Sindy

Market research told the Pedigree Doll Company (a Division of Lines Bros.) that while the concept of a doll like the Barbie doll would be well received in Britain, the Barbie doll herself would not. The Barbie doll was considered too mature looking and culturally irrelevant. British teenagers were in the beginnings of the Mod phenomenon and were already dancing to a British beat. The Barbie doll and her designer suits, was literally a world away. A younger, more down to earth looking doll that was basically British was required. Through an agreement with the Ideal Toy Co., Pedigree decided on a doll very similar in looks and style to the Tammy doll but a higher quality doll was produced. Even the packaging and slogan used for Tammy - 'the doll you love to dress' was adopted. However, Pedigree named their doll Sindy, and using their own in house designers such as Valerie Sanders and up and coming young designers such as

Sindy in the 60's: rooted hair Paul (1968) wearing 'Time off,' brunette Sindy (1965) wearing 'Bridesmaid,' brunette Sindy (1963) in original box, blonde Sindy (1963) in 'Weekenders,' Paul (1965) in 'Casuals' and blonde Patch (1966) in 'Dungarees.' The stand on the left says 'Sindy Set' rather than just 'Sindy' and was included with Paul dolls.

Carnaby Street's Foale and Tuffin, ensured her clothes and accessories reflected the British teenager of the time.
And so, with a television ad launch, Sindy made her debut into the fashion doll world in London, on the 6th September 1963 and by Christmas of the same year thousands of dolls had been sold and plans were under way to launch the doll nationally. Pedigree had some of the same problems as Mattel when marketing their new doll - retailers did not show much interest at the launch or even after Pedigree sent out a promotional 45 rpm 'gramophone record to introduce you to Sindy' in a plain pink sleeve. However consumers were sold on Sindy, and many retailers had to scramble to get the doll in stock.
Early Sindy dolls are generally between 11 ½ and 12 inches tall, have a round, almost flat chested torso, chubby legs and large head with a serene, side glancing expression and rosebud mouth. These dolls were

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Sindy is a registered trademark of Pedigree.

issued with blonde, brunette or chestnut coloured hair styled in a short bouffant bob. The body and legs were a hollow plastic with softer almost flexible arms. The slightly oversized head and neck were one piece, fitting into the top of the body and were made from a softer plastic. The earliest, first issue dolls are marked 'MADE IN ENGLAND' on the back and/or head. However subsequent issues (as early as 1964!) can be marked 'MADE IN HONG KONG' on the back and/or head or have no markings at all. Sindy was sold in an outfit called 'Weekenders', which consisted of blue denim jeans with yellow printed detail, a red white and blue striped knitted top, red elastic headband and white shoes. She was sold in a white and pink cardboard box decorated with sketches of her outfits and the slogan 'The doll you love to dress'. Included was a cream 3 piece stand and a style booklet called 'Sindy's Bazaar'. Her stock number was 12GSS.
Sindy continued to evolve and in 1965, her legs

ibecame solid and slightly flexible. By 1966 Sindy's arms and legs were a flexible vinyl. In 1968 Sindy was revamped with her hairstyle changing to a long side parted flip style. Her body now had a twist waist and she was given rooted eyelashes. She was sold in several different outfits and these dolls are now highly prized. A walking Sindy was issued in 1969 and had unusual hip joints which allowed the doll a walking action.
The 1970's brought yet another new hairstyle, this time a long centre parted flip style and a new body design. Sindy's neck was now moulded as part of the body with the head as a separate, removable piece. The head was made from a harder plastic than the earlier dolls and continued to have rooted eyelashes. The slightly slimmer bodies were made from hard plastic, with twist waist and either non-bending or bendable legs. Sindy's legs also became considerably slimmer. A new innovation - the Lovely, Lively Sindy was also produced. This doll was jointed at the neck, shoulders, elbows, waist, hips and knees allowing a full range of movement and poses. The earliest of these dolls had 'gauntlet' arms, the lower part of the arm being a separate piece that fitted over the elbow like a glove. These dolls were sold in several different outfits. In 1975 one of the most popular dolls ever produced arrived in stores - Active Sindy, with a fully poseable body jointed at the head, neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist, waist, hip, knee and ankle. Two different types of wrist joints were used, the earlier type breaking quite easily. These dolls had a Ballerina hairstyle, their hair being tied at the nape of the neck, and were sold in ballerina outfits consisting of a leotard, tights, tutu and ballet shoes. Styles and colours of the outfits changed over the years. In 1979 Sweet Dreams Sindy was given 'sleep eyes'. Sindy was sold in varying outfits during the seventies and while the flip and ballerina hairstyles were most commonly used, some seventies dolls also had long straight hair, short styles and even centre parted pig tails. A very few dolls were issued as black dolls during this time, however these are very hard to find.
Some early Sindy dolls were produced by Lines Brothers in New Zealand, due to the market protection laws of the times. These New Zealand dolls torsos were made using recycled vinyl that discolours to a yellow colour. These dolls are usually unmarked. A very unusual 'Mary Poppins' Sindy has also been found in New Zealand. The Marx Company had the licence to produce Sindy in the USA during the late 1970's,

releasing Sindy, her friend Gayle, seven outfits and a range of furniture and accessories, most very similar to UK releases.
In the early 1980's Sindy continued to be issued in a range of body types, outfits and with varied hairstyles. Then in 1986 Sindy was given a new face. She now had a wider smile and lacked rooted eyelashes. Again she appeared in several variations. In 1987, Hasbro took over Sindy's production and in 1989 Sindy was completely revamped with a new body and head mould. Sindy was now closer in proportion to, and indeed looked very similar to the Barbie doll. The basic body had bendable legs and moveable arms while a fully poseable body was also used on some dolls. Her face changed ever so slightly again in 1993, but the bodies remained the same.Although the Hasbro dolls were predominantly blonde, some Sindy's were also issued as brunettes. Hasbro ceased producing Sindy around 1996 and a new company Vivid Imagination took over production in 1998. The Vivid Imagination dolls use the same head and body mould as the Hasbro dolls. Some of these dolls were available here in very small numbers, distributed through Hasbro Australia.

        The dolls of the 1970's and early 80's are marked across the back with 'Made in Hong Kong' or with a series of numbers (for example 033126X) across the shoulders or hips. The head is marked with a series of numbers (for example 03055X) just below the hairline. Some are very hard to read while some are raised. Dolls made after 1982 have the word 'Sindy' in a raised block, just below the hairline, with or without a series of numbers. The early Hasbro dolls are marked 'Sindy' on the head, just under the hairline. The body has no markings. Later dolls are marked '© 1988 HASBRO INC.' across the lower back and there are no markings on the head.
      A younger sister and several friends for Sindy were produced over the years. Sindy gained a boyfriend in 1965. Paul, was rumoured to be named after Paul McCartney and is generally around 12 inches tall (although his height can vary greatly) with brown moulded hair. Like Sindy his head and neck are moulded as one piece, fitting into a hollow hard plastic body. His arms are a solid hard plastic while his legs are a solid flexible plastic. He was sold in an outfit called 'Casuals' which consisted of blue jeans with yellow printed detail, a red knit top and white shoes. He was sold in a blue and white box with a stand and booklet. His stock number is 13MPS and he has the same markings as early Sindy. In 1968 Paul was given rooted brown hair. The catalogue states that Paul has 'a new great hairstyle! Right up to the fashion with a super Italian cut. Combable, washable hair. Just like Sindy's!' In fact his style is a shaggy basin cut! This issue of Paul tends to have very short, thin legs and a very pale, waxy looking head. Paul disappeared from Sindy's world around 1969, and did not reappear until 1987.
      Hasbro reintroduced 'Sindy's Friend Paul' (8070) in 1987. This doll had a broad smiling face and a tanned complexion, with rooted brown/blonde hair. He was sold wearing grey cords, a white skivvy, red suedette jacket, a red/white/blue scarf and white running shoes. This doll always reminds me of pop singer Paul Young ('Wherever I lay my hat', remember him?). This doll was released the following year as 'Super Cool Paul' (8075) wearing shorts and a tee shirt.
      1989 saw Paul revamped with yet another face, this time with brown moulded hair and either an open or closed painted smile. Over the next few years Paul was given a new body, slightly taller, more muscular, with new arm moulds and with freer arm and hip joints. He was issued in various outfits over the years and on occasion was given rooted hair and painted facial hair, but has not been seen since Vivid Imagination took over production. Paul is marked '© 1987 HASBRO INC.' or © '1996 HASBRO INTERNATIONAL INC.' across the lower back. There are no markings on the head.
      Patch, Sindy's little sister, was issued in 1966. She is generally 9 inches tall with brunette, blonde or red hair in a straight shoulder length bob with fringe. Her head and neck were one piece fitting into a hollow, hard plastic body with flexible, solid plastic arms and legs. She wore 'Dungarees', a one-piece denim overall with red and white checked shirt, matching scarf, and white shoes. She was sold in a yellow and white box with the slogan 'That rascal Patch, Sindy's little sister', with booklet. Some Patch's have been found with curly hair. In 1970 Patch was sold in a short blue nightdress called 'Shortie Nightie'. Her stock number was 9GPS and she is marked in the same way as early Sindy and Paul. Unfortunately, Patch disappeared in the early 1970's and hasn't been seen since!
      In 1968 Vicki, 'Sindy's new English girl-friend' (12GSV) and Mitzi, 'Sindy's new Continental girl-friend' (12GMH) were released. Vicki had an open smiling face with blonde curly hair and Mitzi had a serious expression with long straight centre parted hair in either blonde or bright red. Both used the Sindy body. Vicky wore a sundress with pink bodice and purple skirt and white shoes. Mitzi wore a blue jumper and beret, green skirt and green shoes. Both dolls are very hard to find, and command good prices on the secondary market. Poppet was also released in 1968 as a friend to Patch. She has the same body as Patch, a closed mouth smile and brunette hair. She was sold wearing a red jumper, tartan skirt, white socks and black shoes. Her stock number is 9GPP. Betsy is a 6-inch tall smiling brunette or blonde haired doll with a red dress and hair band and white shoes and socks. She has a wire armature body, similar to Barbie's little siblings, Tutti and Todd. Her stock number is (6GBS) and again she is hard to find.
      The Marx Company produced Gayle, a black doll, in 1978. She was made from the Sindy head mould and had an 'active' body type. In 1972 Pedigree began a mail away program where by collecting 24 heart tokens from Sindy's packaging (and 10p post and packing), you could earn Sindy's friend June free! Several 'Junes' were produced over several years and arrived wearing only a pair of white pants. The first was a 9-inch doll that shared a body with Patch (great for moving all those Patch fashions!). She had a closed mouth, side glancing eyes and short, curly auburn hair. The second was Sindy sized with blonde, shaggy styled hair and bright red lips. The next June used a straight leg Sindy body but with short blonde or strawberry blonde hair. There may have been other Junes offered and there are lots of variations within the ones listed here! This mail away offer was only available to residents of the United Kingdom and these dolls are fairly hard to find today.
      In 1986 Sindy was given two new friends, Marie (42100) and Mark (42101), which seem to be loosely based on Prince Andrew and Fergie! Marie with bright red hair and Mark a brunette, were issued as Bride and Groom in a set called 'Royal Wedding' (42106), as well as separately.
      Sindy went friendless until 1995 when Hasbro produced a black friend for Sindy called Imani. Imani was issued in several variations including 'Crimp and Bead' (18457) and 'Popstar' (18525). Sindy's little 10.5 cm sister Patti also made her first appearance in the 'Sindy and Pedalling Patti' set (18483). Hasbro took over the production of the European doll Petra at this time and Petra and her friend Fred were released in the Sindy line as Sindy's friends. There were several issues of these dolls including 'Gallop Fun Petra' (25185), 'Ice Princess Petra' (25252) and 'Candy Petra Bon Bon' (25002) and 'Candy Fred Bon Bon' (25220). There were also several unnamed 'babies' sets released that carried the Sindy name, including 'Riding Babies' (25188). Around 1996, Sindy met her first celebrity friends. The 'Top Models', Claudia Schiffer (18539), Naomi Campbell (18537) and Karen Mulder (18538) all carried the Sindy logo. These dolls are relatively hard to find. I996 saw Sindy paired with Tanya in the 'Sindy & Tanya Twister Gift Set' (18631).
      When Vivid Imaginations took over production in 1999 Imani became 'Mega Pop Star Mel' (26000), supposedly after Scary Spice, Mel B. Paul also disappeared this year to be replaced with 'Mega Pop Star Robbie' (26000) perhaps named for Robbie Williams. Robbie, Mel and little sister Patti continued in various issues, and in 2001 7 cm baby Emma was released in the 'Baby Feed and Love' set (26480). Three flower babies, Buttercup, Bluebell and Rosebud formed part of the 'Fairy Princess and Flower Triplets' set (26860), also in 2001. At some stage Sindy's youngest sister Emma became Rosie and was part of a 2003 Sindy Family Giftset with Sindy, Robbie and Patti. In France, Spain and other European countries there have also been Sindy friends such as Shana, Brenda and Jem, as well many other unnamed 'friends of Sindy'.
      Early Sindy clothing is of the highest quality, expertly crafted and often has tiny well detailed accessories such as toothpaste and brush, or jewellery. Many pieces have small zips or the telltale metal pop fasteners. Sindy's initial wardrobe consisted of eight boxed ensembles and eight lower priced 'separates', which were mix and match items. These outfits were very different to those issued to the Barbie doll around the same time. Sindy's outfits included tweed and hipster tartan skirts, skivvies, a drop waisted dress, a 'leather' hipster skirt, a duffle coat and of course, riding gear with jodhpurs! Each year more outfits were added to the collection and some outfits retired, but Sindy was always at the forefront of fashion fads. There was a lower priced range of clothes also produced by Lines Bros. called Mam'selle, which fit Sindy. These outfits are particularly hard to come by and are very mod in design. Early Sindy clothing is tagged 'Genuine Sindy Made in Hong Kong' or more rarely 'Made in England' or 'Made in the Irish Republic', in black cotton on white woven tags. After 1965 the tags may have read 'Empire Made'. Paul also had his own range of outfits, separates and Mam'selle clothes. His clothes included collar-less jackets, ribbon ties, stovepipe trousers and chelsea boots. Patch too had her own wardrobe of outfits, separates and Mam'selle clothes which included a school uniform, hockey gear and a brownie uniform.   Paul and Patch clothing is marked the same way as Sindy's except their name has been substituted for Sindy's. During the seventies and eighties some of Sindy's clothes were simply tagged with paper tags reading 'Sindy' or just 'Made in Hong Kong', making it difficult to identify some pieces. During the eighties cloth 'Sindy' tags re-appeared.
        Over the years Sindy has had more accessories than any reasonable girl could expect! Her first, released in 1965, were a red MG sports car and a wardrobe. Sindy's furniture and accessories were of the highest quality and meticulously designed. Sindy had some of the finest accessories ever issued to a fashion doll. She received her first horse in 1966, and by 1971 Sindy had a house full of furniture, camping gear, a travelling trunk, scooter (Paul's until he was discontinued!), piano and pony for Patch to ride. She has had several houses, stables, pools and even a garden. Her vehicles included beach buggies, Range Rovers and most recently a Mini Cooper. Sindy has had her own carry cases, hospital, gym, TV studio, Disco, and Ice rink. Some of Sindy's accessories were interactive such as 1976's 'Hi Fi' - a Sindy sized stereo with working radio, 1980's 'Magic Cooker' - a stove with sizzling, boiling and roasting sounds, and 1982's 'Wall of Sound' - a lounge unit with crackling fire, ringing phone, working lamp and radio and even a purring kitten!

The 70's & 80's: Funtime Sindy (1973) in oiginal outfit, friend June, Lovely, Lively Sindy (1970), Brunette Sindy (80's), Active Sindy (1978) in original outfit and Keeping Fit Sindy (1979). Dolls wear a range of 70's Sindy outfits.

The 80's & 90's: Beach Dazzle Sindy (1994), Beach Dazzle Paul (1994), New Look City Girl Sindy (1987) wearing Fashion Fun Sindy outfit (1985), Popstar Paul (1994) and Hot Looks Sindy (1995).

Many Sindy licensed products were also issued including a regular Sindy column/comic strip featured in the British magazine 'June and Schoolfriends', Sindy Annuals, magazines, paper dolls, colouring, puzzle and activity books, and even six Sindy adventure novels. Sindy had her own record - 'Sindy Meets the Dolly Beats' and ranges of cosmetics and toiletries have been available.
Unlike the Barbie doll and some other fashion dolls, Sindy's world is rife with variations and uncatalogued items and to date there is no definitive Sindy reference guide. 'The History of Sindy' by Colette Mansell (New Cavendish Books ISBN 0-904568-64-4) is the only book devoted entirely to Sindy, and while very useful, does contain many errors. 'Sindy's Wardrobe' by Jo Heelan (Pedigree Books

ISBN 1-904329-58-6) featuring Sindy's clothing is due for release soon. The CD-ROM 'The World of Sindy Past and Present 1963 to 2001' by Helen and Dave Stenning is a record of Sindy catalogues, but unfortunately is out of production.
Sindy was released in Australia at roughly the same time as the Barbie doll and both dolls were the same price - 27/6. Vintage Sindy's - from the 60's and 70's are fairly easy to find on the secondary market so we can only assume that Sindy was a popular girl. Perhaps Australian parents and children at that time could equally to a British styled doll and an American one. Unfortunately, not all Sindys issued made it to Australian shores, and even now, Sindy is not generally on sale here, although one or two issues show up occasionally, it seems, as dumped excess stock. There seems to be a resurgence in Sindy's popularity. In the last year or so, prices for vintage Sindy dolls have gone through the roof. Mint in box Sindy's have sold for as much as $340, Pauls for as much as $206 and Patch for as much as $200!
In 2003, Sindy's 40th year, Sindy has been revamped yet again. With this incarnation from the New Moon Company, it seems that Sindy has come full circle. Much to collector's delight, Sindy has lost the big bust, wasp waist and long legs to become a 15-year-old with a more realistic teenage frame, fewer curves, shorter legs and a new face. The new doll will have a less sophisticated more casual image. It's rumoured that this new Sindy will be available in both 6 inch and 11 ½ inch versions. From photos released so far it seems this new Sindy will also return to that slightly oversized head look. And kids today think Bratz started the 'big-headed' doll craze!