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"20,000 Leagues" Anamorphic Nautilus Model.

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Disneyana Start Price:2,000.00 USD Estimated At:3,000.00 - 5,000.00 USD
 20,000 Leagues  Anamorphic Nautilus Model.
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(Disney, c.1953) An extremely rare hand-painted wooden model of the Nautilus from Walt Disney's "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea". This prototype model has been affectionately referred to as the "Anamorphic Nautilus" due to its 'squished' proportions. This model comes from the collection of Harper Goff, who famously designed this rare prototype as a way to solve a unique production issue while filming. At the time, the Studio only had one CinemaScope lens, so Goff devised a way to shoot a 'squished' model using a normal lens that, when projected in CinemaScope, would be 'stretched' to normal proportions. This model of the Nautilus was designed by Goff for those early tests, and photos of this model both before and after the 'stretch' were kept by Goff in his personal scrapbook. It is unclear if this technique was ultimately used in any final scenes in the film, as various interviews with production staff from the film recount that this technique was used, however it is difficult to determine this within the footage itself. Nevertheless, Goff's own accounts of designing this prototype describe details such as the rivets being painted in an oval shape so that they would stretch to become circular, as can be seen in the small painted oval rivets in this model. Measuring approximately 22" long and 9" tall, this model is in fair to good condition with some surface scratches and areas of wear from use and age. There are some portions of the model which are now missing, including the ram and rakers, rudder, and flagpole. This incredibly rare artifact is a wonderfully unique version of the Nautilus and plays an important role in the creation of this iconic film.