(Walt Disney Studios, 1978) One-of-a-kind original hand-painted prototype cel featuring Mickey Mouse and Black Pete from the 50th Anniversary Portfolio, commemorating Mickey's first cartoon, the 1928 animated short Steamboat Willie, with a playful face-off between the towering Black Pete and the smaller Mickey Mouse. Character images measure 4.75 (Black Pete) and 2.25 x 3 (Mickey), with a mat opening of 15.25 x 11.25. Framed to an overall size of 21.75 x 18.75. In fine condition. This prototype differs from the final format released in the 1978 portfolio: in this example, Black Pete's hat is entirely white with a black badge, where in the released version, the hat has a black top and white badge. This cel also has 3-D buttons on Black Pete's overalls and Mickey's trousers, where the released version has flat two-dimensional buttons. A one-of-a-kind piece deriving from the personal collection of a retired studio executive. Learn more about our Animation Expert Harry Kleiman
