Over at the Emporium on Main Street, U.S.A., in Magic Kingdom, an Oswald the Lucky Rabbit jersey is available.
This new offering arrives as the full Disney100 Oswald collection is now available in the parks. We have all of the photos, prices, and details available for each item right here.
Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Jersey – $59.99
This new shirt consists of alternating blue and white stripes, with Oswald himself in the top right and his namesake emblazoned on the chest.
The back features the same stripes, with our Lucky Rabbit apparently ripping through the shirt to poke his head out of the number 27.
1927 was the year in which Oswald the Lucky Rabbit debuted to the world, first appearing in the short “Trolley Troubles.”
Envisioned by Walt himself and animator Ub Iwerks, this character was one of the very first Disney characters to have a personality, as well as the first to see major success. The Alice Comedies certainly garnered a strong reputation of hits, but its star was a real person placed on an animated background. This time around, the animation was the star.
At the time, Walt Disney did not have the means nor the notoriety to distribute his own art or wield absolute creative control. In a 1928 business deal largely favoring the distributor (Universal), Disney lost the rights to Oswald entirely when he decided to walk away from the partnership, while the majority of his animators stayed behind. This event ultimately led to the creation of Mickey Mouse on the train ride home from New York City, a new replacement star who’d remain under strict in-house ownership and hopefully at least catch similar financial sustenance.
The rest is history.
Mickey Mouse became a global phenomenon, the mascot of the entire Disney universe of stories and projects, and a household name with 95 years of continuous relevance.
The Walt Disney Company remained separated from its original animated character until 2006 when the rights to the character were exchanged for sports broadcaster Al Michaels being transferred from ABC and ESPN to NBC Sports.
This Lucky Rabbit is certainly a cornerstone of Disney history and will likely continue to be celebrated through merchandise, experiences, and media as the 100th anniversary festivities enter the spotlight. 94 years after the last Oswald cartoon with Walt Disney’s direct involvement, Walt Disney Animation Studios has even produced a new animated short celebrating this character’s legacy as one of the original Disney Bros. success stories.
From his original comeback in the “Epic Mickey” series of video games up to now, Oswald is decidedly back in the Disney fold, with more adventures likely to come.
Would we find you around Walt Disney World wearing a pair of mouse ears or rabbit ears? Which piece of Lucky Rabbit merchandise are you most excited about right now? Let us know in the comments.
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