Magic in the Mail: Disney and the Order of the Aztec Eagle
Volume 2, Issue 13
Happy National Cinema Day!
If you live in the United States of America, today, August 27, 2023, is National Cinema Day. Several national movie theatre chains are offering $4 movie tickets, and today could be a great day to treat yourself to a movie.
Today could be a great day to see the Disney’s Haunted Mansion (2023) or catch up on another film you have been meaning to watch.
A Quick Note from Harper…
Before we begin, I have a quick housekeeping note.
I am currently updating the format of this publication and will be taking some time off to research additional projects. For the next few weeks, I’ll be releasing a shortened version of this newsletter, but it will still include fun tidbits of history and references to Disney pop culture.
“When you are curious, you find lots of interesting things to do. And one thing it takes to accomplish something is courage.”
-Walt Disney
In the meantime, please enjoy the following mini-article and hopefully I’ll have some exciting updates in September! As always, we are in the process of growing our community. If you enjoy these articles, please support my work by recommending this newsletter to a friend.
This Week in Disney Pop Culture…
Night (and Day) at the Museum
You don’t necessarily need to visit a Disney Park in order to experience the magic of Disney. In many cases, you may find a piece of the Disney magic tucked away in unexpected places. Maybe even in your hometown!
Some of my favorite places to visit are museums. I find it is becoming more and more common to find one-of-a-kind Disney memorabilia in museums across the globe.
I recently took a trip to St. Augustine, Florida with my mom and stumbled upon a great collection of Disney drawings and documents in a satellite exhibit produced by the Karpeles Manuscript Library. They had a wonderful collection of Disney documents, including animation illustrations from several of Walt Disney’s animated feature films.
Here is a short list of museums and traveling exhibits which should be on your bucket list if you are a Disney fan!
Disney Archives
The Walt Disney Company Archives is located in Burbank, California. They have a remarkable collection of documents, art and artifacts from Disney Films, Disney Parks and other branches of the Walt Disney Company, including merchandising.
While touring, the Disney Archives are typically closed to the public. The Archives have wonderful touring exhibits and a great website. They also partner with the official club for Disney fans, called D23.
Here is a list of some of the major traveling museum exhibits sponsored by the Walt Disney Archives in California:
Disney 100: The Exhibition
This first-of-its-kind traveling exhibition from the Walt Disney Archives and Semmel Exhibitions invites guests to explore 10 themed galleries inspired by Walt Disney’s philosophies, featuring more than 250 artifacts, props, costumes, and works of art from the historical collections of The Walt Disney Company. The traveling exhibit had its debut earlier this year
For tickets, visit Disney100Exhibit.com and follow the global tour on Instagram and Facebook!
Disney100: The Exhibition in London (disney100exhibit.com) coming soon, on October 13, 2023.
Disney100: The Exhibition in Munich (disney100exhibit.com) through September 7, 2023.
New locations will be announced, soon!
Heros & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume
This traveling exhibit explores the craftsmanship and artistry required to produce costuming elements that represent nearly six decades of film and television production at The Walt Disney Company. The exhibit has been traveling for a few years and is next scheduled to appear at the Birmingham Museum of Art in Alabama.
Premiering on February 17, 2024, and running through August 18, 2024, the main exhibition gallery is organized into three archetypes: heroes, villains, and the antiheroes of Disney storytelling. Interactive elements will also allow guests to engage with the enchanting world of Disney costuming.
The exhibition features a collection of Disney costumes which includes Captain Jack Sparrow’s pirate garb, Cruella DeVil’s fashionable frock, Cinderella’s glass slipper and the Sanderson Sisters’ wicked wardrobe. Tickets will go on sale on BMA’s website this October.
All That Glitters: The Crown Jewels of the Walt Disney Archives
This exhibit from the Disney Archives currently isn’t touring, but I wanted to mention it in case the exhibit goes back on display.
With over 200 dazzling items from over 100 productions, All That Glitters: The Crown Jewels of the Walt Disney Archives, allowed museum goers to take a look at the beautifully designed crowns, tiaras, watches, rings, bracelets, and other accessories that have helped support some of our favorite moments throughout the nearly 100-year history of The Walt Disney Company.
Some of the pieces on display included:
A rare merchandise locket from the 1960 film Pollyanna
The stunning “Heart of the Ocean” necklace from James Cameron’s Titanic (1997).
Anne Hathaway’s crowns and tiaras from the Princess Diaries movies (2001 and 2004).
Mulan’s matchmaking outfit from Disney’s 2020 live-action film, on display for the first time.
Genie’s lamp from Aladdin (2019), on display for this first time.
Walt Disney Family Museum
Founded by Walt Disney’s daughter, Diane Disney Miller, The Walt Disney Family Museum is located in San Francisco, California. The Walt Disney Family Museum presents an inspirational journey through the life of Walter Elias Disney.
Their mission is two-fold: to inform present and future generations about Walt Disney, and, through his story, to inspire them to heed their imagination and persevere in pursuing their goals.
Originally constructed in 1897 as an Army barracks, the iconic building transformed into The Walt Disney Family Museum more than a century later and today houses some of the most interesting and fun museum exhibitions in the US. Explore the life story of the man behind the brand—Walt Disney.
The museum offers a virtual tour, and you can visit by clicking the link below.
Have you stumbled upon a Disney hidden gem in a museum? We would love to hear about it! Please feel free to leave a comment in the section below, and tell us about it.
Today in Disney History…
August 30, 1943: Walt Disney is Awarded the Mexican Order of the Aztec Eagle
On August 30, 1943, Walt Disney received the Order of the Aztec Eagle. This award is the highest honor a foreigner could receive from the Mexican government.
The Mexican Order of the Aztec Eagle (Spanish: Orden Mexicana del Águila Azteca) forms part of the Mexican Honours System and It was created by decree on December 29, 1933 by President Abelardo L. Rodríguez.
Walt Disney is awarded (along with other notable Hollywood celebrities) the Mexican Order of the Aztec Eagle at a ceremony held at the National Palace in Mexico. The medal is given to luminaries as a reward for services to humankind or Mexico.
With co-founder of the MGM Studios Louis B. Mayer, Walt went along to Mexico City on August 24, 1943, to receive their medals directly from Mexican president Manuel Ávila Camacho. The award honored those who have made a great contribution to Mexico, in particular or humankind in general, and focused on Walt’s efforts to foster beneficial international relations with Mexico.
Two years prior, in 1941, Walt had traveled with a hand-selected group of his artists through Latin American countries as part of Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s Good Neighbor Program. Working with the office of the Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs, Walt’s team met presidents, artists, and common folk alike while developing stories and artwork for animated films based on the culture and landscapes of the nations they visited. This traveling party, which became known by the name “El Grupo,” spent the bulk of its time in South American countries like Brazil and Argentina. Part of the group made their way through Mexico on the return trip home.
After the success of Saludos Amigos (1942), Walt, Mary Blair, and a few others took an additional short research trip to Mexico to gather material for a second film, The Three Caballeros (1944)
The Three Caballeros premiered in Mexico City on December 21, 1944. This film featured the duo of Donald Duck and Brazilian parrot José Carioca from Saludos Amigos and added Mexican charro rooster Panchito. The film showcased live-action highlights from various locations around Mexico, including Acapulco and Veracruz. The Mexican magazine Tiempo described Walt as having brought a “world of friendship and understanding to the people of all countries.”
Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter, Magic in the Mail. We are in the process of growing our community and we appreciate your readership.
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Stay optimistic and see you real soon!
Sincerely,
Harper
Harper, The Snow White illustration in the mini museum is the standout part of this piece for me. But everything is really insightful. Thanks for sharing. I appreciate this. Hope you’re well? Cheers, -Thalia