Rambling Mickey Mouse Toy & Original Box, ca. 1934

Appraised on: July 17, 1999

Appraised in: Des Moines, Iowa

Appraised by: Bill Bertoia

Category: Toys & Games

Episode Info: Wild Things (#916)

Originally Aired: December 19, 2005

IMAGE: 1 of 1  

Appraisal Video: (2:11)

GUEST: I was born in 1928, and this was given to me as a gift when I was about seven years old. And it somehow did not get destroyed.

APPRAISER: Let me tell you a little bit about it. This Mickey Mouse toy was made in Japan. It's called "Rambling Mickey" because there's walking action. It's a rather scarce toy in this condition due to the factors it incorporates clockwork mechanism and celluloid. It was made and patented in 1934, although Walt Disney originally put the patent dates for Mickey toys in Germany and in Japan in 1928 and '30. By '34, he was producing quite a bit. Steamboat Willie had come out in 1928-- the year you were born. And by 1934, when this toy was made, they were in large productions-- a very cheaply-made toy at that point in time. Most of your Japanese imports only sold from 39 cents to a dollar. This particular toy sold for 69 cents. It's reflected on the box. It was brought into the country by a company that was the distributor out in New York named George Borgfeld, and they were the licensing agent that brought in toys from Germany and Japan for Walt Disney. Fabulous condition for this toy. Usually it's broken, usually it's been faded. This one has the original box, which is very important to the value. This particular Rambling Mickey is most likely the best one I've ever seen. There are very few to begin with with original boxes. And this toy today, if it was to be sold at auction, would go for $6,000 to $8,000.

GUEST: $6,000 to $8,000?

APPRAISER: $6,000 to $8,000.

GUEST: That's unbelievable. For a 69-cent toy. That's fabulous.