"On Ice" (1935) [2 of 4] - Pencil Background and Minnie Cel

Merry Christmas and Season's Greetings!

Since I will be away for part of December, I thought this would be a good opportunity to post some Christmas/Holiday related art. To see other holiday related items, select "Category-Holiday" from the "Content by Category" list on the right.


Here is a very interesting piece. To start with, when we bought this in 1990 there wasn't much interest in backgrounds, so dealers would "spruce up" by adding something else to enhance the value of the piece.

From a historical perspective, the background is a great piece. Good detail. A nice mix of background elements. Good examples of registration notes. Good approval instructions, with a sign-off by "Fergy." The cel of Minnie was cut from another cel and mounted on a cover cel over the background. When the piece if viewed by those new to animation, the combination of cel and pencil art does get their attention and gives me a chance to explain more about the process and the various notes on the page.

Minnie Cel on "Fergy" Pencil Background

The sheets are "hinged" in the frame so that the entire sheet can be seen -- including the notes at the bottom


----- DATABASE NOTES -----

From “On Ice” (1935). A Cel of Minnie is overlaid on a very good background pencil of the ice pond and warm up hut. Pencil background signed by the animator: "Fergy". (Fergy refers to Fergison, who did the Witch from Snow White and Goofy). Minnie skating, but ready to fall. [Image: 12"W x 9.5"H] Acquired 1990. SeqID-0096

"On Ice" (1935) [3 of 4] - Pencil of Mickey Skating

Merry Christmas and Season's Greetings!

Since I will be away for part of December, I thought this would be a good opportunity to post some Christmas/Holiday related art. To see other holiday related items, select "Category-Holiday" from the "Content by Category" list on the right.

Here's a nice image of Mickey skating. Good action. Nice facial expression. AND I like the rough circles drawn to help the animator construct the image.

Pencil of Mickey Skating

When we showed the entire sheet, the image of Mickey just got lost. Since I don't like trimming any historic art, we decided to frame the entire sheet and cut a section out to provide more focus on Mickey. I would normally have an opening that provided some "lead room" on the left side of Mickey, but there was a stain on the sheet, hence the left-sided cut. We chose an "ice colored" frame to help communicate the Winter atmosphere.


----- DATABASE NOTES -----

From “On Ice” (1935). A pencil sketch of Mickey ice skating. [Image: 10”W x 6”H] Acquired 1993. SeqID-0094 8/15/2005

"On Ice" (1935) [4 of 4] - Miniature Cel of Horace and Clarabelle

Merry Christmas and Season's Greetings!

Since I will be away for part of December, I thought this would be a good opportunity to post some Christmas/Holiday related art. To see other holiday related items, select "Category-Holiday" from the "Content by Category" list on the right.


Continuing with Holiday images... I thought I'd pull out some items from the 1935 "On Ice" film.

When I first saw this miniature cel of Horace Horsecollar and Clarabelle Cow skating, I was amazed! I was first struck by the cel's tiny nature. Up until then, all we had picked up were the large image cels that were the main focus of the scene. It never really struck me that there were a number of other cels that were running in the background... As I moved closer, I was impressed with the level of detail. In looking at this image, please remember than the characters are only about 1-inch square!

Close-up of Miniature Cel of Horace Horsecollar and Clarabelle Cow

Rather than trim the cel, we put the entire piece in the frame and the large matte area actually draws attention to the small piece in the center.




----- DATABASE NOTES -----

From “On Ice” (1935). A small (2x2") cel of Horace Horsecollar and Clarabelle Cow ice dancing. Very small and precise. [Image: 2-5/8"W x 2"H; Frame: 11"W x 10-3/4"H] Acquired 1990. SeqID-0095 8/3/2005

Disney Christmas Items

Merry Christmas and Season's Greetings!

Since I will be away for part of December, I thought this would be a good opportunity to post some Christmas/Holiday related art. To see other holiday related items, select "Category-Holiday" from the "Content by Category" list on the right.


Here are a few Christmas items that can be scattered around the house to extend your animation interest into the holiday season...

Disney Pewter Items

Hallmark Disney Train Items

Winsor McCay Holiday Book Ideas!

Merry Christmas and Season's Greetings!

Since I will be away for part of December, I thought this would be a good opportunity to post some Christmas/Holiday related art. To see other holiday related items, select "Category-Holiday" from the "Content by Category" list on the right.


After I posted McCay's "Little Nemo" pen and ink (with reference to "Gertie"), I received a number of emails saying they enjoyed the piece.

If you're looking for Christmas present ideas (either to give or receive), there are some McCay books in the library here (given to me by Jenny). Enjoy!

McCay Book Ideas

"Little Nemo" (1906) - Winsor McCay Sunday Pen and Ink

Merry Christmas and Season's Greetings!

Since I will be away for part of December, I thought this would be a good opportunity to post some Christmas/Holiday related art. To see other holiday related items, select "Category-Holiday" from the "Content by Category" list on the right.


Winsor McCay's work is VERY striking! If you look at the frames, the characters appear to be almost identical -- a template-oriented to drawing. This Christmas page is a great example of McCay's unusual style.

"Little Nemo" (1906) - Winsor McCay Sunday

I picked up this, a McCay drawing from "Gertie the Dinosaur" (1914) and some work by George McManus ("The Newlyweds" and his iconic "Maggie & Jiggs"). At about the same time, I remember hearing that McCay and McManus were good friends. As the story went, McManus made a bet with McCay that he couldn't produce an "animated" film within a certain amount of time -- I understand that McCay won the bet. What I found unusual was that McCay's combination of live-action and film -- like today's multi-media presentation. In "Gertie," McCay interacted with the animated Gertie to create a very unique program that wasn't repeated for many years.

IMDB:

Like many pioneers, the work of 'Winsor McCay' has been largely superseded by successors such as Walt Disney and Max Fleischer but he more than earns a place in film history for being the American cinema's first great cartoon animator. He started out as a newspaper cartoonist, achieving a national reputation for his strips 'Little Nemo in Slumberland' and 'Dreams of a Rarebit Fiend'. Inspired by his son's flick-books, he spent four years and produced four thousand individual drawings in making his first animated cartoon 'Little Nemo', completing it in 1911. But his biggest cartoon success was 'Gertie the Dinosaur' (1913), which was the centrepiece of a vaudeville act in which the live McCay would interact with his cartoon character. For this, he single-handedly produced ten thousand individual drawings, laboriously re-drawing the background every time. It is often wrongly cited as the first animated cartoon, but it was certainly the first successful one, and influenced dozens of imitators. His 1918 production 'The Sinking of the Lusitania' was even more ambitious: comprising 25,000 drawings, it was the first feature-length American cartoon, and the second one made anywhere. He retired from film-making in the 1920s, but would subsequently describe himself as "the creator of animated cartoons". This honour, strictly speaking, belongs to the Frenchman Emile Cohl - but McCay was certainly the first to bring them to a wide audience.

----- DATABASE NOTES -----

From “Little Nemo” (1906). From “Little Nemo” (1906) by Winsor McCay. An early pen & ink strip produced only 14 months after the strip's introduction. After 1909, McCay became districted by other projects and the quality of the strip weakened. The strip is unusual in that it has Little Nemo and in Princess in every panel of the page. In addition, this strip includes an "Eternal Theme" -- Santa Claus in his Toyland with his Elves, lists of 'good boys and girls' and getting ready to depart for his annual Christmas deliveries. [Image: 2 @ 22”W x 16”H; Frame: 30”w x 38”H] Acquired 2004. SeqID-1267 Updated: 7/26/2005

Seller’s Comments: The first thing you want from an original McCay is an early Sunday Page -- you know the early artwork is 'pure' McCay. After 1909 it generally starts to get a little weaker. This is only 14 months into the Strip. The other thing you want is graphics -- this has that as well and big time. That full top panel with the Sleigh and Reindeer is just amazing, as is the artwork in every panel on this (almost) 100 year old Sunday page. Look at the bottom panel -- incredible detail. This strip has 'Little Nemo' and the 'Princess' in every panel of the page. Plus, it has something more that I know you'll appreciate -- an Eternal Theme -- ''Santa Claus'' in his Toyland with his Elves and lists of 'good boys and girls' and getting ready to fly-off to do his annual Christmas deliveries. And a great image of 'Santa' and of both of 'Nemo's' Parents. It's a "KEY" page.

"How The Grinch Stole Christmas" (1966) - Virgil Ross Signed Sketch (circa 2000)

Merry Christmas and Season's Greetings!

Since I will be away for part of December, I thought this would be a good opportunity to post some Christmas/Holiday related art. To see other holiday related items, select "Category-Holiday" from the "Content by Category" list on the right.

Speaking of the "Grinch," here's a nice item... A sketch of Max and the Grinch signed by Virgil Ross. To my way of thinking, Ross was one of those less known animators that made a significant contribution to the art and character development of some of our best known cartoon figures. This sketch was done by Ross in his early 90's. (For other Ross items, check the "Names-Ross" entry.)

Virgil Ross Sketch of Max and Grinch

----- DATABASE NOTES -----

From “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (1966). Grinch & Max pencil sketch done by Virgil Ross. An outstanding example of his pencil work. [Unframed Item: 12,5”W x 10.5”H] Acquired 2004. SeqID-1171 8/3/2005

Seller’s Comments: An item by Virgil Ross, who I had the privilege of knowing quite well. An outstanding example of his pencil work. If you consider that he did this at the age of 93+, it is even more amazing still.

Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virgil_Ross) 12/2/2008:

His introduction to cartooning was in high-school, where he took a class in that art form. Early work was done for Charles B. Mintz (later Screen Gems), Ub Iwerks studio, and then on to Walter Lantz, where he began animation work. In 1935, he moved on to work for Leon Schlesinger at Warner Bros. where he spent about 30 years, first under Tex Avery's supervision, until 1942, then for Bob Clampett, and finally with Friz Freleng. His resumé also includes time spent with such firms as Filmation (where he worked on the early '70s Star Trek: The Animated Series), Hanna Barbera, and Marvel Comics. He was notably self-effacing. In an interview with John Province in 1989, he is quoted as saying "I always had an eye for movement, and I think this kept me in the business a lot longer than a lot of guys, despite the fact that I really wasn't very good at drawing. When I started out in animation, you didn't have to be a good artist. I just had a little natural talent, and it's mostly just timing anyway." [1] Of the very many characters Ross animated, he is most closely associated with Bugs Bunny, but also did a great deal of work involving Daffy Duck, Yosemite Sam, Tweety, and many others.

"How The Grinch Stole Christmas" (1966) - Chuck Jones Signed Cels

Merry Christmas and Season's Greetings!

Since I will be away for part of December, I thought this would be a good opportunity to post some Christmas/Holiday related art. To see other holiday related items, select "Category-Holiday" from the "Content by Category" list on the right.


Christmas would not be complete without something from "How The Grinch Stole Christmas!"

Here are two great cels signed by Chuck Jones. The two are mounted in a single frame, with Cindy Lou slightly lower to maintain the Grinch's sight-line. I liked the fact that Cindy Lou was looking at the wreath, unaware of the Grinch's motives. A nice set that speak not only to the season, but the opposing "spirits" of the Christmas season.

Chuck Jones Signed Cels of Grinch and Cindy Lou

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From “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (1966). 9x11 cel of Grinch talking with Cindy Lou Who. Both signed by Chuck Jones. Mounted with Cindy Lou Who. "c 1966 MGM" Grinch: Seal: "06208" Cindy Lou Who: Seal "02374" [Grinch: 11"W x 9"H. Cindy: 11"W x 9"H] Acquired 1999. SeqID-0423 11/29/2008

"Eyes and Ears" Bambi Cover (1995) - Don Williams Signed Cover

Merry Christmas and Season's Greetings!

Since I will be away for part of December, I thought this would be a good opportunity to post some Christmas/Holiday related art. To see other holiday related items, select "Category-Holiday" from the "Content by Category" list on the right.


Let's look at the cover of the December 21, 1995 issue of "Eyes & Ears" for more Christmas Cheer!

Here is a nice rendering from Bambi signed by Don Williams, Head Illustrator for Disney...

Don Williams' Cover Art for "Eyes & Ears" December 1995

I have a number of one-off items by Don Williams. Looking at the warmth of his images, you can understand why he is such a great illustrator.

----- DATABASE NOTES -----

From Don Williams’ recreation from “Bambi” (1939/1995). Bambi is featured on the cover of this "Eyes & Ears" publication (magazine for Walt Disney World). This is the December 21, 1995 issue; Volume 25, Number 51. The cover artwork is signed by Don Williams. [Item: 11"W x 17"H] Acquired 1997. SeqID-0261 11/29/2008

Actress Jane Randolph and Ice Capades star Donna Atwood acted as live-action references for Bambi and Thumper's misadventure on ice.

Don “Ducky” Williams (http://www.disneyguys.com/Ducky/) 12/2/2008:

Born in Springfield, Massachusetts, Don "Ducky" Williams wrote his first letter to Walt Disney at age 10. His desire to be a Disney artist intensified as Don grew up, but had to be put on hold while he spent four years in the U.S. Navy. After his tour of duty, he returned to Massachusetts and became employed at a local savings bank, Don still yearned to be with Disney and spent much of his spare time drawing and painting the Disney characters. After much determination and perseverance, Don left the bank and moved to Florida to pursue his life long dream, which was realized in 1980. Now, after nearly 30 years with Disney's Yellow Shoes, The acclaimed Senior Character artist, Don "Ducky Williams has drawn literally thousands of Disney stars for books, lithographs, brochures, magazine ads, and television.

"Mickey, Minnie and Santa" (1987c) - Mike Royer Pen and Ink

Merry Christmas and Season's Greetings!

Since I will be away for part of December, I thought this would be a good opportunity to post some Christmas/Holiday related art. To see other holiday related items, select "Category-Holiday" from the "Content by Category" list on the right.


Here is one of my favorite Christmas images! Mike Royer's pen and ink that includes Mickey and Minnie in a nice pose, socks on the fireplace, Pluto by the fire and Santa looking in from outside. What else could you ask for?

Mike Royer Christmas Pen and Ink

We framed this in a frame with a ribbon and Holiday colors (the frame is actually a dark green).


Here's some bio on Mike Royer from his web site:

Mike Royer has been a master artist for comics and animation for over 40 years. He is commonly known as the "father" of todays Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, Roo, Owl, Rabbit, and the other supporting Pooh characters that Disney commissioned him to create when they bought the property. He launched the massive Pooh licensing program for Disney and continues to do work on products today, including the whole range of Disney characters.

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Christmas Pen & Ink (circa 1987) by Mike Royer. A great circa 1987 Hallmark-like pen & ink of Mickey, Minnie, Pluto and Santa (outside the window). From Mike Royer. Perhaps done as a Christmas card concept for Hallmark. Signed by Mike Royer. [Image: 16-1/8"W x 11-7/16"H. Frame: 25-7/8"W x 21"H] Acquired 1987. SeqID-0017 Updated: 8/3/2005

8/4/2005 Lambiek:

Mike Royer started out assisting Russ Manning. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, he was the inker of the largest part of Jack Kirby's comics productions for Marvel and DC. In addition, he contributed to alternative publications like 'Arc', but also Creepy, Vampirella and Tarzan. Mike Royer worked as a staff artist at Disney from the 1960s to the 1980s. He worked mainly as an inker of stories by Tony Strobl, Sparky Moore and Mike Arens. Later on, Royer became a freelance product designer and character artist for Disney, working mainly with 'Winnie The Pooh'.

"Disney 'Fantasia' Christmas Card" (1940)

Merry Christmas and Season's Greetings!

Since I will be away for part of December, I thought this would be a good opportunity to post some Christmas/Holiday related art. To see other holiday related items, select "Category-Holiday" from the "Content by Category" list on the right.


Since it's Christmas time, I'd like to draw your attention to an earlier post of a Christmas Card from the Disney Studio.

"Happy Holidays From The International Space Station" (2005) - Disney In Outer Space

Merry Christmas and Season's Greetings!

Since I will be away for part of December, I thought this would be a good opportunity to post some Christmas/Holiday related art. To see other holiday related items, select "Category-Holiday" from the "Content by Category" list on the right.


As I mentioned, I also collect a variety of aerospace items, including artifacts from the early space program. This has afforded me an opportunity to meet new folks. In 2005, I received this image from Russian cosmonaut Salizhan Sharipov (here's the bio) aboard the International Space Station.

Notice all the Disney material in the background! Even in outer space...

Disney Aboard the International Space Station

I grew up in Colorado Springs during the height of the cold war. Certainly the launch of Sputnik in 1957 helped fuel the belief that the central part of the U.S. could be the target of a ballistic missle (ICBM). A number of homes around ours built fall-out shelters because Colorado Springs was the center of military command and was considered a high probability target. Ent Air Force Base was the headquarters (where the U.S. Olympic Training Center is now located) and was just a few miles from our house and many of our neighbors were in the military. By the way, a decade later the operation was moved into a facility hollowed out inside Cheyenne Mountain.

Here are Google photos of Colorado Springs, the Olympic Training Center (old ENT Air Force Base) and a shot of the Cheyenne Mtn. Facility

Satellite Shots of Colorado Springs

If someone had told me that 40+ years later I would be receiving (1) an electronic, non-paper photo (2) from an outpost in outerspace (3) from a Russian -- I would have thought they were crazy! How things have changed!


----- DATABASE NOTES -----

Christmas 2005 photo sent to me by Salizhan Sharipov from the International Space Station. Sent as JPG file [11x14] Acquired 2005. SeqID-1462

"Broken Toys" (1935) - Assorted Pencil Drawings

Merry Christmas and Season's Greetings!

Since I will be away for part of December, I thought this would be a good opportunity to post some Christmas/Holiday related art. To see other holiday related items, select "Category-Holiday" from the "Content by Category" list on the right.

"Broken Toys" (1935) is a Christmas-time film where the discarded Sailor Doll (patterned after actor Ned Sparks), gives the other toys a plan on how they could bring happiness to others during Christmas.

Earlier, I posted another item from "Broken Toys" -- a great pencil pan background.


As with several other films during this period, "Broken Toys" brings to the screen a number of easily identifiable (at least at the time) Hollywood-types.

Ned Sparks was a unique actor with a very identifiable style. Disney used Sparks as a character concept for not only the Sailor Doll, but as the Caterpillar in "Snow White," The Jester in "Mother Goose Goes Hollywood." Tex Avery used Sparks as The Hermit Crab in "Fresh Fish."

Sailor Doll (Ned Sparks)

Two additional characters that were popular at the time were Aunt Jemima (Tess Gardella) and Stepin Fetchit.

Tess Gardella was a white, Italian who played in "black face." Many recall her as "Queenie" the black cook in "Show Boat." Stepin Fetchit was the first African-American actor to become a millionaire playing roles that offended many in the Black community, but later he was given the N.A.A.C.P. Special Image Award in 1975.

3rd or 4th Generation Model Sheet

Aunt Jemima Pencils

Stepin Fetchit Pencils

----- DATABASE NOTES -----

From “Broken Toys” (1935). Part of a set of 4 images (See 399, 406, 415 416) Boy in sailors cap with feet that are wheels. (or simply a dressed up kid). Comments include: "20 MK"-lower right, "Reg to H-1[red]" Ned Sparks stars as an optimistic sailor doll: whereas the others are despondent, he has had a great idea as to how they could give pleasure to others this Christmas. [Item: 12"W x 10"H] Acquired 1999. SeqID-0416

From “Broken Toys” 1935. A 3rd or 4th generation model sheet. "U.S. 34" "Models" Aunt Jemima and Stepin Fetchit. [14”W x 11”H] Acquired 2000. SeqID-0492

From “Broken Toys” (1935). Part of a set of 4 images (See 399, 406, 415 416). This Aunt Jemima Image has some red shading and greed for the shadow under her dress. Comments include: "20 O.J."-lower right, "H-1-A" [frame 20] Acquired 1999. SeqID-0406

From “Broken Toys” (1935). A pencil sketch of Aunt Jemima, right leg lifted looking to side. Notes: "22" [frame 22] See “0406 for almost identical frame 20. [Item: 12"W x 10"H] Acquired 2000. SeqID-0494

From “Broken Toys” 1935. A pencil sketch of Stepin Fetchit as marionette. Notes: Red shoe; "Reg 15x"; "57"; "CC x 59". See #0415 for an almost identical copy (frame 61). [Item: 12"W x 10"H] Acquired 2000. SeqID-0493

From “Broken Toys” 1935. Part of a set of 4 images (See 399, 406, 415 416) A large image of Stepin Fetchit as a marionette. Red right shoe. Notes: "61"-lower right; "follow roughs"; "Reg15x[red]"; 3-hole paper. Acquired 1999. SeqID-0415

"Disney Showcase Collection" (2005) - Unique DeBrekht 9-Inch Figures

Merry Christmas and Season's Greetings!

Since I will be away for part of December, I thought this would be a good opportunity to post some Christmas/Holiday related art. To see other holiday related items, select "Category-Holiday" from the "Content by Category" list on the right.

Here are some interesting Christmas pieces from DeBrekht. These Eastern European/Russian designed items combine classic Christmas icons with a variety of interesting Disney characters. [Note: the images are from the DeBrekht web site]

Fairy Godmother and Cinderella

Prince Charming and Cinderella

Mickey and Minnie (front & reverse)

Snow White

Mickey and Minnie's "Winter Wonderland"

----- DATABASE NOTES -----

From “Cinderella’s Enchantment” (2005) from the Disney Showcase Collection (Derevo Collection) by DeBrekht. Images of Cinderella and the Fairy Godmother drawn on the front of Santa Claus. A Limited Edition (187/1500) figurine. SKU: 72221 [9”H] SeqID-1695

From “A Dance In The Clouds” (2005) from the Disney Showcase Collection (Derevo Collection) by DeBrekht. Images of Prince Charming and Cinderella drawn on the front of Santa Claus. A Limited Edition (87/1500) figurine. SKU: 72222 [9”H] SeqID-1696

From “Mickey and Minnie’s Majestic Friend” (2005) from the Disney Showcase Collection (Derevo Collection) by DeBrekht. Images of Mickey and Minnie with Santa Claus. A Limited Edition (58/1500) figurine. SKU: 72111 [6.5”H] SeqID-1694

From “Snow White and Friends Santa” (2005) from the Disney Showcase Collection (Derevo Collection) by DeBrekht. Images of Snow White and the Dwarfs drawn on the front of Santa Claus. A Limited Edition (510/1500) figurine. SKU: 72321 [8.5”H] SeqID-1697

From “Mickey and Minnie’s Winter Wonderland” (2005) from the Disney Showcase Collection (Derevo Collection) by DeBrekht. Images of Mickey and Minnie in front of a Christmas Tree. A Limited Edition (157/1500) figurine. SKU: 72411 [8”H] SeqID-1693

"Abominable Snow Rabbit" (1951) - Chuck Jones Story Board of Bugs

Merry Christmas and Season's Greetings!

Since I will be away for part of December, I thought this would be a good opportunity to post some Christmas/Holiday related art.

What would Winter Time be without Bugs Bunny! Here's a concept story board drawn by Chuck Jones from a great cartoon!

Bugs & the Abominable Snow Man Meet

----- DATABASE NOTES -----

From "Abominable Snow Rabbit" (1961). Concept story board drawn by Chuck Jones of the Abominable Snow Monster holding Bugs Bunny. Co-directed by Chuck Jones & Maurice Noble. [Image: 12”W x 9”W; Frame: 18”W x 18”H] Acquired 2004. SeqID-1218