WALT DISNEY'S MICKEY MOUSE: The Ultimate History

On November 18, 1928, the world's most famous mouse made his very first public debut. Today, we celebrate 90 plus years of Mickey Mouse in one of the most expansive illustrated publications on the Disney universe. Starting with the first sketches of a character who was almost named Mortimer, we trace the career of Walt Disney's and Ub Iwerks's most famous creation, one met with an explosion of worldwide popularity preceded only by the earlier successes of Charlie Chaplin. This edition is derived from the XXL book that was produced with unlimited access to Disney's vast historical collections as well as public and private collections. The authors bring Mickey's success story to life: concept art, story sketches, background paintings, and animation drawings as well as historical photographs trace the origins and evolution of such timeless favourites as Steamboat Willie, The Band Concert, and Brave Little Tailor. They also follow Mickey as he builds on this legendary library of short cartoons by appearing in two historic feature-length films, Fantasia and Fun and Fancy Free. Unfinished projects, many of them presented for the first time through original storyboard drawings, unveil a Mickey that might have been. Extensive archival research sheds new light on little-known chapters of Mickey's career, such as his pioneering radio shows, the origins of the Mickey Mouse Club, and his use as a patriotic icon during World War II. Along the way, we encounter the work of Ub Iwerks, Win Smith, Ferdinand Horvath, Fred Moore, Floyd Gottfredson, Carl Barks, Manuel Gonzales, Paul Murry, Romano Scarpa, Giorgio Cavazzano, Byron Erickson, César Ferioli, and Noel Van Horn. Today, 90 years after his creation, Mickey remains as lovable and popular as ever. Let's pay the ultimate tribute to the little fellow, his legend, and his legacy. 496 colour-packed pages. 25 x 34cm, heavy at over 3kg. New from Taschen.