Wow! Yesterday got away from me and I did not get a chance to post before the day came to an end. My apologies to any who may have shown up for a 70s flashback. 
It has been a while since I have posted anything for the doll lovers, so today I am posting the well know Rub-A-Dub Dolly. The ad is from the 1974 JCPenny Christmas catalog.
Rub A Dub Dolly from 1974
Isn’t this an eye opener for how much our society has changed. When I was a kid this commercial was considered harmless. Today, this commercial would cause quite the controversy.
It seems that one of Barbie’s 326 jobs, that she has had in her life time, was being a stewardess.
This is the airplane Friend Ship. Catchy name eh? I do like seeing how well the clothing and luggage is stored in the back of the plane. Like that would really happen lol.
Barbie's Friend Ship Airplane Play Set from 1974
My apologies for the late comment response and few posts last week. Seems like whenever I am gone for a week, the following week is a whirlwind. I am excited to say, that yesterday, I picked up an electric guitar which was one of my goals for this year for learning something new. Enough of that… on to the 70s.
We are starting the week off with the Barbie Dream Boat. Barbie has it all, doesn’t she? This boat was huge! At 4′ feet long that would about the same size as your child! Where on earth did our parents find places to put all of these large play sets.
Barbie Dream Boat from 1975
I have noticed a lot of the toys in the 70s folded into convenient carrying cases. One of our army men play sets did the same thing. That was one of the toys we were allowed to take when we went some where because it was so hassle free. Is it the same way still these days?
Raggedy Anne and Andy where far more popular than just the 70s, but many children who grew up during that time where very familiar with these toys.
Raggedy Ann and Andy
Raggedy Ann was created by American writer Johnny Gruelle for his daughter, Marcella. She brought him a hand made rag doll and he drew a face on it. The name came from a book of poems from author James Whitcomb Riley. Gruelle created the name Raggedy Ann by combing the title “The Raggedy Man” and “Little Orphant Annie”.
Another interesting piece of history was his daughter died at the age of 13 after receiving a small pox vaccination at school without her parents consent. Raggedy Ann was then used as a symbol for the anti-vaccination movement. (Wiki)
The history behind some of these toys is truly fascinating.
I am traveling up north next week to spend Thanksgiving with my parents so posting and commenting will be sporadic (if at all) next week.
Today’s post is all about the Holly Hobbie toy line. This was one of my wife’s favorite toys and she especially enjoyed the furniture.
Holly Hobbie Dolls and Furniture 1977
Did you know that Holly Hobbie is a real person? She is an American writer and illustrator who was born in 1944. Holly wrote the Toot and Puddle children’s books and she also was a contract artist for American Greetings where the director helped launch “blue girl” as the Holly Hobbie doll most people are familiar with today.
