Question about Vintage Ken vs GI Joe Wearing Sailor Suit

by Jon
(Texas)

Vintage Ken doll (I think).

I used to play with a vintage GI Joe 12" doll (1964 style) when I was a young boy and I was given this sailor doll when I was a child in the mid 1970's. It had belonged to my Aunt when she was a child/teen and she passed it on to me. My Aunt is now in her early/mid 60s.

When I was given the toy, I was told that this was a Ken doll, but since it wore a sailor suit and it matched the size of my GI Joe doll (1964 style) I was ok with playing with it.

The doll has "Made in Hong Kong NO 2012" stamped on it's back. The suit top has a tag that also says "Made in Hong Kong" in it.

When I received the doll it came with the blue sailor suit, a white rifle, a white sailor hat and black shoes.

I am trying to determine if this is a Ken doll, or some other sort of doll. I'm guessing it is from sometime in the very early 1960s or maybe late 1950s, but am not sure. I've read that the first Ken dolls were from 1961 so I'm not sure about this doll being Ken. I guess this dolls age based on my Aunt's current age (early/mid 60s).

Any help with identifying this would be appreciated. Thank you.


Hi Jon-
It is not a Ken doll - my first thought is that it is a GI Joe? Anyone recognize him?
Suzanne