A fabulous, early Dean’s Rag book Minnie Mouse, with silver ID button and reg. number printed on her neck c.1930s. Minnie is in stunning original condition, and stands 15cm (6″) high on carded feet – the smallest of eight sizes first produced, and priced at 1/6d. As with her co-star Mickey of the era, Minnie’s body is constructed on a wired, patented Evripose system, enabling her to bend into a variety of poses, namely her legs, as her arms are floppy, and her is head fixed.

Kapok-stuffed,  she’s made of  ‘Fluffidown’ velveteen, with felt ears and hands. Her upper feet are also velveteen with twill cloth soles, while her facial features are printed, apart from those stunning, shiny black glass eyes. Minnie also has a very long black tail, and her linen bloomers (now a little age-soiled) are an integral part of her body.

There’s a small sewn seam repair to her right upper leg, where the wire had pushed through, otherwise Minnie is tickety-boo. Her skirt and wacky felt hat (with a worn back-painted glass eye on a wire!) are likely to be old replacements, but suit her very well, and she’s a most wonderful, expressive character with that giant grin.