Shaun

This is a complete listing of Shaun™ made in 1980. I will include Name, Model # (M#), Box Date (BD) and Hair Color (HC). I am adding Clothing (C) and Accessory (A) descriptions as well.
Highlighted boxes are the Shaun™ dolls I keep.

Bringing back something lacking in the Barbie® line was the mindset during the early (and again in the late) Eighties. High School was a distant memory for Barbie®, Ken® and friends since the late sixties. Since the mid Seventies, the Barbie® line was again lacking some teenage fun! During this period, Mattel revived the High School era with Barbie® doll's MOD'ern cousin Francie®. Then in 1980, this spirit was revived in a brand new Starr™ line, which debuted in 1980. Later Jazzie™, another similar line was introduced in 1989-1990, hoping to fill this void in the Barbie® market again. The Starr™ line will be the model for the latter Jazzie™ line, but has it's differences. Mattel hopes that this line will be the leader in the 1980 doll market.

Starr™, and her friends Kelley™, Shaun™ and Tracy™ are placed on the market with no ties or relationship to Barbie®. The boxes of each version is unique and different from the pink box color of the Barbie line. The white boxes look to be covered with a notebook-paper design. Each of the 11 ½" characters attend Springfield High School, and that is where each student (doll) is involved in many academic and extra-curricular activities.

The Starr™ line took America by storm. The line was so popular, it makes one ponder why Mattel did not continue it with more versions of each doll. Each doll was popular in play life in the fictitious setting of Springfield High School as well. The female dolls in the line have new body molds that allow them generous movement in their arms (wrists, shoulders and elbows), waist, knees and feet. This is accomplished through the wires that run through the dolls arms and legs. The lines main character is blonde curly headed Starr™, who is "The most popular". She is also the "Homecoming Queen, cheerleader captain, and member of the science club, gymnastics team and journalism club". The rest of the characters in the line are noted as Starr's friends. Kelly™ is "the brains behind everything" and Tracy™ "makes everything fun". The male in the line, Shaun™, is "Starr™ doll's boyfriend. He's got it all!"

Of course Shaun's body mold will be different than the female dolls in the line. It will still be life-like and pose able with the same articulation as the female dolls. He uses Mattel's "Young Sweethearts™" Michael™ 12" body mold from 1977 (marked 1975/TAIWAN). The Michael™ body mold would be completely new in 1977 and would be unique for it's liberal pose ability. This body mold will be used later with unbendable wrists and ankles for Tom Comet™ in Mattel's "Spectra™" doll line in 1987. It would be modified again for Ken® with new markings. Shaun™ has molded blonde hair, with a middle parted feather hairstyle. He has blue eyes and a wide open smile. He is immediately paired with Starr, and his box states he is "Starr™ doll's boyfriend." Shaun™ is also the school heart throb who's "handsome, smart, fun and a great athlete. He seems to do everything well and easily. He is voted best all around and is class president, varsity football captain, and member of the drama and science clubs". There are two versions of Shaun™ that included "8 Teen items". To tell the difference between the two, you have to look closely at the boxes. Both versions can be distinguished by color variations of the rainbow behind the "Shaun™" name. The color of the stars to the right of the name also change. These color variations will tell you if you have the first or second edition. The first edition also included a sticker promoting a child-size book bag that was available for $2.99 until January 31, 1981.

Shaun™ also had three fashions produced for him during the duration of the line. His first outfit in 1980 was #1398 "School Days" which consisted of tan pants and brown plaid l/s shirt. It was only available this year. Also available in 1980 was #1395 "Prom Night" which featured a tuxedo for his big night as Starr's date. In 1981 his last fashion, #3320 "Keepin' Fit", consisted of a red jogging pants and a logo t-shirt.

Mattel's next High School theme dolls will be introduced in 1989-1990 with the Jazzie™ line. Unlike Dude, who borrows his looks from Derek® in this line, Shaun™ and the Starr™ line will have no relationship ties to the Barbie® line. Shaun is unique because his head mold has never been used again. The combination of this fact and his borrowed body mold make him very collectible. The 1975/TAIWAN body mold will eventually be revamped slightly for Ken® doll with new 1975 Mattel, Inc./ China markings. It's first appearance will be used for Hot Skatin' Ken and Winter Sport Ken in 1995, without the bendable wrists and ankles, similar to 1987's Tom Comet™, but with the new China markings.

The demise of the Starr™ line is probably due to the fact that it had no ties to the Barbie® line. It is special to the collector for the vivid backgrounds that Mattel created for each character and the unique body molds that were used. Shaun™, although characterized as a popular sports playing academic achiever, has a little of "the-boy-next-door" qualities mixed in as well. He's a keeper!

Shaun™ 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.