Walt Disney VERNON KILNS Fantasia OSTRICH 1940 Upanova

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Beautiful 1940 Walt Disney Vernon Kilns Ostrich from Fantasia, Figure #29 A wonderful, and rare, early Disney Ceramic Collectible. Sadly, a family health situation has put us in a position of having to sell a few of our nicer Disney items -- like this piece. It is among the most sought after of ALL Disney ceramics, and of the Fantasia Set done by Vernon Kilns in 1940 and 1941, it is one of the top two or three figures (along with the Centaurettes, Centaur, and other two ostrichs). Vernon Kilns was known for their quality, and pieces are often considered Museum Quality in Fine Art circles. Unique to Vernon Kilns was that they had mastered a technique for glazing their pieces so that very few of them craze (even now, 67 years after they were made). Rumor has it that he took this secret to his death (although I've not seen this substantiated). This piece is from the Disney film Fantasia "The Dance of the Hours" sequence (an orchestral work by Amilcare Ponchielli). The idea for Hippos, Elephants, Aligators, and Ostriches doing a serious ballet was that of Walt's. It is vintage Walt, as the sequence is often considered to be one of the funniest animated sequences ever put to film. Just the absurdity of it, gets one laughing. To help promote the film, Disney licensed merchandise to various manufacturers. Vernon Kilns received the license for the Fantasia ceramic figures, and produced a line of cartoon ceramic figures from the film. This set is generally considered to be one of the premiere Disney collectibles ... ever! This particular piece has been in our collection for over ten years. It is mint, but does has a manufacturing flaw that has the appearance of a chip. On Ms. Upanova's Hair Bow, on her left hand side, is a little tiny chip (I have included a close up of this, so you can see). What leads us to believe that it is a manufacturing flaw, is that it is UNDER the glaze. This was not an uncommon practive. Other than that minor flaw, she is perfect. T is no crazing and the paint job is (as with most Vernon Kilns figures) excellent. Detail is exquisite w it needs to be (her eyes), and subtle in other areas (her tutu and slippers). Displays brilliantly on a shelf (if you have never seen a Vernon Kilns Disney figure displayed on a shelf with bright light...you are truly missing something). Bottom has correct Vernon Kiln stamp and dated 1940, incised stamped with #29 (the piece number). She stands 6.5" tall. We will also provide to the winning bidder, a copy (xerox copy) of a five-page Disney historical document from September 29, 1938. This is an outline of the "Concert Feature" (as it was then called), listing the various pieces of music that were to be used (at that time, it changed), along with a paragraph about each one. On page 3 is the information on the Dance of the Hours, beginning with "Strictly burlesque! Interpreting this very trite and typical ballet music from the opera LA GIOCONDA will be a troupe of elephants, hippos, giraffes and other dainty jungle ballerinas. The little beauties will do it ..." We are just including this as an extra to go with Ms. Upanova. We are starting this with no reserve. In the glory days of Disney collectibles (pre-Ebay) this piece would sell for $1400.00 to $1500.00. Ebay has brought the prices down, but I have seen the ostrich go for around $1200.00 on Ebay. Tfore, good luck to all. Watch our auctions in the coming weeks as we will be selling some nicer items from our collection so as to raise funds for medical bills. Bid with confidence. Check our perfect feedback, we ship promptly and describe accurately. Shipping will be $20.00 for INSURED USPS Priority Mail (yes Insurance is required, but we pay for it and the flat rate to ship anyw in the United States is $20.00). If you are paying via Paypal, we need a confirmed address to ship to. Check out our other Disney Items Click On: DISNEY COLLECTIBLES ! Paypal (confirmed address please!), Checks, Money Orders, and Credit Cards through our own Merchant Account (Visa, MC, and Amex only) accepted. B... read more

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