MICKEY MOUSE WORLD WAR II BRITISH CHILDREN'S GAS MASK AND TIN BY HAPPYNAK.
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Winning Bid:
$3,894.00
(Includes 18% Buyer's Premium)
Bidding Ended:
Wednesday, July 31, 2024 9:00:00 PM (20 Minute Clock Begins At Wednesday, July 31, 2024 9:00:00 PM)
Item Description
7.75" tall by 4.25" dia. tin litho canister w/two metal brackets on side and bracket on top of painted tin lid, used to secure carrying cord. Canister features illustration of Mickey Mouse wearing gas mask, much to the delight of his three nephews. Canister contains nondescript child-sized gas mask, issued in Great Britain during World War II in an effort to ease children's fears regarding the looming threat of war. Tin was made in England and is marked "'Happynak' Series No. 50 - By Permission Of Walt Disney, Mickey Mouse Ltd." 1941. Happynak is most famously known for their Disney sand pail and tin items. While Mickey was looked upon as a favorable mascot for children using these gas masks, relatively few were actually produced, as the British government soon implemented metal conservation efforts for the war. Tin is complete and shows obvious aging/wear, w/scattered paint nicks/scratches and small dents. Top of lid has faintly etched text reading "Shirley Willis - 58 Rosary Rd. Erdington" (matching name/address have been etched on underside of lid as well), providing a very real touch to this iconic wartime piece. Lid and bottom rim have some scattered oxidation and top rim has some streaks of bare metal showing. VG/Fine overall. Comes w/gas mask, not known if this is the original for this tin; gas mask is marked "3297 A N.B.R. 12 37." Mask has fabric strap w/stamped "Large" size notation. Mask appears complete but shows obvious aging to rubber, which has disintegrated a bit, separating at front above breathing insert. Of note, some of these mask models contained asbestos. Mask is not to be confused w/the model issued in a generic box w/o Disney graphics. The mask and canister offered here are extremely rare and the first we've offered in our 57 years. One of the most unusual Mickey items and an eerie reflection of the time, this is a much talked about item in Disneyana collecting circles but one that rarely comes up for sale.
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