FROM WALT’S OWN HAND
A family’s Disney collectible
Q This probably has no value to anyone but our family, but we thought your readers might be interested. In 1934, when my late father-in-law was nine, Walt Disney came out with a new cartoon character named Donald Duck. Since this was also my father-in-law’s name, his older sister sent a letter to Disney. He responded with this drawing and signed it “to Donald Duck from Donald Duck and Walt Disney.” The picture was always one of our Donald’s prized possessions.
Al, Kitchener
A Walt Disney (1901 to 1966) began his career as an animator in 1920, and the empire built on his talent and vision is still going strong. The grumpy Donald Duck, a friend created for Mickey Mouse, is one of Disney’s all-time favourite characters and first appeared in a cartoon titled The Wise Little Hen.
This is a personalized hand-inscribed print of an original drawing created in preparation for the cartoon production. Disney was very attentive to his audiences and a master of customer service. Your drawing is unique evidence of both, and a treasured part of your family history. It’s worth about $250.
Q I have had this brass object for at least 25 years and have no idea what it was used for. It’s 21 centimetres long and five cm high, and I bought it at a garage sale in Ottawa for about $10. It has no markings that I can see, and it’s quite heavy. It comes apart into various components, as shown.
Joanne, Ottawa
A You have a rare and intriguing spice box-grater, likely from the late 18th or early 19th century. The two large compartments at one end were meant to hold the whole un-grated spices, most likely cinnamon, nutmeg and mace. The smaller compartments at the other end would hold the grated powder, and the tiny ventilation holes aided preservation.
This is an unusual form, in that it is longer than most nutmeg graters, and it may have been made for more serious use by a professional baker. The grater is probably steel, and the outer case brass, and I would guess at a Dutch origin as the whole thing resembles Dutch tobacco boxes of the time.
It will appeal to nutmeg-grater collectors, who will likely value it at about $400.
Q This old desk-secretary has been in our family since the mid-1800s, coming originally from my English grandmother. It was said to be from a military man who used it as a desk when on the move. The inside is covered with red velvet-like material, has several compartments and a secret drawer, which was always a childhood challenge, now needing some repair. It’s 51 cm long, 27 cm wide and 18 cm high. There are some old pen nibs inside still.
Catherine, Ottawa
A Your provenance fits well, and the pen nibs make sense for this English writing box, also called a writing slope or desk.
Prior to the Industrial Revolution, writing remained in the hands of those who could afford expensive paper, ink and other accoutrements, and this desk provides separate compartments for all such items. You could view it as a forerunner to the modernday laptop computer.
A true military version would have brass reinforcements on all corners, but the burled wood, highlighted with decorative geometric-pattern inlay, is very attractive and dates this one to about 1850.
Quality varies greatly on these, but this one — being in better shape than many — will be worth $350.