COUNTRY CLUBBIN’ #1400
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.
#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).
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).
KEN SKIN DIVER #1406
FOUNTAIN BOY #1407
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.
GOIN’ HUNTIN’ #1409
The 1965 version of Goin’ Huntin’ came without socks and boots (see NRFB version in THE ORIGINAL KEN® BOOK).
CAMPUS CORDUROYS #1410
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.
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).
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.
The later versions are packaged in a smaller box, so had to be arranged slightly differently.
ARABIAN NIGHTS #0774
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.
THE TRAVEL COSTUME SERIES
KEN IN SWITZERLAND #0776
The 1964 versions have a label in the shirt only. From 1965-67 Mattel did not attach labels to Ken’s plain white shirts (the only exception being the shirt from Fashion Pak White is Right!), so the 1965 version of Ken in Switzerland has the label sewn into the lederhosen instead.
KEN IN HOLLAND #0777
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.
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.
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).
BEST FOOT FORWARD #1801
SPORTSMAN #1802
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.
CHEERFUL CHEF
The regular glove is for the right hand, as shown on Ken below. The packaged version shows a rare left-handed glove.
DR. KEN’S KIT
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.
MORNING WORKOUT
PARTY FUN
SHOES FOR SPORTS
A rarer version of this set came with white wheels on the roller skates.
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.
WHITE IS RIGHT!
Although not visible on the photo, the shirt is labelled, just sewn slightly further down the collar. Even the later, 1965 packaged version (which can be seen in THE ORIGINAL KEN® BOOK) has a label.
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.
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.
LITTLE THEATRE GIFT SET #1018 included a Ken dressed in Arabian Nights plus the complete King Arthur and The Prince outfits.
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.
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.
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.
Note the prototype King Arthur shield in the advertising below.
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).
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.
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).
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.
The Spiegel catalogue below left describes Fraternity Meeting as Fraternity Party.
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).
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).
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
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.
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.)
