Oswald The Lucky Rabbit Wind-Up Toy
acquired:August 2005
circa:1930featured: Rare Acquisitions
Before Mickey Mouse, there was Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. In 1927 Walt Disney introduced a silent series of 26 cartoons featuring Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. He was the first Disney figure to be featured on character merchandise. Universal Pictures Corp. distributed the Oswald cartoon series for a year, at which time Disney, through a contract flaw, discovered he did not own the Oswald character. Disney was forced to abandon the Oswald character, developing Mickey Mouse in 1928. This rare wind-up Oswald was produced by Universal Pictures Corp. c. 1930. The figure is 13-1/2" high, 17" if the ears stand up. Oswald is complete with his original clothes and shoes. The clothes seem to be flannel with only minor soiling and no holes or tears. The light cardboard shoes, with string shoelaces, have some wear around the front edges. Oswald's face has fading on the left side. There are two 1/2" sewn areas on the top and the left side.Unfortunately, the wind-up mechanism which would allow Oswald to walk from side-to-side doesn't work. The wind-up key only turns slightly. The inside mechanism is complete.Excellent condition for this rare 75 year old toy.
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