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Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Francie - Barbie's Cousin

Francie came in several configurations over the course , her first appearance was with a "straight leg model" (1966-1968): Francie came with painted on eyelashes, pink or Blondie brows, deep pink lips and cheek blush. She had a straight leg body. She stood 11 1/4 " tall( Shorter than Barbie and taller than Skipper what made her stay in the middle in age), her hair was either Blondie or brunette, her hair was shoulder length flip with bangs along with a middle part, the head was covered w/cello new in box. Wrist tag also included. Gold wire Barbie stand was included and a a Francie booklet dated 1965. Her outfit was a 2 pieces swimsuit, a red dotted top and white diagonal check bottoms with tag. The swimsuit bottoms have been seen with small or large size check print. Some of these dolls new in box have a pink eyelash brush. Francie doll was the FIRST doll on the Barbie line to have rooted eyelashes. #1140




Also in 1966 "bend leg" doll (1966-1967) was released. Doll pictured in checkered swimsuit- In 1966, the first doll to have real rooted eyelashes was on the line. The 1st issue had a grayish tan skin/ vinyl. The later issues had the pink vinyl skin. This doll was dressed in a 1 piece swimsuit, patterned with teal and a blue background. The later issue was seen with a swimsuit that had a white background on the swimsuit and a solid green color bottom. #1130






"Twist 'N Turn" dolls were issued beginning in 1967. Hair was a shoulder length style with front bangs and a middle part: a loose flip at the ends. Blondie or brunette hair. Brown painted eyes, rooted eyelashes, deep pink lips, cheek blush and light brown painted brows. Pink twist and turn body for this doll. Francie head mold. Her swimwear was a 1 piece with vertical multicolor striped top and a solid pink vinyl bottom with a green belt that was sewn on, the belt had a gold buckle. #1170






In the 1970s several hair-related variations were issued: "Hair Happening's Francie" in 1970-1972. #1122








A "Growing Pretty Hair" model in 1971-1973. #1129




And a "Quick Curl Francie" in 1973-1974






"Busy Francie" (1972-1973) was designed with a hand that was able to grip small objects.






In 1975's "Baggie Francie" was the last of the Francie dolls. #7699

A "colored Francie", first issued in 1967, was the first doll in the Mattel line with a truly dark complexion. However, the doll did not have genuinely African American features, since it was made with the same head molds as the Caucasian Francie doll. Because of this, a doll named Christie, first issued in 1968, is often considered the first true African American doll in the Barbie line. "Black Francie" was not labeled as "Barbie's Modern cousin."





First Francie Doll Commercial





Vintage Francie Size Friends
Casey (1967 - 1970)


Twiggy (1967 - 1968)



Francie Reproductions:
1996 30th Anniversary Francie

1997 The Wild Bunch Black Francie




2005 Smashin' Satin (No Bangs) Francie Doll





Vintage Francie Ensembles
1966
Checkmates #1259 (1966)
Clam Diggers #1258 (1966)
Concert In The Park #1256 (1966)
Dance Party #1257 (1966 - 1967)
First Formal #1260 (1966 - 1967)
First Things First #1252 (1966)
Francie and Her Swingin' Separates Sears Exclusive #1042 (1966)
Fresh As A Daisy #1254 (1966)
Fur Out #1262 (1966 - 1967)
Gad Abouts #1250 (1966 - 1967)
Go Granny Go #1267 (1966 - 1967)
Hip Knits #1265 (1966 - 1967)
It's A Date #1251 (1966)
Leather Limelight #1269 (1966 - 1967)
Orange Cozy #1263 (1966 - 1967)
Polka Dots 'n Raindrops #1255 (1966)
Quick Shift #1266 (1966 - 1967)
Shoppin' Spree #1261 (1966)
Sportin' Set JC Penney Exclusive #1044 (1966)
Style Setters #1268 (1966 - 1967)
Swingin' Skimmy #1264 (1966 - 1967)
Tuckered Out #1253 (1966 - 1967)

1967
Bells #1275 (1967)
Border-Line #1287 (1967)
Check This #1291 (1967)
Clear Out #1281 (1967)
Cool White #1280 (1967)
Denims Out #1290 (1967)
Groovy Get-Ups #1270 (1967)
Hi-Teen #1272 (1967 - 1968)
Iced Blue #1274 (1967 - 1968)
In-Print #1288 (1967)
Miss Teenage Beauty #1284 (1967)
Note The Coat #1289 (1967)
Side-Kick! #1273 (1967 - 1968)
Slumber Number #1271 (1967 - 1968)
Summer Coolers #1292 (1967)
Summer Frost #1276 (1967)
Sun Spots #1277 (1967)
Sweet 'n Swingin' #1283 (1967)
The Bridge Bit #1279 (1967)
Tweed-Somes #1286 (1967)

1967 Vintage Francie Dolls Fashion Paks
Footnotes (1967)
For Francie Dressmakers (1967)
Hair-Dos (1967)
Mod-Hatters (1967)
Pleat-Neat (1967)
Undies (1967)

1967 Vintage Francie Dolls Sears Exclusive Outfits
Casey Goes Casual Gift Set #3304 (1967)
Furry Go Round (1967)
Go Gold #1294 (1967)
Partners In Print #1293 (1967)
Prom Pinks (1967)
1968
Culotte-Wot? #1214 (1968 - 1969)
Dreamy Wedding #1217 (1968)
Floating In #1207 (1968 - 1969)
Hill-riders #1210 (1968 - 1969)
Mini-Chex #1209 (1968 - 1969)
Night Blooms #1212 (1968 - 1969)
Orange Zip Sears Exclusive (1968)
Pazam! #1213 (1968 - 1969)
Tenterrific #1211 (1968 - 1969)
The Combo #1215 (1968)
The Lace-Pace #1216 (1968)
The Silver Cage #1208 (1968 - 1969)
Wild 'n Wooly #1218 (1968)

1968 Vintage Francie Dolls Fashion Paks
Cool-It! (1968)
Footnotes (1968)
Get Readies (1968)
Slightly Summery (1968)

1969
Gold Rush #1222 (1969 - 1970)
Land Ho! #1220 (1969 - 1970)
Long On Looks #1227 (1969)
Merry-Go-Rounders #1230 (1969)
Pink Lightning #1231 (1969 - 1970)
Sissy Suits #1228 (1969)
Snazz #1225 (1969)
Snooze News #1226 (1969)
Somethin' Else #1219 (1969 - 1970)
Sugar Sheers #1229 (1969)
Tennis Time #1221 (1969 - 1970)
The Combination #1234 (1969 - 1970)
The Yellow Bit #1223 (1969)
Two For The Ball #1232 (1969 - 1970)
Vested Interest #1224 (1969)
Victorian Wedding #1233 (1969 - 1970)

1970
Altogether Elegant #1242 (1970 - 1971, 1974)
Pony Coat #1240 (1970 - 1971, 1974)
Snake Charmers #1245 (1970 - 1971, 1974)
Striped Types #1243 (1970 - 1971, 1974)
Wedding Whirl #1244 (1970 - 1971, 1974)
Bloom Zoom #1239 (1970 - 1971, 1974)
Corduroy Cape #1764 (1970 - 1971)
Long On Leather #1769 (1970 - 1971)
Pink Power #1762 (1970 - 1971)
Plaid Plans #1767 (1970 - 1971)
Pretty Power Sears Exclusive #1512 (1970 - 1973)
Satin Happenin' #1237 (1970 - 1971, 1974)
Snappy Snoozers #1238 (1970 - 1971, 1974)
Sunny Slacks #1761 (1970 - 1971)
The Entertainer #1763 (1970 - 1971)
Waltz In Velvet #1768 (1970 - 1971)
Wild Bunch #1766 (1970 - 1971)

1970 Vintage Francie Dolls Fashion Paks
In Step (1970 - 1971)
Night Brights (1970 - 1971)
Pancho Bravo (1970 - 1971)
Slacks 'n Cap (1970 - 1971)
Super Shirt (1970 - 1971)
Western Wild (1970 - 1971)

1971
Buckaroo Blues #3449 (1971 - 1972, 1974)
Change Offs #3460 (1971 - 1972)
Dreamy Duo #3450 (1971 - 1972, 1974)
Frosty Fur #3455 (1971 - 1972, 1974)
Midi Bouquet #3446 (1971 - 1972)
Midi Duet #3451 (1971 - 1972, 1974)
Midi Plaid #3444 (1971 - 1972)
Olde Look #3458 (1971 - 1972)
Peach Plush #3461 (1971 - 1972)
Satin Supper #3443 (1971 - 1972)
Snooze News #3453 (1971 - 1972, 1974)
Summer Number #3454 (1971 - 1972, 1974)
Twilight Twinkle #3459 (1971 - 1972)
Wild Flowers #3456 (1971 - 1972, 1974)
With It Whites #3448 (1971 - 1972, 1974)
Zig Zag Zoom #3445 (1971 - 1972)

1972
Bridal Beauty #3288 (1972)
Checker Charm #3278 (1972)
Cool Casuals #3281 (1972)
Double Ups #3286 (1962)
Little Knits #3275 (1972)
Peach Treats #3285 (1972)
Simply Super #3277 (1972)
Smashin' Satin #3287 (1972)
Suited For Shorts #3283 (1972)
The Long View #3282 (1972)
The Slacks Suit #3276 (1972)
Totally Terrific #3280 (1972)

1972 Vintage Francie Dolls Best Buy Outfits
Pink 'n Pretty (1972)
Pretty Frilly #3366 (1972)
Ready! Set! Go! #3365 (1972)
Red, White and Bright #3368 (1972)
Right For Stripes #3367 (1972)
Sleepy Time Gal #3364 (1972)

3 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing your Francie dolls. She was my favorite Barbie relative. Love her fashions best, too.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Dana, thanks for visiting, I sometimes feel that Mattel should come back with the "old" characters/family members, they just bring so many good memories...and they are awesome!!!
    Welcome to Barbie Cafe!!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wow, what a wonderful page. Does anyone know of any online groups who worship Francie the way I do? I am adore brown eyed Francie, and she was the ONLY Barbie doll I ever thought was pretty.

    I have a Growin' Pretty Francie that is lovely with gorgeous face. Every little girl I show it to goes NUTS over it. That lovely peachy lip and those real lashes make you melt. I would love to find others who share the passion.

    I was so excited to find out they were reproing her...and so sad to see her face was so drastically different in the repro's. You know I also think that Avon needs to bring back "Her Prettiness" because all my little nieces just go nuts over my complete collection.

    ReplyDelete