RARE SPANISH VERSION MICKEY MOUSE PICNIC SAND PAIL.
Item Description
6.5" tall tin litho. Made by ASAM with their mark by seam along w/Disney copyright. 1930s. Exceptional wraparound scene depicts Mickey Mouse playing guitar, Clarabelle Cow dancing, Minnie Mouse cooking pancakes over a campfire, Goofy climbing a tree while Horace Horsecollar watches Pluto going after a beehive. Same art that appears on the US pail by Ohio Art, but that is 7" tall w/a platform base. A 6" version was also made in Chile (shown in Wengel's Sand Toys book) but the Spanish language title on that reads "Picnic Del Raton Mickey" while title on the one offered here reads "Jira Campestre De Minnie Y Mickey." Both translate as Mickey (and Minnie) "Picnic." ASAM acquired the machinery, designs, etc. from the toy factory "La Isla" after the death of Rogelio Sanchis in 1936. Top of pail a bit out of round. Moderate scattered wear/age w/some paint scratches and tiny dents. Still retains a glossy appearance and color is deep and rich. Fine. An extreme Disney sand pail rarity and the only example known to Hake's. Comes w/two ASAM company letters dated 1936 and 1941 which do not relate to this pail but reference the Spanish Civil War and are nice compliments nonetheless. Letters read as follows -
Oct.17, 1936
"We have in front of us your esteemed postcard dated October 2, of whose content we have been informed, greatly congratulating us that you have come out well from the events of that square; we are also well thanks to the liberation of this square by our glorious army national.
Your pleasing request will be completed next Monday, the date on which we start our normal work again. Greeting you very kindly, we are pleased to be at your service."
Jan. 2, 1941
"I have received your pleasant letter from last 31st, of which I have been informed, leaving me to express my thanks for your intervention in favor of my brother-in-law Segundo Ceciaga. Our common friend Ramón already has informed me extensively on the matter. Following his instructions, I am going to detail below, information that interests you about my aforementioned brother-in-law. Arrest: he was taken prisoner in Santoña and tried in an emergency summary in that square on September 17, 1937, under file number 1 of Santander. Name of the investigating judge - Don Angel Serrano. Sentence: Life imprisonment. In review of the case held in the month of May 1940 in Santander, his sentence was reduced to 6 years and one day, but from Madrid in particular they tell me that what was presented for the signature of the most excellent Minister of War has been reducing the penalty to 6 days and removing the day. I do not know what will be true in this demonstration. My brother-in-law was transferred more than two years ago to the Puerto de Santa María prison where he is still in prison. He was a lieutenant in the separatist army and as the bosses did not dare to take up a rifle, because one thing was to preach and another to do things, the bosses offered the stripes and stars of their uniforms to these peasants who, like neither brother-in-law, could not even read, he was uneducated. He has no complaint whatsoever from the local or provincial authorities. If he needs any more information, he can sue me. A greeting from his friend."
