Search This Blog

Monday, September 15, 2008

"Ingeborg Willy Scrapbook" (1936-1937) - Enlargement on the Comic Strip Dept. Steps

As I mentioned earlier, the photographs in the Ingeborg Willy Scrapbook were only 2"x2" or 2"x3" and difficult to see. When scanned at 1200 dpi, you could enlarge them quite a bit.

Here's a photo that was taken on the steps into the Comic Strip Department, located in the Comic Strip Bungalow. The woman's identity is unknown, but you can see Ingeborg Willy's reflection in the window as she looks down in the camera's viewfinder.

Original Photo


Reflection of Ingeborg Willy in Door Glass

"Hidden Mickey" on the Shutters

"Ingeborg Willy Scrapbook" (1936-1937) - Enlargement of the "Comic Strip Bungalow"

As I mentioned earlier, the photographs in the Ingeborg Willy Scrapbook were only 2"x2" or 2"x3" and difficult to see. When scanned at 1200 dpi, you could enlarge them quite a bit.

Here's an enlargement of what Ingeborg Willy described as "The Comic Strip Bungalow." It seems like it was originally a small house that was built on or near the Studio Property.

What struck me was that the image of Mickey Mouse was in the shutters -- certainly not an essential construction element. Whether the idea came from Walt or another staff member, it certainly communicated to me an "organizational culture" that was different than most other companies of the era -- or any other era for that matter. This attention to a different form of "product branding" can certainly be seen today in the form of the "hidden Mickey's" present in the theme parks.

Original Photo of the Comic Bungalow

A "Hidden Mickey"

"Ingeborg Willy Scrapbook" (1936-1937) - Enlargement of Clarence Nash (Donald Duck)

As I mentioned earlier, the photographs in the Ingeborg Willy Scrapbook were only 2"x2" or 2"x3" and difficult to see. When scanned at 1200 dpi, you could enlarge them quite a bit.

This is a photo of Clarence Nash (voice of Donald Duck) at the Studio. There have been a number of Studio photos published lately, and I thought the enlargement of the 2nd story balcony was interesting.

If anyone has an idea of who had the 2nd floor office, I'd like to hear from them.

Full Photo


Clarence Nash and Others
2nd Floor Enlargement - Who's Office?

Saturday, September 6, 2008

"Ingeborg Willy Scrapbook" (1936-1937) - Page 5

In 1998, we acquired a scrapbook compiled by Ingeborg Willy during her first year working as an inker at Disney. Earlier this year, I published a book containing the scans of those pages, which was pulled from circulation due to some copyright issues. The book is still under review by Disney. However, there are some items that Willy collected that may not be subject to approval by Disney and I have decided to post some of those items.

Willy didn't put too much information on the pages, so (before the historical record goes cold) any additional information would be most welcome. IF Disney decides to approve the publishing of Ingeborg Willy's scrapbook, I would like to update the edition with anything I learn from these postings (I'd like to give credit, so please provide me with full names). Thanks, and enjoy!

Full Page