Keeping Ken The Early & Mod Era 1961-1973

Ultimately this will be a complete listing of every Ken® made from 1961 until the present. I will include Name, Model # (M#), Box Date (BD) and Hair Color (HC). I am adding Clothing (C) and Accessory (A) descriptions as well.

Ken is a registered trademark of Mattel, Inc. These pages are neither affiliated with, nor a representative of Mattel, Inc. Material provided on these pages do not in any way reflect the opinions of Mattel, Inc.

Picture

"Barbie's Boyfriend"

Ken (AKA First Ken or Flock Hair Ken)

M#: 750 BD: 1961 HC: Flocked Blonde, Black or Brunette. Reddish Brown "Brownette" (J.C. Penney catalog). C: Solid red or red with white side stripe swim trunks. Some boxes came with a yellow towel and later issues came with a red/white stripe jacket s/s. Cork sandals with red strap. Wrist tag. A: Black wire stand. NOTE: Wide stance and hollow torso. First box pictured black with white stripe trunks on front. Stitched terry cloth collar. Read more about this Ken doll at Feature Story Archive 05.23.01.

Picture

"He's Barbie's boyfriend Ken by Mattel"

Ken (AKA Painted Hair Ken)

M#: 750 BD: 1961 HC: Painted Blonde or Brunette (pictured). (Different shades of paint were used). C: Solid red or red with white side stripe swim trunks. Stitched terry cloth collar red and white stripe jacket s/s (REISSUED in 1964 with bonded collar). Cork sandals. Wrist tag. A: Black wire stand. NOTE: No towel, new box.

Picture

Ken (AKA Painted Hair Ken Shortie)

M#: 750 BD: 1962 HC: Painted Blonde (pictured) or Brunette. C&A: same as above. NOTE: Body lengtnh was Ľ shorter than previous Ken. Legs were slightly shorter and looser where they joined the torso. Also with heftier arms and more pronounced kneecaps.

Picture

"You can tell it's Mattel..."

Ken (Dressed Box Doll)

M#: BD: 1963-1965 HC: Blonde or Brunette.

C: The end panel of the box is marked with a sticker stating the outfit Ken doll is dressed in. Known outfits are:

Arabian Nights Campus Hero Casuals Dr. Ken

Fraternity Meeting Holiday King Arthur Prince

Sailor Ski Champion Time for Tennis Touchdown

Ken in Holland Ken in Mexico Ken in Switzerland

"With lifelike bendable legs"

Picture

Blonde

Picture

Brunette

Ken (Bendable Leg)

M#: 1020 BD: 1964 HC: Painted Blonde or Brunette. C: Red swim trunks. Navy blue with red trim jacket s/s. Cork sandals. Wrist tag. A: Black wire stand. Gold wire stand (later issue).

Picture

(Variation)

Talking Ken (New Good Lookin')

M#: 1111 BD: 1968 HC: Painted Auburn. C: Red shorts. Matching red Nehru style jacket s/s. Wrist tag. A: Clear X stand. NOTE: Also a Spanish version available identical to this version in bilingual box (listed directly below). I have found one variation of this doll dressed in the swim trunks and jacket worn on both Talking Ken Spanish (New Good Lookin') model #8372 (box date1968) and Talking Ken (New Good Lookin') model #1111 (box date)1969. The variation has the wider Japan 1968 head mold and same body markings as this doll.

Talking Ken (New Good Lookin') says:

Hi, I'm Ken.
Let's go to the big game tonight.
What are you doing next weekend?
Why don't we all go to the movies?
Let's go listen to Barbie's records.
Let's go visit Barbie.

Talking Ken Spanish (Nuevo y Más Guapo)

M#: 8372? BD: 1968 HC: Painted Auburn. C: Red shorts. Matching red Nehru style jacket s/s. Wrist tag. A: Clear X stand.

Picture

Talking Ken Spanish (Nuevo y Más Guapo)

M#: 8372 BD: 1968 HC: Painted Auburn. C: Orange swim trunks. Orange and Aqua trim jacket s/s. Wrist tag. A: Clear X stand.

Talking Ken Spanish (New Good Lookin') says:

Hola, me llamo Ken!
Vamos al gran juego este noche!
Vas a la fiesta?
Por que no vamos al cine?
Eschemos los discos de Barbie?
Vamos a visitar a Barbie!

Picture

"Stand me up or sit me down! Look for my new wardrobe by Mattel!"

New Good Lookin' Ken

M#: 1124 BD: 1969 HC: Painted Brown. C: "Batik" look orange, red and green shorts. Mustard yellow pull-over top s/s. Wrist tag. A: Clear X stand.

Picture

"I say many different things!"

Talking Ken (New Good Lookin')

M#: 1111 BD: 1969 HC: Painted Auburn. C&A: Same as 1968 Talking Spanish Ken #8372.

Talking Ken (New Good Lookin') says:

P.J.'s having a party. Let's go.
Have you met Barbie's new friend?
I'm taking the girls shopping. Want to go?
Put some records on and let's dance.
I'll get the food for the party.
Barbie's a great dancer!

Picture

New Good Lookin' Ken Red, White 'N Wild Set

M#: 1589 BD: 1969 HC: Painted Brown. C: "Batik" look orange, red and green shorts. Mustard yellow pull-over top s/s. A: Navy tricot shirt s/s. Red woven pants. White with red and blue stripe print double-breasted jacket l/s. Multi-color print tie. Blue knit socks. Navy loafers. Living Barbie booklet (marked 1970). NOTE: Sear's SSE. Tie material may vary.

Picture

"I dance to your favorite music"

Live Action Ken

M#: 1159 BD: 1970 HC: Painted Brown. C: Gold satin pants. Brown fringe vest. Multi-color purple, blue, gold , green and aqua shirt l/s. Brown loafers. Wrist tag. A: Clear touch 'n go stand.

Picture

Live Action Ken on Stage

M#: 1172 BD: 1970 HC: Painted Brown. C: Same as 1970 Live Action Ken. A: Blue motorized stage with action control. Ken® record with 2 hit sides, one with original lyrics (“A Little Bit of That Sky”) and the other instrumental. Silver plastic microphone on stand. Sheet of Mod stickers to decorate stage.

Picture

Dark Orange card with bubble package.

Picture

Goldenrod card with bubble package.

Picture

Goldenrod box with flap package.

"Golden tan! Blonde hair!"

The Sun Set Malibu Ken

M#: 1088 BD: 1970 HC: Painted Blonde. C: Orange swim trunks. Aqua towel. Wrist tag. NOTE: There are three variations of boxes for this doll. First edition has a dark orange card with bubble package. Second edition has a goldenrod card with bubble package. Third edition has a goldenrod box with flap package. Each box version is pictured in the links (left).

Picture

"I walk. I turn. My head 'n arms move too!"

Walk Lively Ken

M#: 1184 BD: 1971 HC: Painted Brown. C: Madras plaid yellow, brown, blue and white pants. Blue shirt s/s. Brown loafers. Wrist tag. A: Walking stand.

Picture

"My hands open, close, hold things too!"

Busy Ken

M#: 3314 BD: 1971 HC: Painted Brown. C: Blue jeans. Red tank top with brown belt. White tennis shoes. Wrist tag. A: Brown TV, suitcase, telephone, record player, record, tray with 2 glasses and stickers. Clear X stand.

Picture

Busy Ken (E)

M#: 3314 BD: 1971 HC: Painted Brown. C: Same as above, but an orange textured tank top. A: Same as above.

Picture

"Talk about the things we do!"

Talking Busy Ken

M#: 1196 BD: 1971 HC: Painted Brown. C: Red bell bottom corduroy pants. Patterned red and blue shirt s/s. Brown belt. Brown loafers. Wrist tag. A: Same as above.

Talking Busy Ken says:

I’ll bring my guitar to the party.
Help me pack for my vacation.
Have you heard Barbie’s new record?
Come on, let’s dance.
Hi, this is Ken (as if he was speaking on the phone).
Barbie’s a great cook.

Picture

"Bendable legs! Blonde hair! Golden tan!"

Malibu Ken Surf's Up

M#: 1248 BD: 1971 HC: Painted Strawberry Blonde. C: Burnt orange color swim trunks. A: Yellow Nehru collar beach jacket with hot pink/aqua floral print. Blue towel. Blue mask, snorkel, fins and sunglasses. Yellow skim board with neon orange/aqua stripe. Beach scuffs with yellow straps. Living Barbie booklet (marked 1970). NOTE: Sear's SSE. Read more about this Ken doll at The Man Behind The Doll presents Malibu Ken Surf's Up Gift Set.

Picture

Talking Ken (Baggie-mute)

M#: 1111 BD: 1972 HC: Painted Auburn. C: Same as Talking Ken (Spanish) 1968. A: None. NOTE: Doll is mute.

Picture

Mod Hair Ken

M#: 4224 BD: 1972 HC: Rooted Brown (Cello wrapped). C: Tan pants. Brown and white checked sport coat. White turtleneck (dickey). Brown loafers. Wrist tag. A: White X stand. Sheet of brown stick flock with mustache, beard and sideburns. NOTE: Two material types and size head molds. The smaller one is harder, the large is softer. Two different box variations and three variations in material used for the brown and white checked sport coat (three variations are pictured).

Picture

"the sports set™. Today's teens in outdoor scenes!"

Sun Valley Ken

M#: 7809 BD: 1973 HC: Painted Blonde. C: Purple ski pants. Purple ski jacket l/s. Red with purple stripe knit turtleneck . Red ski boots. Wristband. A: Red goggles and skis. Blue ski poles. Two rubber bands (to attach skis to shoes). NOTE: There are two variations of boxes for this doll. First edition has a card with bubble package. Second edition is box with flap package. Each box version is pictured in the links (left).

Picture

Live Action Ken (Baggie)

M#: 1159 BD: 1973 HC: Painted Brunette C: Identical to Live Action Ken 1970. A: None.

Picture

Mod Hair Ken (Montgomery Ward's)

M#: 7234 BD: None (but available in 1974). HC: Same as above. C: Red shorts. A: (In a clear plastic bag marked "KOREA" black lettering) Light blue brocade with black lapel tuxedo jacket. Light blue ruffled dickey with attached black bow tie. Black slacks. Black net socks. Black loafers. (In a smaller clear plastic bag unmarked) Sheet of brown stick flock with mustache, beard and sideburns. NOTE: The carded packaged tuxedo outfit was sold separately as Get-Ups 'N Go Bridegroom #7836; also a Montgomery Ward's exclusive. Doll and contents were available through the 1974 Montgomery Ward's mail order catalog only, you would receive him packaged in a brown mailer with "STOCK NO. 7234" on the outside and a separate "store" catalog tracking sticker (colors vary). Inside the mailer is the doll dressed in the red shorts wrapped in two sheets of white tissue. One sheet of the white tissue is marked with a "MADE IN HONG KONG" yellow sticker with black lettering. There is no X stand or wrist tag included. Read more about this Ken doll at The Man Behind The Doll presents Mod Hair Ken (Montgomery Ward's).