BOSTON, MASS.- RR Auction's February Fine Autographs and Artifacts sale features a wealth of iconic animation material, including lush hand-painted artwork by esteemed Disney background artist Eyvind Earle, concept paintings by Mary Blair, and numerous original production cels and drawings from classic films.
Highlights include; Eyvind Earle signed production key master background set-up of Prince Philip, Fauna, Flora, and Merryweather from Sleeping Beauty. (Walt Disney Studios, 1959) Sensational original production key master background set-up from the Oscar-nominated Disney classic animated feature film Sleeping Beauty. This scene, which is highlighted by a hand-painted Eyvind Earle master background, who signed in the lower right corner in blue paint, shows Prince Philip only moments after surviving his epic battle with the evil Maleficent in her enormous black dragon form, being led by the three good fairies—Flora, Fauna and Merryweather—up the castle staircase and to the bedroom of the sleeping Princess Aurora. While the cels themselves are exceptionally bright, the stunning Earle background takes center stage with its impressive attention to detail, namely with its focus to texture and lighting. A completely painted Earle background is extremely rare as his time as a background painter was very limited. His stylistic influence is readily apparent throughout this feature film referred to by Walt Disney as the 'height of color.’ (Estimate: $20,000+)
Eyvind Earle pan production background and production cel of Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty. (Walt Disney Studios, 1959) Original production cel and panorama master background featuring Maleficent from the Oscar-nominated Disney classic Sleeping Beauty. The scene depicts the sorceress in an exquisite full-length pose with scepter and flowing cloak as she emerges from the interior of her gargantuan castle. (Estimate: $15,000+)
Mary Blair concept painting from Cinderella. (Walt Disney Studios, 1950) Stunning original concept painting by Mary Blair for Cinderella, which depicts her horse-drawn carriage as it winds its way to the walled gate of the Prince’s magnificent castle. With contrasts of light and dark, Blair renders the scene with a brilliant sense of awe and the unknown, as the looming castle and its illuminated courtyard serves as an undeniably intimidating sight for Cinderella. With spots of shadow and bouncing light, piercing spires and a robust stonework frame, the castle itself takes on a unique almost sentient visage under the night’s glowing full moon. Accomplished in tempera artist's board, which is mounted and matted. A striking work of art for one of Disney’s most enchanting fairy tales.(Estimate: $15,000+)
Eyvind Earle production background and Briar Rose production cel from Sleeping Beauty. (Walt Disney Studios, 1959) Magnificent original production cels and production panoramic background from the Oscar-nominated Disney classic Sleeping Beauty. The woodland scene shows Briar Rose walking in the forest with her basket, a pair of rabbits poking out from two large boots, two onlooking chipmunks, and a trio of fluttering birds. The cels have been trimmed to image and applied to a vivid hand-painted production master pan background attributed to Eyvind Earle and his staff that is gorgeously rendered, with impressive detail and color given to all aspects of the woods. (Estimate: $15,000+)
Other highlights of the auction include a unique genealogical letter by Edgar Allan Poe, multiple Einstein letters with significant content on science and religion, an important theological manuscript by Isaac Newton, and a rare handwritten letter by Malcolm X.
The Fine Autograph and Artifacts sale featuring Animation by RR Auction began on January 22 and will conclude on February 10.
