1951 Studio Christmas Card

I wanted to be sure to let all of the Junior Gorillas know about a new book from GDB friends Chris Merritt and J. Eric Lynxwiler, Knott's Bear-y Tales: The Complete History of the Whimsical Attraction. 

Most GDB readers are fans of theme parks and their history, and Knott's Bear-y Tales was  (as the book's website says), a wild dark ride unlike anything seen (or smelled) before. This is the first book to ever tackle the subject, through the interviews and artwork of those who were there. 

Anybody lucky enough to experience this ride remembers the scent of boysenberries and the wacky characters, such as bears Boysen and Girlsen, Crafty Coyote, Sarah Skunk, Zaz Owl, and the frogs of the Frog Forest. 

I just got a copy of this book, and it is beautiful! There are hundreds of photos (many in full color, including some from Lou and Sue!), this thing is not a Xerox-and-stapled volume. It's a thoroughly-researched labor of love. It is truly amazing! Chris and Eric used their contacts with people such as Rolly Crump and his son Chris to tell the whole story of this beloved attraction. You won't be disappointed! Follow the link above to the website to order yours (limited to only 2000!). Chris's previous book, "Knott's Preserved" sold out, and even the updated second edition sold out, making that excellent book a real collector's item now. 

ALSO: Chris and Eric will be giving two presentations in the SoCal area, one for the OC Historical Society on Thursday, January 9th, and another at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles on Sunday, January 26. I've attended a half-dozen of Chris's presentations, and they are always fun and full of amazing photos and information. If there is any way you can attend these, I encourage you to do so! I plan to be at one of them for sure, and possibly the other one too. HERE'S a link for complete info.

AND NOW, OUR REGULARLY-SCHEDULED POST!

The holidays are upon us, and I thought it might be fun to look at one of the classic Disney Studio Christmas cards. The Studio sent out cards going back to the 1930s, and many of them are beautifully designed and highly-collectible today. I only have a few (oh how I wish I'd bought them back when they were relatively inexpensive!), but I like the examples that I own.

Here's the mailing envelope - even in this "used" condition I'm happy to have it. Love the red ink stamp for "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs", which would be rereleased in 1952.

Here's the cover, with Mickey, Minnie, and Donald signing carols, while two of Donald's nephews prepare to throw snowballs. "The Little House" is in the center of the picture, she was featured in an animated short that would be released in 1952.

Unfolding the card once, we see Robin Hood and Peter Pan; "The Story of Robin Hood", starring Richard Todd, would be released in June of 1952, while "Peter Pan" would not be released until February of 1953. I am reasonably sure that the artwork on this card was painted by Eyvind Earle, it just looks like his style. He painted non-Disney Christmas cards as a side gig for many years, some that are still in print. 

Flipping the card over, we see a handy (?) calendar with many familiar characters, and a few less-familiar characters, such as Susie the Little Blue Coupe, Lambert the Sheepish Lion, and Lucifer the cat (from "Cinderella").

Let's just unfold the whole thing, OK?? I know it wasn't really intended to be looked at this way, but what the heck, now you know how it was laid out.

I hope you enjoyed this Studio Christmas card!