Walt Disney's Comics and Stories No. 227
Original Comic Book / Periodical Ephemera • Illustration by Paul Murry (Cover Art); published by Dell Publishing / Western Printing & Lithographing Co.
Style & Movement
Mid-Century American Illustration / Golden Age Comic Art
Medium & Technique
Letterpress and offset printing on newsprint and cardstock; line art with flat CMYK colorization using Ben-Day dots
Creation Period
August 1959
Dimensions & Format
Approx. 7.25 x 10.25 inches; Portrait orientation standard comic format
Subject Description
Cover art featuring Donald Duck in polka-dot pajamas and a nightcap, standing on the back of a pantomime horse (revealed to be Huey, Dewey, or Louie in costume) while holding a coffee cup. A horse character next to them is drinking from a large bowl, depicting a humorous domestic scene.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good; shows significant signs of age and wear including surface soiling, moisture staining, and corner blunting.
Estimated Market Value
$10.00 - $30.00 USD (in current raw condition)
Auction Estimate
$5.00 - $20.00 USD
Provenance History
Mass-market publication sold via newsstands or subscription; likely long-term residential storage evidenced by color fading and foxing.
Art Historical Significance
Represents the height of Dell Publishing's dominance in the comic market. Paul Murry's work on Donald Duck the 'Mickey Mouse' strip is considered definitive of the mid-century house style for Disney characters.
Notable Features
Features the 10-cent price point and the 'Dell' logo in the top left corner, which was characteristic of the era before the shift to Gold Key Comics.
Condition Issues
Visible moisture rings (circular stains) on the right side; heavy foxing/spotting; spine roll and stressing; corner rounding and minor paper loss at the edges; significant tanning of pages.
Conservation Recommendations
Store in an acid-free Mylar sleeve with a buffered backing board. Keep in a cool, dark environment to prevent further UV fading and acidification of the wood-pulp paper.