Mickey Mouse is an cartoon character co-created in 1928 by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks.
Spider-Ham
Spider-Ham (Peter Porker) is a superhero appearing in Marvel Comics. The character is an anthropomorphic pig and is a parody version of Spider-Man. He was created by Larry Hama, Tom DeFalco, and Mark Armstrong.
KENEDA
Kaneda, the leader of a motorcycle gang in Katsuhiro Otomo’s classic anime feature AKIRA (1988).
Daffy Duck
Daffy Duck was created by Tex Avery for Leon Schlesinger Productions. He has appeared in cartoon series such as Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies, in which he is usually depicted as a foil for either Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig, or Speedy Gonzales.
Last month, ASIFA-Hollywood, in collaboration with animation industry artists, professionals and studios, announced the launch of AnimAID, a fundraising campaign to support those impacted by the devastating Los Angeles wildfires. The initiative aims to provide critical funds to artists and professionals working within the animation industry, many of whom have lost their homes or faced major displacement due to the crisis. The campaign kicked off at the 2025 ASIFA-Hollywood 52nd Annual Annie Awards. Now, AnimAID will begin its next chapter, culminating in an online auction in part with Sotheby’s, set to take place in April 23-30, 2025. [CLICK LINK HERE]
Original Drawing of Woody and Buzz by John Lasseter and Mickey Mouse Animation Cel from the 1988 “Here’s To You, Mickey Mouse!” TV Special.
The auction will feature a treasure trove of rare and one-of-a-kind pieces of animation history tied to some of the most beloved films and television classics, including Snow White, The Simpsons, Inside Out, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, The Wild Robot, Beauty and the Beast, Avatar and more. The lots will include original drawings, paintings, animation cels, signed posters, maquette figures and unique experiences – all donated by leading studios — including The Walt Disney Company, Warner Brothers, DreamWorks Animation, Sony Pictures Animation, and Paramount, among others — who, inspired by this remarkable cause, have come together to curate an exceptional selection of prized artworks and exclusive experiences from the world of animation. Highlights of the exhibition will span 90 years of animation history, including a black-and-white story sketch from Tortoise and the Hare (1935) alongside a color pencil drawing of Woody and Buzz Lightyear (2025), created specifically to benefit AnimAID, commemorating the 30th anniversary of Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story release.
Highlights:
Offering a glimpse into the creative process behind some of the most beloved films and television shows, please find a list of auction highlights below. All items will be offered with no reserve, with estimates ranging from $500 to over $25,000.
Each of the 3D-printed Pinocchio faces featured in this piece was directly used in the creation of the Academy Award-winning Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio (2022). The animation team meticulously stored each replacement face in humble pizza boxes, ensuring they were delivered to the right stage for specific scenes. As part of the Pinocchio exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art, several of these boxes — complete with their iconic Pinocchio faces — were encased in sleek acrylic displays, preserving a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the magic of stop-motion animation.
Storyboards were actually invented by animators. Highlights from this collection include a storyboard from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, the Academy Award-winning Brave, the Dora the Explorer spinoff Go Diego Go, and panels from directors Chris Williams (Disney’s Frozen) and Chris Sanders (DreamWorks Animation’s The Wild Robot). Also featured are storyboard drawings from Disney legends Burny Mattinson and Lorna Cook for The Lion King (1994). Additionally, signed storyboards from Avatar: The Last Airbender capture a key moment of Katara mastering her waterbending skills, drawn by director Lauren Montgomery and signed by creators Bryan Konietzko and Mike DiMartino.
Maquettes, small sculptures of animated characters, have been used since the early days for both stop-motion and traditional animation. A captivating example is the Original Norman Maquette from comedy-horror film ParaNorman. An extraordinary piece that seamlessly bridges the gap between initial character design and the final puppet. Maquettes are more than just models; they serve as essential reference points for both character and design, providing a rare, tactile preview of what the character will ultimately look and feel like. This particular maquette, meticulously hand-sculpted by one of the greatest character designers Kent Melton and donated by the LAIKA Archives, offers a glimpse into the artistry behind one of stop-motion’s most iconic characters.
This original character design of Emily from Corpse Bride, co-created by Tim Burton and character designer Carlos Grangel, provides an intimate look into the development of one of the most unforgettable characters in animated cinema. Corpse Bride is the first stop-motion feature film directed by Burton after previously producing The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) and James and the Giant Peach (1996). Emily was voiced by Helena Bonham Carter.
An original animation cel from the iconic SpongeBob SquarePants episode “Nature Pants” captures one of the most viral moments from the show. Depicting SpongeBob, exhausted, out of breath and pantless, after being chased by his best friend Patrick through the treacherous Jellyfish Fields, this cel perfectly encapsulates the humor and lighthearted fun of Stephen Hillenburg’s magnificent underwater universe.
These large LEGO figurines, modeled after the filmmakers of The LEGO Movie, were crafted by the studio and presented as a gift to Dan Lin, Phil Lord, and Chris Miller following the film’s release. Each figurine is signed by the respective filmmaker, making them a unique and personal memento from the production.
An extraordinary and highly collectible piece of The Simpsons history. This vibrant original production cel captures Homer Simpson in the act of breaking up a mischievous altercation between his children, Bart and Lisa. It’s a snapshot of the family dynamics that have made The Simpsons a pop culture phenomenon for decades.
The original sketch by Chris Sanders. Click to Enlarge.
An original sketch by the renowned filmmaker Chris Sanders captures a poignant moment from his beloved film The Wild Robot, in which Roz tenderly removes quills from Fink. The film, acclaimed for its emotional depth and storytelling, received numerous accolades, including nine Annie Awards, the Critics’ Choice and Producers Guild of America Award, as well as three Academy Award nominations, making it the most Oscar nominated film by DreamWorks Animation.
At the heart of the auction are exclusive, personalized, and experiential offerings, providing once-in- a-lifetime opportunities for animation fans and collectors. These include a custom character design and original drawing by Nico Marlet, the Annie Award winning character designer behind DreamWorks Animation’s How to Train Your Dragon, Kung Fu Panda, and The Prince of Egypt. Sony Pictures Animation is offering the winning bidder a unique chance to voice a minor character in the highly anticipated upcoming theatrical feature, GOAT. Personal, behind-the-scenes tours of iconic animation studios such as Disney, Sony Pictures Animation, DreamWorks and Lucasfilm will be available, along with meet-and- greets with artists and filmmakers.
Also on offer is a VIP experience on the Santa Rosa, California grounds where Charles “Sparky” Schulz, creator of the beloved Peanuts gang worked and played for more than 30 years. This includes a Director’s Tour of the Charles M. Schulz Museum, a tour of Sparky’s office, a one-of-a-kind hands-on demo by Creative Director Emeritus Paige Braddock, and exclusive access to Sparky’s private studio – normally off-limits to the public. The day will also include ice-skating, followed by lunch and hot cocoa at the Warm Puppy Café, making it a truly unforgettable journey through the legacy of an animation legend. These exclusive experiences provide an unparalleled opportunity to engage with the creative minds behind some of the greatest animated films of our time.
“Animaid is a powerful reminder of the unity and compassion that define our animation community. as we face the devastating aftermath oF tHe wildfires, this initiative allows us to come together not only to provide essential relief, but also to honor the artists and professionals who have given so much to the world oF animation. We are deeply grateful for the generous support from all our collaborators, and we are thrilLed to share these iconic pieces of animation history with the public.”
– Aubry Mintz
AnimAID & ASIFA-Hollywood Executive Director
“Many of these rare, original pieces have never been seen by the public. They will be on display at Sotheby’s New York galleries from April 11–15, with the auction opening for bidding online from April 23–30 – UPDATE: Due to strong demand and generous additional donations, the bidding period has been extended through May 6. Proceeds will directly benefit over 70 animation families who have been affected by the disaster. In addition, ASIFA-Hollywood will host a series of events aimed at raising funds and fostering community support for animation artists and professionals in need. More information can be found here.”
– Ian Ferreyra De Bone
Sotheby’s Managing Director, Luxury Division
ABOUT ASIFA-HOLLYWOOD
The International Animated Film Society, ASIFA-Hollywood, is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the art of animation. With over 35 years of history, ASIFA-Hollywood works to support animation education, advocate for the preservation of the animation industry, celebrate excellence in animation, and foster interaction among animation professionals and enthusiasts. Since 1972, ASIFA-Hollywood has hosted an annual awards ceremony, The Annie Awards, to honor individuals who have made significant contributions to the art of animation.
ABOUT ANIMAID
AnimAID, aims to raise $5 million over the next few months to assist more than 70 families who have lost or been displaced from their homes due to the recent wildfires. Major animation studios supporting AnimAID include DreamWorks Animation, Illumination & Illumination Studios Paris, Mikros Animation, Netflix, Paramount Animation & Nickelodeon Animation, Sony Pictures Animation, Skydance Animation, Kuku Studios and many more, including the animation divisions of The Walt Disney Company (Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Disney Television Animation, Marvel Animation, and Lucasfilm Animation, among others).
ABOUT SOTHEBY’S
Established in 1744, Sotheby’s is the world’s premier destination for art and luxury. Sotheby’s promotes access to and ownership of exceptional art and luxury objects through auctions and buy-now channels including private sales, e- commerce and retail. Our trusted global marketplace is supported by an industry-leading technology platform and a network of specialists spanning 40 countries and 70 categories which include Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, Jewelry, Watches, Wine and Spirits, and Design, as well as collectible cars and real estate. Sotheby’s believes in the transformative power of art and culture and is committed to making our industries more inclusive, sustainable and collaborative.
Writer, cartoon producer and author of more than 15 books on animation history. A former studio exec with Nickelodeon and Disney; currently on the faculty at both CalArts in Valencia and Woodbury University in Burbank, California.
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ASIFA-Hollywood Brings The Art of Animation to Sotheby’s With AnimAID Fundraising Auction
Last month, ASIFA-Hollywood, in collaboration with animation industry artists, professionals and studios, announced the launch of AnimAID, a fundraising campaign to support those impacted by the devastating Los Angeles wildfires. The initiative aims to provide critical funds to artists and professionals working within the animation industry, many of whom have lost their homes or faced […]
