Originally Posted By Doobie This topic is for Discussion of: <a href="http://www.LaughingPlace.com/News-ID510040.asp" target="_blank">1/31/06 Bob Welbaum: Disney Exhibit at National </a>
Originally Posted By waltsfrozen People are unaware of Disney's wartime contribution, which was substantial. The museum had a fantastic opportunity to include several great collections of related Disney wartime material, but changed their minds at the last moment. I am currently writing a series of books that will look at Disney's insignia contribution - Disney artists designed over 1,100 combat crests. The topic of Disney's wartime contribution is a fascinating area that I love researching. I have made some absolutely outstanding discoveries in the past year related to this area.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo waltsfrozen - please keep me up to date with your book. Wartime Disney is one of my favorite interest areas. I have a dozen or so replica insignia pins and I am keeping my eye out for a Mickey Mouse Gas MAsk at a reasonable price. People often remember the strike and the troubled times at Disney during war time, but the propaganda films and insignia were some of their best work IMHO!
Originally Posted By waltsfrozen I agree...the war is a fascinating part of the Studio's history. I wrote a book on the topic...don't know if I am allowed to post the info here, but I will. If this is not allowed someone let me know: <a href="http://www.toonsatwar.com" target="_blank">http://www.toonsatwar.com</a> I don't know if I am allowed to post this link either, but if you want more info on Disney's war effort, and you want to see items from my own collection, go the the Militaria Collecting Forum, sign-up and become a member, free, then visit the United States of America section and look for my Disney and the war effort forum. Link to their homepage: <a href="http://militariacollecting.com" target="_blank">http://militariacollecting.com</a> Good luck finding an original American Mickey Mouse gas mask. I wrote about mask on the abovementioned forum and posted numerous pictures. The mask is rare as hen's teeth. I interviewed the son of the founder of the Sun Rubber company about the mask, which his father's company produced. I do, however, own the very rare Mickey Mouse children's gas mask carrying canister from England. Has Mickey graphics on the tin and was made by Happynak, a Disney British licensee. Less than 5 of these known to exist. Yesterday I received in my mailbox a Christmas card from the USS Bunker Hill aircraft carrier. The card features the carrier's Donald Duck insignia on the front page...very cool! I have recently received a HUGE archive from the family of Hank Porter. He created most of the insignia at Disney's during the war. The family sent me 110 11x17 xeroxes containing in excess of 400 images, the majority of which are war related insignia and home front items. I have also interviewed family members about their father's time at the Studio. My collection of vintage 1930s Mickey Mouse numbers around 350 pieces, while my collection of Disney WW II related items must be up around 250 or so items. I've been collecting vintage Disneyana for 22 years and Disney war for 12 of those. I've written numerous Disney articles which have appeared in Disney News, Disney Magazine, Storyboard, several general collecting magazines (Collector's Eye, Collector's Showcase, etc.) and several newspapers.
Originally Posted By waltsfrozen Another cool war related item I own is the original insignia art for the USS Kenton. The design was created by Hank Porter in October 1944. The USS Kenton was an attack transport that saw action in the South Pacific. The design pictures a pelican on the beach with his beak open. Jumping out of his beak are Marine-dressed bug-like characters.
