Santa / Mickey Lionel hand car

Box top for Lionel product #1105, the Santa/Mickey hand car, manufactured in 1935.

In May 1934 the Lionel Corporation went into receivership. In June Disney merchandising rep Herman "Kay" Kamen licensed Lionel to produce a toy train. Based on the contract, Lionel was allowed to borrow $350-thousand from the bank, with the proviso the company repay the loan by January 1935.

The toy train in question turned out to be a tin wind-up hand car featuring Mickey Mouse on one side, and Minnie Mouse on the other pumping the handles. Lionel reported sales of some 250,000 units in the first four months alone.

Lionel brochure showing the company's first Disney product (the Mickey/Minnie hand car), their second (the Donald/Pluto hand car), and their rarest (the Santa/Mickey hand car). Image courtesy hakes.com

By November 1934 Lionel had repaid their loan and by the end of the year had settled all of their outstanding accounts with creditors. Lionel executives credited their Disney line with having saved the comapny from bankruptcy. Lionel went on to produce a Mickey Mouse circus set, Donald Duck / Pluto hand car and the rarest of all in their Disney line, a Mickey Mouse / Santa hand car.

I will write more about Lionel and their success as a Disney licensee at a later date, but in the meantime, enjoy these images of one of the rarest 1930s Disney toys to exist.

As Santa pumped the hand car around the track, Mickey peeked out from his sack. The Christmas tree and Santa pieces were made of a composition material. Due to the seasonal nature of the toy, production was limited.

While he does appear to be smiling, Mickey looks to be hanging on for dear life...