Julia (2nd Issue)

Name: Julia (2nd Issue)

Made by and When: Mattel, 1970-1971

Material: Vinyl with Twist ‘n’ Turn waist, bendable legs

Marks: ©1966 / MATTEL, INC / U.S. PATENTED / U.S. PAT PEND / MADE IN / JAPAN

Height: 11-1/2-inches

Hair, Eyes, Mouth: The doll’s original black rooted hair has oxidized to red. It is styled in a short pixie-style cut with a left side part. The brown painted eyes have applied upper eyelashes. The closed mouth has pink painted lips.

Clothes: One-piece nurse’s uniform and hat, white Pilgrim-style pumps

Other: Not a true portrait, the doll uses the Christie sculpt, fashioned after the character “Julia,” in the show of the same name starring Diahann Carroll. The Julia show was the first prime-time sit-com starring an African American in a nonstereotypical role. Julia aired from 1968 to 1971. Separately sold boxed Julia doll fashions were available. The doll in this installation is the 2nd issued doll. Talking Julia and Twist ‘n Turn Julia (see in the ad image in the gallery) were the first Julia dolls released by Mattel in 1969. Marks and clothing description reference: Fashion Doll Reference/Twist ‘n Turn Julia Doll.

Gallery

As illustrated in the above ad, Twist ‘n Turn Julia, released a year before the doll in this installation, wore a two-piece nurse uniform.

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