The 1988 Tush Tag
Grouping plush identifiable by their 1988 dated tush tags.
1988 Ty plush are identifiable by their 1988 dated tush tags.
The tush tag date designates the designs original patent date. They were initially write in orders in 1988 then officially introduced in the next annual catalog as “The 1989 Collection”.
They were released with 1B and 1C (TYWL) hang tags for the 1988-1989 production year. Depending on when they were retired, they are found with later tags during those production years.
During mid-year 1988 Shadow the tuxedo cat, and Arnold the pig from the “1988 collection” (1987 dated tush plush) were retired.
*Carl is not a confirmed name for the panda seen above, this plush has not surfaced bearing its tag yet and so in an ode to a popular YouTube series the TyPlushArchive dubbed him “Carl” in playful humor. To be honest this design is most likely the first run of Ping Pong.
ANYONE WHO FINDS THIS PLUSH WITH TAG SHOULD CONTACT US HERE IMMEDIATELY TO PROPPERLY DOCUMENT HIS TRUE NAME 🙂
Style
1112
1114
1115
1116
1117
1118
1119
5004
5005
5006
6001
7000A
7000B
7000C
7001A
7001B
7001C
7002A
7002B
7002C
8000
8002
9001
9002
9003
9004
Name
Al E. Kat
Chi Chi
Harris
Elmer
Freddie
Patti
Ping Pong
Cinnamon
Ping Pong
Kasey
Petunia
Mischief
Mischief
Mischief
Jake
Jake
Jake
Big Jake
Big Jake
Big Jake
Beanie Bunny
Peter
Super Jake
Super Fritz
Super Petunia
Super Chi Chi
Description
grey tabby cat
Cheetah flat laying
lion flat laying
elephant flat laying
frog flat sitting
panther flat Laying
ball shaped panda with charm
gold bear
panda bear
koala bear
pig flat laying
10″ auburn money
10″ brown monkey
10″ chocolate monkey
12″ auburn money
12″ brown monkey
12″ chocolate monkey
16″ auburn money
16″ brown monkey
16″ chocolate monkey
jointed bunny
brown laying rabbit
55″ auburn monkey
36″ laying dalmatian
36″ laying pig
52″ laying cheetah
Variations
Freddie initially had cat eye like eyes now sports circular eyes retaining his crouching style briefly before moving to the sitting version. Harris right before becoming standing had some minor changes to his face and was given two fur colors to fill his mane. Patti went from flocked nose to plastic nose.
Variations continued, the seated bears now with stitched smiles.
McGee, Snowball, Ping Pong and Cinnamon. Please note McGee and snowball have 1987 tush tags and Ping Pong and Cinnamon have 1988 tush tags but all are included here only because it is so satisfying to see them together.
Not pictured Blackie as he was was released and retired with no stitched mouth, the exception being he had a white stitched mouth during one production cycle, the ground nutshell shipment.
87 plush with 88 tags
These are very early examples shortly after the 1987 small heart tush tag series. These are identifiable by their 1988 dated tush tag which seemed to coincide with the January 1988 catalog. These styles match those found in the 1988 catalog however Jake Jr. was already renamed Jake in the catalog and “BEANIE” the bear was renamed “BEANIE BEAR” Examples should include Angel, Peaches, Smokey, Ginger, Licorice, Al E. Kat, Shadow, Charlie, Fritz, Max, Super Max, Beanie Bear, McGee, Snowball, Blackie, Arnold, Mischief, Jake Junior, Super Jake and Lovie.
88 plush with 87 tags
AL E. Kat Grey, Ping Pong, Kasey, Petunia, and Peter were originally issued with tush tags dated 1988 but were later released with tush tags dated 1987.
Jake in all sizes and mischief in auburn, brown and chocolate should have 1988 dated tush tags for the 1989 collection however all were issued with 1987 tush tag dates per their original patent date for the design in 1987 (Jake white).
