Rare: Barbie In-Store Display View-Master Reel from 1960
This rare reel is sought after by both View-Master and Barbie collectors!
This week, I wanted to share some information about another rare reel that only die-hard View-Master (and die-hard Barbie) collectors seem to know about. And it’s one I very recently acquired.
Way back in 1960, in an effort to promote their newly-released Barbie doll fashions, Mattel created countertop displays using View-Master’s custom (or commercial) division.
Now, Barbie and View-Master are two of the most iconic toys and brands of the last century. And they would eventually come under the same ownership banner when Mattel merged with Tyco back in 1997. But in 1960? They were worlds apart but both of their images were climbing.
Mattel’s Barbie promo reel was photographed by Tri-Ads Fashion Company of Hollywood, Calif., around 1960 and it features seven photos of early Barbie dolls in fancy new outfits. It was never released to the public but was instead an in-store display item. And being used over and over in stores explains why the reels are often in poor or at least well-used shape.
Finding a complete example of the in-store display is nearly impossible but I found this photo online:
It’s so rare and desirable to collectors that the image below was featured in the View-Master 65th Anniversary Collector Set, issue in 2004. (Of note, the 65th anniversary set also features an image from super rare reel No. 1305, President Kennedy Visits Ireland, but that is worth its own post).
Early Barbie fashions are highly desired by collectors because of their incredible design, beautiful and intricate details and retro aesthetic.
So, let’s see which of the early Barbie fashions are featured in this reel!
The first image features Barbie in Evening Splendour (released in 1959) for $4, Solo in the Spotlight (1960) for $3 and Enchanted Evening (1960) for $4. I’ve linked to an archive that can tell you more about each outfit if you’re curious!
These recently sold on eBay for $115, $92, $420 (in original box) respectively!
In researching this line (which encompasses both the first and second year of fashions), I enjoyed this video:
Please note! I’m a lover of Barbie but I’m no expert! If you see clear errors in this post, let me know and I’ll update it on the site.
Scene No. 2: Plantation Belle (1959), Friday Nite Date (1960) and Nighty Negligee (1959).
Scene No. 3: Commuter (1959), Trousseau (large gift set with doll and fashions for wedding and honeymoon released in 1960), and Peachy Fleecy Coat (1960).
Commuter is maybe my favorite Barbie everyday fashion of all time and you can actually buy it and wear it from Unique Vintage!
Scene No. 4: Resort Set (1959), Winter Holiday (1959) and Picnic Set (1959).
I adore the Picnic Set! It even comes with a little fishing pole and dangling fish.
Scene No. 5: Barbie-Q (1959), Mix’N’Match (1960), and Sweater Girl (1959).
Barbie-Q has a little knife, spatula and spoon as well as a tiny wooden rolling pin!
Scene No. 6: Busy Gal (1960), Suburban Shopper (1959), and Apple Print Sheath (1959).
Busy Gal literally kills me. I wish I could look that put together.
And, from what I understand the Apple Print Sheath is among the less common early fashions because it was only out for two years. New and never-removed from-the-box, Apple Sheath received 13 bids and sold for $637.19 in February 2013! (Friendly reminder that collectibles are worth whatever you’re willing to pay for them!)
Scene No. 7: Cruise Stripes (1959), Party Set (1960) and Cotton Casual (1959).
The fashions on this reel are so popular that many of them have been reproduced multiple times over the years! Most are easier to find via reproductions than as originals. Certainly more affordable as reproductions than originals.
Thanks for reading! Be sure to smash that like ♥️ button so I know you’re following along!
Want more info on Barbie View-Master reels?
This Barbie is a View-Master
I’ve loved Barbie for as long as I can remember. I had a rather large collection of dolls and houses and accessories as a child, and I can still remember how much I loved to play with them. I grew up in the 1980s when the slogan “We girls can do anything, right, Barbie?” was a staple of Saturday morning commercials. To me, Barbie is a feminist icon. Bea…
Congrats on scoring the reel. Great addition to your great collection.
Incredible review of a truly fabulous reel!! There's so much detail packed in every photo. Even the backgrounds are cool, and who's looking at the damn backgrounds in a Barbie reel? All of the fashions are immaculate. <3