Pee-Wee’s Playhouse Playset from Matchbox (1988)

Company: Matchbox | Release date: 1988 | Ages: 4+ | Where to purchase: eBay

Released by Matchbox in 1988, the Pee-Wee’s Playhouse Playset captured the whimsy and vibrancy of the hit television series.

The CBS series, created and hosted by Paul Reubens as Pee-wee Herman, ran from 1986 to 1990. Each episode combined live-action, animation, and offbeat humour inside a fantastical playhouse filled with talking objects and quirky friends. Its colourful, unpredictable style made it a Saturday morning favourite for both kids and adults.

Made of plastic and cardboard, the playset’s exterior was decorated with colourful shapes and busy patterns. A handle at the top made the playhouse portable. When opened, the set expanded to 20″ x 28″ x 7.5″. A rooftop sign popped up to announce Pee Wee’s Playhouse. Accessories included Pee-wee’s signature red and chrome scooter, along with household elements such as Floory, Clocky, Mr. Window, the dancing window flowers, fridge, front door, television console, kitchen table, and bench. A sheet of adhesive labels provided decorative elements for the interior. Set-up instructions were also included.

COLLECTOR CONSIDERATIONS

The playset was sold without figures, though Matchbox produced complementary 6″ characters, including Pee-Wee, Chairry, Miss Yvonne, Cowboy Curtis, and King of Cartoons. Wind-up toys of Conky, Magic Screen, and Pterri were also released, along with smaller sets of Globey and Randy, and Jambi with the Puppet Band (Dirty Dog, Cool Cat, and Chicky Baby). Larger poseable figures of a talking Pee-Wee, Chairry, Billy Baloney, and Pterri were also available outside of the playset line.

Watch a classic commercial for Pee-Wee’s Playhouse Playset on the Toy Tales YouTube channel.

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