Petit Blythe by Takara
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A look at the pocket size version of Japan's popular big-eyed cutie!
The cutest collectable Japanese doll
Blythe and Petit Blythe by Takara
Petit Blythe is the 4 inch version of the Neo-Blythe dolls by Takara. Since her introduction there have been nearly 100 versions of her, and a range of costumes. More webpages about Petit Blythe
- Happyhappytoytoy
- Happyhappytoytoy ships Petit Blythe and other Cute collectable toys to most parts of the world
- About Toys
- A blog about toys and dolls
- Petit Blythe Doll - ProductWiki, unbiased product reviews and information
- Petit Blythe on Product Wiki
Important!
Blythe and Petit Blythe
THE STORY OF HOW AN UNPOPULAR AMERICAN TOY FROM THE 1970S BECAME A CULT HIT IN JAPAN NEARLY 30 YEARS LATER.
How an American Toy from the 70s Became a Cult Hit in Japan in the 2000s
Blythe in the 1970s.
The very first Blythe doll came out in 1972. She was manufactured in Hong Kong for the American toy company Kenner, (which was bought out by Hasbro in the 1990s). The designer was Allison Katzman of the Marvin Glass Studio, (the same toy design studio that created the classic Mouse Trap game) and Blythe was intended to follow the success of other similar sized dolls who had a mechancal gimmick - Chatty Cathy by Mattel could talk, Betsy Wetsy by Ideal Toys wet her nappy, Tiny Tears by Palitoy could cry - Blythe's gimmick was that her eyes could be made to change colour, from blue to green to brown to purple.
However her changing eyes and extreme wide-eyed appearance was her undoing - it seems little girls found her more creepy than cute! She was a flop and was discontinued after just one year, to become a curiosity for a few niche doll collectors.
But a saviour would appear nearly 30 years later!
However her changing eyes and extreme wide-eyed appearance was her undoing - it seems little girls found her more creepy than cute! She was a flop and was discontinued after just one year, to become a curiosity for a few niche doll collectors.
But a saviour would appear nearly 30 years later!
The Original Blythe Commercial
A TV ad. from 1972
The Revival of Blythe's Fortunes
Gina Garan Saves Blythe
Gina Garan, a New York based video producer, was given a Blythe as a gift from a friend who thought it looked like her. Looking for a subject for a photography project, Gina took the doll with her as she travelled around for work, shooting pictures of her posed in different outdoor locations.
She showed the collection of photos to an agent who pitched them to the Japanese Department Store Parco, for their 2000 Christmas Campaign. Following the success of that, the next year they produced a limited edition reproduction doll, in association with Takara and Hasbro - and the revival of Blythe had begun.
The new Blythe campaigns also saw a boost in the prices of original Blythes. When she was released in the 1970s she sold for $6. That same doll can now fetch figures in excess of $1000 on ebay.
She showed the collection of photos to an agent who pitched them to the Japanese Department Store Parco, for their 2000 Christmas Campaign. Following the success of that, the next year they produced a limited edition reproduction doll, in association with Takara and Hasbro - and the revival of Blythe had begun.
The new Blythe campaigns also saw a boost in the prices of original Blythes. When she was released in the 1970s she sold for $6. That same doll can now fetch figures in excess of $1000 on ebay.
Parco's Xmas Blythe Campaign
The first Neo-Blythe
Neo-Blythe and the creation of Petit Blythe
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The first of the new or Neo-Blythes was a straight haired doll in a 70s inspired outfit.The next year the smaller, and less costly Petit Blythes came out. The same doll was reproduced in this mini form as Perfect Paisley
Petit Blythe Spirit and Spice
Petit Blythe
The miniature Blythe that's small and cute enough to carry in your pocket or bag, or keep on your desk.
Petit Blythe Releases
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All Gold In One
Aloha Spirit
Alps Letter
Angelica Eve
Apple Sweet Angel
April Waltz
Asian Butterfly
Aztec Arrival Inspired
Baby Bloomers
Baby Bonnie
Bear Hug
Betty Ann's Diner
Bird Song Duet
Birdie Blue
Bohemian Beat
Bubbly Blue Bunny
Bunny Black
Butter Cake Afternoon
Butterfly Wings
Care Free Tee
Caribbean Jewel
Cassandra Black
Cherry Ash
Cherry Berry
Chu Chu Chan
Cinnamon Girl
Classy Classmate
Clionetti
Cosmo Afternoon
Cutie March
Dainty Biscuit
Darling Diva
Darling Diva
Dottie Dot
Fairy Girl
Fancy Pancy
Feel The Sky
Feline Fancy
Fifteen Candles
First Prom
Fluffy Cuddly Bed Time
Forest Clover
Francois Femme
Friendly Giraffe
Groovy Groove
Hohoho
Hollywood
Hollywood Hills Party
Hollywood Returns
Honey Bunny
Honey Bunny Encore
I Love You It's True
Inossy
Intensive Care
Itsy Bitsy Bug
Jeremy Macintosh
Jiggly Joggly Jaguar
Jingle Santa
K Peppy Panda Garden
Kingyo Bijin
Kitchen Queen
Kozy Cape
Last Kiss
Lavender Love
Lemon Butter
Li'l Heart by Milk
Long Farewell
Love Bambinyo
Mademoiselle Rosebud
Magical Wand
Mamalade Heart
Margaret Meets Ladybug
Meowmin
Meringue Coco
Midnight Hour
Miss Macaroon
Mitten
Mondrian
Na Pua Liko
Orange Munchin
Over The Stripes Happy Everyday
Paisley Star
Paradis by Mono Comme Ca
Penny Little
Petite A Go Go
Piccadilly Dolly
Pink Pajama Party
Pinky Doodle Poodle Returns
Piyo Piyo Messenger
Playful Pigtails
Please Plie
Plum Blossom
Pompom Pretty
Pop Up Pinky Doodle Poodle
Pop Up World Pajama Party
Poseidon's Treasure
Pretty From Head To Toe
Princess a la mode
Princess Cinema
Princess Tutuphant
Promise Me
Promise Me Too
Puppy On A Date
Rainbow Wish
Rainy Day
Rendezvous Chou Chou
Romantic Arpeggio
Romantic Western
Rosie Red
Rouge Noir
Roxy Baby by Quicksilver
Royal Pierot and Victorian Monarch
Running Deer
Sailing Sailing
Samedi Marche
Save The Animals
Sewing My Way - pink & blue versions
Shanghai Season
Shy Bear
Skate Date
Skate Date Returns
Snow Wonder
Something Blue
Spirit and Spice
Spring Chocolat
Spunky Punky
Squiggly Squirrel
St Choco Luv
Strawberry Millefeuille
Sunday Best
Sunset Surfer
Sweet Milk Bear
Sweet Spell Scarlet
Taddy-Po
Tatianna Black
Tea for Two
Tick Tock Rabbit
Tokyo Toddler
Tommy February
Totally Tartan
Treasure Hunt
Tsuki Usagi
Ultimate Tour
Velvet Minuet
Velvet Minuet
Very Inspired By Pow Wow Poncho
Wake Up Kiss
Weekend Artist
White Magic
Wintry Wonder
Great Stuff on eBay
Blythe on Amazon
by Cute-Doll
Cute-Doll
Find out more about Petit Blythe at these sites
HappyhappyToytoy
About Toys blog
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