Short-haired Cabbage Patch Coleco girl
** 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