Vintage Barbie Prototype /Sample FAB CITY (1874) Rare VHTF, Hand - Painted
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:36340958 |
Ultra-Rare Prototype "Fab City" Ensemble (#1874) ~ Complete(Doll not Included)
This is a super rare find, probably the only one existence! It is a Mattel prototype/ sample "Fab City" outfit. I acquired it from an L.A. seller who was liquidating a partner's estate. Unfortunately the seller did not know provenance except that the owner had marked it prototype and hand-painted. However, I firmly believe it is authentic, and it has all the hallmarks of being made by Mattel. The ...fabrics and craftsmanship are precisely correct. That said, I cannot provide an official certificate of authenticity of any kind.
This beautiful gown has a silver lamé bodice with spaghetti straps and a hot pink cummerbund. The skirt is amazing, with a white silky underskirt and white organza overlay with an amazing late 60's pattern of black spokes and pink flowers. This particular gown is different from the marketed one in that the flowers, which are printed on the marketed version, are hand-painted on this one! Every flower is a bit different because of the individual hand painting.
(Please see the last photo for the marketed version. This one is not for sale, only included for comparison.)
The painted flowers are topped on some of them (not all of them, as in the standard version) with hot pink organza roses. The gown is in beautiful condition, not yellowed as most are. There is a little creasing of a few of the black spokes, but not bad. There is one area on the right bottom hem (see photo #8) that is a bit crinkled, and a tiny bit of the black and pink has bled through to the white underskirt. This is minor and barely noticeable on display. I believe it probably happened because of the hand-crafting of this gown. The silver bodice is near-perfect, barely any fraying of the silver, and intact buttons/loops. The bodice is fully lined with the white satin-type fabric. I believe the marketed version is only partially lined.
The stole is excellent, does have a bit of fading of the rose lining. Hot pink gloves and T-strap shoes are great. I have included a new white tulle petticoat for fullness.
The outfit is not tagged, as Mattel samples and prototypes were generally not.
NOTE: Hair Happenin's Barbie DOLL IS NOT INCLUDED! I had this on a doll for a short time, but it has been carefully stored most of the time. The Fab City gown is very fragile and needs to be handled cautiously.
All my items are in a non-smoking environment.
I have described everything to the best of my ability, but could have missed something. Please ask questions. I will take returns if you feel I have misrepresented the item(s). Items must be returned in exactly the same condition as received. Payment is requested immediately. If payment is not made within 3 days of purchase, and/or other arrangements have not been made by buyer, I reserve the right to re-list item. PayPal only.
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