You have to be kidding me.
The best new Disney-art-and-history book to be released in years … and yet there doesn’t seem to be a single copy of “Ellenshaw Under Glass” (Camphor Tree Publishers, April 2003) available for sale anywhere in Anaheim.
Is that absurd or what?
You know what I do if I were in charge of New Orleans Square’s Disney Gallery and/or Main Street U.S.A.’s Disneyana shop? I’d get on the phone ASAP and order up a huge pile of this great new volume. For once Disneyana fans find out how fun and informative this latest Camphor Tree Publication is, they’re going to want to have one in their library.
“So how do I know that this book is so snazzy if I can’t find a copy to purchase?” you ask. Because I’ve been reading Michelle’s copy of “Ellenshaw Under Glass” while I’ve been staying out here in Southern California. Marveling at its magnificent array of Peter Ellenshaw paintings and photographs. Chuckling at its great selection of behind-the-scenes stories.
But — mostly — I’ve been reveling in the chance to get to know painter and matte artist extraordinaire Peter Ellenshaw. For — you see — this latest book from Camphor Tree Publications isn’t just a look back at Ellenshaw’s years at Disney. It’s also an in-depth look at Peter’s entire life … told in Peter’s own words.
That — to me — is the smartest thing that Bruce Gordon and the late David Mumford (Ellenshaw’s collaborators on this project) did. They just stepped out of the way and let Peter tell his own story. It’s really a fascinating saga, folks. Beginning with his rather tumultuous childhood in England and the odd twistings and turnings that ultimately lead to his extremely successful career as a Academy Award winning matte painter and a renown landscape and seascape artist.
Ellenshaw’s escapades during World War II — when he attended a flight school in South Carolina and, while suffering from kidney stones, met the love of his life (and future wife), Bobbie — is great reading as well. As are all of Peter’s adventures once he finally makes it out to Burbank and begins working for Walt Disney.
Ellenshaw clearly has a gift when it comes to storytelling. He can make you laugh out loud. (Wait to you hear about what it was like to be driven by David Tomlinson back into London, as this “Mary Poppins” star was more determined to tell a witty anecdote than he was to keep his eyes on the road.) But Peter can also break your heart. (I defy you to read the part of the book where Ellenshaw pays tribute to his late wife, Bobbie — who succumbed to cancer on December 24, 2000 — without shedding a tear.)
Yeah. There are great stories to be found in this book. Plus dazzling full color images of concept art from classic Disney films like “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea,” “Darby O’Gill and the Little People,” “In Search of the Castaways,” “Mary Poppins,” “The Love Bug,” “Bedknobs and Broomsticks,” “The Black Hole” … the list goes on and on.
Great stories. Great art. For my money, that makes for a great book. A “Must Purchase” for any serious Disneyana fan who’s looking to have an up-to-date library. But do you think that I might able to find a single copy of “Ellenshaw Under Glass” available for sale while I’m out here in Southern California???? (Channeling John Belushi for a moment) Noooooooo!
And — seeing as there’s just no way in hell that Michelle is ever going to give up her own personal copy of this most excellent book — I guess I now have no choice but to order one directly from Camphor Tree Publications.
Mind you, Camphor Tree is offering three different versions of “Ellenshaw Under Glass.” The standard edition of this handsome 334 page art book sells from $65 (plus $10 shipping [U.S. only]).
The Deluxe Edition of this same volume (which — by the way — features a groan-inducing subtitle: “Going to the Matte for Disney”) comes with a black cloth slipcase. It is also adorned with Peter’s signature (stamped in gold). Plus a 3-D lenticular image of Mr. Ellenshaw floating above the “City of London” matte painting that Peter produced for the opening sequence of “Mary Poppins.” Its asking price is $150 (Plus $18 shipping [U.S. only]).
But — for those of you who must have the best-of-everything — then you’ll probably want to pick up a copy of the deluxe “Glass Cover” edition of “Ellenshaw Under Glass.” This version of the book features a clear acrylic cover, front and back. Peter’s image is then attached to this clear cover. So it now appears — whenever you open the book — as if Ellenshaw is “floating” above the “Mary Poppins” matte painting. The deluxe “Glass Cover” edition of “Ellenshaw Under Glass” (which is in very limited quantities, by the way) goes for $200 (Plus $18 shipping [U.S. only]).
For further information about this book as well as some of the other great titles Camphor Tree Publications has produced over the years (“Disneyland: The Nickel Tour,” “Walt’s Time: From Before to Beyond” as well as “A Brush With Disney”), then I suggest that you pay a visit to Camphor Tree’s website.