Donald Duck

Donald Duck is a popular and long-running dispenser with perhaps hundreds of tiny variations.

NF 2.6 Austria stem Die-cut Donald Duck

Footed 5.9 Clubhouse Donald Duck

Dispenser Information

Based on

Walt Disney's Donald Duck

Variations

Donald Duck A,B,C,D,E,F + additional.
Stem variations: regular or die-cut stem (showing three duck nephews).

Note: This dispenser, perhaps above all others, comes in a dizzying array of variations. For Versions A-D, the number and style of the feathers, bill paint, eye paint, beak style, copyright, hinge type and head holes all have some form of variation. In many cases the lettered categorizations are unclear, and a specific dispenser may have elements of (for example) both B and C.

Donald was first produced in the early 1960's and has remained in production continuously in various forms since then. The earliest version is distinguished by a metal hinge-pin and two or three feathers on the back side of the head. This style remained with only relatively minor variations in feather-count (two or three), head hole count (1 or 2) and bill, jawline and paint differences throughout the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. These variations encompass versions A-D. A softhead version was also produced in the 1970s as a prototype but never made it to general production. In the late 1980s the head underwent its first major redesign, spawning Version E. This revision can be found with both light and dark stenciled eyes, as well as with very slight variations in the shade of white on the head. The late 1990s saw Version F which is distinguished by its open beak. In the 21st century, there have been several additional variations: Extreme Donald with more aggressive styling and a closed beak. The most recent version is Clubhouse Donald which is reminiscent of Version F but with a restyled hat and more detailed facial features.

Years Produced

Early 1960s - current

Feet

Both with & without. Version C was the first to be available in both footed and non-footed versions. Version D was likewise available both with and without. From Version E onwards, all variations have been with feet.

Patents & Countries

2.6, 3.4, 3.8, 3.9, 4.9, 5.9. DBP 818,829, Mexican patent 141,242, 2.6 Yugo Double-Half Flower

Austria, China, Hong Kong, Hungary, Mexico, Slovenia, USA, Yugoslavia

Stems

Blue is most common, although the shades of blue, especially on the early versions, vary wildly from light powder blue to a dark blue. USA stems can be found on blue, orange, red and white. Yellow (Hong Kong). Black (Disney Extreme). Grey and pink on certain variations.