1933 Ice Cream Mickey

Mouse Cones “Dollars”

In 1932, merchandising executive Herman “Kay” Kamen contacted Walt Disney with a proposal to promote Mickey Mouse in a fresh and innovative way. Shortly thereafter, he signed a contract designating himself as the company’s sole licensing representative. Over the following years, Kamen collaborated closely with Disney, helping to license thousands of Mickey Mouse products. According to D23, these items were part of a promotional campaign that began in 1933. The campaign featured a “Mickey Mouse Cones” bill that allowed children to obtain ice cream at their local Mickey Mouse Clubs, thereby promoting both Mickey Mouse and Southern Dairies Ice Cream. The bills appear to have been produced in two color variations—red, purple,blue and green—and were issued in denominations of 1, 5, and 10 cents.