Disney Animators and Voice Actors Autographs and Sketches

For Sale: £1,950.00

Walt Disney (1901-1966) is most famous for his influential work in cartoons and his globally-successful business empire. He innovated both in animation and in theme park design, and was a noted film producer. He was nominated for 59 Academy Awards, winning 26.

Disney was not autonomous in the creation of his fantastical, imaginative cartoons. He had teams of experienced animators who sketched and painted hundreds of thousands of animation cells which created the films that are his legacy.

This signed first edition book, Walt Disney's America, from NY Abbeville Press's 1978 first printing, measures 11.5" x 9". 12 Disney animators and voice actors have autographed the inside front cover and opening pages, in a variety of inks. Some of the signers have inscribed notes addressed to 'Terry'.

Some light ink transfer from the signatures and mild handling to the book, otherwise in fine condition.

The nickname, 'Nine Old Men', was a reference to Franklin D. Roosevelt's dismissive description of the nine justices of the US Supreme Court. The term referred to the core animators at Walt Disney Productions, many of whom were in their thirties and forties at the time.

Four of the 'Nine Old Men' have signed this item; Frank Thomas, Ollie Johnston, Marc Davis and Ward Kimball who includes a sketch of Mickey.

Thomas was master craftsman of the 'baddie'; his work includes Cinderella's Stepmother, Alice in Wonderland's Queen of Hearts and Peter Pan's Captain Hook. Likewise, Davis created Sleeping Beauty's iconic Meleficent and the evil Cruella De Vil from One Hundred and One Dalmatians.

Johnston first worked on Snow White before progressing to work in Peter Pan, Cinderella and Robin Hood. Kimball was known for his unique, 'wild', approach to character design. His designs include those of the Mad Hatter and Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland.

Animator Sam McKim has added a rare sketch of Abraham Lincoln while Bill Justice, co-creator of Chip N'Dale, has added a sketch of Mickey Mouse. Likewise, Ken Anderson (art director) and Andreas Deja (supreme villain animator) have also sketch Mickey Mouse, the latter showing slight yellow haloing.

The signatures of Tony Baxter (imaginer/designer), Carl banks (Donald Duck artist) Jack Wagner (original voice of the Magic Kingdom) and Herbert Ryman (background artist and designer of the Disneyland Castle) are also inscribed.

This item qualifies for our layaway plan