Barbie-Reference Author J. Michael Augustyniak Died

J. Michael Augustyniak, author of several Barbie books, died on February 28, 2014.

No, I did not know him personally. But I enjoy these books by him:

Barbie Doll Around the World Identification and Values 1964-2007. Collectors Books. Paducah, Kentucky, 2007.

Barbie Doll Collector's Editions Identification and Values. 2008 Edition. Collectors Books. Paducah, Kentucky, 2008.

Collector's Encyclopedia of Barbie Doll Exclusives Identification and Values. Third Edition. Collectors Books. Paducah, Kentucky, 2005.

I LOVE seeing fashion dolls online, but holding a clean, crisp doll reference book - now that is delightful. I can curl up with such a book. I enjoy seeing photographs of dolls I have and dolls I do not have. Having the dolls, being able to touch them in the vinyl is best, yes. Eh, but there is something soothing about turning pages and soaking in the visuals. That's a a nice pre-sleep activity - because it takes me away from the computer screen, the television, work activities, and more intense reading. I thank the talented authors like the late Mr. Augustyniak who allow me to have this experience. This post is my tribute to him.
 
Additional books he has written and provided photography for include:

Barbie Boom: Identification and Values

Barbie Doll Photo Album 1959 to 2009 

Thirty Years of Mattel Fashion Dolls: Identification & Value Guide 1967 Through 1997 

(This last one I intend to buy someday: it has the Young Sweethearts and other playscale but NOT directly Barbie-related dolls.)

For additional information about Mr. Augustyniak, please see these websites:

Collectorbook author biography, scroll to the second entry (web page dated 2007)

Fort Wayne, Indiana Journal Gazette Interview, August 16, 2008

You can sign the legacy book for Mr. Augustyniak online if you wish. May he rest in peace. My sympathy to his family.

March Highlights: Women's History, Irish Americans, and Umbrellas!

March 1st and what topics are up for this month? 

Women's History Month is celebrated in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rubbing my hands together. We know Barbie's birthday is March 9. She debuted on that day in 1959. I'll also look at other fashion doll lines lead by a female doll.

Irish American Heritage Now is the time to bring out your Irish Barbies. Do you have any other Irish / Irish American playscale dolls or action figures? Bring them out. This can be their month to shine.

What is handy to have on deeply sunny days or under shadowy clouds ... why umbrellas! Yes! March is the month to celebrate the humble, homely, and handy device that protects us from rain and from the sun. Umbrellas are also fun accessories for our dolls and action figures. Do you have those cheesy paper flat umbrellas or the more elaborate vinyl ones with spokes? I will hunt out mine and share them here. Paper to plastic, they add that finishing touch to our playscale ensembles.

I have "leftover" posts from February: a post about cornrowed hair in playscale, Sindy furnishings, and Jazz Diva Barbie part 2. There are other items and body parts that may be highlighted in March, but I choose the above three as most interesting to me. (Well, National Craft Month also is a March event, but I am not sure how much time I will have to be creative.) 

Are there any March events that you will be doing ... regarding playscale dolls and action figures? Write in and share. Maybe I should expand my list ....

The Ten Black Dolls and Action Figures I Would Choose: A Black History Themed Post

I wrote a post earlier this month asking which 10 black fashion dolls or action figures would you choose if you were allowed any ten. Here is my list ...

American Teen Benjamin

Integrity Toys Dynamite Girl 'Back to Brooklyn' Remi

Integrity Toys Dynamite Girl 'Boogie Beach' Reese

Integrity Toys Fashion Royalty 'Quiet Storm' Annik

Mattel Halle Berry

Mattel So In Style Little Brother Julian

Vivid Imaginations JLS Ortise

YNU Group, Inc. Mixis Bryanna Singh

YNU Group, Inc. Mixis Kirsten Leduc

YNU Group, Inc. Mixis Melissa Francesca Bilotta

The last three dolls are not-yet produced Mixis fashion dolls. If you are on Facebook, look up Mixis Jr. to see what those lovely dolls look like. If you have not sent in your choices, please share them now. Or if you've submitted your choices, do you feel the same or would you like to make any changes? Thanks!

 

Finally De-Boxed Jazz Diva Barbie, Part 1

This is my story: the lower back of the box was loose. It came apart. Naturally, I had to investigate this matter. Test to see if it really was separating. Maybe take a peek at the Jazz Diva Barbie. Then, I took a few photos of her without the glare of the plastic top. Sigh. Next thing I knew, the clear plastic was pulled from its cardboard backing. Jazz Diva Barbie was almost loose.

I took a few photographs of her. I will try to take more tomorrow or Friday. Here she is, still in the box, but minus the plastic cover. 

Oops. Since I de-boxed her, I suppose I have to keep her. I am okay with that. More about this decision tomorrow or Friday.

toyhaven: Incoming: POP TOYS "Loyal guardians" 1/6 scale X11...

toyhaven: Incoming: POP TOYS "Loyal guardians" 1/6 scale X11...: From Pop Toys: Before producing "housekeeper dress suit", we wholely upgraded our garment manufacturing process. Dress in the sui...

For those who want a well-dressed man or woman  - check out the photos of this coat and suit suggested for HOT TOYS TTM21 narrow-shoulder men's body. (Not to tell you which figure you find deserving of these garments ... merely to note that the more muscular or the athletic Hot Toys bodies might have a snug fit with this set.)

What is included in this set? Overcoat, suit (jacket and slacks), vest, belt, shirt, tie, and shoes. Where can you find it? You can find Pop Toys garments at BigBadToys. Cost? $59.99 ... and the pre-orders are still open. So if you are interested, go and click for it.

Anyone interested? Anyone bought any Pop Toys fashions? Write and share photos. Please share photos ;-)

Update to Rosi Reports: A Near Playscale Greenhouse for $19.99

How many of you are tired of snow and ice and drab wintry days? Well, Rosi from Joisey has found a treat for us: an almost playscale greenhouse. IKEA USA sells a mini greenhouse called Socker. It is made of steel and polyester powder coating. Check the size of this potential diorama:

Product dimensions

Width: 17 ¾ "
Depth: 8 ¾ "
Height: 13 ¾ "

Width: 45 cm
Depth: 22 cm
Height: 35 cm

Update: Vanessa reports seeing this item in an IKEA store. The 13" roof is at the peak, not throughout the entire structure. I think that it could still be used in a diorama setting - possibly at the rear and slightly elevated - but I am going to update this post to reflect that it isn't a true playscale-size.


Okay maybe the Fashion Royalty crew might find themselves close to the roof. But imagine this setting for most of our dolls and action figures. Impressive, yes? I wonder what plants we could use that would match scale and be useful? Perhaps Ms. Leo has some suggestions for us. Or Rosi maybe? What would you plant in this greenhouse? Exciting thought.

So join me in giving Rosi a hand. Thanks for this whiff of spring. Yay for the promise of green. Yay for our playscale-scouting pal, Rosi.

Barbie's Career for 2014 - Thanks, Simon of The Doll Observer!

Simon Farnworth of The Doll Observer shares the latest Toy Fair news about Barbie's career for 2014. It is a timely shift, especially if we take into consideration Barbie's real age - 59. I doubt though that either Mattel or their core audience for the I Can Be Barbies is thinking of Barbie as being that old. (Talk about Fat Barbie; try selling a Mature Barbie, ha ha.)

Interesting that Barbie should take this career path now. Back in 1999, Smartees Emily the Entrepreneur held this title. Emily's small company created teddy bears. What do you think Barbie's business is about? Leave a comment if you have ideas about Barbie's new venture.

By the way, looks like Mattel seems to be offering this I Can Be Barbie in 4 variations - possibly, Black, Hispanic, and Asian as well as White. Good news. Mattel is listening to requests for diversity ... or is this in response to the newly launched Prettie Girls? I LOVE when other companies produce playscale dolls; their action gets Mattel back into a more competitive spirit.