Special Qualities
LIBERATION 30: SILKEN FLAME BARBIE
In 1994, when Mattel introduced the 35th Anniversary Barbie reproduction, they had a huge hit on their hands. Demand was huge, especially for the more limited gift set and brunette versions. Never one to let a success…
LIBERATION 29: WORKING WOMAN BARBIE
Mattel took a lot of eggs in the face with the infamous Teen Talk Barbie (“Math class is tough!”). They weren’t about to repeat that mistake with their new talker. Working Woman Barbie informs us that “Going…
LIBERATION 28: POSH SPICE ON TOUR
Galoob, who produced the gorgeous and well made Anastasia dolls, has experienced a huge success with their clever marketing of their Spice Girls dolls. Based on the hyperactive and peppy girl group, there have been four different issues so…
LIBERATION 27: AUDREY HEPBURN IN BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S
Mattel’s celebrity fashion dolls are a gold mine for those of us who like variety in our collections. With custom molds based on the person in question, each one has a totally unique look. Along with two…
LIBERATIONS 23-26: HALLOWEEN FUN LI’L FRIENDS OF KELLY
So far, Target appears to be the only store who has picked up on the amazing popularity of Barbie’s adorable little sister Kelly and her friends. The only previous exclusives featuring Kelly are also Target exclusives- two…
LIBERATION 22: NASCAR OFFICIAL #94 BARBIE
Never one to let a success go unfollowed, Mattel produced the bizarrely named Nascar Official #94 Barbie as a follow-up to the Nascar 50th Anniversary Barbie. Contrary to their usual behavior, Mattel made this doll just as…
LIBERATION 11: BETTIE PAGE CHRISTMAS PINUP
For a while, Hamilton Design Systems and their Candi doll was the hottest thing to happen to the collectible doll market. They featured innovative faces and styles done on the classic 1:6 scale. In the few years…
LIBERATION 7: ROSIE O’DONNELL, FRIEND OF BARBIE
At first glance, I was disappointed in this doll- I thought the baggy suit contained the ‘normal’ doll body. I’ve never been happier to be wrong about Mattel. This doll is 100% new molds, and while there…
Liberation 6: Hallmark’s Holiday Voyage Barbie
Mattel puts out a lot of ‘historical’ theme dolls. Some of them are wonderful, and others are, well, not wonderful. I’ve always found it interesting that Mattel does so many 1920s dolls, since the idealized flapper has…
LIBERATION 5: QUI-GON JINN FROM THE PHANTOM MENACE!
Liam Neeson may not have understood just what he was getting himself into when he agreed to play the part of Jedi Master Qui-Gon, but I certainly did- it meant there’d be a doll of the delectable…
