I Am Ricky

In episode six of season three of the AMC series Mad Men, little girl Sally Draper receives a Barbie doll given as a gift by her mother Betty. The well-researched and executed scene captures a moment that took place in thousands of homes across the United States in the early 1960s. Watching this vignette with all its painstaking attention to chronological correctness, I could not help but wonder if Sally's brother was himself desirous of receiving such a gift - an obvious projection of my own life experience. For as a child growing up in vintage Barbie doll's heyday, my ultimate wish was to receive, from my proud and smiling-with-approval parents, a slender gift-wrapped box containing my very own Barbie doll. Far from this fantasy, in my childhood in Puerto Rico in the mid 1960s, a boy never received nor dared to ask to receive the gift of a Barbie doll. For female fashion dolls were only for girls and that meant not being able to be part of the club. Ken and G.I. Joe were allowed and I played with both, but such play, sans Barbie, lacked magic and color and was boring to me. But in 1967, by the time he was being discontinued by Mattel, I got a Ricky doll. Ricky's smile and freckles captured my heart and imagination and became a childhood companion along with Talking Porky Pig, (also by Mattel) and Mortimer Snerd, a vinyl version of the ventriloquist doll. Perhaps unconsciously, I sensed that with Ricky by my side, I could one day be a member of the coveted Barbie Club.

The Ricky doll was introduced by Mattel in 1965, a year after the Skipper doll made her debut. Skipper proved to be a hit with children so to enrich her storyline, Mattel gave her friends - Skooter and Ricky. Introduced as Skipper's friend (not boyfriend), Ricky was the boy next door. To many parents, he may have been a dead ringer for marionette and TV children's favorite Howdy Doody and as such, hard to resist. One wonders how many Barbie fans added Ricky to their play even if dressing a boy doll was not high in their list of glamour-seeking priorities.

Just like Barbie, Ken, and Skipper, the Ricky doll illustrates a period when children still abode by societal expectations for sartorial formality. As a result, Ricky had an ensemble for every activity that a boy would undertake - from jeans to a suit. Ricky stopped being produced after 1967 when the Mod and Twist-and-Turn eras were in full swing as well as the US' involvement in the Vietnam War. Ken would also disappear soon thereafter and Barbie's Willows, Wisconsin would be an all-female realm for a while.

But today, Ricky is an integral member in many vintage Barbie collections. And being a relatively limited number of items, collecting the redheaded lad is not going to break the bank. Displayed along with the other denizens of the Barbie dolls' world, he instantly brings a smile to my face and a genuine feeling that the ideal kid-next-door is my lifelong friend. 

Children and Art

Ricky's portrait as featured on his box cover. Ricky is Skipper's friend, not boyfriend. He along with Skooter create the perfect kid triumvirate of Willows, Wisconsin.

Pack It Up, I'll Take It!

A NRFB "Skateboard" set (# 1505), from 1966-1967 features a cool blouson shirt and an even cooler skateboard. 

A Distinguished Lad

The back of Ricky's fashion boxes reveals the zeitgeist of the late 1960s.

Let's Explore!

The gang is enjoying the great outdoors. Rickywears "Let's Explore" (# 1506) composed of gray zippered slacks and a warm red plaid shirt, red socks and black shoes. A Japanese-issue Skipper stays warm in "Outdoor Casuals" (#1915) and Scooter is charming in the sleeveless top and slacks from "Fun Time" (#1920).

Homerun!

For how could Ricky not love baseball? "Little Leaguer" (#1504) boasts zippered blue jeans, a red and blue knit T-shirt, a red cap with "M" for Mattel and a catcher's mitt.

Toy Collector

Ricky shows us his toy collection before heading to bed in "Lights Out" (#1501) a yellow pajama set with blue terry cloth robe and matching slippers.

Little Daredevil

Ricky performs for Skipper in "Skateboard" (#1505) which features the ultimate toy: a skateboard!

Sunday Best

A perfect illustration of mid 1960s style, "Sunday Suit" (stock number 1503) offered Ricky the opportunity to attend a concert or go to church in a well-tailored striped blazer and black slacks.

In Japan

Although never produced by Mattel, this vignette makes us wonder what if Mattel had expanded the "Barbie Travel Costumes" series to the junior set. Ricky's yukata is by Vicky Ruby and Skipper's kimono is by Sylvia Campbell. 

Howdy!

Ricky was only produced with straight legs, from 1966-1967 (#1090). This version has the pink-toned vinyl skin that would characterize Mod Era dolls but the doll was produced using both types of vinyl. 

At Barbie's

The Ricky doll employed the same perfectly androgynous body sculpt as Skipper and Skooter. He poses for this photo in his original issue swim trunks and jacket. 

Go West!

Ricky visits The Golden Gate with Barbie and Ken in "Saturday Show" (# 1502). Barbie wears
"Fashion Shiner (#1691) and Ken sports "Rovin' Reporter (#1417).