Vintage Cereal Container Appraisal

Vintage Nabisco Mickey Mouse Puppets Cereal Container / Bank

This item is a vintage plastic container, likely serving as both a cereal dispenser and a coin bank, featuring the iconic Disney character, Mickey Mouse. It is primarily white with black, red, and orange accents, molded from a lightweight plastic material. Mickey Mouse is depicted wearing a sailor-style hat with a red band and a white top, and a white sailor shirt with black polka dots on the body and a large red rectangular element with white dots on its 'tummy', possibly representing a pocket or design on his clothing. His face features characteristic black ears, black eyes, a black nose, and a wide friendly smile. A notable manufacturing detail is the 'Mickey Mouse' text embossed on the chest area of the container. The overall condition is described as "good," with a specific mention of a slight imperfection: "a little black off his nose," indicating minor paint loss. The container has a rounded, somewhat barrel-shaped body, tapering slightly towards the top where Mickey's head is. The bottom of the container is fitted with a metal screw-on lid. The lid has embossed text that clearly indicates its original purpose as a container for "Puppets Carmel flavored wheat puffs cereal" and identifies the manufacturer as "Nabisco," alongside a listing of the cereal's vitamins. This detail firmly places the item within the realm of promotional merchandise from the mid-20th century, likely dating to the 1950s or 1960s. The craftsmanship is typical of plastic promotional items from this era, focusing on recognizable character representation and utility rather than intricate detail. Its dual function as a cereal container and bank, combined with its promotional and character licensing aspects, makes it a collectible piece.