Original Pinocchio production cels headline April 10 auction

An original set of production cels from Pinocchio (1940) achieved $29,875 in a sale of animation art at Heritage Auctions in Dallas on April 10.

Heritage explained: "This lot is something special, as you never see vintage Disney Progression setups! This is an original Master hand-painted production full pan (36" x 12") background of the Pool Hall on Pleasure Island.

Pinocchio production cel
Pinocchio is among the most popular Disney films of all time

"The reverse side of the background is stamped 'Property of Walt Disney Productions,' with an OK by Abe Woolery (later of UPA and Playhouse Pictures fame), dated by him as 12-9-39."

Disney production cels are highly prized by collectors, with the finest specimens often achieving six figure sums. One specimen from The Band Concert (1935), the first full colour Mickey Mouse short, sold for $420,000 in 1999.

Another set of production cels, this time from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) also sold for $29,875.

Described as "One of the sweetest Snow White setups to ever come to market", the piece shows Snow White kissing Grumpy.

Heritage comments: "This setup is comprised of several layers of hand-inked, hand-painted cels that have been trimmed to image and mounted on a clear cel.

"The cels have had professional paint restoration done. They are placed on a Master hand-painted production background. The background has had professional restoration work done as well."

We have this incredible copy of Walt Disney's America signed by 12 Disney voice actors and animators.

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