The year was 1928 and the American public was about to discover a new kind of matinee idol. He was well dressed, dark and handsome, as were all the leading men of the day. But there was one thing that set him apart from the others . . . he had a tail! He would become one of the top box office draws of the 20th Century and his name, if you haven’t guessed it by now, was Mickey Mouse.
Mickey’s creator, Walt Disney, was born in 1901. The youngest of two sons, he and his brother Roy shared a mutual interest in art and nature. It was a bleak existence growing up in an impoverished neighborhood on Chicago south side, but the boys realized early on that their imaginations could flourish, in spite of their surroundings.
Relocating to California in 1923, the Disney brothers rented a small office for $10 a month and began production of a series of short live-action/animated films. In 1924 they moved to a larger facility and the next year started construction on what would become the “Disney Brothers Studio” in the Silver Lake district of Los Angeles. It would be this location that would see the “birth” of Mickey Mouse, Pluto, Goofy, and Donald Duck.
The appearance of Mickey and his friends established an entertainment empire that would forever elevate animation to an art form. Yet, surprisingly, it would not be their animated features that would serve as the catalyst for their incredible financial success. The brothers were shrewd businessmen who understood the need for control in merchandising their products. Unlike many of their competitors, they licensed the reproduction of all their cartoon characters. As time progressed, this licensing would reap even greater financial success than the films from which the characters came.
Recently realized auction prices for the likeness of Mickey Mouse include a 1930s Ingersoll watch for $750, a vintage paper mache full head mask for $500, and a very early Mickey stuffed animal by Steiff for $800.
It is important when collecting Disneyana to verify the year of production. Top priority items will be from 1930 through the 1950s. Some items from the 1960s an 70s are of interest, and most serious collectors will pass on items made after 1979.
If you are new to this area of collecting you are usually safe purchasing any early piece featuring Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald or Pluto. Tin windup toys made in Germany, stuffed twelve inch characters, early issue books, Disney trains made by Lionel, animated movie cells and Disney characters riding a tin bicycle are rare finds, but do surface occasionally and are worth the search. Just remember that along with rarity, condition is a major determinate of value.
This is an area where you have to do your homework. The Official Price Guide to Disney Collectibles, by 40-year collector Ted Hake, offers over 1,000 pages and 28,000 examples in 125 categories. It is one of the most complete research books on the market and a “must have’ for any collector. Also check out Warman’s Disney Collectibles Field Guide which features over 500 color photos and a large section of historical facts. Both are excellent research books that can keep you from a very expensive mistake.
In a constantly changing world, it is comforting to know that there are some things that do stay the same. Mickey’s voice will never lower, Snow White will always remain a symbol of purity, and just like Peter Pan, there will always be a little part of each of us that refuses to grow up. For these things we are forever indebted to the magic that is Disney. Until next time…..Linda
Irvington resident Linda Kennett is a professional liquidation consultant specializing in down-sizing for seniors and the valuation of estates and may be reached for question or comment at 317-258-7835 or lkennet@indy.rr.com