Lot 299

Previous image preload Next image preload

Description:

Walt Disney "Fantasia"-Era Boldly Signed TLS Re: "Special Effects Department," PSA Certified Authentic & With Phil Sears COA

A 1p typed letter boldly signed by pioneering animator Walt Disney (1901-1966) as "Walt Disney" near center-right. March 4, 1940. N.p. On a single leaf of "Walt Disney" letterhead, the signature measuring 3.125" x 1.5' alone. Encapsulated and PSA/DNA certified authentic. Expected wear including flattened transmittal folds, isolated minor smudges recto, and mounting traces verso, else near fine. The letter measures 7.125" x 10.5" while the slab measures 9.75" x 13.25" overall. Accompanied by a signed Certificate of Authenticity from Phil Sears Collectibles (Laguna Niguel, California) dated February 1, 2022.

Walt Disney wrote this flattering recommendation letter for a former Walt Disney Productions employee, in part: "Mr. Robert Neuschotz was employed on a contractual basis to do research work in our Special Effects Department. While in this capacity, he was of great assistance in devising and developing devices that have proven to be of value to this organization. In addition to being a fine workman, he has a personality which enables him to work with others successfully…"

Animation technology at Walt Disney Productions underwent a phenomenal transformation in the 1930s-1940s. Eustace Lycett, a British special effects artist at Disney, defined special effects in the age before computer-generated imagery as: "any technique or device that is used to create an illusion of reality in a situation where it is not possible, economical, or safe to use the real thing." Disney implemented ingenious special effects during this era such as stop-motion animation, the use of different color filters, and the use of multiplane camerawork. Further special effects innovations including forced perspective and color screens would be developed in the 1950s.

Robert Neuschotz's contract work at Walt Disney Productions coincided with work completed on "Fantasia," Disney's third feature-length animated film released in November 1940. Robert Neuschotz may have been the same person mentioned in Leonard Maltin's "Selected Short Subjects: From Spanky to the Three Stooges" (Reprint, De Capo paperback, 1972). Maltin mentions Neuschotz in the context of a trio of freelance filmmakers who sold a 3-D film to MGM's short filmmaker Pete Smith in the late 1930s.

Walt Disney was a talented animator and voice actor who co-created the character, Mickey Mouse in 1928. His interests and entrepreneurial spirit later led him into full-length sound-synchronized animated films, amusement parks, and consumer goods.

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.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Unless otherwise indicated, we do our own in-house worldwide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses who proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with signature required, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice. If any changes to the shipping address need to be made, you must inform us immediately.***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third Party Shipping Option: If a third party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third party Please copy and paste this following link into your browser: http://universityarchives.com/UserFiles/ShippingInfo.pdf. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third party shippers.

After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 10 business days following receipt of full payment for item.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Wilton, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

February 1, 2023 11:00 AM EST
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000