Back in the 1960s, Marx had an entire Western family of action figures, and Jane West was introduced in 1966, just one year after Johnny West.
But Jane wasn’t your typical fashion doll. She came with Western clothes, riding equipment, ranch supplies and even toy weapons. She was ready for an adventure!
What I didn’t realize was how elaborate these toys became.
Jane had her own horse named Flame, available in brown or palomino, and the West family eventually grew to include four children, horses, dogs and the enormous Circle X Ranch playset.
That ranch could stretch nearly 64 inches across the floor! Imagine trying to convince your parents to make room for that.
I also discovered that Marx redesigned Jane’s face in 1967. The original had a fuller face, while the later version was slimmer. Today, collectors actually look for both versions.
And remember those enormous Sears Christmas catalogs?
A 1968 True Value catalog advertised Jane West for just $2.97. Adjusted for inflation, that’s about $29 in 2026 dollars.
Marx continued producing Jane West into the 1970s, but the original company eventually disappeared after its West Virginia factory closed in 1980.
It’s interesting how popular Western toys were back then. Cowboys, horses, ranches and forts gave kids an entire world to create on the living room floor.
And you didn’t need batteries, a screen or an internet connection!
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