Description:

Disney Walt

Walt Disney TLS Regarding Exhibition of Fantasia for Pan-American Union Attendees' Children

 

1p TLS signed by American entrepreneur Walt Disney (1901-1966) as "Walt Disney" at center. Disney's signature is large, measuring 3.375" x 1.25" alone. Written at Disney's brand new corporate studios at Burbank, California on July 7, 1941. On watermarked cream paper with colorful "Walt Disney's Fantasia" letterhead, featuring whimsical cartoon characters from the production waltzing on a curved bar of music. Expected light paper folds, else near fine. 8.375" x 10.875".

 

In part:

 

"Thanks for your letter and for the material covering your activities in honoring the 21 Pan-American countries with a special performance of FANTASIA.

 

As far as I know, it's a good idea and although I'm not close to the exploitation end of the business and am not considered an expert on such matters, it all sounded very exciting…"

 

Disney's correspondent Sid Zins was an industry publicist who would go onto work for Columbia Pictures in the mid-1940s. Zins had exhibited Disney's latest feature-length animated film Fantasia (1940) at two recent events associated with the Pan-American Union. Zins arranged for the film to be shown to the children of Pan-American Union delegates, administrative staff, and members of the State Department. Even Vice President Henry A. Wallace's children Jean and Robert attended! The film was shown at Pan-American venues in both Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. According to a July 14, 1941 issue of Film Daily (see attached image of the newspaper article by Phil M. Daly), the Fantasia screening was hosted by a master of ceremonies and broadcast to Latin America by CBS. Overall, a nice public relations coup for both Walt Disney Studios and the United States, eager to secure friendships with its closest neighbors.

 

In 1941, the Pan-American Union was an organization of 21 nations from North, Central, and South America. Since the first of its international summits in 1889, the Pan-American Union was dedicated to fostering cooperation between geographically proximate countries of the Western Hemisphere. On the eve of World War II, the United States wanted its neighbors, especially "ABC" countries Argentina, Brazil, and Chile, to sever ties with Fascist governments in Europe. Walt Disney was just one of the many cultural ambassadors who wooed South America with his irresistible entertainment options. When Disney wrote this letter, Pearl Harbor was still five months in the future.

 

Fantasia, produced by Walt Disney Productions at the same time as Pinocchio, came out in 1940. It was meant as a Mickey Mouse vehicle, and indeed, the loveable rodent appears as the Sorcerer's Apprentice. Its 8 cartoon and live action segments were accompanied  by music by Bach, Tchaikovsky, Beethoven, Schubert, and Stravinsky conducted by Stokowski and the Philadelphia Orchestra. Deems Taylor acted as Master of Ceremonies throughout the psychedelic journey through time and space.

 

Walt Disney was a talented animator and voice actor who co-created the character of Mickey Mouse in 1928. His interests and entrepreneurial spirit later led him into full-length sound-synchronized animated films, amusement parks, and consumer goods.

 

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

 

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