Look Closer: Mickey Mouse Memorabilia from the 1920s & 30s Part 2

October 23, 2017

Three other items worth locating for a longer look are a rare 1928 Mickey Mouse mascot and two original Charlotte Clark Mickey Mouse dolls. The first piece, which is a treasured hood ornament featuring a winking Mickey Mouse with a thumbs-up, came from a private collector in England and was acquired at an auction. It is engraved with the words, “Reproduced with consent of Walter E. Disney” and is our museum’s latest acquisition for the gallery display. Visitors can find it in the lower left side of the case. To the far right and above, is a shelf holding several Mickey Mouse dolls made of fabric. The largest dolls on the left are ones fashioned by Ms. Clark, who was the first to manufacture a stuffed Mickey doll approved by Walt and Roy Disney. Demand for the dolls increased to the point where the Disney brothers eventually gave their blessing to the release of a McCall's Sewing Pattern of the character doll for the public.

Finally, in the far right area of the case, visitors can see artifacts relating to the first Mickey Mouse Club dating from 1930, something that often surprises people who grew up with the popular 1950s television program. Here are displayed a number of items from that early time, such as club buttons, membership card, campaign book and a document outlining the procedure for “A Mickey Mouse Ritual.” Below, there is also information about the man who was the genius behind the marketing of Mickey Mouse merchandise in the early 1930s, Herman “Kay” Kamen. Roy Disney said, “Kay walked in one day and said, ‘I don’t know how much business you’re doing, but I’ll guarantee you that much business and give you 50% of everything I do over.’ We made a deal with him. He was a merchandizing-minded fellow. He did a terrific job for us."

Collectors and fans of Mickey Mouse memorabilia are grateful that Walt and his brother Roy did, in fact, seal the deal.