By William Stolerman

A 1935 piece of cel animation depicting Mickey Mouse and his gang is currently on the auction block where it is attracting a top bid of $32,500.

Cel animation is the oldest form of animation and the piece is from the The Band Concert, which was the very first colour cartoon to feature Mickey and his entourage, save for an earlier promotional appearance. The cel set-up shows ‘the band’ at the beginning of the cartoon as they greet their audience.

Ron Stark of S/R Laboratories has professionally restored the piece which measures approximately 12″ x 9.5″. The little patches of white are not defects, but light reflected from the acetate, which has warped a little along the edges.

Thought to be the only production setup showing Mickey and the entire band from the first Mickey cartoon, it has changed hands several times for six figures sums.

Via [luxurylaunches]

www.comics.ha.