1933 Worlds Fair Chicago Mickey Knife

[Cheshire Figment]

I received this as a gift from a tax client. It was found when clearing out her parents' house.

It appears to be stainless steel. There is no rust or dents. The plastic on both sides it attached by three rivets and is Mickey Shoe Yellow. There appears to be mo damage at all to any part of the knife and it would be considered Excellent condition, not quite mint.

Source is obvious. Anybody got any ideas of value?

A friend was telling me the Chicago Museum of History has a major World's Fair Exhibit and I am considering donating it to that museum.

The "off" color of the metal is from the camera flash, there is no rust or tarnish.

 

[WDW_lover_in_SC]

Sounds cool not to sure about what it's worth but that's a cool piece of Disney history.

 

[flyinglizard]

Hey Mike,

I'm familiar with the cheap "counterfeit" knives produced in China and made to look old with characters and Disneyland written on them. I don't think this is one of them!

Although I have never seen one like this, I'm leaning towards "genuine". Can you tell if the handle is plastic or celluloid? It looks like on the right side of the handle, there is a chunk out of it. Makes me think it is celluloid. I don't think the blade oxidation could be reproduced...

 

[Figment2]

Hey, Mike - long time no see! You are correct that the Chicago History museum has a display for the World's Fair. The museum is on North Clark St. I say this because sometimes the Field Museum is called the History Museum and it's on Lake Shore Dr.

The City used to (don't know if they still do) have a tour that was about the book "Devil in White City." As part of the tour they took us to the History Museum. It was pretty cool!

Cool Souvenir!

Cyn

 

[CarnotaurDad]

Sorry but (and I hope I am wrong) but it is a fake.

(1) It was the "World's Fair" not "World Fair". That right there is a pretty good giveaway of a knockoff.

(2) Check out the Mickey Pose and compare that to this picture of Mickey from 1933 on the official watch:
http://www.mickey.mouse-watches.com/
Not even close. Mickey was pie-eyed in 1933 and the knife Mickey has the eyes filled in. That didn't occur until later.

(3) A Google search showed an article specifically mentioning these as fake:
http://www.coxsackie.com/reference/reproalerts.htm

I really do hope I am wrong, but the evidence says they are not genuine.


(1) Here is an article actually stating there was a flood of these