Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse: The Ultimate History

The little mouse that changed the world

The ultimate chronicle of a modern icon: Mickey Mouse

On November 18, 1928, the world's most famous Mr. Mouse made his first public appearance. Today, we celebrate over 90 years of Mickey with one of the most comprehensive illustrated publications dedicated to the Disney universe. Starting with the first sketches of a character then named Mortimer, we retrace the career of the most famous creature created by Walt and Ub, hailed by a rapid and lasting global popularity that only Charlie Chaplin had known until then.

Thanks to unlimited access to the Disney archives and several public and private collections, the authors bring the legend back to life: sketches, storyboards, backgrounds, animation drawings, and period photos retrace the origins and evolution of great classics like Steamboat Willie, The Band Concert, and Brave Little Tailor. They also follow Mickey in the construction of his legendary catalog of animated short films, which begins with two historic feature films: Fantasia and Fun and Fancy Free.

The extensive research conducted for this book sheds new light on lesser-known chapters of Mickey's career, such as the origins of the Mickey Mouse Club or the patriotic icon role he was made to take on during the Second World War. Throughout history, one can admire the work of all the great artists who shaped the character of Mickey, on screen and in comics, including Ub Iwerks, Win Smith, Ferdinand Horvath, Fred Moore, Floyd Gottfredson, Carl Barks, Manuel Gonzales, Paul Murry, Romano Scarpa, Giorgio Cavazzano, Byron Erickson, and César Ferioli.

"I only hope that we never lose sight of one thing—that it was all started by a mouse."
Walt Disney

at Taschen