Heritage Comics Auctions presents The Rogue River Collection (2004)

Heritage Comics Auctions presents The Rogue River Collection. Heritage Signature Auction #811 | June 11, 2004 | Dallas, Texas | Price $35.00
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"We are fortunate to have a prestigious collection opening our latest live auction on June 11, 2004 in our Dallas galleries, a collection so special, we just had to give it its own catalog. Within the next few pages, author Malcolm Willits, the superfan who "discovered" Carl Barks after the famous duck artist was in his 50s, provides the real introduction to this fabulous gathering, so we'll be brief.
Comic strip art, original paintings, sculptures, and memorabilia from the early part of the 20th Century to more recent times, including exquisite offerings of Disneyana in all those categories - the Rogue River Collection has it all! It's a perfect way to start our June auction - don't miss it!"
John E. Petty

THE ROGUE RIVER COLLECTION INTRODUCTION
"The beginning of the 20th Century brought with it two new art forms, the Motion Picture and the Newspaper Comic Strip. The latter was destined to be uniquely American in its scope and content.
In the beginning, the comic strip followed the pattern of other popular culture mediums, which are generally created for immediate enjoyment only. The new art form, with practically instant and frequent availability, was consumed and usually discarded in inglorious fashion daily. Over a quarter of a century was to pass before a single book appeared which first codified and analyzed their content. Few visionaries found cause to keep and collect them, especially the originals, ensur- ing the strips becoming rarer and rarer as the years went by. Occasionally an artist or a syndicate would send some to a plea-ful fan, and with luck, through wars and depressions, a few of these survived.
As with most art forms, the early, classic periods of comic strips were not recognized until long after they had passed, and to be sure, the Bill Grandey and Kathy Morby "Rogue River Collection" was not assembled when such material first began to receive serious recognition and to appreciate in value. These two eminent collectors came later, but when they did, they set their standards high. Only the best of what remained would do. Naturally they had to pay accordingly, but in the vast majority of cases, they insisted upon earliest known strips, ones displaying prime representations of major characters, or ones which proved to be either artistically significant or especially humorous. The condition of the piece was also of prime consideration, and that standard of excellence is emphasized again and again in this collection.

If Bill and Kathy purchased an Alex Raymond, it had to be Flash Gordon with "Ming the Merciless". If they purchased an Al Capp, it had to include shmoos or a unique censored piece of "Moonbeam". Their 1930s Donald Duck "Good Housekeeping" magazine animation art is the only example signed as scripted by Carl Barks. While on a search for a suitable Segar, they may have found the funniest Popeye ever created.

Even with their acquisition of a Floyd Gottfredson Mickey Mouse painting, they waited until the best became available, and yes, it's in this auction. Floyd created only twenty-four such paintings, and connoisseurs generally rank this "Western" one of the very best. Of added interest is the near-complete set of 1932-1948 Mickey Mouse Big Little Books signed by Floyd Gottfredson himself at the famous "Gottfredson/Barks" Pasadena celebration in 1982. This honored both Floyd and Carl Barks for their combined one hundred years of service to the Disney Studio. All but a few of these jewel-like Big Little Books are near mint and had never even been opened until Mr. Gottfredson carefully did so to autograph them. Surely many years will pass before another art collection of such quality and rarity will again be offered to the public.

Besides being intrepid world travelers, and while building an outstanding collection of fine comic strip art, Bill and Kathy found time some years ago to establish the White Horse Studio, a true mecca for serious devotees of animated film. Along with their responsibilities to other studios such as Warner Brothers, it has been their good fortune to be commissioned to provide the various Disneyana Conventions with the finest offerings of limited edition collectibles. Included in their efforts have been decorative art tiles, serigraphs, bronzes, and ceramics. In addition, for many years they have represented the two remaining original nine old men from Walt Disney's 1930s established animation board. These are Frank Thomas (Lady and the Tramp) and Ollie Johnston (Dopey). They have worked with over a dozen Disney animators and artists.

Kathy Morby and Bill Grandey have truly left a continuing legacy to comic art and animation fandom. Their work should Continue well into this new century, as the White Horse Studio recently received direction from the Disney Company for the creation of new and even greater collectibles, which will bear the name of its founder's much-beloved name."

by Malcolm Willits