"Robin Hood" (1973) - More Background

There were some great comments about the background that I just posted.  I thought I'd put up a higher resolution copy of the background (fully image).  Enjoy!

"Robin Hood" (1973) - Robin & Marian Key Set-up on Master Background

Here is a great 35-inch wide piece from Robin Hood.  Consists of cels of (1) Robin and Marian, (2) church doors, (3) detail edging of rocks on a watercolor pan master background.  A great piece...

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From “Robin Hood” (1973).  The water color master background of the church when Robin Hood and Maid Marian leave after the wedding (no markings on the back of the background). The cels are key setup.  Consists of (1) watercolor pan master, (2) cel with detail edging of rocks, (3) cel of church doors, (4) cel of Robin and Marian arm-in-arm.  [35-1/8”W x 12.5”H]  SeqID 0398  7/15/2005

"Duck Tales" (1989) [Series] - Cel and Master Background

Since my company was involved in teleconferencing, I've tended to collect some artwork that reflected telecommunications technology.  This is a nice piece from one of the Duck Tales shows. Good image of the Bad Boys; Huey, Dewey & Louie; and Scrooge McDuck (my favorite).  All on a great Master Background.

Key Character Cel and Master Background

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From “Duck Tales” (1989).  A very interesting image of the Bugle Boys on a large TV with Huey, Dewey & Louie and Scrooge McDuck looking at them. Master background. Key.  Initialed "TV Film Cell."  [Image: 9-13/16"W x 7 7/16"H]  SeqID 0034

"Dudley Do-Right" (circa 1990's) [Series] - Jay Ward Signed Publicity Cel

Sometimes it's nice to have a piece from a show you watched while growing up in front of the TV. The segment in "The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show" (Rocky and His Friends [1959-1961 and The Bullwinkle Show [1961-1964]).  The reason we all remember the show was that it was rerun from 1964 through 1973 and then went into syndication.  Much like original Star Trek, the show had a larger-than-life impact that extended well beyond its production period.

This Jay Ward signed piece was a great reminder of Ward's over-the-top character development. Ward was a character in his own right and introduced a number of off-beat characters. Here's a brief bio from Wikipedia:

J Troplong "Jay" Ward (September 20, 1920 – October 12, 1989) was an American creator and producer of animated television cartoons. He produced animated series based on such characters as Crusader Rabbit, Rocky & Bullwinkle, Dudley Do-Right, Peabody and Sherman, Hoppity Hooper, George of the Jungle, Tom Slick and Super Chicken. His company, Jay Ward Productions, also designed the trademark characters for Cap'n Crunch, Quisp and Quake breakfast cereals and made commercials for those products, among others. Ward produced the non-animated series Fractured Flickers that featured comedy redubbing of silent films.

Jay Ward Signed Publicity Cel

From Wikipedia:

Dudley Do-Right was the eponymous hero of a segment on The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show which parodied early 20th century melodrama and silent film (by using only a piano as a musical background) in the form of the Northern genre. Dudley Do-Right was a dim-witted Canadian Mountie who was always trying to catch his nemesis Snidely Whiplash, more often succeeding by pure luck than anything else. He romantically pursued Nell Fenwick, the daughter of Inspector Fenwick, the head of the Mountie station. However, a running gag throughout the series was Nell's interest in his horse (called Horse), to the point that she scarcely noticed Dudley's interest.


In 1969, Dudley Do-Right was featured in his own show, The Dudley Do-Right Show, which consisted primarily of existing episodes from the series, produced by Jay Ward Productions and Total Television. In latter years, Jay Ward Productions created animation cells intended for sale and not for use in animation.


The Dudley Do-Right Show was an animated television series assembled by P.A.T. Film Services, consisting of cartoons produced by Jay Ward Productions and Total Television, which aired Sunday mornings on ABC-TV from April 27, 1969 to September 6, 1970. Each half-hour show included two segments each of Dudley Do-Right Of The Mounties and The World Of Commander McBragg, along with one segment each of Tooter Turtle and The Hunter. Dudley Do-Right was a Jay Ward production, while the other segments were products of Total Television. Both companies used Gamma Productions, a Mexico-based animation studio.


The U.S. syndicated version of the show, called Dudley Do Right And Friends, differs from The Dudley Do-Right Show, featuring most of the same recurring cartoon segments, but a different episode selection. The syndicated package features Dudley Do-Right Of The Mounties, The World Of Commander McBragg, The King And Odie, and The Hunter. The latter two originally appeared as part of King Leonardo And His Short Subjects, a series that aired between October 15, 1960 and September 28, 1963 on NBC-TV. Twenty-six new segments of both series were produced for CBS-TV's Tennessee Tuxedo And His Tales in 1963, and these later segments are included in the syndicated Dudley Do Right And Friends.


Actors (voice overs) included:


    * Bill Scott - Dudley Do-Right
    * June Foray - Nell Fenwick
    * Hans Conried - Snidely Whiplash
    * Paul Frees - Inspector Fenwick/Narrator
    * William Conrad did several (but not all) of the narrations.

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From “Dudley Do-Right: publicity cel” (circa 1990's).  Dudley Do-Right, Nell and Horse. Signed by creator Jay Ward.   [Image: 11-7/8"W x 9-3/16"H; Frame: 17-3/16"W x 14-3/4"H]  SeqID-0175 8/14/2005

"Dr. Snuggles" (circa 1980) [Series] - Rocket & Flying Sheep Cel on Production Background

In the last post, I mentioned that I tended to also look for aeronautical related animation work. This fun piece from the UK "Dr. Snuggles" is an example.  The cel consists of a Rocket (the Dreamy Boom Boom) and Flying Sheep on the Production Background. In addition, the piece is signed by J. O'Kelly who was the writer, producer and creator of the series. Two of series were written by Douglas Adams (of "Hitchhiker's Guide" fame).

Here's the entry from Wikipedia:

Doctor Snuggles is an animated series about a friendly and optimistic inventor named Doctor Snuggles who has unusual adventures with his friends in a slightly psychedelic world. The show featured fantastical scenarios which usually involved Doctor Snuggles inventing something outlandish such as a robot helper or diamond-making machine, and had a variety of supporting characters who were mostly anthropomorphic animals. The show was a co-production between British, German and Dutch producers and was originally released as two separate English and German language versions. In the English language version the title character was narrated by veteran actor Peter Ustinov. The show debuted in 1980, and consisted of thirteen half-hour episodes. The show featured original artwork by Nick Price, original scripts and ideas by Jeffrey O'Kelly, and television scripts by Richard Carpenter. Two episodes (#7 and #12) were written by Douglas Adams and John Lloyd, both dealing with ecological issues. In the UK the show featured as part of the Watch It! strand for children on the ITV network. In the United States, the series aired on Nickelodeon's Nick Jr. block and in Ontario, Canada, on TVO.

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From “Dr. Snuggles” (circa 1980).  10x11"  Sotheby’s:  "Description (guaranteed) Rocket and flying sheep, gouache on celluloid, with original production background, signed in black felt tip pen by "J. O'Kelly" the writer, producer and creator of the series."  The wood spacecraft was called the Dreamy Boom Boom. From the UK. 1980c  [Item: 10-3/4"W x 10-1/8"H]  Acquired 1999. SeqID-0420

"Donald In Mathmagic Land" (1959) [Series] - Donald Cel on Master Background

For the "Geek" in me, I was immediately attracted to this Master Background.  AND Donald's great expression was a bonus.  Hummm, reminds me of those awkward times when I had to stand in front of the class and repeatedly show that I didn't know what I was doing.

Here's Wikipedia's note on the film:

Donald in Mathmagic Land is a 27 minute Donald Duck featurette released on June 26, 1959. It was directed by Hamilton Luske. Contributors included Disney artists John Hench and Art Riley, voice talent Paul Frees, and scientific expert Heinz Haber, who had worked on the Disney space shows. It was released on a bill with Darby O'Gill and the Little People. In 1959, it was nominated for an Academy Award (Best Documentary - Short Subjects). In 1961, two years after its release, it had the honor of being introduced by Ludwig Von Drake and shown on the first program of Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color. The film was made available to schools and became one of the most popular educational films ever made by Disney. As Walt Disney explained, "The cartoon is a good medium to stimulate interest. We have recently explained mathematics in a film and in that way excited public interest in this very important subject."

Donald Cel and Master Background

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From “Donald in Mathmagic Land” (1959).  Donald at black board working a math problem. Key setup applied to master background.  3 items in setup.     (1) Background is of books and empty blackboard; (2) Cel with formula and eraser; (3) Donald holding chalk.  Background: "Science:  "BG-H.1"  Cel math: "H.4"  Cel Donald: D253.  Nothing on back.  [Unframed Item: 12.5"W x 10.5"H]  SeqID 0347  8/3/2005

"Fantasia 2000" (1999) [Series] - Five cel Set-up of Noah's Ark Sequence

More Fantasia 2000 items in the Cowan Collection...

A fantastic 5-cel set-up of the animals getting ready to get on the Art.  I'm afraid I couldn't get an image that really matched the wonderful quality of this large (25"x19").  In this segment, Donald is Noah's First Mate that has to deal with the detail of getting everyone on board...

5-Cel Set-up of Noah's Ark Sequence

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From “Fantasia 2000” (1999).  Noah's ark and the animals getting ready to get on.  This is a five cel setup, one of which is an underlay and two of which are overlays/underlays.  [19-3/8x24.75]  SeqID-0711

 From Sotheby's: The grand ark sits in the distance with heavenly rays shining down upon it as the animals approach it from all directions.  (Note: )  Sotheby's auction 7491, Lot 202.  BACK: "#1215081  SEQ 4  SCN 21"

wikipedia: Edward Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance - Marches 1, 2, 3 and 4 – is a pastiche of the story of Noah's Ark, with Donald Duck as first mate to Noah. Donald musters the animals to the Ark, and misses, loses, and is reunited with Daisy Duck in the process; music arranged by Peter Schickele, including a wordless soprano solo by Kathleen Battle as part of the No. 1 March ('Land of Hope and Glory').

"Fantasia 2000" (1999) [Series] - Flamingo and Snotty 6 Cels

More "Fantasia 2000" items in the Cowan Collection....

This is one of my all-time favorites. There is something about about the nonconformist Flamingo that I liked (maybe all of us believe we are nonconformists).  This particular image seemed to be a great summary of the Flamingo and the Snotty 6 characters -- an aspect of the art I try to collect...  The piece consists of two cels: one of the Flamingos and another cel of the water effects.  The music is performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, conducted by James Levine.   Camille Saint-Saëns - The Carnival of the Animals: Finale.  Introduced by James Earl Jones.  Hope you enjoy it...

Flamingo and Snotty 6

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From “Fantasia 2000” (1999).  The Flamingo looking the other way with the Snotty 6.  A very contrary visual image of a nonconformist in the middle of the pack.   [ From Sotheby's: While the Snotty 6 are walking in unison, the Flamingo plays with his yo-yo.  (Note: This is a two cel setup.)  12.5x16-7/8 ]  Sotheby's sale 7491, Lot 193.   BACK: "#1215083  SEQ 6  SCN 4/7"  [Image: 15-1/8"W x 10-9/16"H]  SeqID-0710

The music is performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, conducted by James Levine.   Camille Saint-Saëns - The Carnival of the Animals: Finale.  Introduced by James Earl Jones

"Fantasia 2000" (1999) [Series] - Baby Whale and Parents Setup and Master Background

More "Fantasia 2000" items in the Cowan Collection...

An interesting segment in which the whales end up flying through the air.  This setup includes two cels (one of the whales and one of the bubble effects) on the Master Background.  This had a nice feel to it -- a flowing quality, curiosity and hope...

Two Cel Setup On Master Background

The entry in Wikipedia notes:

Ottorino Respighi's Pines of Rome – this segment features a family of frolicking humpback whales that are able to fly due to a supernova. At one point, the whale calf is separated from his parents when he's trapped in an iceberg, later finding his way out with his mother's help. The final section, the Via Appia gives the impression of the larger pod of adults in migration.

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From “Fantasia 2000” (1999).  Baby whale and parents near iceberg.  Note: This is a two cel setup on master background.  Notes:  BACK: "#123408  SEQ 10  SCN 49"  [Image: 15-7/8"W x 10-15/16"H; Frame: 25-1/2"W x 20-1/2"H x 2" deep]  SeqID-0709  8/4/2005

"Fantasia" (1940) [Series] - Disney Autograph, Mickey Cel & Artifacts

More items in the Cowan Collection from "Fantasia"...

UPDATE: 6/3/2010...Through the wonder of communications, I just received an email from Irene Kanelstein with a few corrections. She noted that she did not receive a prize of $300, which way my mistake. The newspaper article stated that she received the cel which was valued at $300. In addition she notes that she sold the item because of the effects of Florida weather on the cel and not, as I had been told, to help raise funds for cancer treatment. It was a thrill to hear from her and the exchange further supports the great power of the internet!

This is my favorite group of items.  In 1941, Disney and the New York Federation of Music Clubs conducted a contest for the best essay entitled "What I Like Best In Fantasia."  The winner, 13 year-old Irene Kanelstein, was given a cel of Mickey as the Sorcerer's Apprentice and a dedication by Walt Disney.  The two items were put together by Courvoisier Galleries.  When I received the artwork, I was surprised to discover on the back of the frame the original essay that Ms. Kanelstein submitted and a newspaper clipping from the June 13, 1941 "New York Times."  We felt that the additional material should be displayed and since the original frame was in poor condition, we had the whole group re-framed and placed side-by-side. Of note, Ms. Kanelstein was also given a $300 prize -- which, using the Consumer Price Index, was worth a little over $4,000 in 2008 dollars.  The cel is great, Walt's note to Ms. Kanelstein is nice and the additional material provides a fantastic back-story to the whole grouping...  The material was the property of Ms. Kenelstein until a few years ago when she sold it at auction to pay for cancer treatments.

Disney Autograph, Mickey Cel and Historical Papers (click to enlarge)

 

 

 

 

 

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From “Fantasia” (1940).  A gouache on celluloid depicts Mickey Mouse instructing a broom to fill up the buckets from THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE section of the film, applied to a production watercolor background, inscribed lower right “My Best Wishes to Irene Kenelstein - Winner Fantasia Essay Contest  Walt Disney.”  On the back is a .  The consignor won this as a prize for the best essay  on "What I Like Best in Fantasia," a competition put on by the New York Federation of Music Clubs.  Another frame includes the Courvoisier Galleries label stating "This original 'background' and 'cel' painting from the Walt Disney Studios was used in the filming of Fantasia, "the essay that she submitted when she was thirteen years old and a newspaper article from The New York Times, June 13, 1941 entitled "Wins Music Clubs' Prize, Irene Kanelstein, Recipient of the Fantasia Award".  SeqID 1146  8/1/2005

"Fantasia" (1940) [Series] - Sorcerer's Apprentice Multi-Cel Setup On Production Watercolor Background

More items in the Cowan Collection from "Fantasia"...

This is one of the more amazing cel groups we have in the collection.  In all, I think there are more than 4 cels in the grouping (mostly bubble effects) over the watercolor production background.  Since I like to leave a little air space between the cels, I end up getting some uneven surfaces.  This isn't a problem when looking at the artwork, but really becomes a problem when trying to shoot the artwork with a flash!

Mickey Mult-Cel Setup on Production Background (click to enlarge)

A few years ago, I was flipping through Lambert's "Mickey Mouse" that we purchased in 1998 and saw an image very similar to the one we bought in 2000.  Here's a scan of the image from page 222 in his book.  Frankly, it sure looks like the same exact piece....

Mickey Setup on Lambert's Book

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From "Fantasia" (1940), the Sorcerer's Apprentice sequence.  Mickey, in Sorcerer's hat, trying to bail out water with bucket. [ From Sotheby's: Walt Disney celluloid of Mickey Mouse from "Fantasia," 1940.  The multi-cel setup depicts Mickey Mouse desperately trying to bail out the water from The Sorcerer's Apprentice sequence, applied to an original key watercolor production background, matted and framed.  8.5x10.5 ]   Sotheby's auction 7491, Lot 248.  [Image: 11”W x 9"H;  Frame: 21"W x 18.75"H]   Acquired 2000.  SeqID-0715   Updated: 7/28/2005

Reference: Very close match page 222.  Lambert, Pierre.  Mickey Mouse.  NY: Hyperion, 1998.  ISBN: 0-7868-6453.2.  $150.  Limited edition: 000421.  [13"W x 13"H]  Limited Edition: 000421. Signed: Pierre Lambert.  SeqID 1471

"Fantasia" (1940) [Series] - Ava Maria Sequence Cel

More "Fantasia" items from the Cowan Collection...

This is one of the more peaceful and reflective cels in the collection -- the Nuns traveling in the Ava Maria sequence.

There are two cels: one of the Nuns and another of the ground and foreground trees. The background is airbrushed. 

Ava Maria Cel (click to enlarge)

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From “Fantasia” (1940), the Night on Bald Mountain/Ave Maria sequence.   [ From Sotheby's: Walt Disney celluloid from "Fantasia," 1940.  The gouache on celluloid depicting nuns bearing candles from the Night on Bald Mountain/Ava Maria sequence, applied to an airbrushed background, matted and framed.  8.5x13. Sotheby's auction 7491, Lot 289.   BACK: The Bonfoey Co., Cleveland, OH 216-621-0178.  FRONT: WD (ink) stamp in lower left.   [Image: 13"W x 8-11/16"H]  Acquired 2000.  SeqID-0722  Updated: 7/16/2005

NOTE: Image used in Mindy Aloff’s book “Hippo In A Tutu” (SeqID-1953), pg. 155. “A production cel on a non-production background of the Pilgrims’ Procession in Fantasia’s ‘Ave Maria.’”  Aloff, Mindy. "Hippo In A Tutu: Dance in Disney Animation." Los Angeles, CA: Disney Editions, 2008.

"Fantasia" (1940) [Series] - Autumn Fairy Cel

More items in the Cowan Collection from "Fantasia"

A very nice Courvoisier featuring cels of the Autumn Fairy and flowers...

Autumn Fairy Cel (click to enlarge)

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From “Fantasia” (1940), the Nutcracker Suite sequence.  The Autumn Fairy dancing above a blue flower on the pond -- surrounded by orange flowers.  [ From Sotheby's: Walt Disney Celluloid from "Fantasia," 1940.  The gouache on celluloid depicts an Autumn Fairy from Waltz of the Flowers from The Nutcracker Suite sequence, applied to a Courvoisier airbrushed background, stamped WDP lower right, Courvoisier Galleries ® label on the reverse, matted and framed.  8.75x14 ]  Sotheby's auction 7491, Lot 237.    BACK: Courvoisier sticker; The Bonfoey Co., Cleveland, OH 216-621-0178.   FRONT: WD ink stamp lower right.  [Image: 14"W x 8-3/4"H.  Frame: 19-1/2"W x 15-13/16"H]  Acquired 2000.  SeqID-0713

"Fantasia" (1940) [Series] - Pegasus Family Cel

More "Fantasia" items in the Cowan Collection

I've always thought that this was a great set-up...  Great feeling for the characters and a nice pose for all. The reds are still vivid in this piece (it seems the reds tend to lose brilliance over time).

Pegasus Home (click to enlarge)

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From “Fantasia” (1940), the Pastoral Symphony sequence.  From “Fantasia” (1940), the Pastoral Symphony sequence. The gouache on celluloid depicts the mother Pegasus in her nest with three of her babies from The Pastoral Symphony sequence, applied to a Courvoisier airbrushed background, with the Courvoisier Galleries ® label on the reverse, matted and framed.  [Image: 9-3/8"W x 8"H; Frame: 16-5/8"W x 15-1/4"H]  SeqID-0719  7/16/2005

"Fantasia" (1940; 1987) - Disney's First Limited Edition Set

Items in the Cowan Collection from "Fantasia".....

After seeing the animation market heat up and offering a few original pieces in auction, Disney decided to create Limited Editions to capitalize on the demand for artwork. 

Disney started with six hand-inked reproduction cels from "Fantasia."  The cels were of different characters and, generally, were thought by the Studio to be the best rendition of each character.  Since this was Disney's first major entry into the market, the cels came in a very nice folder and offered plenty of descriptive material.  Because the market was unknown, there were only 250 copies of each cel. 

One of the more unusual aspects was that the cel was laminated on the normally exposed painted side to avoid the traditional problems of the paint lifting off the cel material.  I don't believe this technique was used in subsequent Limited Editions. I thought this was an advantage here in our low humidity climate in Colorado.  For the first time, I could place cels in a non-humidified area of the house and not be overly concerned about paint problems.

Don't forget to click on the picture to see an enlargement...

Limited Edition Satin Covered Folder

Opening Introduction to the Limited Edition Series

Adhesive Backing for each cel

 Sorcerer's Apprentice Sequence

 

Sorcerer's Apprentice sequence.  Limited edition #87/275. Mickey as the Sorcerer's Apprentice.  [15”W x 11”H]    SeqID-0042

Pastoral Symphony Sequence: Brudus and Melinda

 

Pastoral Symphony sequence.  Limited edition #87/275.  Brudus walks with Melinda (Centaur & Centaurette) while the cupids watch from above.   [15"W x 13"H]  SeqID 0045

Pastoral Symphony Sequence: Faun, Bacchus and Jacchus

 

Pastoral Symphony sequence.  From Fantasia Limited Edition #87/275. Faun and Bacchus riding Jacchus.   [Image: 14-15/16"W x 11-3/16"H.  Frame: 23-5/8"W x 19-7/8"H]  SeqID-0153  8/3/2005

Dance of the Hours Sequence: Ben Ali Gator and Hyacinth Hippo

 

Dance of the Hours sequence. Limited edition #87/275.  Ben Ali Gator is dancing with Hyacinth Hippo.   [Image: 14-15/16"W x 11-3/16"H; Frame: 23-5/8"W x 19-7/8"H]  SeqID-0154  8/3/2005

Night on Bald Mountain/Ave Maria Sequence: Chernabog

 

 Night on Bald Mountain/Ave Maria sequence. Limited edition #87/275.  Chernabog with evil pose.    [Image: 14-15/16"W x 11-3/16"H.  Frame:  23-5/8"W x 19-7/8"H]  SeqID-0155  8/3/2005

Pastoral Symphony Sequence: Pegasus (white and black)

 

Pastoral Symphony sequence.  Limited edition #87/275.  Pegasus (black) and his wife (white) flying.   [Image: 14-15/16"W x 11-3/16"H; Frame: 23-5/8"W x 19-7/8"H]  SeqID-0156  8/3/2005



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From "Fantasia" (1940; 1987).  A blue book cover that held the cels from Fantasia that made up the first Disney Limited Edition release.  The book contained 6 cels: #0042, 0045, 0153, 0154, 0155, 0156.  [Item: 16-3/8"W x 12-3/4"H]  SeqID 0041

"Fantasia" (1940) [Series] - Dance of the Hours Cel

More "Fantasia" items from the Cowan Collection...

This cel is a little different because of the large number of characters on the cel -- 13 in all.  While you might think that the alligator in the front is on another cel, it isn't ...The cel is on an airbrushed background.  

Alligators Cel (click to enlarge)

 

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From “Fantasia” (1940) -- Dance of the Hours sequence.   ‘Dance of the Hours’ Sequence celluloid on airbrushed background -- 13 alligators in all.  Unusual to have such a large number is a single cel.  [ From Sotheby's: Walt Disney Dance of the Hours sequence celluloid from "Fantasia," 1940.  The gouache on celluloid depicts the alligators dancing from the Dance of the Hours sequence, applied to a non-production purple airbrushed background.  11x15. ]  Sotheby's auction 7491, Lot 273.   FRONT: "13"  Watercolor background.  BACK: nothing.  [Item: 15"W X 11"H]  SeqID-0721

"Fantasia" (1940) [Series] - Preview Contact Sheet

Postings of "Fantasia" (1940) related items from the Cowan Collection.

OK....


Here's a contact sheet of the Fantasia items in the collection that I will start posting...