The 1976 Movin’ with Mattel catalogue reflected a company in transition.
At the time, Mattel was operating under a new management team led by former vice-president Arthur Spear. Roughly two years earlier, founders Elliot and Ruth Handler had been ousted from the company under a cloud of an S.E.C. investigation around false and misleading financial reports.
Perhaps reflecting this behind-the-scenes drama, the catalogue was haphazardly organized into various sections, including Dolls, Boy’s Toys, Wheels, Wings, Make and Play and Preschool Toys.
Among the publication’s 70 pages, our favourites include The Sunshine Family, Big Jim’s P.A.C.K., and the Space: 1999 toy line. Collectors of the Hot Wheels toy line were also treated to 29 new entries in the die-cast car line.
