
 
Keeping
Ken  
 
Keeping
Ken Terms & Abbreviations  
Keeping Ken A thru Z 
This page represents KenŽ items from 1961 until
the present that are considered verified prototypes or concept items that they 
never made it into production.  I will try to provide dates and model 
numbers if known.  If you own verified genuine Mattel prototype Ken items, 
please send me pictures and descriptions so I may include them on this page.
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.
 
  
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        1960 Plaster Mattel Prototype
        Flock Hair Ken Head Mold 
        At the 2006 National Barbie Doll Collectors 
        Convention, Mattel displayed rare prototype head molds representing the 
        conceptualization of the first and other Kens doll from their vault seen 
        on these pages: National Barbie Convention 
        2006-Exhibit -- "Treasures from Mattel's Vault" Page 8 and
        National Barbie Convention 2006-Exhibit -- 
        "Treasures from Mattel's Vault" Page 9.  This example from my 
        personal collection shows a hand-painted Flock Hair Ken plaster example.  
        (A gift from Sandi Holder)  | 
       
      
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        1964 Ken Little Theatre Prototype 
        Fashions At the 2006 National 
        Barbie Doll Collectors Convention, Mattel displayed rare prototype 
        Little Theatre Ken fashions that were never produced.  Ken fashions 
        Julius Caesar, Romeo, The Mad Hatter, an unnamed Pilgrim type fashion 
        and an unnamed 18th century style fashion to accompany a Marie 
        Antoinette Barbie fashion (also not produced) were shown.  | 
       
      
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        1971 Live 
        Action Ken Prototype Doll At 
        the 2006 National Barbie Doll Collectors Convention, Mattel displayed 
        rare prototype dolls including this one of Live Action Ken doll.  
        Obviously he is much different than the production doll! 
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        1971 Mod Hair 
        Ken Prototype Head Mold At the 
        2006 National Barbie Doll Collectors Convention, Mattel displayed rare 
        prototype head molds representing the conceptualization of the first and 
        other Kens doll from their vault.  This example (pictured left) is 
        a rooted blonde version of Mod Hair Ken.  The production version 
        had brown rooted hair.  | 
       
     
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        1974 Best Buy 
        Fashions #7761 Mattel Fashion Sample 
        Similar to the pattern for this fashion is 
        this uncompleted fashion sample from Mattel.  The fashion is sewn 
        but the lapel backs and bottom retain pinned down.  This sample was 
        never produced.  From my personal collection. 
        (A gift from Sandi Holder)  | 
       
      
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        1978 
        Sport & Shave Ken Mattel Prototype Head Mold 
        This prototype head mold from Mattel was 
        later used for the production doll.  The prototype is marked 
        "TAIWAN" on the back underside rim and has black color rooted hair, 
        unlike the production doll that doesn't have this marking and brown 
        rooted hair.  From my personal collection. 
        (A gift from Sandi Holder)  | 
       
     
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        1990   On the Go Ken and Fashion 
        
        On the Go Ken was 
        
        pictured and listed for 
        1990 release along with a separate fashion in the Mattel dealer 
		catalogue.  Later, he, along with On the Go Barbie were canceled by Mattel and dropped off official 
        Barbie product listings. | 
       
     
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        1994 Model #12000 Motorcycle Ken and 
        Model #12126 Motorcycle Ken Black 
        
        
        Mattel trimmed the 1994 Barbie line which included these 
        two Ken dolls that were listed by Mattel but were later dropped.  
        Model #12000 is pictured in the link.  | 
       
      
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        1997 Ralph Lauren Ken Prototype 
        Probably around the same time as Ralph 
        Lauren BarbieŽ doll available exclusively at Bloomingdale's, this Ken 
        doll is also clothed in authentic Ralph Lauren designs, but never made 
        it into production.  Owned by Judene Hansen, owner of Dream Dolls 
        Gallery & More, he is on display in the museum there of
        OOAK dolls bears and toys.  | 
       
      
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        1998   College Football Ken Prototypes 
        
        
        Made to accompany the produced Barbie College Cheerleader 
        dolls, this picture was released by Mattel showing the College Football 
        Ken dolls but they never made it into production.  | 
       
     
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        1999 Fishin' Ken and Fishin' Ken AA 
        
        
        Mattel trimmed the 1999 Barbie line which included these 
        two Ken dolls that were announced in dealer catalogues but were later 
        dropped.  No known pictures are available.  | 
       
      
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        1999   Totally Yo-Yo Zach 
        Hopes ran high at the 
        beginning of 1998 with the announcement of "Zach", a 
        new male friend of SkipperŽ.  Joining her in the "Totally Yo-Yo" line, 
        Zach doll's face was prominently pictured in Mattel literature and major 
        BarbieŽ publications.  | 
       
      
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        1999   First Haircut Tommy Model #22012 
        Haircut Tommy was pictured and listed for 
        1999 release.  Later, he was canceled by Mattel and dropped off official 
        Barbie product listings.  | 
       
     
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        2010 Sugar Daddy Palm Beach Ken Model 
        #T3285 Mattel announced that Sugar 
        Daddy Palm Beach Ken doll was a preliminary concept, and is not moving 
        forward as part of the 2010 Barbie Fashion Model Collection.  The doll made it as far as 
          dealer sites with a  model number (T3285) and a release date of 
          April 2010 and approximate price of $70.  After that, Palm Beach 
          Ken made quite the rounds on celebrity blogs, mostly sexualizing and 
          stereotyping the concept.  | 
       
     
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