Posted 6 years ago
dhhirsch
(13 items)
I've got a relatively small collection of character watches and I mainly like early stuff (1930s through 1950s). Recently, I've been obsessed with early Mickey Mouse watches. I've been on eBay as a collector since December 1997, although my watch collecting has been more recent (I used to collect George Washington related memorabilia...). My approach has been to google things, and follow auctions and study the best I can using internet resources...
I was wondering if anyone could recommend any reference books on Mickey Mouse watches? I have the Hake book on Mickey Mouse Collectibles. I also have The Mickey Mouse Watch by Heide and Gilman and have been disappointed at the lack of detail. It doesn't even distinguish between early 1933 Mickey Mouse watches with wire lugs and later ones, or even mention some of the distinguishing characteristics of the earliest ones, like the size of the 5 and 7 or the second hand three Mickey's without the pointer, much less the wire lug case. I also have Character & Novelty Clocks & Watches by Jim & Merlyn Collings, which is useful, although the pricing in it seems a bit crazy.
Anyway, I'm hoping for something with more detailed information. Any suggestions would be appreciated...
Thanks,
David
Cute pieces!
Wow! Nice watch... what company made this one? Certificate and all. Very cool!
The watches were made by Ingersoll...
Hello dhhirsch, 3 books that I have are Time to Rewind a guide to collecting Disneyana Ingersoll wrist watches 1933-1939 by R.H.Farber, Collecting comic character clocks and watches by Howard Brenner, and vintage American & European character wrist watch price guide. The prices in any of these books are mostly the authors opinion and are not up to current pricing. As with my collection of Disney primarily watches and clocks (825+ watches 125+ clocks) I will pay what I feel it is worth to me at the time and if I can afford it and what it bad enough I will own it! The prices go up and down as do the stock market and with supply and demand. I have watches I paid over 500.00 for before the internet that are selling for 150.00 to 300.00 now. if you are going to collect only with resale in mind then you have to shop more and maybe be able to repair the watches or clocks so you would be able to buy them cheaper then you could profit on resale. I am still collecting and not ready to sell yet but when I do I feel I will make some profit on some and loose on others as some that I bought 30 years ago are up in value now. I also buy more of the same watches so I will have 3 or more of the same watch so I might have more in the 1st watch than I pay for the others like it so if you take an average of 3 or more then you are invested less in each watch Hope this helps and I am looking forward to seeing more of your collectin
Mickeysmagic, thank you so much for the very informative response about the books and your insights into collecting Mickey Mouse watches. I collect based on what interests me and not for resale. I do try to get a sense of prices and what's reasonable to pay, based on following eBay auctions (I've been on eBay since December 1997)and looking at other internet sites. I used to collect George Washington related memorabilia and did so for over 25 years. I sold the bulk of my collection in 2010, which included over 400 early medals and tokens dating from when Washington was alive up to the 1860s, as well as a large range of other collectible genres (pottery, prints and engravings. rare textiles, almanacks and much more). I more than made up for what I paid. In the end, I'm a collector and enjoy the hunt and learning about what I collect, and try not to worry too much about the money I put into it, since in the long run it will take care of itself (or my heirs will just have to deal with inheriting lots and lots of stuff...)...
Thanks for responding look forward to communicating more and seeing more of your collection. feel free to ask any question I would love to help if I can. Mickey
BTW, looks like" Time to Rewind a guide to collecting Disneyana Ingersoll wrist watches 1933-1939 by R.H.Farber" is out of print and not available on any of the used book sites (Addall, Abebooks, etc.). It looks like the one I want. Hopefully, I'll be able to find a copy at some point...
Hey David sorry about the book I know that Vintage Character Watches had one for sale last year maybe they still have one or can get one for you I have bought watches from them nice people. If not I could take photos of mine and send to you would take some time as there are 84 pages good luck Mickey
I really appreciate the generous offer to take photos of the book, but its really too much to ask of you to do. 84 pages is a lot. It's really extremely kind of you to offer, but I can't ask you to do something like that...
Is Vintage Character Watches the eBay seller who goes by barbwhyr40? I did see he had sold a copy last year (I found the listing when I was googling...). I've never actually bought anything from him, but have seen his many listings. I think he also sells stuff under the seller name findingtime. I recall there was a Vintage Character Watches website that had a lot of great information, but I don't think its still online, or at least I can't find it.
Just shot a message to barbwhyr40 asking if he had another copy, or could suggest where to find one. I'll keep my fingers crossed...
David
Hey mickeysmagic,
I managed to score a copy of Time to Rewind a guide to collecting Disneyana Ingersoll wrist watches 1933-1939 by R.H.Farber. It's definitely what I was looking for. Lots of great information and pictures. Very helpful as far as learning more about the differences between the various versions of Mickey Mouse watches from the early days...
Thanks,
David
You are very welcome David glad I could help, looking forward to seeing more of your collection. Its a lot more fun when you can communicate with someone that is collecting in the same field and have the same likes. Sorry I did not answer sooner but I just saw your message today . Good luck in collecting, Mickey