Walter Lantz – Original Hand-Signed Drawing - Woody Woodpecker (1980)

Original hand-drawn Woody Woodpecker presentation sketch, personally drawn, dedicated, signed and dated by legendary American animator and producer Walter Lantz.

The artwork presents an expressive head-and-shoulders portrait of Woody Woodpecker, executed with confident freehand lines in black ink or felt-tip pen. Woody’s instantly recognisable crest, large eyes, long beak and bow tie are captured in the economical and lively drawing style associated with Walter Lantz’s personal character sketches.

Below the character, Lantz wrote the personal dedication:

“To Cathy”

followed by his full signature:

“Walter Lantz”

and the handwritten date:

“Dec. 2, 1980”

The drawing, dedication, signature and date were all applied directly by hand to the same sheet.

This is a unique original presentation or dedication drawing, probably created by Lantz for an admirer or acquaintance. It is not a print, reproduction, sericel or mechanically reproduced image. It should also be distinguished from a frame-by-frame production drawing used in the making of a specific animated cartoon.

The artwork is executed on an original off-white sheet of animation paper. The paper retains three elongated studio registration holes along one edge and was turned vertically by Lantz to accommodate the portrait composition.

Walter Lantz (1899–1994) was one of the pioneering figures of American animation and the founder of Walter Lantz Productions. He is best remembered for Woody Woodpecker, who made his theatrical debut in 1940 and became one of the most recognisable animated characters of the twentieth century.

In 1979, shortly before this drawing was created, Lantz received an Honorary Academy Award in recognition of his contribution to animated motion pictures. Original Woody Woodpecker drawings executed and signed personally by Walter Lantz represent a direct connection between the character and the historic animator and producer behind him.

ARTWORK DETAILS:

– Character: Woody Woodpecker
– Artist: Walter Lantz
– Type: Original presentation/dedication drawing
– Technique: Black ink or felt-tip pen on animation paper
– Dedication: “To Cathy”
– Signature: Hand-signed “Walter Lantz”
– Date: 2 December 1980
– Sheet dimensions: 28x23 cm
– Three original animation registration holes
– Unique original artwork
– Unframed

CONDITION:

Good vintage condition, considering the age and original working nature of the animation paper.

The sheet displays visible handling and storage wear, including multiple creases, wrinkles, pressure marks and slight waviness. A long vertical crease is present close to the registration-hole edge, together with several lighter diagonal and horizontal creases across the paper. Minor age-related toning and edge wear are also present.

These imperfections principally affect the paper support and do not substantially disturb the central Woody Woodpecker portrait, dedication or signature. The black lines remain clear and well preserved, and all three registration holes remain present.

Please examine all photographs carefully, as they provide the most accurate representation of the paper and form an integral part of the condition description. The photographs show the exact original drawing offered in this auction.

The artwork will be placed in a protective sleeve, packed flat between rigid boards and securely prepared for shipment.