Walt Disney’s legacy extends beyond animation and theme parks; it includes a fascinating history of character merchandise. Among the treasures at The Walt Disney Family Museum is a unique Cartier Money Clip owned by Walt Disney himself, featuring Dopey from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. This piece, along with a matching Cartier bracelet owned by Lillian Disney, offers a glimpse into the early days of Disney merchandising and the luxury associated with the brand.
The Disney-Cartier Collaboration
In 1937, Cartier crafted a special collection of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs jewelry. Lillian Disney wore a stunning gold and enamel charm bracelet, featuring Snow White and each of the seven dwarfs, to the film’s premiere at Carthay Circle Theater. Walt Disney also possessed a piece from this exclusive collection: a Dopey money clip, also made of high-quality gold and enamel. These items weren’t mere trinkets; they represented some of the most luxurious pieces in a line of Disney merchandise aimed at both children and adults.
The Rise of Disney Merchandise
The creation of these Cartier pieces coincided with the burgeoning success of Disney’s character merchandising program, spearheaded by Kay Kamen. Starting in 1932, Kamen built a vast empire of licensed Disney products. By 1937, with the release of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, a wide array of merchandise featuring Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, the Three Little Pigs, and other beloved characters was already available.
Kamen recognized the holiday release of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs as a prime opportunity to promote Disney products as gifts. The film’s merchandise encompassed a diverse range, from neckties and linens to radios, shoes, toys, jewelry, records, and sheet music.
Kamen’s Vision for Quality
Kamen emphasized not only the breadth of the Disney product line but also its quality. He believed that the merchandise should reflect the high standards of Walt Disney’s films. In a 1938-1939 catalog, he stated that maintaining the superior quality of Disney merchandise was a responsibility that went “beyond the strictly commercial aspects.”
A Legacy of Character Merchandise
The Cartier money clip and bracelet are just two examples of the extensive Disney character merchandise that has been produced over the decades. The Walt Disney Family Museum showcases a variety of items from the 1930s to the 1950s, including Mickey Mouse products and memorabilia from popular television shows like Davy Crockett, The Mickey Mouse Club, and Zorro. The Cartier money clip serves as a reminder of the early days of this enduring legacy and the enduring appeal of Disney characters. It symbolizes the intersection of Disney magic and high-end craftsmanship, solidifying the company’s position not only in entertainment but also in the world of consumer products. The Cartier money clip, a seemingly small item, holds a significant piece of Disney history.
