Q : My parents used to buy these ceramic art pieces each Christmas, with each year depicting a specific Disney scene. I think these pieces were approved (and licensed) by Disney each year. When did these pieces stop being produced? I would like to buy my parents whatever version they don’t have (they have most between 1981 and 1995) but cannot find any information about these pieces (what they are called, who made them, etc.). Any guidance would be great.
Erik, Alexandria, Virginia
A: Grolier produced Disney Christmas figurines made of bisque, a chalky ceramic, for each year from 1979 to 2007. Perhaps these are the ones to which you are referring. They were all limited editions, with the edition size (and price) going up as the years went on. The 1979 figurine sold for $29.95; the 1988 one for $50.
Q : Several years ago, while vacationing in Germany, I came across a sign being sold at a flea market. The metal sign is approximately 8″ by 18″ and includes a color drawing of Mickey Mouse in a car with a road sign nearby that says “350 M. to” with the dominating words “UNSURPASSED in mileage” followed by a logo with “NU-BLUE SUNOCO.” At the bottom is the phrase “IN TESTS AGAINST 14 EXTRA PRICED FUELS – MARCH, 1940.” Of course I purchased it. I would imagine that it was originally an American sign, but I know nothing else about it. Can you help?
Jim, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
A: Sun Oil Company of Philadelphia was a Disney licensee from 1938 to 1946, using the Disney characters to promote their Sunoco products on signs, postcards, blotters, etc.
Q : My very first stuffed animal was an Eeyore. He was given to me at the hospital and has been a constant companion ever since. I am told he belonged to my aunt before me. He is made of furry cloth and has felt features. Interestingly, he is stuffed with ground nutshells and shredded clippings. I’m wondering if you had any idea as to when he may have been manufactured? It would be nice to know more about my Eeyore that spurred my love of Disney.
Jodi, Gainesville, Florida
A: There have been many different plush versions of Eeyore; without knowing the name of the manufacturer and approximate date, it would be hard to find information about yours. The character first appeared in a Disney film in Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree in 1966.
Q : I found a souvenir postcard pack from opening year at Walt Disney World. It includes “26 Colorful Photos of The Vacation Kingdom” from Walt Disney World. The original price listed is $0.35. Some of the included are The Polynesian Village, Fantasy In The Sky fireworks spectacular, and the Magnolia Golf Course, home of the PGA-Walt Disney Open. I was wondering what the current value of this collectible is.
Eileen, Emerson, New Jersey
A: One is on eBay right now with a “buy it now” price of $4.97.
Q : I am hoping you can help me with finding out the history of a Disney record I recently acquired. The record is titled Disney’s Family Reunion and includes a 12-page, illustrated lyric book. According to the sleeve, the record is “Presented by Kraft in celebration of Disneyland’s 25th Anniversary.” Was this record released by Disney, or was it simply licensed to Kraft?
David, Fairfield, California
A: This LP record album was released in 1979, and it is indeed a Disney product, created for Kraft Foods to use as a promotion. The catalog number was DL-3518.
Q : I seem to have trouble locating information on the composition figures that were merchandised with the Ferdinand the Bull film. I have two figures; one appears to be the matador and the other possibly his sword handler, which I believe was supposed to be Ward Kimball. Both are composition, posable, and clothed, but none of the Disney guidebooks seem to list them. Even Hake’s omits these, so what do I have here?
Dave, Torrance, California
A: We do not know which ones you have, but supposedly Knickerbocker, Ideal, and Crown toy companies all made composition figures from that film.
Q : Several years ago my wife and I bought a Disney fire extinguisher at an antique show. We were told that it was from the early days of Disneyland. The extinguisher is about 14 inches long and gold in color. On the front of the extinguisher, it says a tribute to Disney and has a picture of Mickey. It appears authentic, but recently a friend told us he thinks it is a fake. Do you know whether or not fire extinguishers of this type were ever used by Disney?
Darryl, Steger, Illinois
A: This is indeed a fake; the fire extinguishers have been around for about 40 years. The plaque was made up without the Disney Company’s permission from various sources, and can also be found separate from the fire extinguisher.