We're Off!

It's time for our annual trip to WDW! After a grueling week at work, glad to get away for a few days of fun and relaxation with family and friends at one of our favorite destinations.

Amanda's roommate Rachel from college will be joining us and we'll be meeting up with resident Floridian Terry and our BFF's from NY, Bob & Toni. Should be a week of good times and a LOT of laughs!

Bags are packed, car is loaded and we're out the door! Hopefully we will bring some of the nice, warm weather we've been having to the very wet Orlando area!

Looking forward to Characters in Flight, located in Downtown Disney, checking out the new DVC resorts at Kadani Village, Bay Lake Towers and the Treehouse Villas plus trying some new restaurants!

Hope everyone has a Safe & Happy Memorial Day Weekend!!

Retirement Announcement Plus Suspensions & Product Update!

Honored today (05-22-09) as a dry retirement is Scotland from Disney's It's a Small World Series. The Highland Laddie and his Castle accessory item made their WDCC debut in May, 2007 as an Open Edition release.

In addition to today's retirement, the following sculptures have sold out and/or have been suspended.

Sold Out Numbered Limited Editions

Beast: Fury Unleashed (from Beauty and the Beast)
Blossom Fairy: Incandescent Magic (from Fantasia)
Elliot: A Boy's Best Friend (from Pete's Dragon)
Pirates Jail Scene: "Here Give Us the Keys, ya Scrawny Beast!" (from Pirates of the Caribbean Theme Park Attraction)
Sleeping Beauty Jeweled Box: Clandestine Conclave (Gold Circle Exclusive from Sleeping Beauty)

Sold Out Walt Disney Collectors Society Ltd Edition

Peg: Dog Pound Diva (from Lady and the Tramp)

Recently Suspended (Sold Out Open Edition Sculptures with No Immediate Plans to Re-Order)

Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser (Quintessentially Disney from Alice in Wonderland)
Cheshire Cat: Surreal Smile (Quintessentially Disney from Alice in Wonderland)
Fantasia Opening Title (from Fantasia)
Fountain (from Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas)
Doc: "Where a Million Diamonds Shine" (from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs)
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Opening Title (from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs)

Special Note Regarding Suspensions: When an Item is Suspended it is out of stock and there are no plans to re-order for at least a year. However, it could be decided to change the status from Suspended to Retired (Dry Retirement) at some point.

If interested in a suspended item, you may want to check with retailers regarding availability as there is no guarantee that the item could be put back into production and its status changed back to active status.

Jessica Rabbit to Join the Disney Bust Series!

Sideshow Collectibles has posted on their website a preview of Jessica Rabbit, an upcoming release in the Disney Bust Series by Grand Jester Studios.

Their website says that pre-orders will begin with the newsletter launch on May 28, 2009, with a Sideshow Exclusive Version available only at SideshowCollectibles.com.

These dynamic busts are designed to capture all the grandeur and power of The Walt Disney Studios’ noblest heroes, loveliest heroines, and vilest villains. Brought to life by Disney and Grand Jester Studios under the creative direction of animator and sculptor Rubén Procopio, these limited edition polystone busts offer collectors and Disney fans alike the opportunity to bring home and display their favorite animated and live-action characters in this detailed collectible format.

Thanks William for this breaking news!

Tinker Bell & Stitch in Next Wave of Polystone Busts from Grand Jester Studios!

Sideshow Collectibles has updated their website with two more releases in the Disney Bust Series from Grand Jester Studios and the creators of the Walt Disney Classics Collection for Third Quarter 2009 .. Tinker Bell and Stitch!

Tinker Bell (Peter Pan) and Stitch (Lilo and Stitch) join previously released polystone busts -- King Triton and Ursula from The Little Mermaid, Peter Pan and Captain Hook from Peter Pan, Snow White and Hag from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and the Rocketeer from The Rocketeer.

These outstanding collectible busts are high-quality, detailed representations of some of the world's most beloved Disney characters, perfect for any fan to display.

Whether she's plotting against arch-rival Wendy for Peter's affections or spying on the dastardly Captain Hook, one look says it all: Don't mess with Tinker Bell! Portraying the peeved pixie in a particularly petulant pose, this character authentic, porcelain mini-bust of Never Land's favorite scene-stealer is designed and sculpted by veteran Disney animator Ruben Procopio. Standing 7 inches tall, Tinker Bell comes painted and ready to display alone or with the Captain Hook Bust and Peter Pan Bust (offered separately).

Special Note: Sideshow Collectibles has both Peter Pan and Tinker Bell listed as porcelain busts vs. polystone busts, though the detail for each refers to them as polystone.

Update 05-08-09: It has been confirmed. Both Peter Pan and Tinker Bell are both polystone, not porcelain as incorrectly described on the Sideshow Collectible website. FYI.

From Disney's Lilo & Stitch, there's a reason Experiment 626 (a.k.a. Stitch) tops the galaxy's Most Wanted list. Wielding four sizzling ray-guns and a gleefully maniacal smile, this trigger-happy alien is genetically designed to wreak as much havoc and destruction as inhumanly possible. Stitch's incorrigible attitude and bad-boy charm are on full display in this character authentic, polystone mini-bust designed and sculpted by Disney animator Ruben Procopio. Standing 7" tall, Stitch comes painted and ready to display.

Available for order (while supplies last) through Sideshow Collectibles at http://www.sideshowcollectibles.com/, Diamond Comic Distributors’ Previews, and Disney Shopping, Inc. at http://www.disneyshopping.com/.

Special Thanks to Geoffrey for posting this information in another blog entry!

First '2009 Production Mark' Sighting!

The 2009 Production Mark has been sighted! The Paw Print production mark was sighted on Simba ("Little King, Big Roar"), the 2009 Spring Event Sculpture which made it's debut April 17-20, 2009.

This year's production mark honors Walt Disney's animated classic One Hundred and One Dalmatians and the symbol is a paw print (pictured at left).

The only sculptures that do not include the Production Mark are the yearly Walt Disney Collectors Society Membership Gift Sculptures. The Production Mark was discontinued on the Membership Gift sculptures years ago to discourage Society Members from purposely disrupting their memberships as they let their memberships lapse and then try to renew them a year or so later in the hopes of receiving the following year's Production Mark (when we would produce fewer with that mark).

Thanks Carl/Gurgi for this breaking news! Very appropriate the first sculpt to bear this year's production mark would be Simba :)

Reviews: Ariel w/Prince Eric Statue & Clopin

My most recent purchases were this year's latest release from The Little Mermaid, Ariel with Prince Eric Statue (sculpted by Kent Melton) and Clopin from The Hunchback of Notre Dame (released in 2007, sculpted by Tony Cipriano).

In honor of it's 20th Anniversary comes the release of Ariel with Statue of Prince Eric, a Numbered Limited Edition (NLE) of 1,000. I liked this piece instantly from the images made available and just as pleased when I saw in person. This is probably my favorite Ariel released to date.

Ariel (like Belle, Cinderella and Snow White) is not an easy character to translate into 3D. Ariel facially is perfect/ dead on and I like the sense of movement in both her hair and fin. My only criticism, her hair seems dark, not the vibrant red you think of when you think of Ariel, that in Seahorse Surprise. Knowing this sculpture is from the sequence in the grotto, her hair would be effected by the shadows within the grotto, hence why they went with a darker shade?

The statue of Eric is done in resin to capture all the detail of the statue that couldn't have been accomplished if in porcelain. My only wish now, is if they would do a companion piece of King Triton as he approaches the grotto ... trident in hand, with an angry expression on his face as he overhears Ariel. I decided to display this sculpture outside a curio (pictured at right), placed next to a table fountain that is the same coloring/texture as Prince Eric. Very tranquil when the fountain is running.

My other purchase was Clopin, the harlequin host and narrator from Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Clopin was released in 2007 with Quasimodo and Esmerelda from The Festival of Fools Scene.

Hunchback is one of my favorite films of the newer releases, so was very disappointed with the Tribute Series release of him and Esmerelda ("Not A Single Monster Line) and began to lose faith we would see anything else from this film until 2007 :) I couldn't have been more pleased with all three characters but at the time of their release, only purchased Esmerelda and Quasimodo with plans to purchase Clopin constantly pushed to the back burner.

Clopin has finally joined my collection and the 3 characters together make an amazing scene with all the vibrant colors used, sense of movement in each character and the gold plussing. Clopin is an Open Edition release, sculpted by Tony Cipriano.

Once again, would like to thank Bob, Pam and Nancy at CEL-EBRATION! Gallery for reserving these for me and a wonderful weekend in Red Bank, NJ at their recent signing event with Kent & Tony and can't wait to return to Red Bank!

Updated Facts & Firsts for 2009!

An updated edition of Facts & Firsts for 2009 has just been finalized and available for download (click on image at right).

This update includes all releases through Second Quarter 2009 plus the recent retirements and suspensions.

Should you catch any errors, please email me at wdccduckman@aol.com so we can be sure to get those corrected in the next update.

Simba 'Roar Into Spring' Event Retailer Listing

Simba is the Spring Premiere Event featured sculpture taking place worldwide April 17-20, 2009.

The sculpture is from the I Can't Wait To Be King song sequence from Disney's blockbuster, The Lion King. Simba asks his mother if he can go to the water-hole with his best friend, Nala. Their parents agree but only if Mufasa's majordomo, the hornbill Zazu, goes with them. Simba and Nala elude Zazu's supervision during I Just Can't Wait to Be King and go to the graveyard instead.

A Numbered Limited Edition (NLE) of 1,500, Simba was sculpted by Bruce Lau. The sculpture will bear a 15th Anniversary backstamp in honor of the film's release.

Please click image at right for a complete listing of Authorized Dealers participating in the event for North America, Canada and Europe. Collectors in Asia should contact their local retailer regarding participation in the event.

The Little House (1952)

A rainy day here in Western PA, so thought a good day to catch up on some recent DVD purchases. I popped in Disney Rarities: Celebrated Shorts, 1920's - 1960's (released in Dec. 2005).
One of my favorite shorts included on this DVD tin is The Little House (1952) based on the 1942 book of the same name, written and illustrated by Virginia Lee Burton.

The story centers on a house built at the top of a small hill, far out in the country. Her builder decrees that she "may never be sold for gold or silver" but is built sturdy enough to one day see his great-great-grandchildren's great-great-grandchildren living in her. The house watches the seasons pass, and wonders about the lights of the city, which grow ever closer.

Eventually a road is built in front of the house. This is followed by roadside stands, gas stations, and more little houses. Next, the small houses are replaced by tenements and apartments. Streetcars, an elevated railroad, and a subway appear to surround the house. Finally, two gigantic skyscrapers are built -- one on each side.

One day the great-great-granddaughter of the builder sees the house and remembers stories that her grandmother told about living in just such a house, albeit far out in the country. When the great-great-granddaughter discovers that it is the same house, she arranges to have her moved out of the city, to a hill in the country where she can once again watch the seasons pass.

As an added treat (for a rainy day), The Little House (courtesy of YouTube.com):

The Little House is ©Disney

Robin Hood Poll Results!

Our recent Other Character(s) You Would Like to See Added from Robin Hood Poll has ended. Of those choices polled, the results are as follows:

64% - Lady Cluck
57% - Friar Tuck
54% - Alan-a-Dale
35% - King Richard
28% - Mother Rabbit, Sis & Tagalong
21% - Grandma & Grandpa Owl
19% - Father Mouse & Mother Mouse
17% - Otto (Dog)

I will leave the results up for the Other Character(s) You Would Like to See Added from Robin Hood Poll for a few days for anyone who wants to see/compare the final results.

Thanks again to all who participated!

Grand Jester Studios Launches New Disney-Inspired Bust Collection!

Grand Jester Studios proudly announces the debut of a new line of dynamic busts designed to capture all the grandeur and power of The Walt Disney Studios’ noblest heroes, loveliest heroines, and vilest villains. Brought to life by Disney and Grand Jester Studios under the creative direction of animator and sculptor Rubén Procopio, these limited edition polystone busts offer collectors and Disney fans alike the opportunity to bring home and display their favorite animated and live-action characters in this detailed collectible format.

The first seven offerings in the collection include the fairest of them all, Snow White, and the diabolical Witch who plots her demise; The Little Mermaid’s majestic King Triton and Ursula the scheming Sea Witch; puckish prankster Peter Pan and his nemesis, the maniacal Captain Hook; and the high-flying Rocketeer, who has earned the distinction of becoming Grand Jester Studios’ first sold out edition.

“My goal is for each character to practically leap off the shelf with their expression and vitality,” states Procopio, whose ability to infuse each bust with a dynamic line of action springs from his years of experience as both an animator and sculptor. Now the famed artist has directed his considerable skills to designing and art directing this amazing new collection of busts. As Procopio explains, “each figure’s pose and attitude is designed to highlight the unique physical mannerisms and personality traits that Disney fans worldwide have come to know and love about their favorite characters.”

Standing between 6 ½” (16.5 cm) to 10 ½” (26.7 cm) tall, these stunningly beautiful busts are remarkable not only for their dramatic poses, but also for the painstaking attention to detail evident in every subtle facial gesture and film-inspired base design. This dedication to character authenticity extends to the smallest costume detail, from the tiny rivets in the Rocketeer’s streamlined helmet to the flaring cut and dramatic folds of Captain Hook’s billowing jacket. Special care is also taken to match each film’s original color palette.

Available for order (while supplies last) through Sideshow Collectibles at www.SideshowCollectibles.com, Diamond Comic Distributors’ Previews, and Disney Shopping, Inc. at www.DisneyShopping.com, the initial wave of Disney busts will quickly expand to encompass iconic and eclectic characters from Disney’s live action and animated films and shorts and Disney-Pixar films, as well. Suggested Retail Prices range from US $60.00 to US $85.00.

Last Call!

A reminder that the following Walt Disney Collector Society offerings for 2008, their redemption period ends March 31st!:

• Donald's Nephew(s) - Instant Redemption Sculpture
• Belle - 'Of Dreams & Magic' Series (2008)
• Wendy and Peter with Mermaids - Commission Only Sculpture (Wendy); 'Of Dreams & Magic' Series (2007-Redemption period extended with the release of Wendy)
• Johnny Appleseed - American Folk Heroes Series
• Peg - Collectors Choice Series

To order these exclusives, contact your authorized Walt Disney Classics Collection retailer and give them your completed redemption certificate (or a copy of the certificate) along with your Walt Disney Collectors Society Membership Number.

Special Note: The WDCS will continue to honor orders for these pieces (along with the Queen of Hearts) after March 31st for eligible Walt Disney Collectors Society Members while supplies last! Production will stop at the end of the redemption period (no more will be made) but the Society will continue to honor WDCS Society Member orders as long as inventory is available.

A Great Time In Red Bank!

I just returned from the Signing Event with Kent Melton and Tony Cipriano at CEL-EBRATION! Gallery this past weekend in Red Bank, NJ. It was an awesome weekend to finally be able to visit the store, see old friends again and meet so many new ones!

Bob & Pam Martin hosted a signing event at their store on Saturday, March 21st that kicked off with a Panel Discussion held at the Count Basie Theatre. I was honored to be part of this panel discussion with two very talented sculptors.

Pam welcomed everyone who attended, introduced the panel and then introduced Kent's wife Martha who spoke about Rose O'Neill, the animator of the Kewpie who is celebrating it's 100th Anniversary this year!

Kent spoke of his recent work on Coraline plus the many films he's worked on over the years and his work for the Walt Disney Classics Collection. He had maquettes of the Cat, Scotty Dog and Coraline from the film. I haven't had the opportunity to see Coraline yet but after speaking with him and Pam about it this weekend, definitely want to check it out.

Tony Cipriano spoke of his work on Mulan, Tarzan and Brother Bear and his work for the Walt Disney Classics Collection. He brought maquettes of Kenai, one of the Moose (not sure if Rutt or Tuke) and Tatana from Brother Bear and Cri-Kee from Mulan. At the close of the Panel Discussion, the group moved from the Count Basie Theater to the store for collectors to meet with the sculptors and have their sculptures and/or certificates signed.

It was great to have our gang together again for another event -- Michelle, Greg, George, Jeff, Carl & John, Ms. V (Virginia) and Lanette. Allen, appreciate you coming in from Long Island, was great catching up again. Was nice to meet Janet (Carl's sister), Robert (Ms. V's husband) , Mindy & Nancy plus so many of Pam's customers who are some of the nicest people I've ever met!

I first met Kent Melton in 1998 at the Rosemont International Collectibles Exposition. This event was held each summer in Rosemont, IL and alternated between the East & West Coast either in the spring or fall. A friendshp has grown since our first meeting and always look forward to seeing Kent at signing events and having the chance to catch up. I had pre-ordered the Ariel with Prince Eric Statue (based on images), so was my first opportunity to see in person .. WOW!

This was the first time I had the opportunity to meet Tony Cipriano. Both a great guy and very talented sculptor. From the Festival of Fools Scene, had only done Quasimodo and Esmerelda, so took this opportunity to finish out the grouping sculpted between Kent (Esmerelda) and Tony (Quasimodo and Clopin) and pick up Clopin. Truly hope to see more of Tony's work in future WDCC releases, as he's a very talented guy!

The evening ended with Michelle, Greg and myself seeing Idina Menzel in concert at the Count Basie Theatre. Many are familiar with Idina from her performances as Maureen in Rent and Elphaba in Wicked on Broadway and as Nancy in Disney's Enchanted. Idina put on a fantastic show to a packed house singing songs from her latest CD, I Stand plus songs from her previously released CD's and Wicked. I highly recommend if you have a chance to see her perform, to do so as she is not only a fantastic singer but incredible entertainer and performer.

No trip recap would be complete without some recommendations :) If in the Red Bank area, be sure to stay at the Molly Pitcher Inn. The Molly Pitcher Inn offers first-class amenities with the sophistication of an elegant 19th century small luxury hotel and is among the most scenic luxury hotels in Central New Jersey.

For dinner that evening, we ate at the Dublin House Pub Restaurant located adjacent to CEL-EBRATION! Great atmosphere and great food. Highly recommend their burgers and reuben sandwich.

For great entertainment, check out the Count Basie Theatre. A beautiful restoration was done in 2008.

On Saturday, prior to the Panel Discussion, we had lunch at the Broadway Diner. A charming place with incredible food. The food was so good, we had breakfast there on Sunday before heading out. Highly recommend the cranberry and pecan pancakes .. YUM!

I would like to thank Bob, Pam and Nancy for being such awesome hosts and making it possible for collectors to have the opportunity to get together and spend time with the sculptors behind a collection that is very special to many of us.

I look forward to their next event and the opportunity to return to Red Bank!

The 100th Anniversary of the Kewpie Doll!

During the Signing Event with Kent Melton and Tony Cipriano this past weekend, Pam Martin intrduced Kent's wife Martha who spoke about Rose O'Neill, the animator of the Kewpie who is celebrating it's 100th Anniversary this year.

Kewpie dolls and figurines are based on comic strip-like illustrations by Rose O'Neill that appeared in Ladies Home Journal in 1909. The small dolls were extremely popular in the early 1900s. They were first produced in Ohrdruf, a small town in Germany, then famous for its toy-manufacturers. They were made out of bisque and then celluloid. In 1949, Effanbee created the first hard plastic versions.

Their name, often shortened to "Kewpies", is derived from 'Cupid,' the Roman god of beauty and non-platonic love. The time capsule at the 1939 New York World's Fair contained a Kewpie doll. The term "Kewpie doll" is sometimes mistakenly applied to the troll doll.

Many other articles were made using their images, for example, coloring and poem books, cups, plates, curios, etc. The incredible success of these characters made their creator rich and famous. It's a rare example of a woman becoming successful in the media business at such an early date. Kewpies should not be confused with the baby-like Billiken figures that debuted in 1908.

This year marks the 100th Anniversary of the Kewpie Doll. For more information on the history of the Kewpie Doll and Rose O'Neill please visit The Official Site of Rose O'Neill and Bonniebrook Museum.

Robin Hood Poll

As we've discussed in emails, blog and message board entries, the upcoming Wedding Scene from Robin Hood (Robin Hood & Maid Marian, Toby and Skippy), has us wondering (in some cases, hoping) of the possibility of the addition of more characters being added.

The poll includes the following characters, all present in this closing scene, from one of the least portrayed weddings in Disney animation:

• Alan-a-Dale (Wondering Minstrel-Rooster)
• Father Mouse & Mother Mouse (Church Mouse and Wife-Mice)
• Friar Tuck (Friar and one of Robin's Merry Men-Badger)
• Grandma & Grandpa Owl
• King Richard (King of England-Lion)
• Lady Cluck (Lady-in-Waiting for Maid Marian-Hen)
• Mother Rabbit, Sis and Tagalong (Skippy's Family-Rabbits)
• Otto (Blacksmith's Dog)

In this poll, you are able to choose more than one character. Please choose only those characters you would truly like to see done. Thanks in Advance!