The Masketeers

The latest Art + Object catalogue arrived yesterday and has, amongst other things, a range of Disney memorabilia. What better reminder to post this incredible picture of the Mickey Mouse gasmask, made for American children during the Second World War.

The mask was first made available on January 7th, 1942 a month after Pearl Harbour. It was made by the Sun Rubber Company with approval from Walt Disney, and approximately 1,000 Mickey Mouse gas masks were produced. Unfortunately for Art + Auction few, if any have survived although, if you’re really keen, there is a hand made prototype in the US Chemical Museum in Houston.