I'm a Barbie Girl. . .

. . .in a Barbie world

Life in plastic, it's fantastic

Whether you want to make your own music video to the 1997 hit "Barbie Girl" by the Danish-Norwegian

pop group Aqua or want to be ready to act out your favorite scenes from the upcoming "Barbie" movie, this vintage Barbie and friends are just what you'll need.

The star of the show is of course Barbie (her full name, according the the backstory created by Mattel, is Barbara Millicent Roberts). Introduced in 1959 and designed by Ruth Handler, Barbie was advertised as a teen-age fashion model. However, this wholesome all-American girl owes her inspiration to a blond German bombshell, Bild Lilli. Lilli was the character of a cartoon drawn by Reinhard Beuthien for the German tabloid "Bild;" she was a frankly a floozy and gold digger, pictured in skin-tight dresses or various states of undress. The cartoon was so popular, in 1955 Bild introduced a Lilli doll. Originally she was marketed to adults, mainly to men as a type of mascot or gag gift. However, little girls, bored with child and baby dolls, were drawn to the curvaceous Lilli and soon German companies began producing additional outfits and accessories. In 1964 Mattel acquired the rights to Lilli, ceasing production of Barbie's fräulein predecessor. 

This ravishing red-haired Barbie has a hairstyle known to collectors as "bubble cut." The bubble cut Barbies were produced from 1961 through 1967; this leggy lass is marked on her bottom "Barbie ® Pats. Pend. ©MCMLVIII by Mattel Inc.," indicating that she dates from 1961. Her hair color is know as "Titian" and she wears her original black and white swimsuit. Barbie comes with her vinyl carrying case that includes some clothing and accessories, including a "fur" stole, a tiny transistor radio, and a blue princess phone.

Midge, Barbie's best friend, was introduced in 1963 and produced in this straight-legged version until 1967. This Midge (full name Midge Hadley) has Titian hair and wears her original two-piece bathing suit.

And of course, there is Barbie's boyfriend, Ken (full name Kenneth Sean Carson). The first Ken doll, issued in 1961, had fuzzy flocked hair, but the following year he came with painted blond or brunette hair. This model was produced through 1968. Ken wears his original red swimming trunks, a red and white striped jacket with a white terry cloth collar, and cork sandals with red straps. Like Barbie, he has his own carrying case and some assorted clothing and accessories.

Barbie's little sister, Skipper, was introduced in 1964. This Skipper comes not only with her own carrying case with some assorted outfits and accessories. . . 

. . . she comes with her best friend Skooter, introduced the following year. 

Also introduced in 1965 was Ricky, sometime called Skipper's boyfriend. This Ricky retains his original blue swimming trunks, striped jacket with white terry cloth color, and cork sandals with red straps. Apparently, things between Skipper and Ricky didn't work out, because Ricky was produced for only two years. 

Come on Barbie, let's go party!

All posted items are for sale at Next-to-New, but things can sell quickly!

Ring in the New Year!

If you want to start the coming year with a big bold gesture, this large and lovely antique ring is just the accessory you need.  Handcrafted in gold with a gleaming oval black onyx stone, this ring sits in its original green velvet box from Carl Mayer.  

As is often typical of artisan antique jewelry, the metal does not carry an assay mark.

Born in Prussia, Carl Mayer opened a jewelry store in 1865 at 618 Congress Street in Austin. He died in 1916 and is buried at Austin's historic Oakwood Cemetery. Carl Mayer Jewelers was a fixture in Austin for many decades. In the book, Lady Bird Johnson; An Oral History, the former first lady reminisces about how she and Lyndon Johnson selected her engagement ring and wedding band at the Carl Mayer store.

It is possible, considering the age of the ring and its style, that it is a piece of Victorian mourning jewelry.  During the Victorian period, strict rules regarding the etiquette of mourning the loss of a loved one were developed, partly influenced by Queen Victorian, who wore mourning for the rest of her life after the death of her beloved Prince Albert in 1861. The etiquette set wide variety of rules regarding behavior, including what one should wear and how long a person should properly mourn. Failure to comply would not only be seen as dishonoring the dead but also would reflect adversely on the violator's moral character. For example, a woman was expected to be in deep mourning for two years after her husband’s death, wearing only black garments and accessories. Mourning etiquette applied to jewelry as well. Victorian mourning jewelry used somber, dark-colored materials, such as jet, or, in this example, deep black onyx.

All posted items are for sale at Next-to-New, but things can sell quickly!

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