2008 marks the return of the American Folk Heroes Series, a Members-Only Series that was available to members of the Walt Disney Collectors Society from 1994-1996.
The series made its debut in 1994 with the release of Pecos Bill and Widowmaker (Melody Time), followed by Slue Foot Sue (Melody Time) in 1995 and Casey at the Bat (Make Mine Music) in 1996, at which point the series was suspended.
Over the years since its suspension, collectors have been asking for the return of this series and in 2008 that wish was granted with the release of Johnny Appleseed (Melody Time). In the most recent Newsflash (available only on-line at www.WaltDisneyCollectorsSociety.com) in response to a collector question, it stated the following:
"If Johnny proves to be a collector favorite we may continue with Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox. So the American Folk Heroes Series may go marching on!"
Special Note: The image above is one I found on the Internet and included in my blog entry strictly for reference purposes to show readers what Paul Bunyan and Babe look like. The image is NOT a concept drawing of a proposed sculpture.
For those unfamiliar with Paul Bunyon and Babe the Blue Ox (pictured above), I've included a clip of the animated short (courtesy of YouTube.com) below:
Part One:
Part Two:
Paul Bunyan ©Disney
I just received my Johnny Appleseed and he is wonderful and like I mentioned to some friends, he just looks so happy go lucky. He is tall and is along the lines of Casey at Bat. Great price point, too. I encourage everyone to add Johnny to their collection. I really want Paul Bunyon and Babe, which by the sound of it in this spring's Newsflash, might be next.
ReplyDeleteSo get out there and buy up Johnny!!
Hey Jeff,
ReplyDeleteFinally saw Johnny Appleseed myself in person and agree. Dusty did another great job! I do not have any of the previous American Folk Heroes releases but am leaning towards Johnny.
Thanks for the reminder, the Paul Bunyon & Babe mention in Newsflash. Hopefully Johnny will do well (guess I need to get mine on order) and we'll see them added next year.
Glad to see this series revisited and would be nice if the series ended up being a 5 piece series when done.