Charlotte Clark

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Carolyn "Charlotte" Geis Clark was an American seamstress who created the first line of Mickey Mouse dolls and other Disney characters.

Walt Disney with a collection of Charlotte Clark Mickey Mouse dolls

[edit] Biography

Clark was born Carolyn Geis in Indianapolis, Indiana to German immigrants. She married Frank Clark and moved to Los Angeles around the turn of the century. It is unknown how or when she adopted the nickname "Charlotte". She died in 1958.

[edit] Career with Disney

Shortly following the release of Walt Disney's Steamboat Willie, Charlotte Clark designed the first Mickey Mouse doll in early 1930. She obtained permission from the Disney Studio, and the dolls began to appear in Los Angeles area stores. Demand soon exceeded her ability to produce the dolls, so Clark designed sewing patterns so customers could make their own dolls at home.

Clark continued to make dolls personally for Disney, which he handed out as gifts to friends, family and business contacts. As the collection of Disney characters grew, Clark created patterns for Donald Duck, Pluto, Minnie Mouse and other popular characters.

For collectors of Disneyana, Charlotte Clark dolls are among the most coveted of Disney memorabilia.