Jef Beck's Ken Book Available!

I Love Ken: My Life as the Ultimate Boyfriend by doll enthusiast Jef Beck is available online. The book seems to be about Ken as a dating expert. Sounds cute and fun, hmmm? This being Ken's 50th anniversary, what better time to read our favorite male fashion expert's views on dating. Anyone?

Where is the Van Brand Pizza Today?

Well, Old G.I. Joe and Lamont Wilson had had it. Then they went out for beers for that "perfect touch," but when they returned the pizza was gone. Oh! They accused some Kens lounging nearby. The Kens denied the charge. The Joes backed down - the Kens had been discussing the merits of skinny jeans versus baggie jeans and were none too happy to have such a thrilling topic interrupted for any talk of food. Usually Kens are mild mannered, but intrusion on their fashion discussions leaves them more aggressive than usual. The Joes recognized their folly and scrammed only to encounter a few Power Team members.

"Do you have our pizza?" Lamont asked.

"No, we do not. We are in training and NOT eating pizza."

"Well, that leaves them out," Old Joe responded. "Power Team guys are soooo serious about training."

"They are at that." Lamont answered. They sighed. Well, since the pizza was gone, they might as well enjoy the beer while it was still cold. And so they did.

But where then is the mouthwatering pizza we received from Van's Doll Treasures? Hmmm ... this picture shows the pizza and the pizza thief. Tawny Tommy!

He's guarding the pizza while his girl pal Abby gets sodas and napkins. Wonder how long he'll have it?

Interested in having your own Van Brand Pizza? Well, you'll have to inquire over at her blog to find out if she will be making any more. Good luck and happy eating ;-D

Joe-time Twenty-Four/Seven: Links for G.I. Joe

I should never have taken a Memorial Day photo without including my G.I. Joes. Well, here is a post to "make up" for that oversight.

New PhillyCollector readers might want to view these previous posts about Joe and Ken or this post about some 12" Joe heads or this post about Joe references online. At the second link, you can also find an online pattern for a kilt for Joe. But for the ultimate Joe-verse, try the Joepedia:G.I. Joe a new wiki for the 12" man of action.

Go Joe, go Joe. Go. Yeah, good night, guys.

Memorial Day 2011

Memorial Day 2011
East Philly


Stars'n Stripes Army Ken and Power Team soldiers. Will they debox Ken?

New Outfits for Ken - Poor Ken!

Please look at this small selection of new Ken fashions. If you were Ken, what would you do? My guys are weeping. Openly.

The colors ... turquoise and heather gray? The last time at least the colors were bright. Sigh ... poor Ken, dressed by three year olds.

Most of My Kens Gathered

Here they go. A little late - my fault ugh. Had a cold, started a new job, etc. Good thing my Kens are good natured. Three are hiding among dusty boxes: Malibu, Mod Hair, and Free Movin'). Two could not fit themselves in the photo: Straight leg Ken and Fashion Insider Ken. No, Straight leg Ken is NOT still embarrassed that he tricked his longtime friend, Alan, into being the subject of a previous post. He just felt too dirty and greasy-faced to appear. Fashion Insider Ken loathes crowds so he could NOT appear on that account.

Happy Birthday, Kens! The Once and Forever Gentleman.

Answer: Do You Know Your Male DAFs Legs?

Here they go - the DAFs whose bare legs graced yesterday's photo.

They are from left to right, Rocker Ken, Hasbro Basic Training Heavy Duty Lamont A. Morris, Dragon Mong Kok C.I.D. “Wai" Sir, Magic Jewel Ken, Integrity Fashion Insider Tariq, Hasbro Tuskegee Fighter Pilot G.I. Joe.

Do You Know Your Male DAFs Legs?

Below are two photos showing the legs of six male dolls and/or action figures. Can you guess which legs belong to Kens?

I'll post the answer tomorrow.

Happy viewing ;-D

Poser Kens and Knowing When to STOP Adjustments

This is Ken's 50th anniversary month so various Kens will appear here at PhillyCollector. In this photo, we have some of the poser Kens. There are others, of course, like Speed Racer, etc. but these are the guys I have now. In the first photo, I took the photo and only cropped the original. It looks fairly clear to me.

Then I thought, but doesn't the darkness of their pants run all together? Wouldn't it be nice to see the difference between their pants and the background? And that's when the trouble began. I started fiddling with the contrast in my Kodak software. Slam! That's when things went wrong ... That's when I got this bleary, dreary, washed out photo:

Moral of this post? In addition to allowing for plenty of light for your photographs, it's better to reduce or to avoid using the software adjustments. What looks "good" to weary eyes on the computer screen does not necessarily translate to a good photo online.

Aside: for some reason all my Black Kens are non-posers. So I could not include them in this photo. They will ALL appear in my Ken Birthday post.

Happy Valentine's Day!

T.J. and her male friends say, "Happy Valentine's Day!"

Brunette Skipper at Toys R Us!

I visited the Cedarbrook Toys R Us today. Not buying, just looking. (That is my story.)

In addition to some of the new Kens - Shaving Fun and a TRU Exclusive Ken giftset - I saw an interesting item. A brunette Skipper with a NEW face and did I mention BROWN hair. Brown hair with pink highlights. Interesting high top sneakers, too. The new Skipper looks like a cross between the Liv dolls and the Best Friends Club Addison doll.

But the same doll listed online has BLONDE hair. Now I wish I had bought the brunette one when I saw her. Sniff.

2011 Ken Previews - See Charles' and Jef's Websites!

Charles of Charles' Doll Pages has some gorgeous photos and updates about some of the 2011 Kens. Do check his website.


Next, Jef at Keeping Ken has information about a Sweet Talking Ken who wouldn't appeal to me, but who might appeal to some. This Ken repeats in his voice, what the person "playing with" him wants Ken to say. I always thought the thrill of being with another person was to have that person's comments, etc. I could always tell myself whatever I want to hear without using another person as a puppet. Poor Ken.


Then again, Ken tends to break some expectations of how a man should act.


Shaving Fun Ken, though, I would snap up as soon as I could. Who can resist a bearded Ken?

New Ken Book News

Jef Beck of the Keeping Ken website is publishing a book on Ken. The expected publish date is March 13, 2011 which will be Ken's 50th Birthday. Exciting news, hmmm? Yes!

The 2011 Ken - well, one of them - seems to be wearing a dark gray suit - oh! real guy clothes for Ken, whee hooo! But he looks a little too soft for my taste. Mushy mouth. Shrug. And a lot like some of the recent Kens issued already.

Contender for the First Asian American Ken

Query and response post to Therese of Dolls of Color blog.

I wear a black leather jacket and black jeans instead of a red costume.

My black hair has trendy chartreuse streaks.

My grandmother was Japanese.

Do you remember me? I am 1 Modern Circle Ken.



I don’t care what the Press claims or the People believe. I know my Story. I know my Heritage. Shouldn't I be the first Asian American Ken? What do you think?

Funny ADULT Article About Twilight Edward

I found this article comparing the Mattel Twilight Edward doll to other glittery male fashion dolls. There are photos of past he-babes like Hasbro's Rio, Mattel's 80s Kens, and T.HQ's Vanilla Ice doll.

Here is another funny doll celebrities article. NOTE: the second article also has ADULT humor.

Rosa and the Mystery Philly Church

When we couldn't find Rosa's original shrug sweater, Harley Davidson Ken aka Keith insisted that she borrow his leather jacket. (I know ... aw, ain't he cute? Well, he is a Ken. Gentleman is his middle name. And Rosa is a very pretty girl ;-P Barbie beware?)

During our trip, Rosa fell in love with a stone church so I photographed it. Does anyone from or familiar with Philadelphia recognize it? Only one clue allowed: the church is in the Northwest area of the city.

Poll Results: Which Ken Wears the Coolest Jeans

Sixty-one votes were received for the Which Ken Wears the Coolest Jeans? poll. The poll results for which Ken wears the coolest jeans is

6 votes for 1 Modern Circle Ken
22 votes for Fashionista Ken
20 votes for Harley Davidson Ken 1
13 votes for Harley Davidson Ken 2

Fashionista Ken received the most votes (22) and 1 Modern Circle Ken the least (6).

Thanks to all who participated.

Happy Birthday, Ken!

Who's forty-nine years old today and still hasn't lost an iota of the charm shown on his debut? KEN!

Who's the best pal and companion any girl or woman could ask for? Patient and a great sport? KEN!

Three cheers for Ken? No, let's give him a real cheer - 49 times. KEN! KEN! KEN!

Happy Birthday, Ken. May you grace our world for many years to come.

Poll: Which Ken Wears the Coolest Jeans?

Okay, I have been a little catty/critical about Mattel Ken fashions. A Ken collector on the Yahoo He's a Doll Group found the Fashionista Ken's skinny jeans good clothing. I have to agree with him (and yes, this is still Dana aka D7ana). So I started thinking, surely Fashionista Ken isn't the only Ken who wears neat jeans. Next thing, I am gathering my jeans wearing Kens for a new poll.

Which Ken wears the coolest jeans?



Contestants include from left to right:

1 Modern Circle Ken in Daywear

Fashionista Ken

Harley Davidson Ken 1

Harley Davidson Ken 2


The actual poll will be in the right-hand column. Thanks for voting.

Prince Barbie? Hmmm ... That's a New Occupation

Is anyone else raising an eyebrow about the title on this Toys R Us Barbie set, "Princess and Prince Barbie?"

The title makes me think I'm approaching John Waters' territory. Why? Dismantle the title -- "Princess Barbie" and "Prince Barbie." (Oh the slights poor Ken must endure. Tsk, tsk.)

Now if Barbie were the last name, that phrasing would be unconventional. Think "Mrs. and Mr. Jones." (In the U.S., we usually address or refer to married couples sharing the same last name by the male title and then the female title before the last name. Revise the phrase to "Mr. and Mrs. Jones."

Aside: if the title is the generic "Mr. and Mrs." Position titles would precede the generic ones.

Most toy buyers recognize "Barbie" as a first female name. But inside the window box are a female doll and a male doll. Not two female dolls. Puzzler? No. Mattel probably meant "Princess Barbie and Prince Ken." Sigh. I won't be buying this set because I have the Ken and the Barbie holds no interest for me, but I almost wish I could justify the purchase as an example of the deterioration of the [American] English language.

I am going to be good and NOT bring up the "We Girls Can Do Anything" motto. Nope, I didn't say it.