Here is one of my favorite childhood dolls, and a few of her friends.
Name: Quick Curl Barbie (and family/friends Skipper, Kelley, Francie, Miss America)
Year: 1973- 75
Manufacturer: Mattel
Accessories: Comb, Brush, Curling Wand, two hair ribbons, two "bobby" pins
Information and description: The Quick Curl dolls were first introduced in 1973. Later on in 1976, there would be a new version called "Deluxe Quick Curl Barbie" and her friends and family included P.J., Skipper and Cara. Note, there was no PJ or Christie in the first line of Quick Curl dolls and in 1975-76, Christie is mysteriously replaced by Cara in all lines, except I believe the "beach" lines. Cara has the "Steffie" head mold and any "beach" Christie dolls after 1976 now had the "Steffie" head mold as well and no longer sported that dark "Malibu" tan.
The original Quick Curl line introduced a new friend named Kelley. I remember my friend Kelly down the block had one and I always loved that doll. Her pretty face (Steffie head mold) and natural looking red hair and almost glowing make-up was irresistible. Very few versions of Kelley exist. Yellowstone Kelley is a big collector favorite, but Mattel at the time didn't decide to keep Kelley. One can only wonder why.
The gimmick with the Quick Curl line is that each doll has wiry hair rooted in with the normal hair and that this wiry hair would take easily to a curl and hold it instantly. It was a simple and brilliant idea. Though the hair was prone to falling out and most of these dolls would go bald with any real combing, (which it needed lots of because the wiry hair got knotty on the ends), it didn't matter at the time. These dolls were fun for any girl into hair play dolls and believe me, I was one of them!
The dolls had another fatal flaw. They were on the cheap Taiwan bodies. Its hard to find one where both arms and legs still move freely. Even their heads "froze" to their neck knobs! Its common to find them with glued on arms and legs. My Barbie is no exception and the Kelley I acquired also had a glued leg. My Skipper, however seems less prone to breakage and I believe its because she's thicker and sturdier, for certainly, her arms do "freeze" to her body, so the problem with the vinyl and plastics reacting is the same.
The dolls were fun and attractive. Their gingham granny style dresses were typical of the day. They did get a lot of play among me and my friends. To put a value to them is hard however. Much depends on how much they've been played with. If they have no missing hair and no glued limbs, they will fetch a higher price, even nude. If they have their original dress in good condition, even better. Should you find one with her accessories, wow! Luckily, I took good care of my stuff and tried to be careful. I have the ribbons and bobby pins in my trunk from childhood. I also have her original comb, brush and curling wand, which are my favorite versions of Barbie combs, brushes and wands ever made.
In the early 80's, Mattel put out Golden Dream Barbie and Golden Dream Christie. Both dolls had the "superstar head mold". Christie's outfit was more copper and Barbie's was gold. The dolls came with "Quick Curl hair" and I was thrilled! I soon discovered, however that the wires were few and far between and didn't hold as well. Still, I was able to give her a big, "flipped back" style which was the style of the day. I have yet to get a Golden Dream Christie. They're usually found online NRFB and out of my price range. I actually would just like one out of the box in her original outfit and from a smoke free home. After all, I just want to play with her!
These photos are of my original Quick Curl Barbie, worth a mere $10 I'd wager, and a Kelley and Skipper I acquired later. Both the Skipper and Kelley are very clean with no hair loss or cuts and wearing their original outfits. If I had to sell them today, I would probably ask no less than $25 for each, but I would check current auction listings to see what they were selling for at the time I wished to sell. As for now, they are not for sale.
Here we see my childhood Quick Curl Barbie in her pink dress and two dolls I got later, Quick Curl Kelley and Skipper. Notice my played with doll has broken hair that is very thin and the unplayed with dolls have nice, thick hair.
Harsher lighting makes these dolls look different. I think this light is less accurate. Kelley's hair isn't that brassy in real life.
Just to compare, this is a 1976 Deluxe Quick Curl Barbie. The doll was well loved and is glued on several limbs. Her hair has either been trimmed or broke off in places and many of her wires are gone. She is missing her shawl and all her accessories, which is why I was able to get her for only a few dollars. Still, I think she is pretty. I love her mid-1970's style makeup.
Quick Curl Francie dressed in Floating In. She was one of the last Francie dolls available in the 70's.