“TIMONIUM, Md. – A pair of rare, giant display-model dolls of Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse have shattered existing auction records for a Disney toy, selling for $151,534.35 (inclusive of 15 percent buyer’s premium) in the Hake’s Americana & Collectibles auction that concluded Thursday, Sept. 27. The 44″ tall Mickey and 48″ tall Minnie were promotional items for the highly acclaimed Charlotte Clark line of dolls produced in the early 1930s. The duo was purchased by a private collector and longtime Hake’s customer.”

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Barks Art Sets Bonhams’ Record
“Carl Bark’s Moneybin series painting “Hands Off My Playthings” brought a record price for the auction house of $204,000 in the recent Bonhams and Butterfields Entertainment Auction.”

Cockrum X-Men Page Brings $25,000
“The last page of original art from Giant-Size X-Men #1 by noted artist Dave Cokrum sold for $25,000.”

Peanuts Daily, Letter Bring $50,000
“A letter from Charles Schulz, the envelope and an original Peanuts daily were sold for $50,000 in the most recent Russ Cochran Comic Art Auction.”

Buck Rogers Repeller Ray Ring Sold
“A 1936 Buck Rogers Repeller Ray Ring with Solar Scout envelope and booklet sold for $1,825.”

Frazetta Art Tops $55,000
“Frank Frazetta’s painting, “Beyond the Farthest Star,” realized $55,000 in the recent Russ Cochran Comic Art Auction.”

Rushville Republican
Published January 07, 2007
Linda Hamer Kennett

“The year was 1928 and the American movie-going public was about to discover a new hero. He was to become one of the top box office draws of the 20th century. He was well dressed, dark and handsome, as were all the leading men of the day. But there was one thing he had that set him apart from the others. He had a TAIL! His name was Mickey Mouse.”

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The most desirable Disney collectibles are the ones dating from the 1930′s. Look for markings such as George Borgfeldt’s name, as he was the first official licensed producer of Disney characters. Also Kay Kamen dates from 1933 to 1949.

The Disney mark can also be a good pointer to the age of the item. Before 1939, licensed items were marked with “Walt Disney Enterprises” or “Walter E. Disney”, or if they were produced in the U.K., “Walt Disney Mickey Mouse Ltd.”. After 1940, it was “Walt Disney Productions”.

As Disney items from the 1930′s to the 1950′s are becoming more difficult for collectors to find, items from the 60′s onward can be a collectible trend to watch. If purchasing such items, go for the ones that are in the closest to mint condition for future investment potential. Small limited editions of recent properties like the Lion King are another area to watch.

Some recently sold items on eBay (for April, 2006 – prices in U.S. dollars):

- DISNEY FIRST “MICKEY MOUSE BOOK” 1930 BIBO & LANG – $1,800.00
- 1930 DISNEY MICKEY MINNIE MOUSE GOLF TOOTHBRUSH HOLDERS – $995.00
- WALT DISNEY ORIGINAL 1952 CHECK – $1,127.00
- 1938 MARX DISNEY DOPEY TIN WIND UP TOY WALKER & BOX – $810.00
- VINTAGE MICKEY & MINNIE MOUSE SLED FLEXIBLEFLYER – $660.00

Browse the vintage (pre-1968) Disneyana listings here on eBay >>