TLS, one page, 7 x 10.25, personal letterhead, December 1, 1941. Letter to Louis Desser, managing editor of The Hollywood Star-News. In part: “I’ve just seen the very nice review you gave to our Dumbo in the current issue of the Hollywood Star-News. Not only was I surprised but interested to see how much your magazine has improved. The news is comprehensive, the general make-up has a professional look and your handling of color is very clever…I want you to send the three-year subscription to…John Tracy…John Tracy is the son of Spencer Tracy and he, too, has been publishing a magazine for many years. However, his activities along this line have been curtailed due to the fact he is attending school in the East. I know, however, that he will be glad to see what you boys are doing.” Matted and framed with a color portrait of Disney, to an overall size of 20.5 x 16.5. In fine condition, with some mild toning, mostly to top of letter, and scattered wrinkling.
This letter not only references a Disney classic, but also reveals Disney’s nurturing side as he compliments the kid’s magazine—“Not only was I surprised but interested to see how much your magazine has improved”—and commends them on their “professional look.” The animator knew a thing or two about greatness, however. In fact, he purportedly knew that he had a winner on his hands with Dumbo after first looking at the galleys for the story. With such a low production cost, only $812,000, the flick made a healthy profit for Disney Studios. The film was slated for the front cover of TIME magazine around the week that this letter was sent, but the bombing of Pearl Harbor bumped Dumbo and replaced him with Japanese Admiral Yamamoto. It’s also interesting to note here that Disney would request The Hollywood Star-News be sent to Tracy’s son, a cartoonist who had worked for Disney and in later years developed a disease that took his eyesight. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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