A History Of Blythe – From 1972 Kenner To Now
This is a picture of my Kenner Blythe doll - she's missing some eyelashes but I'm going to get her some replacements.
Blythe is an 11 1/2 inch tall fashion doll created by Kenner Toys in 1972. Her distinguishing feature is her large eyes that changed color using a pull string. Unfortunately, little girls of the day didn't quite know what to make of her. They though she was a bit scary and she usually had to sleep outside their bedrooms at night. Blythe was a bit ahead of her time and she was a spectacular flop. Thankfully her story didn't end there.
photo credit: rikusiren via photopin cc
Blythe spent the next 25 years languishing in obscurity. Learn how Blythe was rediscovered in the early 2000s has finally achieved the success she dreamed of. Now she's one of the most coveted and valuable dolls in existence. Men, women, and children, no matter their age, can't resist her charms. Read on to find out how Blythe became an international doll superstar.
Back To The Beginning
Kenner Blythe Arrived - And Then Left - 1972
Vintage Retro Big-Eyed Blythe Dolls
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The first Blythe Dolls that were sold in 1972 by Kenner Toys were designed by Allison Katzman. Some say the Blythe Doll was modeled after big eyed child paintings by American artist Margaret Keane. Blythe was unique because she had a ring on a string attached to the back of her head that, when pulled, would change her eye color. The Kenner Blythe Doll was a disaster, little girls didn’t like her and she was pulled from toy shelves within a year.
Fast forward to 1997 when a doll collector named Gina Garan, while living in New York City, received a Blythe doll as a gift. She began practicing her photography skills by taking pictures of her doll in her travels. Hundreds of pictures – enough to fill an entire book. And that’s just what she did. In 2000 Gina published “This is Blythe”.
Here's The Original 1972 Advertisement For Blythe Dolls -
Watch Out That Jingle Gets Stuck In Your Head
eBay Is A Great Place To Find Kenner Blythe Dolls From 1972
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Neo Blythe Dolls - 2001
Neo Blythe Is Born In Far Away Japan
Neo Blythe Dolls Made By The Takara Company
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After Gina Garan published “This is Blythe” she met a creative agent for Japanese artists at a business event in New York City named Junko Wong. Junko was enchanted by the Gina’s Blythe photos and took the Blythe doll idea back to Japan to Parco department stores and proposed an advertising campaign. Blythe became one of Parco’s most popular models for their ads that year and was an instant hit with doll collectors too. In 2000 Junko Wong’s company Cross World Connections teamed up with the Takara toy manufacturer to sell the Neo-Blythe doll in Japan. The first release sold out instantly and the rest is history. Neo-Blythe is now cherished and adored all around the world.
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Petite Blythe
Petite Blythe - Mini Takara Blythe Dolls
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Petite Blythe Dolls are a mere 4 ½” tall and have only one color eyes. Originally these were designed as a keychain but collectors love them so the Takara Tomy company began making them as mini versions of Neo-Blythe. There have been over 200 different Petite Blythe dolls since they were introduced in 2002. These days Petite Blythes have arms and legs that bend and their eyes sleep.
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Ashton Drake Blythe Dolls
Ashton Drake Collectible Blythe Dolls
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The Ashton Drake company began selling their version of the original Kenner Blythe dolls in the United States in 2004. AD Blythe dolls are the most similar to the 1972 edition and wear exact replicas of their mod-70′s style outfits. There are 12 different versions. The Ashton Drake dolls were discontinued in 2007.
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Hasbro Littlest Pet Shop Blythe
Littlest Pet Shop Pet Sitter Blythe
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Hasbro, the toy company that bought Kenner toys, recently appointed Blythe as the Pet Sitter in residence at Littlest Pet Shop. Blythe is a true animal lover, so she’s happy to be on the team. She’s been delighting children since 2010 with her waif like body and big head. LPS Blythe dolls are inexpensive and perfect for young Blythe fans to play with.
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Middie Blythe Is Born In 2010
Middie Blythes Story
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Middie Blythe is the newest Blythe family member. She’s 7 ¾” tall and has a face that’s more child like that Neo Blythe but more mature than Petite Blythe. Her head tilts from side to side and her eyes look to the right and left. She’s a great travel companion because she’s big enough to pose for perfect photos but small enough to fit in a purse. There have been 6 releases of Middie Blythe since the first in 2010.
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Which Blythe Doll Do You Like Best? Did you enjoy reading this Blythe resource? Please leave a comment as I'm glad to know you were here!
Category: Blythe
About the Author (Author Profile)
Retired Florida CPA who loves playing with and collecting dollhouses and dolls.Subscribe
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