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1962 World Series Souvenir Doll

1965 Johnny Hero Sears Ad
1965 Johnny Hero
 Sears Ad

Back of MLB Barbie


 KeyMan Collectibles  NEWSLETTER April 2019  
Boys Don't Play With Dolls... They're called
 Steven KeyMan
Steven KeyMan
Action Figures - By Steven KeyMan
Founder of Keymancollectibles.com, and a long time collector, Steven KeyMan has more than 30 years of experience in researching, and cataloging information on Baseball Memorabilia. Researching his own personal collection, and helping others find information on their collectibles, the website grew into the largest online resource for baseball memorabilia
 

   Ask Steven: Direct your questions or feedback, about Baseball Memorabilia to Steven KeyMan Steve@keymancollectibles.com You can also Send KeyMan pictures of your personal Memorabilia Display, and get your own Free  Collectors Showcase Room featured on the website..   
 
    When we were kids, it was simple. Girls played with dolls, and boys played with action figures. The Lone Ranger, G.I. Joe, Johnny Hero, Stretch Armstrong.... Sorry Guys, by any other name they are still dolls. "Action figure" was coined for marketing reasons to help secure our boyhood. Separate us from our Barbie toting sisters. Now that we are men and collecting memorabilia from our childhood, I will use the term Action Figure when ever possible, to preserve our manly manhood. I'm sure the ladies have no problem collecting baseball dolls that we call action figures.  
     
   Nodders are, and always have been accepted by the masculine collector as being a Doll. The bobblehead dolls were first introduced into the U.S. Market by Danny Goodman in 1956. The idea brought over from Japan, the Los Angeles Dodger marketing genius, Goodman first sold the bobble head doll at Gilmore Field, home to the Hollywood Stars of the Pacific Coast League. When the Dodgers moved to LA in 1958 the Dodgers adopted both Danny Goodman and the Nodder. By 1960 All Major League teams were selling bobble head Dolls at the stadiums.

 Another Doll that was made available at the stadium souvenir stands was this celluloid, and stuffed cloth baseball uniform Doll with a team pin attached to it. These 8" Dolls were made in Japan and sold during the 1950's inside and outside the ballparks. The Dolls came with a baseball bat attached to the right hand, and another with a ball and glove. Stadium souvenir pins that were also sold separately, were attached with a ribbon to the Doll. There were other variations of these Dolls, with pins, made by other manufactures and sold from the 1940's through the 1970's.
 
The Flagg Doll Co., manufactures of flexible play dolls, produced special baseball player Dolls for Danny Goodman concessions, wearing a Dodger uniform. The company specialized in miniature dollhouse dolls, and also created 7 inch, hand painted dolls with such themes as storybook characters, professions, and international custom dressed dolls. By 1951 Flagg issued a 7" flexible sports Series doll, that included a baseball player in uniform, hat, and bat. The generic baseball player dolls, came in the same style box as all the other dolls, but with no team name on the jersey. The Dodger dolls were sold as souvenirs at Memorial Coliseum, and were also made available by Danny Goodman Concessions, through the mail for $2.00.

The All American Athlete, Johnny Hero ACTION FIGURE! "Takes any sports position" Thanks to his foam latex body reinforced with wire, he assumes any sports action pose. In 1965 Johnny Hero sold for $2.75, and came dressed in gold trunks, Johnny Hero #16 shirt, socks and sneakers. In 1968 Johnny Hero was repackaged as Olympic Hero Sports Star, and was outfitted in a number 16 red jogging suit with "Johnny Hero" printed across his chest, but the uniform was not detachable. Other baseball and football uniforms could also be ordered of your favorite team. The Olympic Hero baseball uniform pack came with a team cap, stirrups/socks, glove, ball & bat to complement the Johnny Hero figure. All MLB and NFL teams of the days had accessory packs for the doll uh..ah.. I mean Action Figure. (sorry guys)

In 1990 Sports Impressions presented the Porcelain Doll/Figurine Collection. "Figurine" was added to the box for the masculine collector. By definition Figurine: a SMALL carved or molded figure, a statuette. At 14" tall this Porcelain Doll is not even close to being a Figurine. Mickey Mantle was the first of a series of three Porcelain Doll/Figurines issued. Don Mattingly was 2nd in the series limited to 1,995 made, and Nolan Ryan was 3rd numbered to 1,992.

  The Mickey Mantle Doll was numbered to 1,956, came in a "Mickey Mantle Locker" box, removable cap, and wooden Bat with Mantle facsimile signature. The manufacturer tag also features Mickey Mantle's facsimile autograph, with a short bio, and also came with a Certificate of Authenticity. The "Mickey Mantle Locker" Box measures 4.75 inches by 5.75inches by 15.75 inches. Artist Proof Editions limited to 195 made, for each of the three doll/figurines in the series were also issued.

In 1999 Major League Baseball Player Barbie made her MLB debut with different editions for the New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers. Made by Mattel this Special Edition Barbie was dressed in an authentic jersey bodysuit with attached socks, pants, dugout jacket, shoes, and a baseball cap that features an authentic team logo.

 The Doll also includes a miniature Wilson glove, a Louisville Slugger bat, and a Rawlings baseball. The back of the box features a brief history of the team Barbie represents. No Man-cave should ever display this doll unless: A"I'm Saving it for my daughter"
B"I bought it for my Wife" C"It's an Action Figure"
 
 
 
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