These Merry Messengers rang in a new Holiday Series, a Gold Circle Exclusive in 2003, inspired by Walt Disney Studios Holiday Christmas Cards.The first release a 3-piece Numbered Limited Edition (NLE) set of 2,000 sculpted by Bruce Lau. The holidays bring warm greetings from old friends, so here are Mickey and his pals (Minnie, Donald and Pluto) just as they appeared on the official Walt Disney Studios Holiday Card for 1936.
Mickey and his pals (Donald & Pluto) just as they appeared on the official Walt Disney Studios Holiday Card for 1948 with Danny the Lamb from So Dear to My Heart was the second release in the series (2004).This 3-piece Numbered Limited Edition (NLE) set of 2,000 was sculpted by Dusty Horner. In a conversation with Dusty last fall at a signing event, he said "A Hearfelt Surprise" is one of his favorites!
Here are Donald & his Nephews (Huey, Dewey and Louie) just as they appeared on the official Walt Disney Studios Holiday Card for 1956 in the third and final release (2005) in the Walt Disney Studios Holiday Card Series.
This 3-piece Numbered Limited Edition (NLE) of 1,000 was sculpted by Patrick Romandy-Simmons.
Each release in the Walt Disney Studios Holiday Card Series included a litho of the Holiday Card that inspired the sculpture. You can click on each image above for more detail on each sculpture plus an image of the litho included.
This is one series I wish would have continued. I recall the initial article in Sketches Magazine that introduced the series, showed potential future releases and one I really wish that would have been done featured the Matterhorn and various Disney characters (Pinocchio and Jose Carioca stand out) on toboggans.
If interested in seeing more Walt Disney Studios Holiday Cards done over the years, check out the following blogs -- 2719 Hyperion and ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive. My personal favorite is the 1952 Studio Card featuring The Little House.
I, too, hope that this series would have continued. But never say never, right. The series can always continue in the future. All three in the series are favorites for different reasons. The first one really does have an old-fashioned look to it. The second one brings in a new character to the collection, which is always nice. The third one is just so whimsical to me. Love all the Donald hats on the tree.
ReplyDeleteMaybe the edition sizes were a little large. I think they could have all been at 1000 NLE. All add so much to our house during the holidays.
I have to admit that I was never able to pick up these sets, although I admired them tremendously.
ReplyDeleteDon, I too remember the Sketches article that reproduced a few of the other cards... I would have loved to have had the one from 1935 "The House of Mickey Mouse". It had some of the old characters like Horace and Clarabelle, and Donald and Goofy in their "early" look.
Jeff, like you, am hoping to see this series continue. It was a very unique series that gave opportunity to introduce esoteric characters like Danny the Lamb.
ReplyDeleteMy personal favorite is the first release, Merry Messengers due to its theming. Since a child, always enjoyed the sending and receiving of Christmas cards.
Matthew, I recall the card you're describing. Anything with Clarabelle I'm for! :)
Like everyone has voiced thus far, I too was hoping this series would continue. A smaller LE series would probably do just fine and they are great additions to the holiday collection. I too love the additional esoteric characters that this series lends itself too and truly hope that they will continue it in the future.
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