Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse: The Ultimate History

Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse: The Ultimate History is an illustrated and bound luxury book about the trajectory and cultural impact of the character Mickey Mouse, published by Taschen in 2020, with 510 pages. This detailed work celebrates over 90 years of the iconic creation by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks, from its first sketches to its consecration as a global phenomenon. The book highlights the character's evolution through conceptual arts, story sketches, background paintings, and animation drawings, as well as historical photographs, tracing the origins of timeless classics like Steamboat Willie, The Band Concert, and Brave Little Tailor, and his participation in feature films like Fantasia and Fun and Fancy Free. This is one of the most complete coffee table books on the subject, a true luxury gift for Disney and pop culture enthusiasts.

With unrestricted access to Disney's vast historical collections, as well as public and private archives, the authors reveal lesser-known chapters of Mickey Mouse's career, including the origins of the Mickey Mouse Club and his role as a patriotic icon during World War II. The publication features the work of renowned artists who brought the character to life in films and comics, such as 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. The Special Edition comes with an acrylic case, elevating its value as a collector's item and corporate gift.

Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse: The Ultimate History explores how Mickey Mouse left an indelible mark on both everyday culture and high art, becoming a muse for pop artists like Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, and Roy Lichtenstein. Walt Disney's quote, "I only hope that we never lose sight of one thing – that it was all started by a mouse," resonates throughout the narrative, underlining the character's enduring importance. This book is a testament to Mickey's legend and legacy, which, more than 90 years after his creation, remains as beloved and popular as ever.