No, this is not a stuffed animal depicting Disney’s Mickey Mouse as an alien from outer space…Its a vintage ’30s stuffed Disney Mickey Mouse. This old raggedy, stuffed Mickey Mouse doll is worth over $1,000!
Disneyana (the collecting of any Walt Disney licensed products) has been one the top collecting categories, ever since Walt Disney introduced his first cartoon character in the animated short film Steamboat Willie (i.e. Mickey Mouse).
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Did you know? Walt Disney received $1,000 for the two-week run on the short film which was the highest sum ever paid for a cartoon on Broadway at that time.
Most of us know, Mickey Mouse-themed items can be collectible, so this article will mention just a few of the most valuable: The Charlotte Clark Mickey and Minnie plush, stuffed toy dolls; and the McCall’s Pattern for sewing Disney’s, Mickey and Minnie Mouse stuffed dolls from the 1930s.
1930’s Mickey Mouse Plush-Stuffed Toy Dolls
The adorable plush Mickey and Minnie Mouse stuffed dolls created by seamstress and expert doll-maker-Charlotte Clark and Bob Clampett-who was her 16-year-old nephew and a young aspiring artist. These dolls sold for over $150,000. Now that is some Disney magic!
These first stuffed Mickey and Minnie dolls were originally produced in a small house next to the Disney Studios. At least 300-400 handmade dolls were being created weekly at the “Doll House” by Charlotte Clark; but due to high consumer demands, Walt and Roy Disney needed to find a way to mass produce Charlotte’s Mickey and Minnie. With disappointing results from with their current licensing company (George Borgfeldt) to locate a manufacturer to recreate these particularly designed dolls; They finally decided to take a different path of production via creating a Mickey and Minnie Mouse doll pattern with McCall’s Sewing Pattern Co. of NYC.
The public would now have the opportunity to construct and sew their very own stuffed dolls using the same design and method from the Doll House. From 1932-1939, McCall’s created pattern No. 91 to recreate the Mickey and Minnie Mouse dolls. The patterns cost only 35 cents and included directions, pieces, and iron-on transfers for stitching their facial features.
McCall’s also manufactured Mickey and Minnie appliques and iron-on transfers-which could be used to decorate most textiles found in the house (e.g., children’s quilts, pillows, aprons, curtains, apparel). Any of these early homemade Disney-themed items can be quite valuable if found today in good condition.
Other Mickey and Minnie Plush Stuffed Toy Dolls
During the mid-1930s, George Borgfeldt’s contract with the Disney brothers had expired. This led the way for Kay Kamen to head-up the licensing business for Walt and Roy. Knickerbocker Toy Company was finally asked to manufacture Mickey and Minnie Mouse dolls designed by Charlotte Clark. In 1947, Gund Manufacturing Co. became the producer of the dolls with Charlotte overseeing their production. Charlotte finally retired in 1958.
These early 20th-century, plush velveteen Mickey and Minnie Mouse dolls, or the Mickey Mouse McCall’s Pattern itself, can be found in a box in an attic, or home’s basement. True Disney Treasure!
Always remember “If you can dream it, you can do it”-Walt Disney
No matter if a Mickey Mouse doll is available or not-You can tell by the way I’m dressed: I’m a Mouseketeer!
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