5 Fascinating Historical Letters The World Needs to See

The authors of these letters are all gone now, but their letters reveal so much about their lives.

3) Letter from Disney to the Future Creator of Mickey Mouse

In 1924 Walt Disney wrote to his friend and future colleague that he could give him a job “cartooning” and that he was overjoyed that his dear friend Ubbe had decided to come out West. Disney adds that his friend “will never regret it.” The two had been friends since 1919 when they met working at the Pesman-Rubin Commercial Arts Studio.

Oswald the lucky rabbit was the predecessor of Mickey Mouse, but neither Disney nor Iwerks owned the rights to the character. Via/ Wiki Commons

The friend was Ubbe Eert Iwerks, noted cartoonist and illustrator who would go on to co-create the character of Mickey Mouse for Disney, earning them both a level of fame and popularity that had been unprecedented in the short history of animation up to that point.

We love seeing such an earnest and excited letter in Walt Disney’s own distinctive handwriting. Disney signs the letter simply “-Walt” and then adds “Don’t hesitate – Do it now!” in reference to Iwerks’ big move out to California.

Via/ iCollector
Via/ iCollector

Just imagine if he hadn’t accepted the job or gone out West? We might never have had Mickey Mouse or many of the Disney films that have captivated both gown-ups and children alike for decades. The letter sold in 2011 for $210,000.

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