Today in my newest blog post I will try to answer every question you might have on the topic: "what is a Blythe doll"? Because every time that I share a picture of these dolls on my Facebook group, lots of people would like to know more about this 🙂
So I would suggest getting going and dive right into the topic.
If you would like to head straight for Blythe doll sellers, take a look here!
updated June 2023
What Are Blythe Dolls?
Blythe dolls are dolls that are popular in the world of collectors of vintage and cult dolls.
They have oversized heads and large eyes with the possibility of changing the color and positions of the eyes up to 4 times by pulling a string from a mechanism at the back of their heads.
In this way, you can change the colors of their eyes to match a particular mood, personality, or outfit.
Not just the color can be changed, but also the way they look and they can close their eyelids.
A Little Bit Of History of Blythe dolls, what's the story behind these dolls?
The first Blythe doll was made by Allison Katzman in 1972 because she wanted to compete with Barby dolls. She passed away at the respectable age of 95.
During that time, the manufacturer of toys company called Kenner LCC started to produce the dolls. Because of a lack of further interest by children in the dolls, however, they stopped making the dolls after one year already.
At the end of the year 2000, the dolls made a comeback in Japan, when a charming TV commercial was produced by CWC (the new license owner and seller), and Blythe was used in it for the Parco department store and supermarket.
All of a sudden, the brand became an overnight sensation all over Japan and Asia.
The result of all this was that the Blythe dolls produced at the early start, received a 'cult' status over time and now are sold for almost 1000 dollars, or more. (nowadays the new ones have an average cost of about $120 per piece).
The American company called Ashton Drake Gallery also tried to produce the dolls for the American market, but they didn't become as popular as the ones from Japan.
These days, and still in 2021, Blythe dolls seem to have a huge and worldwide fanbase.