Walt Disney and His Artists Signed Sketches with Phil Sears COA

An extraordinary display which includes a signed sketch of Mickey Mouse by Walt Disney himself! Velveteen matting with two presentation plaques and two photographs, framed in faux stone and gilt to an overall size of 25" x 33" x 2". Frame has minor wear at corners and isolated chipping. Flattened horizontal fold at center of both sketches, with toning and scattered foxing. Not examined out of frame. In overall near fine condition. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity from noted Disney expert Phil Sears.

Included in this collection:

1.) Walt Disney (1901-1966). Original Sketch Signed, "To John Adrian / Hoping he will be able to draw better than this / Walt Disney", in graphite, 1p, 6.75" x 10.5" (visible), Santa Clara, circa 1941. Above the inscription, Disney has added a fantastic sketch of Mickey Mouse, which takes up almost half of the sheet. 

Walt Disney never completely animated a single Mickey Mouse cartoon or even drew a single Mickey comic. By the time this sketch was created, Walt Disney was the head of a major film studio employing 600 workers, and that took up all of his time. When something special for a fan was appropriate, Disney usually favored having his studio artists prepare the artwork, complete with a "Walt Disney" signature signed by the employee. As such, a drawing of Mickey in Disney's hand is a very rare item, and this one, with its witty, self-deprecating inscription, is even more desirable. 

2.) Original Artwork, 1p, 6.75" x 10.5" (visible), Santa Clara, circa 1941. Pictured top to bottom, left to right: Animator Edward R. Sears (1900-1958) Drawing of Goofy Signed, "Ted Sears / Santa Clara - 41"; Animator William Norman Ferguson (1902-1957) Drawing of Pluto Signed, "Norm Ferguson"; Head of Story Research, John Clarke Rose (1905-1983) Signature, "John Rose / Santa Clara"; Animator Franklin Thomas (1912-2004) Drawing of Donald Duck Signed, "Franklin Thomas"; Animator James Bodero (1900-1980) Drawing of Bacchus Signed, "Jim Bodero"; Composer Charles Wolcott (1906-1987) Autograph Musical Quotation Signed, "I'm The Reluctant Dragon What Ho! Quite So! / Charles Wolcott / S.S. Santa Clara 1941"; and Animator Webb Smith (1887-1951) Drawing of J.Thaddeus Toad Signed, "Toad - of Toad Hall / Webb Smith".

A plaque on the display tells the story of Disney's Mickey sketch. It reads in part: "On August 17, 1941, Walt Disney and 15 of his studio staff (dubbed 'El Groupo') embarked on a goodwill and movie-making tour to South America at the urging of the US Government. The result was the eventual release of two wartime feature cartoons, 'Saludos Amigos' (1943) and 'The Three Caballeros' (1945). At the end of the tour, Walt and several other boarded Grace Lines' 'Santa Clara' for a 17-day return voyage. While on board, Walt met a young John Adrian and provided him with an extremely rare Disney original of the famous mouse." 

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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