Q: I have a large collection of Disney character alphabet blocks in different sizes and colors, with two colors on a block. Is there any record of what sizes and type of characters/letters and colors were produced together on a block? Some characters/letters seem to come in only two colors and others in four colors.
Bill, Mission Viejo, California
A: The primary Disney licensee for alphabet blocks was Halsam Products of Chicago, which was first licensed in 1934; they were purchased by Playskool in 1962 and Playskool continued doing the blocks at least through the 1970s (when they were sold in large cans). The Disney blocks were sold throughout these decades, with the packaging changing from time to time, but the blocks remaining pretty much the same (other than new characters being added). They were advertised as “safety blocks,” with smoothly finished sides, rounded corners and edges, and harmless lacquers. The pictures I saw of them were all two-colors.
Dave Smith