I had the pleasure of meeting Andreas Deja this past Friday (along with John Musker and Ron Clements) and to attend the Spanish Premiere of The Princess and the Frog later on that day. Andreas was kind enough to bring me the sketchbook that Stuart Ng released a few weeks ago. I have always loved Andreas' art and this sketchbook is no exception. Andreas does not hide the fact that his sketches are very much influenced by Heinrich Kley and T.S. Sullivant. Which made me stumble on Amazon yesterday upon an upcoming book about T.S. Sullivant named The Antic Cartoon Art of T.S. Sullivant. Can't wait to get that one.

By the way, if you speak French and want to know a bit more about Andreas, this article might prove to be a good read.

As for The Princess and the Frog, the movie is definitely worth seeing but I still can't figure how much I enjoyed it. I know I disliked the heavy-handed "message," as well as Randy Newman's songs... and the fact that I saw the movie dubbed in Spanish did not help. But I also enjoyed tremendously the characters of Dr. Facilier (and all the scenes in which he stars), Mama Odie and Louis, as well as all of the second part of the movie. I also loved all the inside jokes, with "The Firefly Five Plus Lou" at the top of the list. I believe I will have to see it again in English to understand my feelings better.

Do not miss today:

- Disney Legend Walt Peregoy Exhibition Premiering February 1st at Encino, California by Alain Littaye
- Richard Todd and Walt Disney, July 1952 by Michael Barrier

As you know I love pre-WWII Disney items from Eastern Europe and although I did not manage to buy this Hungarian book on ebay last week I thought you might be happy to discover its existence.

I have just ordered Floyd Norman's autobiography, which has now been officially released. Can't wait to get it and start reading it.

A few gag drawings by Hal King being sold on ebay at the moment and that I thought you might enjoy.

Do not miss today this great article by Wade Sampson:

- Paul Murry: The Wayne DeWald Letter by Wade Sampson

I love those two cute concept drawings by Tenggren which are being sold at the moment on Heritage Auction Galleries. (Thanks to Emmanuel Bourmalo for the link)

I would have loved to pick up those Italian cheese labels but the auction was over before I could bid. (Thanks to Matt Crandall for the link)

Do not miss today:

- Happy Birthday, Wilfred! by Steve Hulett
- Farewell, Jack: part 7 by Steve Hulett
- Walt Peregoy Exhibit in Encino by Amid Amidi
- The Princess And The Frog’s Supervising Animator Mark Henn – Part 3: The Orlando Features by Jeremie Noyer
- Charlie Thorton by Vincent Potuto
- Real Life Fairy Tale -Snow White by Vincent Potuto

This just in from Are Myklebust about yesterday's post:

[So what is "Scott's Emulsion"?

You will find some information about this healthy liquid and its history here.

BTW; the logo – a very famous trade mark and still used today - has an interesting history in itself, see this link (only in Norwegian unfortunately).]

One of the most astonishing item I managed to buy on ebay recently is this North American advertising booklet in Spanish that depicts Mickey's trip from California to Norway. Weird and fascinating to say the least.

Sebastien Durand noticed and sent me a link to the article John Frost just posted on The Disney Blog about the book Snowball's Chance: The Story of the 1960 Olympic Winter Games Squaw Valley & Lake Tahoe. There is a direct link with Disney, of course, and I am looking forward to picking this book up.

Walt Disney's First Lady of Imagineering is first and foremost a tribute to Harriet Burns. Not a biography, not an in-depth look at her career, but a celebration of the human being through the persons who knew her, be they friends, colleagues or family.

If you enjoy knowing the human being behind the Imagineer and if you like to see really unusual documents linked to Disney and Disney history, then this book is for you. If you are looking forward to reading a few short but insightful interviews with Harriet you will also enjoy the book.

If you are expecting an in-depth, structured retelling of Harriet's life filled with work-related illustrations, then you should pass.

The page below will give you an idea of the type of structure and content the book adopted. My only regret: I wished there were slightly more Disney-related documents and slightly less personal photos, but that's a detail.

Overall the book is a pure delight and the best thing next to having actually known Harriet.

Do not in any way, shape or form miss this post today:

- Walt Disney in Rio de Janeiro, circa 1941 - Part Two by Alain Littaye

I picked up this great book recently, which contains quite a few photographs of our "good friend" Pat Powers. The author mentions that more information about Powers can be found in two books:

Next time drive off the cliff! by Gene Fernett and A million and one nights: A history of the motion picture by Terry Ramsaye.

Would a reader of this blog have access to those two books and be willing to scan the pages that mention Powers?

This great Swedish poster just in thanks to Lars Emanuelsson:

[The brand Persil was a well known detergent, and of course the name Snow White (Snövit in Swedish) fits in perfectly for its purposes. It even took all the color away from her dress.]

Do not miss today:

- Walt Disney in Rio de Janeiro, circa 1941 by Alain Littaye (truly outstanding post)
- DISNEY ILLUSTRATION ON THE COVER OF TURKISH CHILDREN'S MAGAZINE FROM 1939 by Kaya Özkaracalar
- Animators & cartoonists from all over come together to “Help the Hodges” by Jim Hill

And for those of you who care more about US material, here is a link to a site focused on vintage Disney ads, courtesy of Jim Korkis.

For those of you who love Disney Comics from Italy and especially Romano Scarpa, here is a site definitely worth exploring... if you speak Italian, though.

Do not miss today:

- More Untold Tales of Captain EO by Wade Sampson
- Farewell, Jack: part 6 by Steve Hulett