Rare Mickey Mouse cel up 8.3% on estimate at Profiles in History

A rare black and white Mickey Mouse production cel was among the highest selling lots in Profiles in History's Animation Auction, held on July 31 in Calabasas Hills, California.


Many of the cels from early 1930s Disney productions were washed off and reused


The cel originates from the 1931 feature Traffic Troubles and shows the beloved mouse in his taxi. Placed on a custom, hand-painted background by Disney artist Phil Philipson, it sold for $32,500, topping its $30,000 high estimate by 8.3%.

Cels from this period are rare; during the 1930s, the cels were routinely washed off after being photographed and re-used to save on production costs. Very few are known to have survived.

Also among the top sales was an original production background and matching production cel from Disney's 1959 classic Sleeping Beauty, which made a 41.6% increase on its $30,000 high estimate, selling for $42,500.

Walt Disney signed Pinocchio cel
The certificate of authenticity has been framed alongside the cel, which bears a fantastic example of Disney's signature


This price was matched by a fantastic Walt Disney signed original production cel and production background from Pinocchio (1940). Featuring both Pinocchio and Jiminy Cricket in classic poses, Disney has signed "To Harold William - with best wishes - Walt Disney".

The piece is framed with its certificate of authenticity from Walt Disney Studios.

Outside of the Disney lots, an incredible original watercolour of Porky Pig for Leon Schlesinger's Looney Tunes sold for $25,000. Bringing a 25% increase on its $20,000 high estimate, the piece was created in 1939 as part of a one of a kind, oversized press book.

Paul Fraser Collectibles has a superb range of animation art for sale, including a Friz Freleng autographed drawing of Bugs Bunny and a Bill Hanna signed drawing of Fred Flintstone.

We also have these two great items from Disney.

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