 |
 |
| America's Prince Charming turns 40 |
| Ken Carson turned 40 earlier this year. Did anyone notice? Without complaint, Ken Carson has stood by one woman through thick and thin despite criticism that he is no more than an accessary in her life. She has jumped from fad to fad, changing careers nearly as often as she changes her clothes, but he has been at her side all the way. His record matches that of any romance novel hero. He is America's boyfriend. He is Barbie's boyfriend - the Ken doll. Born March 13, 1961, Ken was named after Mattel founders Ruth and Elliot Handler's son. Not an unusual family connection considering that the Barbie doll was beginnings are rooted in Ruth Handler observing their daughter Barbara, playing make-believe with paper dolls. The first Ken dolls were 12 inches tall with straight arms and legs. As up on fashion as his girlfriend, he had a collegiate wardrobe that complemented his boy-next-door image. Unfortunately, the short, flocked hair he wore in a crew-cut style was prone to shedding, making the first Kens subject to premature balding. The following year he was re-released with painted, molded hair. In 1965, to match the female dolls in the line, Ken was given a pair of bendable legs. To his closet he added an astronaut's uniform and the "Beatlesque" Ken A-Go-Go ensemble, complete with wig. That year, Ken's short-lived best friend, Allan, joined him. Allan's presence allowed Barbie to go on double dates with her best friend, Midge. Thanks to his early demise, Allan has achieved much higher collector values than Ken. After a brief retirement during 1966 and '67, Talking Ken appeared in 1968. No longer a '50s teen idol, this was Ken the hipster hunk dressed in bell-bottoms, fringe and tie-dyed shirts. The 1969 and '70 Talking Kens are among the most valued by collectors. The earlier doll in mint condition can bring $40, but add the box and his value rises to $175. A mint '70 talker is worth $75 out of the box, $175 in the box. By 1973, he sported long hair as Mod Hair Ken, a doll that can command $65. The 1974 Sun Valley Ken can fetch $100 when mint in the box. Since then Ken has joined Barbie in the disco craze and turned urban cowboy as Western and Horse Lovin' Ken. He has demonstrated a nurturing side as a role model to little brother Tommy. "Some controversy arose when, in 1993, Earring Magic Ken was released," said Sharon Korbeck, editor of Toy Shop magazine. "His purple suit was somewhat feminine, and the earring just didn't go over well." That doll now has a collector value of up to $40. That's more magic than Barbie could muster. Earring Magic Barbie's top listed value is $25. Over the years, Ken has shared the celebrity limelight with Barbie - playing opposite her as Rhett Butler, Henry Higgins and Captain Kirk. Though his collector value pales beside vintage Barbie's figures, Ken is collectible. A #1 with flocked hair can fetch $200. Bendable-leg Kens from the '60s are the most valuable at up to $300. Mattel is celebrating Ken's 40th birthday with an anniversary edition of the doll. The figure is a mature-looking Ken dressed in formal wear. He is ready to greet the next decade in style with the girl of his dreams by his side. She is, by the way, an older woman. Barbie turned 40 two years ago. |
| For a free catalog of Krause Publications books or periodicals on collectibles, write Public Relations, Dept. IC, Krause Publications. 700 E. State St., Iola, WI 54990-0001, or visit www.krause.com on the worldwide web, or e-mail info@krause.com |
| Copyright 2001 by Krause Publications |
| Prices subject to change |
| Prices may differ geographically |
| Barbie's friend KEN |