Mickey Mouse Still Charming Collectors This Week at LiveAuctionTalk.com

SANTA FE, NM, August 24, 2012 (Press-News.org) Steamboat Willie was Walt Disney's first cartoon talkie. And Disney wasn't sure if audiences would accept a talking mouse. Talkies were new and still a mystery to audiences and movie executives too.

But audiences did love Mickey Mouse.

"It is an ingenious piece of work with a good deal of fun," wrote the New York Times. "It growls, whines, squeaks and makes various other sounds that add to its mirthful quality."

Night after night Walt stood at the back of the theater and listened to the audience howl to his cartoon images.

Designed for ease of animation, Mickey was birthed out of two large circles, one for his body the other for his head. Two smaller circles made up his ears. Add to that an impish snout, plum-shaped nose, button eyes, a long skinny tail, plump hands and hose-like arms and you have the cartoon character many of us grew up with and dearly loved.

This human-like black mouse typically wears red shorts, large yellow shoes, and white gloves and has become one of the most recognizable cartoon characters in the world. Some say Mickey was Walt Disney's alter ego, a quick-witted, shy, adventurous soul.

Mickey Mouse went on to star in more than 130 films. Nine of Mickey's cartoons were nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film. Mickey often appears alongside his sweetie Minnie Mouse, his dog Pluto and friends Horace Horsecollar, Donald Duck, and Goofy.

On Jan. 30 Bonhams, San Francisco, featured "Disneyana Including Other Fine Toys & Collectibles" auction. A Mickey Mouse Lunch Kit; depicting Silly Symphonies graphics with an early pie-eyed Mickey and characters including the internal kit sold in the auction for $2,000.

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Rosemary has provided auction coverage and analysis on thousands-and-thousands of antiques and collectibles sold since the column started 16-years ago. She includes auction sale results to give readers a feel for what their treasures are worth because the power of auctions is simple.

When the bidding stops and the hammer falls, the value of an item is set. The buyer, not the seller, sets the price, and this simple distinction cuts through all the chitchat about what art, antiques and collectibles are really worth. The emphasis is on today's values, not yesterday's wishful thinking.

Each week another new article is posted featuring a particular area of collecting.

• Every article showcases an auction item and how it fits into the big picture.
• A compelling, historical context is provided for the treasures people collect.
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• Current "prices realized" are listed.

Rosemary is the co-author of The Official Price Guide to Fine Art published by Random House and received her training in the trenches working as a professional appraiser and weekly columnist.

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Rosemary McKittrick
info@LiveAuctionTalk.com