Signed by Two of Disney’s Legendary 'Nine Old Men

Johnston, Ollie (1912–2008) & Thomas, Frank (1912–2004)

The Disney Villain [Signed Limited Edition #7321/7500] [With 1937 Snow White Film Strip]

New York: Hyperion, 1993. A monumental archival tribute to the 'Art of the Antagonist,' signed by two of Disney’s legendary 'Nine Old Men.' 

This limited edition is much more than a survey; it is a masterclass in character psychology and design by the men who defined the Disney aesthetic. This specific release is highly coveted for its inclusion of an original 12-inch film strip from the 1937 masterpiece Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, offering a physical fragment of animation history alongside the scholarly text.

Key Features:
+++ Visuals: Hundreds of sketches, concept drawings, and cels; original 12-inch film strip from Snow White (1937) mounted in a protective sleeve. 
+++ Signatures: Boldly signed by both Ollie Johnston and Frank Thomas on the limitation page.
+++ Binding: Deluxe hardcover with silver-stamped titles; housed in a custom slipcase featuring a vibrant holographic image of the Evil Queen. 
+++ Content: A comprehensive analysis of Disney’s most iconic villains—from Maleficent to Shere Khan—focusing on the artistry and 'acting' behind the animation. 
+++ Binding: Deluxe hardcover with silver-stamped titles; housed in a custom slipcase featuring a vibrant holographic image of the Evil Queen.
+++ Imprint: Hyperion, 1993. Limited Edition (Hand-numbered #7321 of 7,500). 
+++ Signatures: Boldly signed by both Ollie Johnston and Frank Thomas on the limitation page. 
+++ Specs: Large Quarto; approximately 11.5 inches tall.

CONDITION: Fine / Near Fine.
+++ The Book: Pristine condition. The bindings are tight and square; the cloth is clean, and the interior is free of any markings or damage. The film strip is securely enclosed in its original mounting.
+++ The Slipcase: Near Fine. The holographic image remains bright and fully functional with high color saturation. The slipcase shows only the most minimal shelf wear, maintaining sharp edges and structural integrity.

SCHOLARLY FEATURES
+++ The 'Nine Old Men' Legacy: Johnston and Thomas were part of Walt Disney’s inner circle of animators. Their perspective provides the 'genetic code' of how these characters were brought to life, moving beyond art into the mechanics of performance. 
+++ Cinematic Archetypes: The book serves as a primary source for the study of villainy in 20th-century media, detailing how color palettes, jagged shapes, and specific voice acting were utilized to create universal symbols of evil. 
+++ Archival Value: The 1937 film strip serves as a forensic link to the celluloid era, making this a hybrid of a book and a cinematic artifact.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE ---- 
The Disney Villain represents a bridge between the Golden Age of hand-drawn animation and the modern era of film study. By 1993, Johnston and Thomas were recognized as the grand architects of American animation; this book was their final collaborative statement on the craft.

This Limited Edition matters because of its tactile connection to the 1937 Snow White production—the film that proved feature-length animation was a viable art form. To own a copy signed by the men who worked under Walt’s direct supervision, accompanied by a piece of that original 1937 film stock, is to own a cornerstone of the American cultural record.

SUBJECTS: Disney Animation History, Nine Old Men, Frank Thomas, Ollie Johnston, Character Design, Snow White (1937), Film Archiving, Villainous Archetypes, Hyperion Press, Animation Art, Signed Limited Edition, Film Studies, Deluxe Monograph.

Item #21164

Price: $350.00