Animation art designed by New Yorker cartoonist Edward Koren for an unknown production was sold on eBay in September. The lot consists of four backgrounds, three with cel set-ups. The backgrounds, according to the eBay seller, are original ink drawings by Koren and not, say, reproductions. Three include cel overlays with foreground characters used, apparently, in production. The setting is an ornate bar. Offered for sale at $550, the four sheets sold for an undisclosed Best Offer.
Scene 5 Scene 1 Scene [?]; Scene 2, Background 2
Unnumbered Scene
Unnumbered scene background with overlay lowered
Edward Koren's signature
Scene 5
Scene 5 background with cel overlay lowered
Scene 1
Scene 1 cel close-up over background
Scene 1 background with cel overlay lowered
Scene 2, Background 2
Edward Koren eBay listing ended September 25, 2022
Note: If anybody recognizes this animated production using art by Edward Koren, I would like to hear about it. Also, is this a specific bar? Its details seem very plausible.
Among the treasures auctioned last month at Swann Galleries' sale of Illustration Art was a cel from "Yellow Submarine" (1968) featuring the Chief Blue Meanie. Note how well the intense color has been preserved.
I don't know precisely where this image appears in the film, but I do know my favorite quotation, written by Erich Segal and spoken not by a Blue Meanie but by Jeremy. "Ad hoc, ad loc, and quid pro quo: so little time, so much to know!" That sums it all up.
An animation cel featuring two Blue Meanies from "Yellow Submarine" (1968) was sold at Swann Galleries this week. It sold for more than the high estimate. When will the Blue Meanies realize that all you need is love?
An animation cel with two Blue Meanies from "Yellow Submarine" (1968)
An animation cel with two Blue Meanies from "Yellow Submarine" (1968)
Hammer Price: $950
An animation cel with two Blue Meanies from "Yellow Submarine" (1968)
Note: There is a lot more animation art on this blog, but none from Pepperland.
In 1978, Disneyissued the Mickey Mouse 50th Anniversary Commemorative Cel Portfolio. This portfolio consists of limited edition, hand-painted animation cels reconstructed from four classic Mickey Mouse film shorts. You probably already know "The Band Concert" (1935), which I make it a point to bring up regularly on summer Fridays, at least until I run out of material or get bored. "The Band Concert" is the first color cartoon to feature Mickey Mouse, and to this day it's a great cartoon by any criteria.
"The Simple Things" (1953) is Mickey's final theatrical film short. I was never a huge fan of this short, but it is the closing parenthesis on Mickey's career in animated short films for the cinema. "Mickey's Birthday Party" (1942) seems quite appropriate to include in this 50th birthday set. "Steamboat Willie" (1928), of course, is Mickey's first theatrical film release, although it was actually made after "Plane Crazy" (1929).
I have never myself sought to own a limited edition animation cel, although I believe many of the very best and most affordable animation cel images can be found in this form. The often-excellent images must be weighted against the fact that none of these cels is really a part of film history. Each and every one is created solely for the animation art market, not for the movies, sometimes many decades after the film being celebrated. In theory, at least, Disney can look at editions that sell out and, if demand is strong, create another similar but distinct limited edition at any time. So while I wouldn't count on them being outstanding investments, I think it's a fine idea to pick a few of these up at sensible prices for enjoyment on your wall.
This portfolio did not sell at Bonhams last year, despite the reasonable $500-$700 estimate. Another set is currently on eBay with an opening bid of $2,750.
Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck from "The Band Concert" (1935) Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse 50th Anniversary Commemorative Cel Portfolio, no. 100/275, 1978
Mickey Mouse and Pluto from "The Simple Things" (1953) Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse 50th Anniversary Commemorative Cel Portfolio, no. 100/275, 1978
The classic couple Minnie Mouse and Mickey Mouse from "Mickey's Birthday Party" (1942) Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse 50th Anniversary Commemorative Cel Portfolio, no. 100/275, 1978
Mickey Mouse faces off with Pete in"Steamboat Willie" (1928) Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse 50th Anniversary Commemorative Cel Portfolio, no. 100/275, 1978
