Flashback Friday! Who was Kay Kamen?

Happy Friday, Buzz Readers!

Today I’d like to take you back in time to the very beginning of The Walt Disney Company, almost 10 years after two brothers, Walt and Roy, moved to California to realize their dream of creating a successful animation studio.

It was 1932, and Walt Disney was in need of a knowledgeable, skilled employee to take the reins on the character merchandising division of Walt Disney Enterprises. Former retail hat merchant Herman “Kay” Kamen’s impressive track record for introducing new products preceded him, and soon enough he was personally selected by Walt to serve as the Company’s sole licensing representative.

Walt Disney and Kay Kamen hard at work on Disney merchandising!

A mere 3 years later in 1935, Mickey Mouse products were an unrivaled force, becoming the top sellers in 50 to 60 major department stores. Numbering in the thousands, this merchandise, ranging from books and toys to household products, was vital in bringing Walt’s fledgling Studio the funds to bring Disney Magic to life. With the help of Kay’s merchandising work, Walt was able to produce exquisite animation pieces like the full-length feature Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.  

 Kamen produced his first catalog of Disney merchandise in 1934. Seven other catalogs were issued in 1935, 1936-37, 1938-39, 1940-41, 1947-48 and 1949-50. 

One of Kay’s most prominent accomplishments for Disney merchandising was a deal he arranged with the Ingersoll-Waterbury Clock Company. On its way to bankruptcy, the watch manufacturing company was saved when it connected with Kamen to place Mickey Mouse on watches and clocks. Introduced at the Chicago “Century of Progress” 1933 World’s Fair, Mickey Mouse watches became a monumental success. 

On one day, Macy’s in New York sold a record of 11,000 of the timepieces. What an amazing feat! Today, these watches and clocks are some of the most sought-after Disney Collectibles. Here atDisney Store we continue the tradition of Mickey Mouse watches with a number of timepieces that pay homage to Kay’s “timely” deal!

With Kay’s superb licensing skills, Mickey Mouse and other Disney Characters like Donald Duck, Pinocchio, and the Seven Dwarfs found themselves on not only toys and books, but on food products, too! Companies paid large sums to be associated with these Disney stars. In 1934, General Foods paid $1 million for the right to place cut-outs of Walt’s Mouse companion on the back of cereal boxes. Still today you can see Kay’s work, with Disney characters gracing the packaging of healthy food products in stores everywhere!

Kay Kamen changed the face of the entire licensing industry with the face of the world’s most beloved Mouse! His legacy in Disney merchandising is little known by people, but Kay’s work is integral to the magnificent success that The Walt Disney Company is today. An employee, peer, and close companion of Walt Disney, Kay is a member of the Disney family that we won’t soon forget!

What do you think of Kay’s story? Do any of you have an Ingersoll Mickey Mouse original watch? Any Disneyana collectors in our Buzz community? Tell me your stories in the comments section!

Friends and coworkers Walt Disney and Kay Kamen in 1934.

Have a fun weekend!

Liz

Comments

[Amanda]

What a nice story Liz! I really enjoyed reading about Kay and his contribution to Disney, and the world as we know it today! Keep the great stories coming! :)

[Irene]

Very interesting! I learn something new every time I read The Buzz. I love the photo's from the Disney archives. It is wonderful to go back in time with Mr. Disney and his dream.