Item Details:

KOKO THE CLOWN MODEL SHEET

FLEISCHER STUDIOS ARTISTS

GOLDEN AGE OF ANIMATION, 1931

Original Photostat Model Sheet

Edition: Unknown

Publisher: Fleischer Studios/Paramount

Photostat

Size: Quarto

Signed: initialled "RT"

Great studio model sheet for Ko-Ko. The piece was printed on 8" x 11" photographic paper at Fleischer Studios and used by animators to ensure accurate character designs throughout the making of the shorts. These model sheets were made in limited quantities and are considered very rare.

This vintage model sheet exhibits age-related toning, edge wear, and pinholes in the corners from production use. Overall condition is Good.

Koko the Clown is an animated cartoon character created by Max Fleischer. He first appeared as the main protagonist in Out of the Inkwell (1918–1929), a major animated series of the silent era. Throughout the series, he goes on many adventures with his canine companion "Fitz the Dog", who would later evolve into Bimbo in the Betty Boop cartoons.

The character originated when Max Fleischer invented the rotoscope, a device that allowed for animation to be more lifelike by tracing motion picture footage of human movement. The use of the clown character came after two previous tests and a search for an original character. Fleischer filmed his brother Dave in a clown costume. After tracing the film footage amounting to some 2,500 drawings and a year's work, the character that would eventually become Koko the Clown was born, although he did not have a name until 1924. "The Clown"'s appearance owes much to The Yama Yama Man. Dave's clown costume was clearly inspired by one worn by Bessie McCoy, with the additions of a black ruffled collar replacing the big white bow, three pom-pom front buttons, and a prominent cone-shaped cap also with three pom-poms. The white face with slit eyes was a design common among German circus clowns. Both costumes have white gloves with long fingers, white foot coverings, and a hat with the same white pom-pom as in front. A 1922 sheet music drawing makes the connection more explicit, saying "Out of the Inkwell, the New Yama Yama Clown", with a picture of Koko.

Private Collection, New York City