The Fascinating History Of Barbie Dolls
Barbie dolls have become a tradition. Being a tradition turns you into a collector’s item. The specialty dolls are highly sought after and can become very valuable as the years pass. For example, the Holiday Barbie is normally hard to come by each year. A person has to make sure that they are in front of the line whenever the doll is put on the shelf; if not, they will not get one as they usually sell out.
The Barbie doll was released at a toy show on March 9, 1959. This has become her birthday. She has since been nicknamed Barbie. The wife of one of the co-founders of the Mattel toy company thought of the idea. She then named the doll after her daughter Barbara. It was because of Barbara that Ruth got the idea. She watched her daughter play many times with her paper dolls that assumed the rolls of adults. During that time, dolls that were produced was only manufactured as infants.
Random House published a biography of Barbie. The biography reveals many things about the Barbie doll. Her real name is Barbara Millicent Roberts. She was born on March 9, 1959 to George and Margaret Roberts. They all live in a fictional town known as Willows. The biography continues on to include Barbie’s boyfriend, high school, etc. By the way, her boyfriend is Ken Carson. Over the years, there has been many companions produced for Barbie and they include: friends, family, siblings, etc.
Barbie has experienced many careers over the decades. The careers that she participates in usually reflect current times. For example, in 2010 expect to see an Astronaut Barbie and a Registered Nurse Barbie.
Barbie dolls have caused many controversies over the decades. It has been criticized many times. It has been said that the Barbie doll represents unrealistic ideas for a woman’s body.
Many little girls have idled Barbie; however, it is said that she causes poor self image because the girls cannot live up to the perfection that Barbie portrays. Mattel answered back by increasing the waist size of Barbie. More recently, the release of the “Totally Tattoos” Barbie caused controversy because of the “tramp stamp” tattoo.
Barbie dolls have been in production for decades, and they will continue to be produced. We are now seeing the tradition pass into the third and fourth generations with great-grandma, grandma, mom, and child playing with the dolls. Mattel has seen the value and still produces collector dolls that can be found at their Barbie collectibles website.
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Compare prices on Barbie dolls and other popular dolls and dollhouses to get the best deals on a toy a girl will love.
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Barbie Ken ALLAN DOLL EXC W/ ORIGINAL OUTFIT $19.50 |
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Vintage Group of Ken Doll Clothes Barbie’s Boyfriend $4.99 |
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GENUINE BARBIE – TUXEDO for KEN DOLL (Pink/Black) NEW! $6.95 |
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Barbie & Ken Beach Fun Special Edition Doll Set $12.99 |
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vintage 1986 jewels secrets ken & barbie doll, nrfb $27.00 |
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45TH Anniversary Barbie Doll and Ken Doll Giftset NRFB $75.00 |
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The World of Barbie Double Doll Case Barbie,Ken,Skipper $79.99 |
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1999 Wizard Of Oz Ken as Tin Man Barbie Doll NRFB $26.99 |
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Nude Ken Doll Barbie Blond Hair (776) $2.25 |
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BARBIE DANCE MAGIC KEN + COSTUME BALL Dolls – Set of 2 $17.99 |
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Baywatch Barbie Ken LifeGuard Doll $2.99 |
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Mattel Ken barbie doll bent arms twist waist $1.99 |
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Barbie Doll Skipper Kelly Tommy Ken Shoes All Colors $12.25 |
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Barbie Doll CLOTHES – PRINCE KEN SHIRT & KNICKER PANTS $2.99 |
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Barbie Ken Doll 1983 Blue Shirt Pink Tie White Pants $10.00 |
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BARBIE HARLEY DAVIDSON KEN NUDE DOLL NEW $49.99 |
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nice Vintage TAGGED Barbie KEN doll Sweatshirt ON CARD $24.99 |
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Fashion Doll Gym Ken & Barbie Crochet Pattern Leaflet $2.47 |
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Barbie Harley Davidson Ken & Barbie Doll Gift Set New $64.95 |
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LOT OF 12 BARBIE DOLLS~2 LARGE SOFT BARBIES~KIRA~KEN~ $4.95 |
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LOT OF 19 BARBIE DOLLS~MY SCENE~SKIPPER~MIDGE~KEN~ $6.38 |
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Cute Yellow Skateboard for Ken Barbie Doll [BA036] $0.99 |
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► WIZARD OF OZ Scarecrow Ken Barbie Doll w Diploma 1996 $29.99 |
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“DREAM DATE KEN” BARBIE DOLL 1982 #4077 MINT NBRFB $68.99 |
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BARBIE DOLL RAPUNZEL PRINCE STEFAN 12″ KEN TALKS 2001 $45.00 |
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Barbie Fashionista KEN “HOTTIE” articulated doll NEW $16.50 |
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McCALL’S PATTERN #5738 FOR 11 1/2 ” BARBIE & KEN DOLLS $5.99 |
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Wings Horse Trailer for Ken Barbie Kelly Doll [BA037] $0.99 |
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Wizard of OZ Ken Barbie Doll $29.99 |
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McCall’s 5738 Barbie Doll & Ken Clothing Sewing Pattern $29.99 |
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Barbie & Ken 30th Anniversary Star Trek Dolls Giftset $19.99 |
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KEN DOLL – SPEED RACER OUTFIT ONLY – BARBIE MATTEL $9.99 |
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Cowardly lion Ken doll barbie Collector Rare $4.99 |
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3 Sets LOT Barbie Ken Doll Tee Clothes &Trousers Outfit $0.69 |
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VINTAGE BARBIE FRIENDS KEN & ALLEN DOLLS $6.99 |
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BARBIE DOLL,KEN,KITCHEN,BBQ,CLOTHES,FOOD,LOTS ACCS LOOK $15.29 |
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MIB & NIB 5 Doll Set GWTW Scarlett Barbie & Rhett Ken $175.00 |
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NEW BARBIE DOLL BOYFRIEND KEN ACTIVE ACTIVE No.3 $0.01 |
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NEW BARBIE DOLL BOYFRIEND KEN ACTIVE ACTIVE No.1 $0.01 |
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NEW BARBIE DOLL BOYFRIEND KEN ACTIVE ACTIVE No.2 $0.01 |
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NRFB 1996 STAR TREK BARBIE & KEN DOLL GIFT SET $30.00 |
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Lot of Barbies plus Ken Doll $69.00 |
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1971 Mattel Ken Brad clothes in package Barbie doll $9.99 |
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1971 Mattel Ken Brad clothes in package Barbie doll $9.99 |
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1971 Mattel Ken Brad clothes in package Barbie doll $12.99 |
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1971 Mattel Ken Brad clothes in package Barbie doll $9.99 |
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Ken Professor Henry Higgins My Fair Lady Barbie Doll $74.99 |
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Handmade Knit Clothes Barbie FOR KEN Doll #907 OOAK $4.25 |
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Vintage Ken Barbie Doll Tagged Outfit Box Stand Booklet $34.99 |
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Handmade Knit Clothes Barbie FOR KEN Doll #908 OOAK $4.00 |
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1966 Barbie Doll & Ken Doll by Mattel Inc. Lot of 9 $4.95 |
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Vintage Ken Barbie Doll Tagged Outfit Box Stand Flocked $34.99 |
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STAR TREK Barbie and Ken doll collectors edition 1996 $49.99 |
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Barbie Doll Acces. (1) Doll Stand for any Size Ken Doll $1.25 |
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VINTAGE KEN DOLL Barbie boyfriend JAPAN FLOCKED HAIR $5.95 |
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1960′S MIDGE DOLL W/BARBIE/SKIPPER/TUTTI/KEN CLOTHES $16.07 |
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Ken Barbie Doll Shoes Older White Dress Shoes Exc. $2.70 |
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1960 Barbie & Ken Doll Accessories, Some Black Tag Nice $5.95 |
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I LOVE LUCY BARBIE DOLL RICKY KEN SET NRFB $149.83 |
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I LOVE LUCY SANTA RICKY KEN BARBIE DOLL $98.83 |
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STAR TREK BARBIE DOLL & KEN DOLL SET NRFB 1996 $49.83 |
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Earring Magic Ken Doll (Barbie) – NRFB $9.99 |
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VINTAGE PAPER DOLLS- ORIGINAL 1962 BARBIE & KEN – RARE $85.00 |
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Barbie Ken Doll Cowardly Lion NIB Great Shape $18.99 |
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40th Anniversary Ken Doll Barbie NRFB!!!! Rare $20.99 |
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BARBIE FASHIONISTAS – KHAKI SHORTS for KEN DOLL $4.95 |
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ELEVEN BARBIE & KEN MILITARY DOLLS $49.99 |
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Barbie & Ken Doll Heads (14 Heads & Spool of Doll Hair) $1.00 |
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Barbie Ken doll “PRINCE” Brand new & mint!! $16.17 |
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Barbie Ken Doll (Flava) VERY RARE Complete Set BNIB $30.79 |
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Lot of vintage barbie and ken doll clothing-clothes $3.50 |
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Barbie Ken Doll (Flava) VERY RARE Complete Set BNIB $30.79 |
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Romeo & Juliet Ken & Barbie Dolls Gift Set Sold Out MIB $124.99 |
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1992 BARBIE – KEN DOLL EARRING MAGIC NRFB $9.95 |
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1992 BARBIE – KEN DOLL GLITTER BEACH NRFB $9.95 |
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Vintage Old Barbie Ken Doll Clothes Lot – Nice $3.13 |
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Barbie & Ken Dolls – Lot of 7 Nudes $1.00 |
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barbie ken nude doll $10.00 |
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3 Sets LOT Barbie Ken Doll Tee Clothes &Trousers Outfit $1.45 |
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Barbie Lord of the Rings Legolas Ken Doll MIB NRFB RARE $47.00 |
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1962 Whitman #4797 BARBIE & KEN STAND-UP Paper DOLLS $9.99 |
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vintage doll barbie “ken”, all star, in orig. box, 1981 $15.00 |
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Speed Racer Barbie Doll and Ken Doll Giftset MIB!!! $59.99 |
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HUGE LOT OF 18 NRFB BARBIE & KEN DOLLS COLLECTOR DOTW + $70.99 |
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Barbie doll cloths ken catalogs $8.99 |
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Vintage Barbie TALKING KEN DOLL ORIGINAL SHIRT #1111 $7.99 |
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VINTAGE KEN/ALLAN BARBIE DOLL LOT OF CLOTHING $8.99 |
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McCall’s Vintage Patterns For Barbie & Ken Dolls $5.50 |
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Vintage Barbie Brunette #4224 Ken Mod Hair Doll VGC! $1.04 |
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Vintage Barbie 1962 Blond Hair SL Ken Doll VGC! $0.99 |
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Vintage Barbie 1961 Flocked Blond Hair Ken Doll VGC! $0.99 |
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Vintage Barbie 1961 Flocked Brown Hair Ken Doll VGC! $0.99 |
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Vintage Barbie 1962 Blond Ken Doll VERY NICE! $0.99 |
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Vintage Barbie Ken Bend Leg Doll and GI Joe Doll $0.99 |
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7 BARBIE KEN STANDS 11 – 15 INCH DOLL STAND MINTY $35.00 |
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Vintage Barbie Ken Bend Leg Doll & 2 New Blond Kens $0.99 |
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Vintage BARBIE KEN & CURTIS Paper dolls 1975 $7.99 |
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Vintage Barbie Clothing – TLC Ken Doll & Clothing!!!!! $4.99 |
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Ken Barbie Doll $0.99 |
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Ken Barbie Doll with hair $0.99 |
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Ken as Legolas in Lord of the Rings $30.00 Ken is as handsome as ever portraying Legolas from Lord of the Rings. In the Fellowship of the Ring, Legolas represents the Elves of Mirkwood. Tall, fair, elegant and possessing heightened senses as an elven master archer, Legolas is an unforgettable hero in the epic trilogy that inspired this handsome recreation. Measures approximately 12″ tall…. |
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Barbie Micro Raschel Throw $21.79 Barbie Micro Raschel Throw… |
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KidKraft 65201 Cherry Hill Dollhouse with Bonus Set of Furniture $139.95 With its colorful graphics and detailed furniture pieces, the Cherry Hill Dollhouse is one of KidKraft’s most adorable dollhouses to date. This house is a part of our exclusive PlayKraft line and would make a great gift for any occasion. Features include: 19 pieces of furniture; 2 levels and 8 rooms of space; Swivels 360°; Multiple children can play at once; Accommodates 5″ dolls; Made of wood;… |
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Barbie in A Christmas Carol Soundtrack $5.23 Soundtrack features Christmas carols from and inspired by the first Barbie holiday movie! Track listing: 1. O Christmas Tree 2. Deck The Halls 3. Jolly Old St. Nicholas 4. Joy To The World 5. We Wish You A Merry Christmas 6. Jingle Bells (sung by Chuzzlewit) 7. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing 8. Silent Night! Holy Night! 9. A Barbie 12 Days of Christmas 10. I Love This Christmas 11. California Christ… |
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The Tribe $25.00 What can the most successful doll on the planet show us about being Jewish today? Narrated by Peter Coyote, the film mixes old school narration with a new school visual style. The Tribe weaves together archival footage, graphics, animation, Barbie dioramas, and slam poetry to take audiences on an electric ride through the complex history of both the Barbie doll and the Jewish people- from Biblical… |
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ABC News Specials The Secret Life of Barbie $19.95 This program, broadcast on the eve of Barbie’s 40th birthday, explores why the Barbie doll is the best selling toy in the world.The statistics are pretty amazing, there are two Barbie dolls sold every second, that’s 120 a minute, 7,200 every hour of every day.Anchor: Forrest SawyerCorrespondent: Robert KrulwichAirdate: June 11, 1998… |
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Aa African American Barbie Styling Head Blue Base 10+ Pieces Brand new in factory sealed box… |
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Prom Date Ken Deluxe Adult Costume Barbie was always a sucker for a hottie in a tux! This Prom Date Ken Deluxe Adult Costume includes a blue jacket with black accents, a dickie with an attached bow tie, a cummerbund, a character vinyl wig, and a ‘Genuine Ken by Mattel’ arm tag. Add a pair of black dress pants (sold separately) to complete your Ken Carson adult costume. Pair with the Barbie adult costume for a great couples costume!… |
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Mighty Fine Barbie and Ken Summer Rhinestones White Juniors T-shirt Tee Barbie and Ken still have that summer love with the tee. This tee features a floral printed neckline and pink/clear rhinestones. The tee also has a burnout effect…. |
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Barbie Kisses Ken Key Cap $4.99 … |
