The Many Faces of Mickey Mouse

By Stephen Watson
March 8, 2011

Since 1928, Walt Disney’s beloved Mickey Mouse has been a universally recognized pop culture motif. From his initial debut in the classic cartoon feature “Steamboat Willie” to his most recent appearance in the slightly sinister “Epic Mickey” video game for the Wii, he's had starring roles in countless movies, cartoons and amusement park rides. And let's not forgetting the licensing—from Mickey Mouse t-shirts to watches to toys, there probably isn’t a product that hasn’t featured his indelible image at some point.

Walt Disney Animations Steamboat Willie (provided by YouTube)

But it's not just Mickey Mouse merchandise. As a pop icon, his trademark features have been interpreted and subverted by fashion designers and artists for years. From ultra-valuable Andy Warhol canvases to a brand new Banksy’s street art billboard in Los Angeles (created for the street artist's Oscar nomination for his work on a documentary film and already torn down), Mickey Mouse has to be the most recognized cartoon character on the planet.

Blogger Bryanboy attends the Lanvin for H&M Haute Couture Show (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Staff); A model waits backstage prior to the Unique Show at London Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2011(Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images)

His influence has even turned up on London’s fashion runways: Topshop Unique's Fall 2011 collection featured Mickey Mouse-influenced hair and makeup. And fashion blogger Bryan Boy, who is certainly not known for his subtlety, featured the Mickey Mouse fashion trends back in November at a presentation for the Lanvin for H&M fashion collection in Manhattan.

A recent trip to Japan had me seeing mouse ears everywhere (full disclosure: I’m totally obsessed). New, collectible toy versions of Mickey Mouse (and friends) are available from the ubiquitous sidewalk vending machines and have to be seen to be believed. Distorted with hard lines and angular edges, “Cubic Mouth” as it is known, is almost a nightmarish version of the beloved Disney characters. Reminiscent of some of the very early Mickey toys available on eBay, the strange looking cubist-style toys feature blank eyes and bizarre oversize rectangular mouths. Pieces are just starting to appear on eBay, and more will surely show up as the toys gain in popularity.

Another version of Mickey Mouse merchandise I discovered at the trendiest men's clothing stores in Japan was much more classically inspired, but no less cool: the Disney Jam Home Made Secret Mickey watch has a Mickey dial with simple, but clever features. The Type 1 chrono style features multiple sub-dials where rotation slowly reveals the Mickey design. The Type 2 style features a Mickey face with ever-changing cartoon eyes that go from squinting to color hearts to winks.

In the past 30, online auction listings for Mickey Mouse merchandise on eBay are up 13 percent and sales are up 10 percent compared to the prior period.

Here, the best of our browse-athon through over 68,000 items available for sale on eBay.

Roll over items for details

Disney Epic Mickey Wii

(buy it now price, $42)

Andy Warhol "Mickey Mouse" Screenprint Signed

(buy it now price, $250,000)

Mickey Mouse 1935 Disney Orig Movie Poster

(buy it now price, $19,995)

New Cubic Mouth Mickey Mouse Tin Coin Bag

(buy it now price, $9.99)

Mickey Mouse Teamboat Willie 10' Wooden Figure Bank

(buy it now price, $9.99)

Disney Jam Secret Mickey Watch

(buy it now price, $538)

Ingerosll Kissing Mickey & Minnie Pocket Watch Disney

(buy it now price, $799.95)

Vintage Disney Mickey Mouse T-Shirt Yellow

(buy it now price, $120)

New Disney X Bape Nigo Mickey & Minnie Dolls

(buy it now price, $3,000)

Vtg The Art Of Walt Disney Mickey Mouse Serigraph

(buy it now price, $75)

Vtg Classic Mickey Mouse Disney Gray Sweatshirt

(buy it now price, $49.95)

Sega Cubic Mouth Parody Mickey Mouse Plush Doll

(buy it now price, $9.99)

Vintage Ingersoll Mickey Mouse Wrist Watch 1930's w/box

(current bid, $346.18)

Mickey Mouse Howard Finster Painting Folk Art Disney

(buy it now price, $6,599.99)

1. At $250,000 this Andy Warhol Mickey Mouse screenprint is the most expensive of the Mickey Mouse merchandise on eBay right now.

2. Japanese cult streetwear label Bathing Ape (BAPE) created these highly collectible dolls.

3. The "Epic Mickey" video game for the Wii is one of Mickey's most new wave incarnations.

4. A vintage Mickey Mouse t-shirt is a hipster's (or collector's) dream.

5. The new "Cubic Mouth" Mickey is a big hit in Japan right now.

6. Mickey's look has evolved since his first appearance in the 1928 Walt Disney cartoon "Steamboat Willie."

7. A vintage pocket watch show's Mickey's softer side.

8. An original Mickey Mouse movie poster from 1935 is a true piece of pop art.

9. All the rage at Japanese menswear shops, the new Disney Jam Home Made Secret Mickey watch Type 2 features a Mickey face with ever-changing cartoon eyes that go from squinting to color hearts to winks.

10. Another "Cubic Mouth" Mickey—this time in the form of a plush doll.

11. A classic Mickey Mouse sweatshirt should make a trip through everyone's wardrobe at least once.

12. This vintage Mickey Mouse wristwatch from the 1930s comes with its original box.

13. Artist Howard Finster puts a folk art spin on the iconic Mickey Mouse image.

14. This promotional Mickey Mouse poster for a 1973 book features Mickey in the act of painting.

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