Ausreprints

...covering Australian comics

Disney by James Zee

Disney's early Australian history

John Sands' first Australian Disney comics reprinted newspaper strips featuring Mickey Mouse and Silly Symphonies. At least four books were published, based on the first US Disney comics by David McKay Publications.

These publications look like children's books rather than standard comics, and were reportedly available only by sending in lids from Dixie icecreams to receive the book by mail.1 Dating is uncertain—possiby as early as 19322 but more likely around 1934 to 1936 based on original publication dates of the issues' contents.

Over the years, John Sands published a range of Disney-related material, including film programs, books and games, stretching from the 1930s to the 1980s.3

After Walter Granger returned from a further US trip in 1936, John Sands was reported as official Australian agent for Walt Disney Enterprises and Granger had personal rumours that Walt and Roy Disney soon holiday in Australia after completing their first feature-length film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.4

[… to be continued]

References

1
See John Sands website. The company was family run until 1978. John Sands established a partnership with American Greetings in 1949 and was ultimately acquired by that company in 1996, becoming a fully owned subsidiary.
2
See the catalog for Mickey Mouse : book no. 1 / by Walt Disney.
3
In line with Granger's progressive approach to marketing, a fascinating photo from a John Sands packing exhibition at Sydney Town Hall, August to November 1936, shows participants examining a Mickey Mouse display.
4
The trip, however, does not appear to have occurred. See p. 11 SMH 24/3/36. "Mr. Walt Disney, the creator of 'Mickey Mouse' animated cartoons, intends to spend his next vacation in Australia, according to Mr. W. R. Granger, sales promotion manager for John Sands, Ltd., Australian agents for Walt Disney Enterprises, Ltd., who returned from a business visit to America by the Monterey yesterday. Mr. Granger said that Disney was at present working on his first feature-length animated cartoon, which would, before completion, entail 240,000 separate drawings. When this was finished, Wait and Roy Disney and their wives would come to Australia for a holiday visit. The production of the film should be completed about the end of June."
Article status

Ausreprints ID

  • 35

Article details

  • By James Zee
  • 3 October 2011

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