Chatty Cathy
Doll
1970s (manufactured)
1970s (manufactured)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Chatty Cathy is a doll manufactured by Mattel from 1959 to 1965. However, this particular doll is the English version made by Rosebud in the 1970s, which was bought by Mattel in 1966. The English doll spoke different phrases from the American version and had different accents. She was also made from a completely different mold and does not resemble any of the dolls made by Mattel in America.
Revolutionary for its time, Cathy spoke when a ring was pulled from its upper back. The talking mechanism relied on a simple system of a phonograph needle, a tiny record and a tiny turntable. The English Cathy has a variety of 18 phrases including 'Let's go shopping' and 'I like chocolate'.
Revolutionary for its time, Cathy spoke when a ring was pulled from its upper back. The talking mechanism relied on a simple system of a phonograph needle, a tiny record and a tiny turntable. The English Cathy has a variety of 18 phrases including 'Let's go shopping' and 'I like chocolate'.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 6 parts. (Some alternative part names are also shown below)
|
| Title | Chatty Cathy (manufacturer's title) |
| Materials and techniques | Vinyl, fabric, card |
| Brief description | Doll, with packaging, vinyl, fabric and card, 'Chatty Cathy', made by Rosebud (Matell), England, 1970s. |
| Physical description | A large hard plastic doll called 'Chatty Cathy'. She has long blonde hair which is tied into pigtails and held with red ribbon. She has sleeping eyes which are blue. Her eyebrows are teeth are painted on and he mouth is slightly open. She is wearing a royal blue short dress which is sleeveless and has a white and red pattern down the front. She also has knee high white socks and white shoes. There is a cord at the nape of her neck which, when pulled, allows the doll to speak. She comes in a rectangular pink card box which has patterns of dolls and toys on it as well as the dolls name and instructions of how to make her talk to you. |
| Production type | Mass produced |
| Credit line | Norah Chambers Kensey bequest |
| Summary | Chatty Cathy is a doll manufactured by Mattel from 1959 to 1965. However, this particular doll is the English version made by Rosebud in the 1970s, which was bought by Mattel in 1966. The English doll spoke different phrases from the American version and had different accents. She was also made from a completely different mold and does not resemble any of the dolls made by Mattel in America. Revolutionary for its time, Cathy spoke when a ring was pulled from its upper back. The talking mechanism relied on a simple system of a phonograph needle, a tiny record and a tiny turntable. The English Cathy has a variety of 18 phrases including 'Let's go shopping' and 'I like chocolate'. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | B.638:1 to 6-2010 |
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| Record created | April 11, 2011 |
| Record URL |
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