Bidding for this lot will end on Sunday, December 7th. The auction will begin at 3:00PM GMT (7:00AM PST) and lots are sold sequentially via live auctioneer; tune in to the live streaming broadcast on auction day to follow the pace. Note other lots in the auction may close on Friday, December 5th or Saturday, December 6th.
A superb original production setup featuring Tom from Tom and Jerry, created during the celebrated Chuck Jones era between 1963 and 1967. Under Chuck Jones' direction, Tom and Jerry took on a new visual sophistication. The stylisation of form and gesture replaced the frantic pacing of earlier MGM shorts, giving characters a more psychological depth. This piece captures that evolution with precision: Tom's angular features and taut posture speak volumes before a single gag is delivered.
Captured in a moment of comic calculation, Tom's exaggerated glare and pointed claw perfectly embody Jones' refined approach to character animation, where every pose conveyed both humour and thought. Central, commanding, and full of attitude, this is Tom at his most mischievous and self-assured.
Rendered in graphite and red pencil, the matching animation drawing reveals the confident, rhythmic linework that defined Tower 12's studio process. Once transferred to celluloid and hand-painted by studio artists, the cel was photographed over a striking mid-century hand-painted background typical of the Jones period, with bold blocks of pastel colour and simple, theatrical staging that gave the characters room to perform.
A superb example of Jones-era artistry and wit, this setup stands as both a collector's treasure and a window into one of the defining transformations in 20th-century animation. Dimensions (cel on background): 26.75 cm x 37.5 cm (10.5" x 14.75"); (drawing): 26.75 cm x 32 cm (10.5" x 12.5")
Sold without copyright; see copyright notice in the Terms and Conditions.
Estimate: £500 - 1,000 Ω
View all lots from TOM AND JERRY (1940-1968)