Featured Mickey Mouse Inkwell

I was wondering, is anyone familiar with this Mickey Mouse inkwell that I have? I've searched, but haven't been able to find another example. It's made of Bakelite (or some other early plastic), with brass tray and painted glass ink bottle. Note the matching pen, missing its nib. I would be grateful if anyone could give me an idea of when it would date to (I'm thinking early 1930's). Thanks!

 

I think you have something very special here. Sorry, I can't help with id, but it seems with the exaggerated facial features, your guess of early '30s would be right.
I wonder if the logo on the shirt will help pin down where and when this was made, it almost looks like an inverted peace sign.

 

"Logo on shirt" is the steering wheel! And, unfortunately, missing lid.

Debora

 

Yes, I see the steering wheel concept now, when I look at the piece assembled with the inkwell in place.

 

Peace, Man

 

maybe this video can give you some clues?

 

I love it, @David Askett! I'm no expert... But thinking towards later 30s.

Thats hilarious music on your video, @blooey.

My pop was a member of the Mickey Mouse club. Not the TV version!

Local kids joined the club and entertained during intermission at the local matinee, late 20s and early 30s

My dad and aunt belonged in Coalinga, CA. For some reason, he didn't love singing our favorite, "Minnie's Yoo Hoo," but my aunt would do it, no problem

 

Thank you for the replies. I’ve been doing some research and it seems this style of Mickey, with gloves, eyebrows and pie-slice eyes appeared in cartoons in 1929-30, and in newspaper comic strips between 1929-39. So, either way, he dates to sometime in the 1930’s.

If there was a lid to the ink pot, now missing, what do we think it would it have looked like? I’d like to find a replacement. I’m guessing it was a pretty simple brass lid, painted red, but that’s just a guess.

 

I agree... It really fun and snazzy

 

'Spect the lid was square red plastic to match the base. (It would mimic car hood.) But if your item rare enough, the fact it's missing isn't going to matter that much.

Debora

 

Any markings on pen? Does it still have its bladder?

Debora

 

Pen is very simple, @Debora, with no markings that I can see. This set was obviously intended to be used by a child.

 

This makes sense, @Debora. Doubt I’ll be able to find a suitable replacement for such a lid, though. ☹️

 

I think it used removable/replaceable nibs, so no bladder.

 

Been a while since I used a fountain pen but... Aren't nibs and bladders separate components?

Debora

 

This would be what’s called a “dip pen” - hence the glass jar of ink to frequently dip the metal nib of the pen into - and not a “fountain pen”, which had an ink reservoir (the “bladder” you mention). Both had nibs, that did the actual writing.

 

@Debora You must have gone to primary school long after I did! - We used dip pens like this one and desks had inkwells in the corners - this was in the 50's in the UK ..

 

could this be home made...?

 

A dip pen! Never used such a thing but... thanks for the information. (Makes sense.)

Debora

 

I really don’t think so. The colour and material of the pen match the ink well perfectly, and I can’t see somebody going to the trouble of making a dip pen from scratch.