EARLY & VERY RARE "ASI" 1954/56 "Disneyland" Park Souvenir

Description: EARLY & VERY RARE. Highly collectable first supplier of Disneyland souvenirs, short lived, "ASI" 1954 - '56 Disneyland Park Souvenir Apron w/Tinker Bell. Vintage, (as new), never worn or used and retains it’s original label and was hand decorated using color fast. Approximate size, waist band 15", two ties 18" each, 20 1/2" length, and 26" wide at the bottom.. Copy and past, Disneyland souvenir ASI trademark logo, to learn more about ASI, Disneyland, and collectability. Notable is the absence of "Main Street U.S.A." which is often included when displaying the four "Lands".(AP006) American Souvenirs Inc. also known as ASI, supplied many of Disneyland's first in park souvenirs. It's an important, historic detail that has been a great help for many avid Disneyana Collectors. The ASI story started with Cornelius Vanderbilt "C. V." Wood, or "Woody", before the Original Disneyland Park even opened. Woody was hired by Walt and Roy Disney aka the Disney brothers in 1954. C. V. became Disneyland's vice president, general manager of the Disneyland project and Disneyland's first employee. He worked closely with the Disney Brothers particularly Roy Disney and hired some of Disneyland's other early employees: set designers, artists, special effects technicians, talent and suppliers. Among them he hired "Brett Smithers and Bill Vanburgh in the form of a contract to provide Disneyland with souvenirs. Though Smithers and Vanburgh had absolutely no experience with either amusement parks or souvenirs, they hastily incorporated a new business, named American Souvenirs, Inc., and a few days later possessed a contract, signed by C. V. Wood, to be the exclusive provider of trinket souvenirs to both Disneyland itself and the various leased stores inside the park.... Woody justified his decision by claiming one distributor was necessary for the "strictest control of the source, appearance, quality and design" of souvenirs...". Things went well for a time, ASI souvenirs were made and readied for the park. But soon evidence that the agreement had serious issues went public. Based on published accounts and court filings, shortly after the park opened, Wood and the Disney’s parted ways. The fate of American Souvenirs Inc. appeared to be much the same as they filed suit in early 1956 claiming contract problems that began before the park even opened. Because of this short-lived relationship, collectors with an appreciation for the Original Disneyland Park and its "opening day" souvenirs, have a key mark by which to date these desirable early souvenirs. It's a small ASI logo that tells them they have found a very early and very collectable bit of history featuring the As pictured on this page, the ASI mark is a triangular logo or hallmark, shaped in a rounded triangle much like the Disneyland railroad track and berm that bordered the original Disneyland park. The center of the logo features the letters "ASI" for American Souvenirs Inc. cascading down the inside left of the triangle. A welcome sight of beauty for those Disneyana Fans who have long searched for it. (Note: For attribution, relative / chronological dating purposes, AMERICAN SOUVENIRS, INC. incorporation date was 07/21/1954, the contract with the Disney brothers was reportedly signed July 24, 1954 and the suit between ASI and Disney was filed on Monday, March 26, 1956, sometime after the parties' dispute began, some knowledgeable people have said that the agreement had, in principle, ended before the park even opened giving ASI trademarked merchandise a pre-opening date of manufacture by default.) CONDITIONNEAR MINT/ MINT "AS-NEW" - Unused and retains original "ASI" label. Bright colors, solid graphics, label intact and undamaged, and the fabric is solid and is without any issues. Very minor storage discoloration is present in areas noted in images. Please ask questions and review details prior to bidding and thank you for your interest.

Price: 86 USD

Location: Borrego Springs, California

End Time: 2024-11-04T15:41:11.000Z

Shipping Cost: N/A USD