"Hippo In A Tutu" - Cowan Collection In Print

(All the rights belong to Disney, Disney Enterprises, Mindy Aloff and anyone else I've left out...)



I had the pleasure of going through Mindy Aloff's book "Hippo In A Tutu" today. A great read -- especially the last half of the book.

A while ago I was contacted by Alex Rannie and was asked if I had some items that might pertain to Ms. Aloff's dance focus. I sent Mr. Rannie a collection of items that I thought might be of interest and out of that group a few appeared in the book.

I must admit, it's great to see some of the artwork you own appear in print! So, I thought I'd share the pages in Mindy's book and the original art from the collection... By the way, until I opened the book I had no idea as to how the art would be used...

[Mindy Aloff posted a comment after I put up the original (see below). I would like to echo her comment and make sure everyone knows that Ms. Aloff was kind enough to credit Jenny and I for the use of the images. Thanks, Mindy! The pleasure was all ours! -- Bob]

Page 23

“A ballet of playing cards -- an animation drawing from Disney’s Mickey Mouse Cartoon ‘Thru The Mirror.”

Page 58

Leica Reel of Mickey from "Fantasia."

Page 103

"Mr. Duck Steps Out" Title Card


What was not shown was Walt's sign-off on the card...

Page 113

"A Les Blair story sketch of Hyacinth Hippo being partnered enthusiastically in arabesque on pointe by Ben Ali Gator in "Dance of the Hours." Les Blair was married to Disney inspirational artist Mary Blair."

Page 155

“A production cel on a non-production background of the Pilgrims’ Procession in Fantasia’s ‘Ave Maria.’”

Pages 156, 157, 158 & 159

“Animator models (all painted by Mary Blair) of Mlle. Upanova, Elephanchine, Hyacinth Hippo and Ben Ali Gator from Fantasia’s ‘Dance of the Hours’.”

Page 176 - Final Page!

I was extremely pleased that an item from our collection was featured on the last page of the book! I didn't know where any of the art would be placed and, for me, it was an honor to be of some assistance...

“A pastel sketch (possibly by Jules Engel) of the little Orchid Dancer for Fantasia’s ‘Nutcracker Suite’.”



Thanks, Mindy, for allowing some of our artwork to help you make your point!

Goofy Stuff [1 of 5] - Model Sheets in "Disney Dogs"

I just received a copy of "Disney Dogs" for my birthday from my wife, Jenny (thanks, honey!). A nice book with a number of excellent images...

Disney Dogs (2008)

As I was thumbing through the pages, I came to the section on Goofy. Some of the images looked oddly familiar. Sure enough, they were from model sheets I just finished posting...

For example, here is a scan of page 127... Notice the slight difference in the descriptive material next to the drawing...

Page 127 and Model Sheet SeqID-0502

Here is a scan of page 127 -- a large image of Goofy. On the model sheet, the same image can be seen on the upper left.

Page 127 and Model Sheet SeqID-0296

I have to say, it is a great feeling when you pick up a publication and see the same or similar artwork featured!

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

Disney Editions. “Disney Dogs.” New York: Disney Enterprises, 2008. ISBN: 978-14231-0920-4. [8”W x 8”H] Acquired 2009. SeqID-1952

"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

"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