The original 12 inch height (actually less the 12 inches) was started in 1964. These were all made with painted hair and came in Caucasian (white) with blond, black & brown hair and African- American (black) and a multitude of eye color combinations. A talking version was available in 1967, as well as a female nurse version.

GI Joe Identification Matrix 1964 to 1975
	Painted Head	Fuzzy Head	Fuzzy Head & Beard
Black Hair White Soldier
Brown Hair White Soldier
Blonde Hair White Soldier
			with Kung Fu Grip™
Red Hair White Soldier
Black Hair Black Soldier
European (Soldier of the World)
Atomic Man 1975

Copyright Markings
Second Issue 1964-1965
Third Issue 1966
Fourth Issue 1967-1969

GI Joe Clothing Tag History
1st Issue 1964-1965 GI Joe™ by Hasbro Hong Kong
2nd Issue 1964 GI Joe™ by Hasbro		3rd Issue 1964-1965 GI Joe™ by Hasbro Japan
5th Issue 1966-1973 GI Joe© by Hasbro Japan		6th Issue 1966-1976 GI Joe© by Hasbro Hong Kong
		8th Issue 74-76 GI Joe© Hasbro Made in Taiwan
Atomic Man

Shoes
Hasbro Japan		Hasbro #1 & #2

Soldiers of the World ...more to follow

In 1969 the GI Joe figure was changed to have less military look due to issues with the Vietnam conflict. Joe became an Adventurer, "a Soldier of Fortune". GI Joe still had the painted hair.

1970 started the GI Joe Adventure Team. These were issued with "Life-Like Hair" and sometimes beard. The sold for about $5.99. As in earlier years a talking version was available too.

Atomic Man ...more to follow

	Talking Joe with Black Beard

CLICK ON THE PICTURE FOR A LARGER VIEW !!

These are some good reference books for GI Joe

If you have some old 12 inch GI Joe items, especially in the original box, you want to sell please drop me a note @ steve@mysite4u.com .