In 1934, the Mickey Mouse cartoon short Orphan’s Benefit was released, the first time Mickey, Donald, and Goofy were featured together. With an audience of mischievous mice orphans, Master of Ceremonies Mickey Mouse introduces Donald Duck for some recitations, followed by Horace Horsecollar, Clarabelle Cow, and Goofy performing some acrobatics. Donald Duck returns to the stage, only to be taunted by the orphans, including one who uses a simple mechanical device with a boxing glove at the end to sock the duck. Pause. Fast forward to this day in the year 1989, and the original cel and background used to create that single frame in the short is up for auction. An unidentified Canadian buyer pays $286,000 for the 10″ x 12½” black and white cel setup. But, the buyer wasn’t satisfied with just one treasure; he purchased a cel and background of the wicked witch from Snow White for $121,000, and a cel setup of the Prince kissing the film’s heroine for a mere $68,200.
