Three framed original cartoons from "Gulliver's Travels by JOHNSON, Thomas A. (1907 - 1960) - 1939

1939. unbound. Outstanding and historically important assemblage of three original production storyboard drawings, all created by Thomas Johnson and used in the Fleischer Studios' feature animated cartoon "Gulliver's Travels." The three drawings are part of the sequence in which King Little, Gabby, and company pass out at the banquet table soon after the gala celebration in the castle. Gulliver looks on affectionately and then proceeds to reverse the tablecloth into a blanket, tucking in his new-found friends before extinguishing the night torches. The first two drawings are matted and framed in one unit, labeled "72" and "73." Each of these drawings, measuring 7.5 x 9.5 inches, was accomplished in graphite and partially hand-colored in red, blue, and yellow pastel pencil. They are set in a double-opening olive mat framed to 20.5 x 14 inches and housed in a simple brown vintage frame. Drawing 73 is highly detailed and contains images not retained in the animated feature. More specifically, King Little, Gabby, and friends are asleep in their chairs at the banquet table while dishes and food remain. In addition, there is a bandstand adorned with a guitar and sleeping musicians that was also removed from the scene. The third drawing, measuring 6 x 7.5 inches, is matted and set in metal gold frame measuring 10.25 x 11.5 inches. It was accomplished in graphite and completely hand colored in red, blue, and yellow pastel pencils. It depicts a close-up of King Little, Gabby, and friends asleep at the banquet table with their bodies completely covered by the tablecloth as they let out exaggerated snores. Ironically, Johnson includes a finished drawing of a sleeping tramp hiding under the banquet table which he has crossed out, probably in anticipation of the rejection he would have received from Dave Fleischer. Note: "Gulliver's Travels" was the second cel-animated feature film ever released and the first produced by an American studio other than Walt Disney Productions. It was directed and produced by Dave and Max Fleischer and premiered on December 22, 1939. For cartoon aficionados who would like to match up the approximate film sequences to the above drawings, it is suggested that you view cartoon frames: 53 min. 21 sec. / 53 min. 43 sec. / 53 min. 59 sec. All items are in very good(+) condition.<br/><br/> Newspaper cartoonist and animator best remembered for his work with Max and Dave Fleischer at Fleischer Studios in the 1930s. He worked on Betty Boop and later on Popeye shorts before contributing extensively to the feature cartoons "Gulliver's Travels" (1939) and "Mr. Bug Goes to Town" (1940).<br/><br/>