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 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 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…