Original cells from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to go up for auction after being found in Lichfield

A piece of animation history has been unearthed in Lichfield.

Two original cells from Walt Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs were found at a valuation day held in the city by Hansons Auctioneers.

Manager Charles Hanson said the cels were from a film that revolutionised animated movies.

“In 1937, Walt Disney and his large staff of animators revolutionised the animation industry with their first animated film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

“Never before had animators tackled animating the human form convincingly, let alone attempted to entertain an audience with animation for the entire length of a feature film.

“When Snow White premiered in 1937, it was a critical and commercial success, ushering in the golden age of animation. The film cost $1.4million to make, and was briefly the highest grossing film of all time.”

One of the cells shows Snow White and the Wicked Queen, while the other depicts Snow White with her animal friends.

Mr Hanson added: “The cells were originally sold in an exhibition of the original paintings for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, which was held at Leicester Galleries in London, in December 1938.

“They are truly exciting, and to hold such history in your hands is very rewarding.

“Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs by Walt Disney is a film that has provided so much joy to so many people over the generations, and such familiar and famous characters are right here at the very beginning of this success.

“Of all the scenes that could be captured on a cell, the famous poisoned apple takes some beating – it’s the very heartbeat of the film.”

The cells are expected to fetch between £15,000 and £23,000 when they go under the hammer on June 30.

“I hope the popularity of the film will delight collectors of animation along with Disney collectors,” Mr Hanson added. “With the sale being offered live online, we expect interest from across America, creating theatre and drama in the auction room in much the same way the film filled cinemas when it was released in 1937.”

For more details and the free valuation days held every Monday at the Hedgehog pub in Lichfield, visit the Hansons Auctioneers website.

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