Early Fisher-Price pull toys reissued

Two of the earliest and most highly sought after Fisher-Price wooden pull toys have been reproduced. They are the #795 Mickey Mouse Drummer originally issued in 1937 and the #185 Donald Duck Xylophone originally issued in 1938. Both original toys in good condition sell for $400-$600; in excellent and better conditions, prices go higher. The reproductions retailed for $50-$55 each.

At first glance, the reproductions appear to be identical to originals. Both have the correct model number and Fisher-Price logo. Both are painted wood; the figures are wood with pasted paper.

On the bottoms of the new carts you will find faintly stamped "Official Reproduction" by the Fisher-Price logo (Fig. 10) But is this enough to prevent confusion? Since the features that make the originals worth so much money are the Disney figures, we think there is a potential problem of switching; taking new figures and putting them on genuinely old carts. If you are bidding on the Internet or by mail, you can't go by a photo alone. You need to ask the right questions to determine if you are buying the genuine or the reproduction.

Separating new from old

The most reliable way to separate old from new figures is by examining the trademark and Disney copyright. Near original trademarks, is "Made in USA". Reproductions are made in China and do not include USA anywhere on the cart or figure (see Figs. 6-7). On 1937-38 originals, the Disney copyright is printed with the © symbol and the words Walt Disney Enterprises; sometimes abbreviated as Ent. (Note: after about 1938 the word "Productions" replaced Enterprises). The reproductions are marked only with the copyright symbol and the word "Disney" only (see Figs. 8-9).

White areas on the new paper on reproductions fluoresce under long wave black light; original paper does not fluoresce.

You can catch new wheels by looking at the outer surface. Originals have holes; new wheels are solid (see Figs. 4-5). Size is not a reliable indicator of age for either the figures or carts; measurements of reproductions and orignals are identical.

It is unknown what other models, if any, will be reproduced in the future.

Fig. 1 Reproduction Fisher-Price Mickey Mouse Drummer. Total height 10 3/4″, Mickey alone 9″ high, cart length 9″.

Fig. 2 Original Fisher-Price Mickey Mouse Drummer. Total height 10 3/4″, Mickey alone 9″ high, cart length 9″.

Fig. 3 Original Donald Duck Xylophone (seven note version).

Fig. 4 (New) The outside surface of new wooden wheels is entirely solid. There is no hole in the center of the wheel for the axle to pass through.

Fig. 5 (Old) There is a hole in the center of the outside surfaces of old wheels. You can generally see the metal axle through the hole.

Fig. 6 Trademarks on Fisher-Price reproductions are exactly the same as on originals. Original model numbers are also used. (No. 795). However, because the reproductions are made in China, they DO NOT include "Made in USA" or American patent information. (see Fig. 7)

Fig. 7 Original Fisher-Price trademark with original model number also includes "Made in USA" and American patent information. Reproductions do not include USA anywhere on the toy.

Fig. 8 Reproductions are marked with only the circular copyright symbol and the word "Disney".

Fig. 9 1937-38 Disney copyright includes the first name WALT and the word Enterprises or its abbreviation, ENT.

Fig. 10 Very faint trademark and the words Official Reproduction stamped on the bottoms of new carts. Figures fastened to new carts with unpainted Phillips head screws.

Fig. 11 Original figures were fastened to original carts with simple nails. Nailheads were originally covered with paint although many heads have now rusted through.