"The 40s saw the Golden Age of animation, today we see the Golden Age of investment"
This week a founding member of Disney's animation team passed away.
Surviving two world wars and living through Disney animating history, the last living member of the affectionately named 'Nine Old Men' team passed away, leaving behind reels of Disney entertainment.
Ollie Johnson created many of our childhood memories. You couldn't think of this man as anything other than a legend.
His legendary status was confirmed in 2005 when he was awarded the National Medal for the Arts, showing that his famous work will never be forgotten.
He helped create Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Pinocchio, Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan and also gave a helping hand in bringing Mickey Mouse bang up to date in colour for the 20th century.
This man helped make Disney the name it is today and that name also makes a great investment...
Click here to see our Disney range
But why not treat this item not only as a healthy investment, but as a collectable too.
Today you could do just this
Hidden away in our vault is a piece of artwork, paramount to the history of animation and art. Fans and art collectors alike will be bubbling with excitement once they find out about this. So we thought we'd offer it to you first.
This piece of art comes in the form of an original cel used in the production of 'Melody Time'. Created in 1948, it is addressed to a great British singer from the 1940s and 50s, Anne Shelton and signed by Walt Disney himself.
It is thought that Walt Disney personally gave her the art work during an American tour in 1951.
Before I delve into facts and figures, I'll explain why Disney is the only name when it comes to animation history and collectables.
The Walt Disney Company is the second largest entertainment company in the world, with one of the largest studios in Hollywood. Together the company owns 11 theme parks across the world and boasts several television stations too.
The $35 billion company started when two brothers formed to make a production company. Keen to succeed in the world of animation, they created many characters, the most famous being the icon for the company, Mickey Mouse.
As the company grew, brothers Roy and Walt were both keen on expanding their business so they employed a string of animators, who went on to create our favourite animations.
Ollie Johnson was one of the lucky few who found work at Disney.
Now you can become a part of Disney history
We are offering you the chance to own a piece of history, not just animation history, but your history too.
Melody Time isn't well known to the children of this generation, but to everyone else it is an animated feature remembered for its popular and folk music. Famous for its experimental tones in music and animation, it can be compared to the more recent Fantasia.
Melody Time was the tenth animated feature film by Disney and bearing in mind that there are nearly 1000 Disney films out there, it puts in to context just how important this film is.
Click here to view the Melody Time cel
To find an original Disney animation is one thing, but to find one signed by Walt Disney himself is, well it's incredibly rare.
Just think about the effort poured into animated features of the 1940s. Walt Disney and his team would have worked tirelessly to get Melody Time onto our screens.
This cel was lovingly rendered and painstakingly spliced with other frames before it ever made it to the silver screen. This would have been touched by the great icon himself at the production stage and again when he signed it for Anne Shelton.
The cel is mounted, framed and glazed, with the famous studio label on the backing of the frame.
It really is a stunning piece. As beautiful as it is rare.
We haven't seen an item like this before and who knows when we will again. If the Disney magic has touched your life, I recommend you get in touch with me quickly to snap up this item.
It won't be around for long.
Call me today.
Call on +44 (0)1481 708 277
Email aroose@stanleygibbons.co.uk
Toll Free from the USA 1 866 644 6146
Regards,
Adrian Roose
PS. Just to give you an indication of the investment potential of this piece... According to the Fraser's 100 Index, signed photographs of Walt Disney have increased in value by 900% in the last 11 years.