Walt Disney's Comics and Stories, Issue No. 227
Comic Book / Periodical; Lithographic print on pulp and newsprint • Cover artwork attributed to Carl Barks/Paul Murry era (Walt Disney Productions); Published by Dell Publishing/Western Publishing
Style & Movement
Golden Age/Silver Age Americana Cartoon Illustration; Disney Studio Style
Medium & Technique
Four-color offset lithography (Ben-Day dots) on mass-produced paper stock by Dell Publishing
Creation Period
August 1959
Dimensions & Format
Standard Golden/Silver Age comic dimensions (approx. 7 x 10.25 inches); Portrait orientation
Subject Description
A whimsical cover scene featuring Donald Duck dressed in polka-dot pajamas and nightcap standing atop a pantomime horse (revealed to be Huey, Dewey, or Louie inside) while drinking tea and feeding a real horse from a punch bowl. Typical mid-century slapstick narrative iconography.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good (approx. CGC 3.0 to 4.0 range); Visible spine stress, creasing, and corner rounding
Estimated Market Value
$10.00 - $25.00 USD
Auction Estimate
$5.00 - $15.00 USD (Ungraded/Raw)
Provenance History
Mass-market retail distribution (indicated by 'Still 10c' price point); Primary market Dell/Western Publishing history
Art Historical Significance
Represents the height of Dell's dominance in the comic market (1950s), featuring the anthropomorphic character designs that defined mid-century Disney animation and print media. While common, it is a staple of the 'Silver Age' of children's media.
Notable Features
Features the Dell logo and the 'Still 10c' badge, which was a marketing tactic to resist price hikes; dated August 1959 with 'No. 227' numbering.
Condition Issues
Visible spine split near bottom staple, vertical crease on the upper left, significant edge wear, moderate color fading (foxing) on the pink background, and oxidation of the staples.
Conservation Recommendations
Acid-free polypropylene bagging with an acid-free backing board; store in a cool, dry, dark environment to prevent further tanning (acidification) of newsprint pages.