Can anyone identify these two Barbies?

[s.rum]

The Barbies are both made in Japan. The African American Barbie has the date of 1966 and the Blonde Barbie has 1966 and 1967.

    Can anyone tell me what Barbies these are?

Thanks!

[tree*fern · Accepted solution]

Hi @s.rum   

The African-American doll is Julia (1969-71), based on Diahann Carroll's Julia TV show in the 1960s. The outfit she's wearing is a knockoff, not genuine Mattel.

The blonde doll is Francie Growin' Pretty Hair (1970-71). Francie is Barbie's cousin.

The year mark on all Mattel dolls is the patent date for the original mold, not the year the doll was made. Mattel reused its molds for many years and for many different models.

[tree*fern]

For more info:

https://www.fashion-doll-guide.com/Julia-Barbie-Doll.html

https://www.fashion-doll-guide.com/francie-with-growin-pretty-hair.html

[s.rum]

Thanks!