Francie
Francie, Barbie's 'mod' cousin was introduced in 1966. While Barbie was still wearing classy, fashion clothing Francie was modern and hip, wearing mini skirts, boots, and modern style glasses and accessories. Slightly shorter than Barbie, but taller than Barbie's sister Skipper, Francie was presented as a slimmer and slightly younger teenager. She was also the first doll with real eyelashes!
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US $6.00
Two versions of Francie were introduced during the years 1966 till 1968, a straight leg and a bendable leg Francie. The straight legged version did not have real eyelashes, but she did have a two piece swimsuit, in red and white checks and pointed red high heels. This Francie was available in blonde and brunette.
Francie with bendable legs also came in blonde and brunette. She had brown eyes and 'real' eyelashes. Clothing for the bendable legged Francie differed, however, and there were three variations. All swimsuits were one piece, one had a green bottom with a white top, the others either a print with white background on the top, or a bluish green background on top.
Twist and turn Francie appeared on the scene in 1967, though she wasn't commonly found till 1969 and 1970. She too wore a one piece swim suit with a colored striped top and a hot pink bottom. This Francie also had 'real' rooted eyelashes overshadowing brown eyes and, as with the other Francies, had either blond or brunette hair. Twist and turn (known as TNT) Francie had a slight problem with her skin color. It tends to become very pale with age.
The black Francie doll is the rarest of all Francie dolls. Issued in 1967, Black Francie had a dark complexion. She was not made with genuine African American features, however, but was rather made with the same head molds as the more common Caucasian Francies. Thus, while still very valuable as a collector's item, she isn't commonly known as a true African American Barbie.
Francie appeared all the way up until 1974, though later editions are not such collector's items as the earlier ones. During the 1970's Francie featured in various hair model Barbies, such as the Hair Happenin's Francie, the No Bangs Twist and Turn Francie, Francie with Growin' Pretty Hair, Sun Set Malibu Francie, Busy Francie or Quick Curl Francie. Baggie Francie, issued in 1975, was the last to appear.
In 1996, the 30th anniversary vintage Francie doll was reproduced wearing her original swimsuit, and including some of the earlier ensembles Francie wore.