Up for auction the original works of animation classics such as "Sleeping Beauty"

The largest unique production collections of the 1959 classic La Sleeping BeautyIn addition to animation drawings, storyboards, concept art, backgrounds, model sheets and original artwork by artist Eyvind Earle, the drawings and works of Heritage Auctions will also be auctioned from 6 to 8 August.

There will also be original artwork from all major studios and animation greats, including Chuck Jones, Mary Blair, Gustaf Tenggren, Winsor McCay, Ub Iwerks, Ham Luske, Walt Peregoy, Peter and Harrison Ellenshaw and even a section of lots that are signed by Walt Disney.

The event is Heritage's third Animation Art Signature auction of 2021 and its first vintage Animation Art Signature auction of the year.

“This auction includes more than 1.700 lots of stunning artwork representing the stories and characters that many of us know and love,” said Jim Lentz, vice president of Heritage Auctions and art director of animation and anime. “Eyvind Earle was a true pioneer in the evolution of background artwork. It's easy to take for granted when watching an animated movie, but when done to the level it did, it can enhance the whole viewing experience. He was an exceptionally important artist, so much so that places such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Rahr West Art Museum and the Phoenix Art Museum have purchased some of his works for their permanent collections ”.

The collection of the works of Eyvind Earle includes 37 lots, mainly from Sleeping Beauty, but also from Lady and the Tramp and one by Pigs are pigs. The treasure includes production cel, original concept paintings, cel and master pan production background sets, concept and color key paintings, and studio paintings by the artist who joined Walt Disney Studios in 1951, originally as an assistant painter of backgrounds. A member of Disney Legend, he caught Walt Disney's attention a couple of years later when he created the look of Toot, Whistle, Plunk and Boom, an animated short that won an Oscar and an award at the Cannes Film Festival.

Highlights include:

• Sleeping Beauty Princess Aurora's Cradle with 3 Good Fairies Concept Painting Original Art (Walt Disney, 1959) - estimate: $ 25.000+
• Sleeping Beauty Production Cel and Master Pan Production Background Setup (Walt Disney, 1959) - estimate: $ 20.000+
• Sleeping Beauty Concept Painting Original Art (Walt Disney, c. 1958) - estimate: $ 10.000+
• Lady and the Tramp Concept / Color Key Painting (Walt Disney, 1955) - estimate: $ 2,500 +

Among the most recognizable images in the auction there is one Hare making his hair stand on end Bugs Bunny and Gossamer Production Cel (Warner Brothers, 1946), by Chuck Jones, who has written, produced and / or directed many classic cartoon shorts featuring Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Pepé Le Pew, Porky Pig, Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner, among others. This sale includes the largest assembly ever offered by Heritage Auctions of works by the three-time Oscar winner, who also directed the first animated feature film. Looney Tunes compilation movie, The movie Bugs Bunny / Road Runner (1979). This hair-raising production cel, with a pre-auction estimate of over $ 10.000, captures the first meeting between Bugs and Gossamer, who was technically unnamed in the film.

Other Jones highlights include:

• "The Art of Chuck Jones" Michigan J. Frog Oil Painting (Warner Brothers, 1996) - estimate: $ 50.000 +
• hare in a hurry Marvin the Martian Production Cel (Warner Brothers, 1952) - estimate: $ 15.000 +
• What is Opera, doctor? Illustration of Elmer Fudd and Bugs Bunny by Chuck Jones - Original Art (Warner Brothers, c. 1990s) - estimate: $ 10.000+
• Marvin the Martian and Daffy Duck Chuck Jones Illustration - Original Art (Warner Brothers, circa 90s) - Estimate: $ 7.500 +

No Animation Art event would be complete without a selection of works by Mary Blair, the artist, animator and designer best known for creating concept art for films such as Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan e Cinderella. He has also created illustrations for children's books, Disneyland's It's a Small World attraction, and even a huge mosaic for Disney's Contemporary Resort.

Among its highlights in the auction are:

• Peter Pan Mermaids and Jolly Roger Pirate Ship Concept Painting (Walt Disney, 1953) - estimate: $ 15.000 +
• "It's a small world" Concept Painting (Walt Disney, 1964/66) - estimate: $ 15.000+
• Cinderella Castle Concept / Color Key Painting (Walt Disney, 1950) - estimate: $ 10.000 +
• Peter Pan Concept / Color Key Painting (Walt Disney, 1953) - estimate: $ 10.000 +
• Cinderella Magic Coach Concept Painting (Walt Disney, 1950) - estimate: $ 7.500 +

Among the artists whose works are present in the sale are Gustaf Tenggren, whose highlights include a Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio Concept Painting (Walt Disney, 1940) (estimate: $ 15.000), a Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Concept Painting (Walt Disney, 1937) (estimate: $ 5.000) and its powerful concept art for Fantasy fabric "Night on Bald Mountain" (Walt Disney, 1940) (estimate: $ 5.000 +).

Academy Award-winning animator, cartoonist, character designer and special effects engineer Ub Iwerks created 13 lots offered for sale, including a steamer Willie Animation Production Drawing (Walt Disney, 1928) (estimate: $ 5.000 +), a group of four conceptual drawings from The little Prince (Hugh Harman, 1943-44) (estimate: $ 2.500 +) and a 1933 Willie Whopper Theatrical Poster (Estimate: $ 750 +).

Other artists featured in the sale are Carl Barks, Walt Peregoy e John Hench, among others.

Few characters conjure up holiday images like Dr. Seuss's Grinch, the grumpy cynic who tries to steal Christmas until his spirit is changed by a young girl's generous holiday spirit. The sale includes 24 Grinch lots, including:

• How the Grinch stole Seuss's Christmas Blue-Eyed Grinch Production Cel signed by Chuck Jones (MGM, 1966) - estimate: $ 5.000 +
• How the Grinch stole Seuss's Christmas Caroling Whos Production Cel signed by Chuck Jones (MGM, 1966) - estimate: $ 2,500 +
• How the Grinch stole Seuss's Christmas The Grinch and Max Production Cel signed by Chuck Jones (MGM, 1966) - estimate: $ 1.500 +
• How the Grinch stole Seuss's Christmas Cindy-Lou Who Production Cel Sequence of 2 Signed by Chuck Jones (MGM, 1966) - estimate: $ 1.500+

Sometimes it's not so much who created the artwork, but who once owned it. This auction features a collection of 95 lots once owned by Ted Berman, who worked for Disney for nearly four decades as a director, animator and screenwriter, bringing to life notorious characters such as Bambi and assorted characters of Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland, Lady and the Tramp e Mary Poppins.

The lots for sale he once owned include:

• To Mary Blair Susie the little blue coupe Concept / Color Key Painting (Walt Disney, 1952) - estimate: $ 5.000 +
• UN Free fun and fantasy "Mickey and the beanstalk" Background of the main production of Key Master (Walt Disney, 1947) - estimate: $ 2.500
• UN Black cauldron Taran and Cauldron Maquettes Group (Walt Disney, 1985) - estimate: $ 1.000+
• UN Winnie the Pooh and also Tigger Storyboard Original Art Group of 40 (Walt Disney, 1974) - $ 750 +

Additional lots come directly from the archives and properties of Disney Legend members Ham Luske, David Hand e Don Duckwall, Disney layout artist and producer Joe Hale, Disney artist Del connell and longtime animator Paul Carlson.

For pictures and information on all auction lots, visit HA.com/7255.