My Fashion Doll and Action Figure Library, Part 1 Books

Do you think of books when you think about collecting? Or is collecting just about the figures?

Or maybe online guides fulfill your need for reference? I like online references. They are handy when I am at the computer. Some of them have even been vetted by other collectors. But ... I grew up turning to books for answers, and books still retain a hold on me. No amount of clicking is as satisfying as the weight of a book in my hands or the smooth coolness of glossy pages against my fingers.

So here are the books that I have now. There are more books I would like to add - if you know titles and authors for books about playscale fashion dolls or action figures, do share them. I know that my list is incomplete: I look forward to learning about others from you. 

(Aside - have questions about how to format your book list? I found both an online reference guide on bibliography formatting AND an online bibliographic program that reduces some of your typing. Free.)

D7ana's Starter Fashion Doll and Action Figure Book List

Augustyniak, J. Michael. Barbie doll around the world: identification & values, 1964-2007. Paducah, Ky.: Collector Books, 2007.

Augustyniak, J. Michael. Barbie doll collector's identification and values. 2008 edition ed. Paducah, Ky.: Collector Books, 2008.

Augustyniak, J. Michael. Collector's encyclopedia of Barbie doll exclusives: identification & values, 1972-2004. 3rd ed. Paducah, Ky.: Collector Books, 2005.

Blitman, Joe. Barbie doll's cousin Francie & her mod, mod, mod, mod world of fashion: price guide. Grantsville, Md.: Hobby House Press, 1996.

Boy, Billy. Barbie!: her life & times, and the new theater of fashion. New York: Crown, 1987.

DeWein, Sibyl St. John, and Joan Ashabraner. The collectors encyclopedia of Barbie dolls and collectibles. Paducah, Ky.: Collector Books, 1977.

DeWein, Sibyl St. John. Collectible Barbie dolls, 1977-1979. Clarksville, Tn.: Jostens, 1980.

Mandeville, A. Glenn. 5th Doll Fashion Anthology & Price Guide Featuring Barbie dolls and other fashion dolls. 1996. Grantsville, Md.: Hobby House Press, 1996.

Moody, Carol. G.I. Joe value guide, 1964-1978: dolls, gear & equipment. 2nd Revised edition ed. Cumberland, Md.: Hobby House Press, 1989.

Rana, Margo. Barbie doll exclusively for Timeless Creations: identification & values. 1986-1996. Grantsville, Md.: Hobby House Press, 1997.

Rawstron, Yvonne. Oh, you beautiful doll: the 11 1/2" doll book of high fashion. New York: Perigee Books, 1982.

Rupp, Rebecca Ann. Treasury of Barbie doll accessories: 1961-1995. Grantsville, Md.: Hobby House Press, 1996.

Sirkis, Susan Bonsall. Men's fashions 1860-1970. Williamsburg, Va.: Wish Booklets, 1978.

Sirkis, Susan Bonsall. Men's fashions 1760 - 1850. Williamsburg, Va.: Wish Booklets, 1977.

Smith, Patricia R.. Modern collector's dolls: second series. Paducah, Ky.: Collector Books, 1975.

Smith, Patricia R.. Modern collector's dolls: fifth series. Paducah, Ky.: Collector Books, 1984.

Teruel, Rudi, and David Wu. The World of Jenny. Kuala Lumpur: Cite, 2001.

Theriault, Florence. Theriault's presents Barbie: a value guide and description of the Barbie doll and other Mattel dolls, 1959-1976. Annapolis, Md.: Gold Horse Pub., 1985.

Worrell, Estelle Ansley. The dollhouse book. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1964.

What doll and/or action figure topic books do you collect? What titles would you add to round out my book collection. I thank you in advance for your tips and suggestions.

I have not forgotten doll magazines or catalogs or brochures. Future posts will feature those reference sources. 

Seen at Target: Playscale Ice Cream Bike

There's a new playscale cycle in town: the Moxie Girlz have an Ice Cream Bike. The bike is a bright and light blue; the ice cream cart before it is - you guessed it, pale pink. The cold storage area holds the extra ice cream scoops and doll dollar bills. (Not sanitary, I would think, but I suppose more finicky people can give Sophina a money belt to use instead.) The actual ice cream cones are set out along the front and top of the storage area. (Also not sanitary, sigh.)

What interests me about this playset is that this Moxie Girlz, Sophina, has JOINTED KNEES! Yes, a partially articulated Moxie Girlz body. My first thought was "new body donor." Which young teen head would fit on that body? Then the price registered: $34.99. Okay, the ice cream bike plays music, and the doll is articulated. But $34.99 - before taxes? Not likely. There are three dolls I could get for that same money. Wait for clearance.

 

Want to see this bike in action? Check this review from a young collector.

Internet Connection Problems

I have not been able to access the Internet at home. Problems with Clear service providers. I'm going to cancel if the service does not work when I get home. Very trying experience.

What Kind of Dog Am I? Guessing Playscale Dog Breeds

Last week, we celebrated National Dog Day. This week, I try to identify the dogs - with some help from the comments in last week's post. Do chime in if you have something to add.

Lanard dog packed with I-Girl Paris

Lanard dog packed with I-Girl Paris, profile.

Lanard I-Girl Paris arrived with this biggish brown dog I think it looks like a Great Dane. Or could it be a rottweiler? The dog's breed was not specified on the box so we can decide the breed based on what we have seen. Anyone think of another breed this dog could be?

Next, I have 3 Mattel dogs. (Mattel makes LOTS of dogs for Barbie and her friends. LOTS.)

Barbie's Fashion Model New York Yorkies accessory set - guessing here - a Yorkshire terrier?

Mattel Barbie Yorkshire Terrier

 Photo Student Ken's dog - yes! Ken has a pet! No mention of its breed. Anyone want to guess? I think Brini mentioned a golden retriever?

Photo Student Ken's dog

Mystery Squad Kenzie's dog. This one makes me think of the phrase "generic mid-sized dog."*



Mattel Mystery Squad Kenzie's dog

Playmates Toys Inc. gave the TV Star Edition of their Hilary Duff doll this spunky-looking dog. 

Playmates TV Star Hilary Duff's dog

Side view of Hilary Duff's dog

Smartees' Vicky the Veterinarian came with this brown dog. Another generic dog. On the plus side, this is the only articulated dog in this group. See his side photo.

Smartees Vicky the Veterinarian's brown dog

Side view of brown dog with Smartees Vicky the Veterinarian

Spin Master's Liv series celebrated dogs in a wave that paired each of the original four Liv characters with a different dog breed. Alexis has a bichon frise; Daniela, a golden retriever like Ken; and Sophie, a shih tzu. Jake does not have any pets; Hayden tends to several pets including a dachshund from the School's Out: Hayden's Pet Adoption Center. I have the dachshund and Katie's dog Sk8, a border collie.

Dachshund from Hayden's Pet Adoption Center

Liv Katie's border collie

These are only a few of the playscale dogs available. Not that dogs are Man's only best friend: there are cats and fish and turtles and snakes and bunnies and rodents .... But those can be topics for future posts.




*Correction made 9/4/2014 - Mystery Squad Kenzie, not "McKenzie."

Happy Labor Day - U.S.A. and Canada

Happy Labor Day to American and Candian workers!

That wish includes one of the hardest working Americans, Barbie. Cheers. Here's to Barbie in all and any of her Mattel-appointed positions and to those positions bestowed upon her by her many fans. Here's to the Smartees, G.I. Joe and pals in all ranks, the Get Set Five, the entertainment sector, and all the labor focused dolls and action figures. 

My Scene Nolee is here to share her fantasy career: Rock star. Do you have a favorite career-centered doll or action figure? Does he or she do what you do for a living or what you would like to do for a living? 

National Dog Day 2014

Yes, August 26, 2014 is National Dog Day in the United States of America.

Those who celebrate this special day might volunteer at a local pet or throw a dog-themed party or donate funds. I am sharing this blog post in honor of the day. When I was a little girl, I wanted a dachshund. I thought it looked so cute. After a few encounters with loose street dogs, I changed my mind: dogs were not necessarily nice. They barked. They might bite. A cat was a better choice.

Then a neighbor had two kittens she had to give away. For half a day, my sisters and I had  those two kittens - a white long-haired who would be "Fluffy" and a black short-haired who would be "Barnabas." Our joy was short-lived. My Dad would not live with cats. He told my mother if the cats stayed, he would leave. He called my Grandmother to back him up. Sigh. Our mother pointed out that fathers paid bills so that we could eat; fathers outranked cats. No matter how adorable. So bye bye Fluffy and Barnabas.

Then I met Louie. And Louie is a keeper.

But I never ever had a dog.

However, I do have a few play scale dogs. They have not achieved the personality of Beauty over at Brini's Doll Domain, but they're loved by the dolls and/or action figure who keep them. Anyone recognize these four-legged friends?

Play scale dogs by Mattel, SpinMaster, JakksPacific, etc.

Moved them around. Recognize any breeds here?

This cutie is in the Bedroom Desk & Chair set from 2006.

If are interested in live dogs in photos, click this link. If you have time to click your way to a good deed, do not forget the Animal Rescue Site.

Remember to keep "cool" on this dog day of August: follow this guy's example

Louie Cooper, all the "dog" I need

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Camping Shoot with Lanard I-Girl Asia

Earlier this month, DollDivas called for photos of dolls camping. Me, I have no camping skills. Remember the tv show, Green Acres? He'd have NEVER got me to that farm; I would have  divorced him for asking, lol. So my camping scenes would probably look bizarre. However, I do have the Lanard I-Girl Cool Camping Days playset.

Back of the box for the Lanard I-Girl Cool Camping Days play set

So I thought, I'll share photos of that set. No real camping experience called for right? In fairness, maybe having a camping background would have made setting up this play set easier. Maybe. The doll model shown with these items is NOT the original doll who came with the set; this doll is I-Girl Asia. Asia agreed to pose in I-Girl Sahara's place.

I-Girl Cool Camping Days play set contents:

1 nylon and plastic tent with 3 tent poles
1 nylon sleeping bag for 1 doll
1 plastic folding card table
1 plastic folding camp stool
1 nylon backpack with a pink plastic hair brush
1 sheer pink laptop computer
1 mini stove
1 "mess kit"
1 bottle of plain water
1 plastic lantern
1 campfire
1 portable cooler
1 Sahara doll (um ... Sahara is MIA. I'm not sure where she is now.)

Do you miss what I miss from this inventory? F-O-O-D. No food. OMG, did they mean for poor Sahara to gather her food in the woods? Where is the can of baked beans with mini hot dogs? Who goes camping without chocolate and trail mix? Why camp except to eat chocolate and trail mix in the fresh air? Asia and I think we understand why Sahara pulled a no show.

By the way, there is at least one Barbie camping accessory that has the fixings for S'mores. I'm not that big on marshmallows, but at least they add some CHOCOLATE. Even if it's milk chocolate. Ick. But NO food in this play set. Just water. Not even a soda in the cooler. Sigh.

Lanard Cool Camping Accessories

Lanard Cool Camping Days sleeping bag for one

Munching fun completely removed from this trip, Asia tries on the sleeping bag. Voila, she fits! Not the coziest thing she's ever tried on, but she supposes it would do if she were the type to sleep on the ground instead of in a bed.

Tent, you ask. Tent, tent, tent, someone chants. Sigh. Oh, we thought you would ask about that. First, let's see the instructions to put together the tent and table and stool:

The table and the stool were as easy to set up as the sketch indicates. Whew. Easy peasy. Tent talk now. Remember: a picture paints a thousand words.

You are looking at the rear view of the tent with one of the tubes partially woven in place. The other pole is supposed to cross fit along the purple tags on the diagonal so that the tent roof can rise. In someone else's imagination.

Setting up tents has been a comedy staple for years. Here was my opportunity to experience the nightmare. Those poles have minds of their own. How do I flex them enough to fit them to the loops on the tent without causing them to break? They spring back and sting my hands and face. Oh joyless deed. I finally got the longest pole/stick to form the facing arch so Asia can go in and out of the tent. I gave up on getting the other two poles to cross. Life is too short.

I-Girl Asia attempting to adjust the tent from the interior.

Lanard I-Girl Asia pushing the tent walls up.

Score? Tent 1: Dana and Asia, O. Setting up a real tent must be frustrating. People do this for fun? Asia and I lost patience with the tent. I let her punch it a few times. If I were to let loose on it, I would have done some serious damage. The camping life is not for us.

I-Girl Asia pummeling the triumphant tent.

Okay, Sahara, you can come out now. You don't have to set up the tent.