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Cabbage Patch Kid Collector Info

** Please note: all CPK pages on Yello80s.com are meant for entertainment only, not to price, value or locate specific Cabbage Patch Kids.  No Cabbage Patch Kid, Koosa or CPK creation otherwise depicted on Yello80s.com is for sale. Information is graciously provided from books and collectors who have studied the dolls’ history and variety and have generously shared their knowledge and personal collections for the benefit of anyone looking into this very unique icon of the 80s. Any additional information or corrections are appreciated in the comments as long as you have a verified source and leave your name to be credited. Now get on in there and enjoy!

** If you are looking for the CPK names pages they are here:

For Cabbage Patch Kid Names 1/4 click here.
For Cabbage Patch Kid Names 2/4 click here.

For Cabbage Patch Kid Names 3/4 click here.
For Cabbage Patch Kid Names 4/4 click here.

If you’re looking to get into collecting Cabbage Patch Kids (or ‘Kids, or CPKs, or “Cabbies” as they are referred to by various collectors), there are several ways to identify what type of ‘Kid you’ve got or are looking to buy. The worth of a CPK is always fluctuating. Like any other collectible, a CPK is only worth what someone is willing to pay for them so a hard and fast “guide” is really impossible to come up with, but it is possible to tell if something is “hard to find” and may be more likely to go for a higher sell price among collectors. A good place to always look is eBay to see where dolls similar to yours or like one you want to purchase are going for to get an idea of current pricing.

Otherwise, general identifiers for CPKs are:  birth/adoption papers that came with the doll, box design/ packaging, colour of signature on the rear, clothing that came with the doll, head mold number, hairstyle/ type, freckles or colouring, accessories the ‘Kid came with such as a crayon or toothbrush, pacifier, and factory type. Keep in mind this page is a general guide: there are TONs and TONs of variants to Cabbage Patch Kids around the world that may not be on this list or are currently unknown.

Cabbage Patch Kid collector info pre-1990:

Cabbage Patch Dolls in the pre-1990 group are split into two phases. The original soft handmade dolls called Little People created by Xavier Roberts under the Original Appalachian Artworks label ran from the late 1970s and took on the Cabbage Patch Kid name from the early to mid 1980s. Video game giant Coleco began mass-producing the second phase of dolls with hard plastic heads from the early 80s to 1990 when they sold out to Hasbro. Dolls around the Hasbro time and later have a “newer” look to them with smaller eyes, thinner bodies and updated hair types. The “classic” mass produced Coleco dolls are generally yarn-haired and chubbier overall.

Little People original doll lines in the late 1970s were large, soft-sculptured dolls with adoption papers and name tags (usually without middle name) and were hand-signed until 1981. Bigger than their little Coleco brothers and sisters, these were truly one of a kind, handmade dolls made by Original Appalachian Artworks. Little People and later Cabbage Patch Kids made by Original Appalachian Artworks continued into the early 80s:


Soft-Sculptured ‘Kids (Little People) 1977-1979

Little People Appalachian Artworks “Helen” Blue signature (less than 1000 produced)
Little People Appalachian Artworks “A” Blue signature (1000 made)
Little People Appalachian Artworks “B” Red signature (1000 made)
Little People Appalachian Artworks  “C” Burgundy signature (5000 made)
Little People Appalachian Artworks “D” Purple signature (10,000 made)
Little People Appalachian Artworks “X” 1979 Christmas edition (1000 made)
Little People Appalachian Artworks “E” Bronze signature (15,000 made)
Little People Appalachian Artworks “SP” Preemie edition (5000 made)

2 Little People softies, a Coleco ‘Kid, a Koosa and a Show Pony

1980-1985  Little People / Cabbage Patch Kids 

Little People Appalachian Artworks 1980 Celebrity edition (5000 made)
Little People Appalachian Artworks 1980 Christmas edition (2500 made)
Little People Appalachian Artworks Grand Edition (1000 made)
Little People Appalachian Artworks 1981 “New ‘Ears” edition (15,000 made) – 1st editions to be hand-stamped
Little People Appalachian Artworks “U” 1982 (unsigned) (21,000 made)
Little People Appalachian Artworks 1982 Christmas edition (1000 made)
Cabbage Patch Kids Appalachian Artworks 1982 “Cabbage Patch” kid (2500 made)
Cabbage Patch Kids Appalachian Artworks CPK “Cleveland” green signature (2000 made)
Cabbage Patch Kids Appalachian Artworks CPK “A” Dark green signature (2000 made)
Cabbage Patch Kids Appalachian Artworks CPK “B” Red signature (2000 made)
Cabbage Patch Kids Appalachian Artworks CPK “C” Burgundy signature (10,000 made)
Cabbage Patch Kids Appalachian Artworks CPK “D” Purple signature (20,000 made)
Cabbage Patch Kids Appalachian Artworks CPK Oriental (1000 made)
Cabbage Patch Kids Appalachian Artworks CPK Hispanic (1000 made)
Cabbage Patch Kids Appalachian Artworks CPK Champagne (2000 made)
Cabbage Patch Kids Appalachian Artworks CPK 1983 Christmas edition (1000 made)
Cabbage Patch Kids Appalachian Artworks CPK 1984 Sweetheart edition (1500 made)
Cabbage Patch Kids Appalachian Artworks CPK Bavarian (1000 made)
Cabbage Patch Kids Appalachian Artworks CPK World Class edition (2500 made)
Cabbage Patch Kids Appalachian Artworks CPK “E” Bronze signature (30,000 made)
Little People Appalachian Artworks Little People Pals – dolls for the Little People dolls
Cabbage Patch Kids Appalachian Artworks Character Editions
Cabbage Patch Kids Appalachian Artworks A Kid for All Seasons (Fall, Crystal, Sunny, Morton)
Xavier Roberts Appalachian Artworks Debonair Xavier Bear

Cabbage Patch Kids Doll Lines in the 1980s came with outfit, diaper and adoption papers and some came with additional accessories such as pacifiers, crayons, glasses, etc. Owners (“adoptive parents”) took an adoption oath in the store and sent in the adoption papers to receive an official birth certificate and personality trait card. Once papers were “filed” with Babyland General Hospital, dolls were sent a one year birthday card in the mail, the “birthday” being the adoption date recorded. Early CPK dolls (1982-’83?) had birthdays assigned of either September 1, October 1 or November 1

1982-1983 16-18″ tall

Head molds #1-4 used. #1 has no dimples. #2 has 2 dimples and some caucasian dolls had freckles. #3 has one dimple. #4 has 2 dimples and a mouth shaped to take a pacifier. 

Kids and Preemies Coleco Head molds 1,2,3,4
Freckled Kids Coleco Head mold #2
Porcelain Kids Applause Numbered editions
“Crayon” Kids Coleco Head molds 1,2,3,4
“Paci” (Pacifier) Kids Coleco Head mold #4

1984  14-15″ tall 

Pinups Coleco Small CPKs the dolls could hold
Koosas Coleco Full-sized “Pets” for the dolls **
Preemies 13″, Babies Coleco  Head molds #3,4
Poseable Figurines Panosh Place
Couture Kids Coleco (Canada)  Head molds #1,2,3,4
Foreign Kids Jesmar, Lili Ledy, Tsukuda, Tri-Ang Pedigree
International Kids Coleco

**More information on Koosas on the Koosa and Furskins page!

**There was no #7 head mold made but there is speculation that it may have been an Asian Kid prototype

Coleco paci girl and Jesmar girl both in Jesmar clothes with Coleco shoes

Worldwide Distributors of Cabbage Patch Kids 

North America Coleco Cabbage Patch Kids
Mexico Lili Ledy “Nenes del Huerto de la Col”
Canada Coleco “P’tits Bouts de Choux “
South Africa Tri-Ang Pedigree Cabbage Patch Kids
Japan Tsukuda Cabbage Patch Kids
Spain Jesmar Cabbage Patch Kids
England Ideal “Cabbage Patch Kids”
Germany (Jesmar) Arxon “Kuschel Kinder” (Cuddly Kids)
France Jesmar “Les Patoufs” (The Kids)
Italy Jesmar “Bamboli del Campo Incantato” (Field of Enchanted Dolls)
Finland Jesmar “Kaalitarhan Tenavat”(Cabbage Nursery Peanuts)
Sweden Jesmar “Kal Ungarna” (Cabbage Kids)
Denmark Jesmar “Kålhoved børnene” (Cabbage Children)

1985 

Head molds 5,6,8,9 added. #5 has 2 dimples and a front tooth (some dolls came with a retainer or “headgear” for braces). #6 has 1 dimple on the left side and a mouth shaped to hold a pacifier. #8 has 1 dimple on the left side and larger ears to hold eyeglasses. #9 has 2 dimples.

Playmates Coleco Small CPK with their own soft playsets
First Tooth Kids, Glasses Kids Coleco / Foreign Market Head mold #5,8
Twins Coleco / Foreign Market Head molds #2,3,4,5,6,8,9
Western Kids and Show Ponies Coleco Head molds #1,2,3,5,6,8,9
World Travelers- China, Russia, Spain, Scotland, Holland Coleco Head molds #2,4,8,9
Circus/ RIngmaster Kids Coleco Head molds #1,2,3,5,6,8,9

1986

Bean Bag Babies (Bean Butt, BBB) 12-13″ Coleco Head molds #1,2,3,4,6,18,20,21
All-Stars: Atlanta Braves, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, California Angels, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Dodgers, Montreal Expos, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, Toronto Blue Jays Coleco Head molds #5,6,8,9,10,11,1214,15.16,
Circus Kids Coleco Head molds #10,11,12,14,15,16
Young Astronauts Coleco Head molds #5,6,8,10,11,12,14,15
Cornsilk Hair Kids Coleco Head molds #5,6,8,10,11,12,14,15,16
Popcorn Hair Kids Coleco Head molds #

**There was no head mold #13 made

Head molds 10,11,12,14,15,16 added. #10 has 2 dimples and 2 teeth. #11 has 2 dimples and a tongue. #12 has 2 dimples. #14 has 1 dimple on the left. #15 has no dimples. #16 has a dimple on the chin. 

1987

Talking Kids Coleco Head molds #17,18
Splashin Kids Coleco Head molds #17,18

Head molds 17 and 18 added. #17 has 1 left dimple and a soft, open mouth. #18 has 1 left dimple and an open mouth and bottom lip.

1988

Toddlers/ The Kid in the Middle! 13″ Coleco Head molds #2,3,4,9,15,20
Growing Hair Kids Coleco Head molds #8,9,15,20,22,23

Head molds 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 added. #19 has no dimples and an open mouth with 5 teeth. #20 has no dimples, a rounder face, and large ears. #21 has 1 left dimple and an open mouth. #22 has a soft, smiling mouth and 1 tooth. #23 has an open smile with tongue, no dimples, and some dolls had freckles. 

**There were no #24, #25, #26, #27, #28, #29 head molds made.

1989

Birthday Kids (1st Edition) Hasbro
Friends Coleco Large/small doll sets
Designer Line (transitional kids) Coleco/ Hasbro Head molds #3,4,18,19,36,44,45
Babyland Kids Coleco Soft body babies w/attached bonnet
Sippin’ Babies Coleco / Hasbro Head molds #18,21
Poseable Kids (1st Edition) Hasbro Head molds #11,12,15
Transitional (“tranny) Kids Coleco/ Hasbro Head molds #11,12

Head molds  #30, #36, #44, #45 added. #30 has no dimples and a lopsided smile. #36 is the “Asian” ethnicity head mold with no dimples. #44 has a small open smile and a dimple on the chin. #45 has one small dimple on the right close to the mouth.

** There were no #31, #32, #33, #34, #35, #37, #38, #39, #40, #41, #42, #43 made.

Post-Coleco Kids in the 1990s

Hasbro took over Coleco in 1989 and began manufacturing Kids that year using up Coleco stock. Kids from the 1989-1990 year are often called “Transition” or “Tranny” Kids as they are sometimes made of both Coleco and Hasbro parts. Hasbro manufactured CPK from 1989-1994 when the line was handed over in 1995 to Mattel.

Special Edition Anniversary Kids 

10th Anniversary Kid Hasbro 1992 Coleco-styled
15th Anniversary Kids Mattell 1998 Coleco-styled
20th Anniversary Kids Toys ‘R Us 2003 newer styled
25th Anniversary Kids Play Along 2008 Coleco-styled
30th Anniversary Kids Target Exclusive 2013 newer styled
35th Anniversary Kid w/ Adoptimal Pet Wicked Cool Toys 2018 newer styled

1983 AA Doll

Bumm Signature Colours

The signature of Xavier Roberts is stamped on the bumm-cheek of every ‘Kid. First edition ‘Kids have a small date on the bottom of the signature but later editions do not. The colour of the signature tells you what year the doll is from.

Black Coleco 1983
Black Coleco Preemies/ Foreign Market Kids 1984
Green Coleco / Foreign Market Kids 1984
Blue Coleco/ Foreign Market Kids 1985
Red Coleco/ Foreign Market Kids 1986
Aqua Coleco 1987
Lavender Coleco 1988
Rose Coleco 1989
Mauve Hasbro 1990
Black Mattel 1998 15th Anniversary Edition

Cabbage Patch Kid Abbreviations

CPK Cabbage Patch Kid AA African American
Paci Pacifier Kid BBB Bean Butt Baby /Beanie Baby

Head Mold Examples:

Copyright Notice Styles on Coleco Head Molds

Notice of copyright written in 3 lines with head mold # at bottom middle Copyright notice written in 1 line with no mold # Copyright notice written in 1 line with mold # at bottom center and additional # at the right of this
Copyright notice written in 1 line with mold # at the top middle and additional number at bottom middle (may be a factory batch #) Copyright notice written in 1 line with mold # at top middle Copyright notice written in 3 lines including “Made in Hong Kong” with mold # at bottom middle

Other Copyright Notices on Head Molds

Notice of copyright written in 3 lines including “Made in Spain” (or Italy) and mold # at bottom middle – Jesmar Notice of copyright written in 3 lines including J5 or J6 at the top middle and mold # at bottom middle – Tsukuda Notice of copyright written in 2 lines with mold # at bottom middle- Tri-Ang Pedigree
Notice of copyright written in 3 lines including “Made in Mexico” with mold # in bottom center- Lili Ledy Notice of copyright written in 4 lines or 1 line with no mold #- Coleco/Hasbro transitional line Notice of copyright written in 3 lines including “First Edition”, mold # on bottom left and additional circled number – Hasbro First Editions

First Edition Hasbro ‘Kid- author unknown

Coleco Hairstyles and Colours

There are several hairstyles and colours to be found on Coleco ‘Kids with a ton of combinations, some more rare than others.

Brown colour a medium brown colour, shade used in both caucasian and AA ‘Kids Boys with looped brown hair and girls with long brown are most common boys with fuzzy brown hair are rarer.
Red colour Girls with double braids are most common boys with fuzzy red hair or girls  with single red or double ponytails are rare
Wheat/ tan / beige colour ash blonde Common with looped or poodle hair
Lemon colour lightest yellow-blonde
Butterscotch/ Mustard colour honey-blonde
Fuzzy style Soft, short non-looped hair Only on boys AA fuzzy is rarer, more common on foreign kids.
Single Pony style Singular ponytail in the back of the head Only on girls
Double Pony style Ponytails on the sides of the head Only on girls
Shag style Short hair style- not fuzzy or looped Only on boys
Loops style Short loops of yarn
Popcorn style Tightly curled yarn hair On girls, in both single and double ponytails AA popcorns are rarer
Lion Mane style Hair framing the face is short and cut, not looped Only on girls
Cornsilk hair Soft, combable non-yarn hair In various colours, girls only “Shirley Temple” style has cornsilk ringlets
Poodle style Looped bangs, straight hair Both single and double ponies.
Single Braid style Single braid on top of the head, hangs to the side Only on girls
Double Braid style Braided ponytails on both sides of the head Only on girls
Baldie/ tuft Entirely bald or bald with a small topknot of hair Only on babies and preemies Straight or looped hair

Basic Coleco Eye Colours

Light Brown Green Blue
Lavender Grey (Koosas) Dark Brown

Coleco CPK Factories

The tag on a CPK doll can tell you what country and factory the doll was made in. Kids from each factory have some common features. The tag on a Coleco CPK doll (domestic or foreign) is located on the doll’s side somewhere between the arm and bumm. On the tag is small circle with a 1,2 or 3 letter code. Sometimes there is also a separate number.

OK (Kader) Coleco, Jesmar Chubbier bodies, good colouring Regular ‘Kids, Popcorn ‘Kids, Preemies
 UT, UT1, UT2 (rare), UT3 (Taiwan) Coleco Thinner, “porcelain-like” complexion, tendency for head to turn yellow
 P (Perfecta) Coleco, Tri-Ang Pedigree (“Tri-Ang Pedigree”) Longer legs, head vinyl has tendency to form “pox” from exposure to moisture Twins, last Transitional ‘Kids to be made by Coleco
PMI (China) Coleco head vinyl extremely prone to “pox” from exposure to moisture Regular ‘Kids, single lemon ponytail girls
KT (Kam Yeun Toy Factory) Coleco Shorter, stocky bodies, heads can turn grey Regular ‘Kids, CPK Pets, Koosas
SS Coleco Pre-1986 ‘Kids prone to “pox”from exposure to moisture CPK Pets, BBBs, Preemies, Preemie clothing
WS Coleco BBB, Preemies
 IC, IC1, IC2, IC3, IC4, IC5, IC6, IC7, IC8 (Taiwan) Coleco Thicker hair, tendency for head to get “seasickness” and turn a greenish hue Cowboy ‘Kids, freckled #1 head mold ‘Kids
WJ/ SY (Korea) Coleco Show Ponies, Circus Ponies, Koosas (SY)
CY, EX (Taiwan) CPK Clothing
FW, LF (China) CPK Clothing
CC Coleco Circus Ponies, Show Ponies, CPK Clothing
J Jesmar 1-2″ longer than Coleco ‘Kids, hand-painted freckles, nice complexion “Made in Spain” “Made in Italy”
TP, P (earlier ‘Kids) Tri-Ang Pedigree Smudged, “filmy” eyes “Made in South Africa”
Lili Ledy (Mexico) Lili Ledy Body poorly attached to head, very close in appearance to Coleco Kids
Tsukuda (Japan) Tsukuda Very good complexion Bride & Groom sets, Kimono clothed ‘Kids, All-Star ‘Kids
CANADA LTEE Coleco Boxed clothing and accessories
Hasbro Coleco/ Hasbro Transitional ‘Kids

Cabbage Patch Kids Adoption Papers

Adoption papers that came with CPKs came in a sealed envelope marked on the bottom with the logo of the type of Kid as well as the language of the market the Kid was manufactured for. For Coleco ‘Kids at least, the envelope style indicates which year they were manufactured in.

Rare CPK

By no means is this an entire list but some rare combinations known are:

Coleco green-eyed bald ‘Kids Coleco brown-haired, blue-eyed boys Coleco #5 head mold, brown single ponytail girl w/ blue eyes Coleco #19 head mold brown double ponytail popcorn hair w/ brown eyes
Coleco/ Hasbro Designer Line boys w/ brown hair and blue eyes Coleco #4 head mold preemies w/ green or blue eyes Coleco KT factory kids with embroidered side tags and “Designed by” stamp above the bum signature Coleco #2, #3 boys w/ fuzzy red hair
Coleco lemon, gold or auburn fuzzy boys Coleco brown fuzzy boy w/ blue eyes. Designer line lemon double pony girl P tag
Coleco freckled #2 AA, or Caucasion boy w/ red loops/ brown eyes, gold loops/ green eyes, girl w/ brown double poodle ponies/ grey eyes, gold loops/ green eyes Coleco brown fuzzy boy w/ brown eyes and freckles Coleco girl #3 single red pony Coleco girl #1 double red ponies
Coleco #4 preemie with green, undated signature Canadian-market only Couture Kids Coleco #5 girl w/ single brown side pony and blue eyes Coleco boy w/ brown shag and blue eyes
Coleco #1 and #3 grey-eyed girls Coleco Twins that came in Animal Sleepers Coleco French Canadian Mounty boys Coleco #6 popcorn girls w/lemon single ponies, or red/brown double ponies
Coleco Twin popcorn girls in fur coats Coleco AA Talking Kids Coleco AA girl #14 w/ brown popcorn double ponies Coleco #4 toddlers, AA toddlers
Coleco #4 single red pony Coleco/ Hasbro Designer Line- all Coleco/ Hasbro Poseables- all Tri-Ang Pedigree #1 girl w/tooth
Tri-Ang Pedigree girls or boys w/ “gaudy gold”, “rust”, “taffy” hair only used by that maker Jesmar boys w/ gold fuzzy hair w/ or w/out freckles Jesmar #3 single tooth Jesmar girls red poodle
Jesmar #4 girls w/lavender eyes and freckles Jesmar #4 red or lemon boys w/ or w/out freckles Jesmar red fuzzy boy w/green eyes Lili Leddy all, freckled, Mexican dress

To identify CPK and other helpful services try these sources:

To have dolls repaired, hair rerooted or customized:  (Soft-faced originals only) Bath Camp , Repairs and Baby Hospital , DIY cleaning
To order a customised doll: Pick a baby like your own from Babyland General , Or a big ‘Kid ,
To have a soft-faced CPK adoption certificate re-issued: follow the directions on the CPK Names Page here
Identification Helps:  Coleco hairstyles , Head Molds , Foreign and Rare Kids , Buying and Researching

Sources:
Doll College
MyCPKCollection
CPK Worldwide Collectors Facebook Group (closed group)
Cabbage Patch Kids RARE & HTF and Related htf Cpk items Facebook Group (closed group)
Diana’s Patch
Cabbie Timeline
Babyland General
Encyclopedia of Cabbage Patch Kids the 1980s, Schiffer Books 
Fantasy: the Incredible Cabbage Patch Phenomenon, William Hoffman 
Ebay CPK Guide