Do you remember the feeling of holding a tiny world in the palm of your hand, where miniature adventures unfolded, and imagination knew no end?
If you're one of the many who cherished Polly Pocket dolls during childhood (or maybe still do), you're in for a nostalgic treat.In this journey down memory lane, we invite you to explore the world of vintage Polly Pockets with us!
A Brief History of Polly Pocket:
Polly Pocket was introduced to the world in the late 1980s by Bluebird Toys, a British toy company who licensed the concept from Chris Wiggs. Polly Pocket sets were characterized by their small size and intricate, miniature worlds… all fitting inside a small, pocket sized compact.
The idea came from Chris Wiggs who used a cosmetic compact to design a pocket sized tiny house with an even smaller doll inside for his daughter Kate. This idea was then licensed by Bluebird Toys and hit the shelves for the public to purchase in 1989.
The original Polly Pocket dolls were less than an inch tall and came in a small compact case that acted as a “dollhouse” or play set, giving Polly a variety of miniature worlds to play in.
This new toy quickly became a cherished household name.
In 1998, Mattel took over Bluebird Toys and Polly Pocket went through some redesigns. They changed her hair from her iconic bob to a ponytail and Polly started to get bigger as she shifted into a new era with the fashion Polly Pocket and her stretchable rubber clothes. As vintage enthusiasts, the original Bluebird Polly Pocket sets will always have a special place in our collections.
Why We Love Vintage Polly Pockets:
Nostalgia is a powerful force, capable of transporting us back to cherished moments in time with just a glimpse or touch. For those who grew up in the 90s, vintage Polly Pocket dolls are more than just toys; they are portals to “simpler times”.
The vintage Bluebird Polly Pocket compacts are small featuring intricate details and the dolls rather simplistic in design due to their size. Yet within these mini portable play sets, was a whole entire world just waiting for imagination to unlock it. The simplicity of the dolls allowed children to project their own personalities and stories onto them, fostering creative play that knew no bounds. For many of us growing up during this time, Polly Pocket was a part of our childhood. Taking our sets camping, playing with cousins, creating stories within these miniature worlds. The set's intricate and interactive details creating a canvas for creativity.
The original Bluebird Polly Pocket sets are cherished by many vintage enthusiasts. Their unique, simplistic, charm stands the test of time and carves away a spot in our hearts.
1989 Polly Pockets:
Polly came out with a bang her first year on the market with Bluebird releasing 37 Polly Pocket sets in 1989 according to Retro Geek Toys. This launched Polly off into the hearts of children across the globe with her tiny adventures.
A few 1989 Polly Pocket Favorites
- Polly's beach house
- Polly's cafe
- Country Cottage
- Polly’s Town House
- Beach Party
- Polly World
- Skating Party
Find a list of 1989 polly pocket sets here: Retro Geek Toys
Browse more vintage polly pocket sets: http://onlypollypocket.com/
Some of Our Favorites
The late '80s and early '90s marked a golden era for Polly Pocket fans, thanks to the introduction of the original compacts from 1989 and 1990.
The original Polly Pocket’s broke into the market with their iconic compact sets. We love these original Bluebird Polly Pocket sets for so many reasons! Some notable reasons are as follows:
1. Unforgettable Portability
The hallmark feature of these classic compacts is their portability. Designed to fit in a pocket, these miniature worlds were perfect for on-the-go adventures. The ability to carry Polly Pocket sets anywhere allowed children to unleash their imagination wherever they went, from car rides to family vacations, and camping trips Polly could be there.
2. A Burst of Color
Opening one of these compacts was like stepping into a world of vivid colors and intricate details. The compact interiors were a visual feast for young eyes.
3. Imaginative Play Unleashed
These original Polly Pocket compacts encouraged imaginative play. Children could create endless scenarios and stories with Polly and her tiny accessories.
The small size of the sets didn't limit creativity; instead, it sparked it, as children explored the miniaturized world.
4. Collector's Treasures
Today, these classic compacts are cherished collector's items. Their rarity and vintage appeal make them sought after by collectors worldwide. Owning one of these originals is like holding a piece of toy history, a reminder of the simplicity and charm of childhood.
Over the years, Polly's world began to grow beyond the compact cases we initially fell in love with. The Polly Pocket experience took on a new life, expanding into a realm of larger play sets that offered even more tiny imaginative adventures, like this 1993 Polly Pocket Pizzeria.
1996 Magical Movin' Pollyville:
As the Polly Pocket line continued to grow, it gave birth to another one of our personal favorite pieces of Polly history, the 1996 Magical Movin' Pollyville: A World of Wonders. This play set took the Polly Pocket experience to new heights, offering a whole new way to interact with Polly Pocket.
1996 Magical Movin' Pollyville: A World of Wonders
Here's some reasons why it's a standout in the Pollyverse:
1. Gigantic Adventures
Unlike the compact sets of Polly’s beginnings, the Magical Movin' Pollyville was impressively large and filled with an abundance of moving parts. It was like an entire town in one playset.
This set offered children the chance to embark on bigger adventures with more space for imaginative play.
2. Polly's Magnetic Magic:
A standout feature of this set was Polly's magnetic features. Polly could interact with various parts of the play set, creating dynamic and exciting scenarios. This magnetic feature added a layer of interactivity and endless possibilities to playtime.
3. A Multitude of Activities:
Magical Movin' Pollyville was teeming with activities. From a boat that crosses a river to her interactive home and more, there was a lot one could do with this large Polly set.
Fan Favorites:
We asked in a Polly Pocket Facebook community which polly pocket sets were the most iconic to them, these were some of the responses we received.
- Lockets
- “The one that has the most nostalgic value for me is Polly in her bedroom locket. First one I ever owned.”
1991 Polly in her Bedroom Locket
- Classic Clamshells, Lockets, and the Magical Mansion
- “I think the most iconic sets are the ones with the classic clamshell open/close design. Nancy’s wedding day, the beach house, skating party, etc. Also the lockets. I think lockets hold a lot of nostalgia for people.As far as houses, I think the magical mansion is the most iconic.”
- Birthday Partytime Stamper
- “Most iconic imo are Country Cottage (cause of the commercial) the quilted heart nursery themed tri, the Starlight Castle and Fairylight Wonderland. Most nostalgic: Pretty Hair Playset, Stampin School, Babysitter Stamper and the Clubhouse (that I always wanted but was never able to get). My most favorite one is the Birthday Partytime Stamper. It’s so hard to choose cause there’s so many amazing ones.”
1992 Vintage Polly Pocket Birthday Party Stamper Set
- Pop Up Clubhouse
- “Most nostalgic for me and first one I bought as an adult because I couldn’t get one as a child was Polly’s pop up clubhouse. I love all the pieces and how it opens up and it’s so cute.”
1995 Vintage Polly Pocket Clubhouse
- 1989 Clamshells
- “I think the most iconic sets are definitely the 1989 clamshells. In particular the square ones. But after that, I think Fairylight Wonderland, Starlight Castle, and Pollyville are pretty iconic, the bridal salon, beach cafe, pizzeria, etc. Those were everywhere and are still pretty common today.”
- Polly's Townhouse
- “Top of the line has to be the Townhouse. That was the first set ever created according to Bluebird… 🤔🤔
But they are also known for the lights in the sets. So I would say anything with lights like the Tiny World Sets or the Starbright Dinner Party or the Fairylight Wonderland.
Also the Stamp sets, that was iconic! Kids bringing those to school in the 90s!!”
Some of Our Favorite Places to Shop Bluebird Polly Pockets
Looking to snag some vintage Polly’s for yourself? Check out some of our favorite places to shop!
- Bluebonnet Vintage: We LOVE Polly’s and often have a few sets in stock.
- Live polly pocket auctions: If you are into live auctions, this is our go to! Just a Jem Girl
- Facebook BST Group: Wanting to connect with other Polly enthusiasts while hunting for your next treasure? This Facebook Group is for you! Vintage Polly Pocket Buy Sell and Trade
PollyCon 2024
Ready to dive even deeper into the Polly Pocket community? Welcome, PollyCon 2024! Gathering around all things Polly Pocket, PollyCon will be making its debut in the summer of 2024.
🌄 Location: Solvang, California
🏰 Venue: Craft House
📆 Date: Wednesday, July 24, 2024
Learn more by joining the Facebook Group!
Final Thoughts:
Polly Pocket began as a revolutionary concept, fitting entire imaginative universes into the palm of a child's hand. From its humble origins as a father's gift for his daughter to becoming a household name, Polly Pocket has left an indelible mark on our hearts.
The nostalgia that these vintage compacts evoke is a testament to their power to transport us back to simpler times, where every adventure, no matter how small, was a cherished memory waiting to be created. The original Bluebird Polly Pocket sets, with their intricate designs and vibrant colors, remain beloved collector's items, capturing the essence of childhood wonder.
From the lovable '89 and '90 compacts to the awe-inspiring Magical Movin' Pollyville and the many sets in between, Polly Pocket has been a source of joy, creativity, and cherished memories for many over the years. The magic of Polly Pocket continues to shine brightly, reminding us all that even the tiniest adventures can leave the biggest impressions.
So, as we bid adieu to this blog, we invite you to share your own Polly Pocket memories or collections in the comments section below. Let's celebrate the past and keep its spirit alive, one remarkable find at a time!
And don't forget to explore our vintage Polly Pocket offerings on the Bluebonnet Vintage website, where the magic of Polly Pocket lives on!