How Much Postage?

 

Ready to Mail Jigsaw Puzzle

With the mess that the USPS is going thru right now, I'm not sure I would trust this to make it to its destination but what a great souvenir.  I love the Big D logo curved on the front and in its traditional form on the back (mailing side).
There is no registered trademark on the logo and so I am assuming this piece is from the early '70's.  It still has the original price tag on the bottom of $1.50. (less than a nice postcard today)

Original Magic Kingdom Icons

Preview Edition: Walt Disney World "The Vacation Kingdom of the World"
1970, pg 4

In the Preview Edition: Walt Disney World "The Vacation Kingdom of the World", each land was represented by their own unique icon.  These icons also appeared at the bottom of the early DP Postcard series.  If you have seen these images appear on other items, please share!  I would love to see these logos make a return to the Magic Kingdom.

Talking View-master Reels

Talking View-master Reels
The Magic Kingdom
AVA955 1973

In 1971, GAF developed the Talking View-master.  And as an official sponsor of WDW, it only made sense that they would create these Magic Kingdom reels with ''an exciting new combination of 3-D sight 'n sound."

The reels highlight all of the lands of the Magic Kingdom with the exception of Tomorrowland.  They also come with a booklet that contains a transcript of the narration.  More on that here.

100,000 Flashbulbs

Your Complete Guide to Walt Disney World
compliments of GAF
1975

General Aniline & Film (GAF) was an early sponsor of Walt Disney World.  They produced these guides for several years in the mid-70's.  This edition in my collection is from 1975.  Most of them use the stacked globe-head logo.

The brochure has a 3 panel map in the middle that shows the GAF Photo Trail and picture spots that '...have been carefully researched and selected as the best locations for taking memorable pictures.' -precursor to the Kodak Photo Spot.

Part of the 30 pages was dedicated to photo tips. My favorite: 'An Important Word About Flashbulbs: Don't try to illuminate large subjects or anything further than 12 feet away....A flash picture of the Cinderella Castle would require more than 100,000 flashbulbs!'

To see more from this guide, check out these other posts: Part 2, Part 3

Walt Disney World Sucrology

Dixie Crystals Sugar Packet

Apparently, people collect lots of interesting thing.  (Who am I to judge, right?)  But in looking for information about these items, I learned of Sucrology, "the hobby of collecting sugar sachets and/or packets."  Thank you, Wikipedia.


Here is a set of Dixie Crystals sugar packets, "The Official Sugar in Walt Disney World."  The set contains seven different packets.  Each packet has a photo from WDW on one side and the globe head logo on both.  I'm not sure when these packets were made but the images do contain the Walt Disney Productions copyright which I don't seem to find on the earlier 70's items.

The packets feature some great shots of The Magic Kingdom: The Hall of Presidents, Cinderella Castle, Rivers of America and Main Street USA, as well as The Contemporary Resort.  You can see another set of these on Flickr, posted by Sucrologist, Sugar Packet Chad.

WDW Souvenir Catalog 1

Gift Catalog
1976

This is a 12 page catalog of Walt Disney World souvenirs...a collector's dream.  It contains several must-haves for my collection.  I love the 1970's brown globe-head pattern on the background of the order form.

The mail order form reads, "Prices good until December 31, 1976."  So I guess I won't try to send it in and expect these prices.
The items from my collection,"Blue Plate Special", are shown on the back page of the catalog.  I have yet to obtain either of the cups/saucers.

Before the Hat

canvas map

So much Walt Disney World goodness, all in one image!  My wife gave me this several years ago for an anniversary and I finally got it framed.  And now I can share it with you.  The image, which is 17" x 11 1/2", has been copied onto a canvas.  I don't know anything about this piece but I can assume the date is around 1993 because Splash Mountain (1992) can be seen in the upper left-hand corner.  Since there is no Tower of Terror or Blizzard Beach, it is probably before 1994 or 1995.  And, of course, there is no Sorcerer's Hat in MGM.

Guided Without GAF

Your Complete Guide to Walt Disney World
1978

Your Complete Guide to Walt Disney World is brought to you by.....Wait a minute.  What happened to GAF?  Just last year, 1977 that is, GAF, the View-master and camera people were the sponsor of these guides.

The 29 page guide is 5 1/2"x8".  The inside cover has a Transportation Schedule and a map.  Check out the key that has icons for Motor Coaches, Monorails, etc.  But try to find them on the map?  And how far is anyone going to get on the Empress Lilly?

The first few pages have 'Helpful Information' and details for '...our Blind Guests' and 'guests in wheelchairs.'  Interesting to note: "Guests in wheelchairs may await their parties inside attractions while party members go through waiting lines."

Pages 5-13 highlight each of the Magic Kingdom lands.  Each attraction is represented with a great sketch, has a short description and the ticket required.  The middle of the guide contains two great maps, the first one, Magic Kingdom, is below.  The second half will appear next week.

Before Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom

Pluto and the Adventure of the Golden Scepter
a Little Golden Book, 1972

Before there was Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom, the current interactive role-playing game, there was Pluto and Morty Mouse setting out on a quest through the various lands of the Magic Kingdom.  This Little Golden Book from 1972 highlighted the various themed lands of this new vacation destination in Florida by sending Pluto on an adventure looking for the missing scepter of  'the King' that lived in Cinderella's Castle.  Pluto mistakes Mickey's drum major mace on Main Street, Minnie's tour guide riding crop in Tomorrowland and so on.  (I don't want to ruin the ending for you)
Since this Magic Kingdom had just opened a few months prior, the book used the Walt Disney World logo with the Florida Flag to separate itself from its sister park in California.  (Something that still confuses people today)