A Guidebook to the Carl Barks Universe

Backstage: Barks, in an August 31, 1992 letter to Matti Eronen: "I started in 1976, I think, and had not finished it at the time "The Fine Art of Walt Disney's Duck" was printed. I finished it in 1981 or 1982 and we have it here. Garé is the owner."

Publications:

Comics Scene volume 1 issue 2 (USA.): ?; details unknown

Correspondence:

August 31, 1992 letter to Matti Eronen

Questions: In which Comics Scene issue was the painting published? In Comics Scene volume 1 issue 2, March 1982?
Could this painting be »The Money Lender«, which Barks is supposed to have painted in 1983? The two titles are similar enough and »The Money Lender« is relatively small in size compared to Barks' other works of the 1980's (thus indicating this could be a leftover from the 1970's).

Sources

CB OIL 124 Sailing the Spanish Main [painting]

Barks code: [unknown]
CBL: [not included?]
Type: Masonite
Creation date: 1982
Art: Carl Barks
Script: [unknown]
Hero: [none]
Submission: [unknown]
Publication date: 1982
Issue: Sailing the Spanish Main [lithograph]
Pages: 1
Orientation: portrait
Width: 20 inch
Height: 25 inch
Motif: 8 of 8
Ink version: sailing the spanish main [inked version]
Based on: sailing on small boat

Maritime theme.

Surviving material:

sailing the spanish main [color guide]
sailing the spanish main [inked version]

Publications:

Sailing the Spanish Main [lithograph] (USA)
Carl Barks Ölgemälde-Kalender 1996 (Germany)
Walt Disney Comics & Stories 601 (USA)

Sources | image: © [Walt Disney Productions]

CB OIL 124-B sailing the spanish main [inked version]

Barrier: ---
CBL: 08A-256
Type: illustration
Creation date: [1982?]
Art: Carl Barks
Script: [unknown]
Hero: [none]
Submission: [unknown]
Publication date: 1983, August
Issue: The Carl Barks Library - Set VIII
Pages: 1
Orientation: portrait
Width: [unknown] inch
Height: [unknown] inch
Painting version: Sailing the Spanish Main [painting]
Based on: sailing on small boat

Additional credits: Pen and ink tracing on vellum, drawn to promote Sailing the Spanish Main [lithograph] in a tabloid newspaper.

Publications:

unidentified tabloid newspaper: black and white (monochrome?); greatly reduced
The Carl Barks Library - Set VIII (USA): monochrome; colours are a mechanical intrepretation of sailing the spanish main [color guide]
Carl Barks Ölgemälde-Kalender 1996 (Germany): colour reproduction?; signed edition contains a reproduction on an additional sheet
Walt Disney Comics & Stories 601 (USA): monochrome; cropped to fit as cover drawing; colours by Susan Daigle-Leach, based upon sailing the spanish main [color guide]

Sources

The Money Lender

Inducks: ...
Barks code: [unknown]
Type: oil
Creation date: 1983 [or 1982?]
Art: Carl Barks
Script: [Carl Barks]
Hero: [none]
Submission: [unknown]
Publication date: 1997
Issue: The Money Lender [lithograph]
Pages: 1
Orientation: portrait
Width: 14 inch
Height: 17.25 inch
Motif: 2 of 2
Earlier phase: [unknown] The Money Collector ?

Additional credits: Possibly the same painting as »The Money Collector«, or a finished version.
Has a similar motif as »McDuck of Duckburg«.

Money theme.

Changes: According to Gerd Syllwasschy, Scrooge must be at the left side of the safe. In that case, some publications have been horizontally flipped. Publications:

The Money Lender [lithograph] (USA): details unknown
Uncle Scrooge 50th Anniversary Catalog (USA): colour; lower right corner partly covered; safe at the left, Scrooge at the right

Other views:

safe at the left, Scrooge on the right: colour; width=170; height=213

Sources | image: © [Walt Disney Productions]

CB OIL 125 An Embarrassment of Riches

Barks code: [unknown]
CBL: 03A-066
Type: Masonite
Creation date: 1983
Art: Carl Barks
Script: [Carl Barks]
Hero: [none]
Submission: [unknown]
Publication date: 1983
Issue: An Embarrassment of Riches [lithograph]
Pages: 1
Orientation: landscape
Width: 25 inch
Height: 20 inch

Money theme. Money bin interior.

Surviving material:

an embarrassment of riches [first of six studies on one sheet]
an embarrassment of riches [second of six studies on one sheet]
an embarrassment of riches [third of six studies on one sheet]
an embarrassment of riches [fourth of six studies on one sheet]
an embarrassment of riches [fifth of six studies on one sheet]
an embarrassment of riches [sixth of six studies on one sheet]
an embarrassment of riches [layout of a detail]
An Embarrassment of Riches [one of eight miniature paintings]

Publications:

An Embarrassment of Riches [lithograph] (USA)
The Carl Barks Library - Set III (USA)
Bilder aus Entenhausen / Billeder fra Andeby (Germany / Denmark)
Carl Barks Ölgemälde-Kalender 1995 (Germany)

Sources | image: © [Walt Disney Productions]

CB OIL 126 Till Death Do Us Part

Barks code: [unknown]
CBL: 09A-018
Type: Masonite
Creation date: 1983
Art: Carl Barks
Script: [Carl Barks]
Hero: [none]
Submission: [unknown]
Publication date: 1983
Issue: Till Death Do Us Part [lithograph]
Pages: 1
Orientation: portrait
Width: 20 inch
Height: 25 inch
Based on: fortuna favet fortibus

Surviving material:

Till Death Do Us Part [preliminary oil]

Publications:

Till Death Do Us Part [lithograph] (USA)
The Carl Barks Library - Set IX (USA): colour
Carl Barks Ölgemälde-Kalender 1996 (Germany)

Sources | image: © [Walt Disney Productions]

CB OIL 127 "A 1934 Belchfire Runabout!"

Barks code: [unknown]
Type: Masonite
Creation date: 1984
Art: Carl Barks
Script: [Carl Barks]
Hero: [none]
Submission: [unknown]
Publication date: 1984
Issue: "A 1934 Belchfire Runabout!" [lithograph]
Pages: 1
Orientation: landscape
Width: 30 inch
Height: 24 inch

Additional credits: Barks' commemorative to Donald Duck's 50th birthday.

Surviving material:

"A 1934 Belchfire Runabout!" [preliminary oil]

Publications:

"A 1934 Belchfire Runabout!" [lithograph] (USA)
Carl Barks Ölgemälde-Kalender 1995 (Germany)

Sources | image: © [Walt Disney Productions]

CB OIL 128 In Uncle Walt's Collectery

Barks code: [unknown]
CBL: 09B-446
Type: Masonite
Creation date: 1984
Art: Carl Barks
Script: [Carl Barks]
Hero: [none]
Submission: [unknown]
Publication date: 1984
Issue: In Uncle Walt's Collectery [lithograph]
Pages: 1
Orientation: portrait
Width: 20 inch
Height: 25 inch

Backstage: Drawing the Disney-collectibles demanded more precision than drawing heaps of coins like in the money bin scenes: "I almost bit off too big a job in this complicated diorama of disorganized Disneyana."
Referring to the title Barks commented: "I know there�s no such word as collectery, but it needs to be invented." The word appears to be a blending of �collection� and �treasury� and is indeed describing a new and different sort of museum. The place-the Disney-archives in California, where all licensed articles are stored-developed from a mere storeroom to a treasury and a collectors Eldorado. No one would ever have suspected that these insignificant comics, tin-Mickey-Mice and hollow rubber dolls would ever become glamorous.
Barks kept close to reality in his presentation of the objects. Most things go back to the 1930�s and 1940�s, the time when he was shaping up at the Disney studios.
The painting has a special appeal as the Ducks meet themselves: with a doubting expression McDuck tugs Mickey Mouse to see if he is real and one of the nephews peeps carefully at the Donald caught in a drawer.

Surviving material:

in uncle walt's collectery [ducks and mickey]
in uncle walt's collectery [crate with comics]
in uncle walt's collectery [painted idea sketch]

Publications:

In Uncle Walt's Collectery [lithograph] (USA)
The Carl Barks Library - Set IX (USA)
Carl Barks Ölgemälde-Kalender 1996 (Germany)

Congruences:

... Where Do We Go Next? [detailed pencil]: Scrooge, Donald, and nephews, are enjoying a book
CB OIL 29 Reading the Scandal Sheet: Scrooge, Donald, and nephews, are enjoying a book
... in uncle walt's collectery [painted idea sketch]: Scrooge, Donald, and nephews, are enjoying a book

Sources | image: © [Walt Disney Productions]

CB OIL 129 Return to Morgan's Island

Barks code: [unknown]
CBL: 09C-546
Type: Masonite
Creation date: 1985
Art: Carl Barks
Script: [Carl Barks]
Hero: [none]
Submission: [unknown]
Publication date: 1985
Issue: Return to Morgan's Island [lithograph]
Pages: 1
Orientation: landscape
Width: 30 inch
Height: 24 inch
Based on: W OS 9-02 finds Pirate Gold

Pirate theme.

Surviving material:

Return to Morgan's Island [preliminary oil]

Publications:

Return to Morgan's Island [lithograph] (USA)
The Carl Barks Library - Set IX (USA)
Carl Barks Ölgemälde-Kalender 1995 (Germany)

Congruences:

CB OIL 40 Blue Persia [73-01]: Scrooge is shown, but not at all included in the story on which the painting is based.
CB OIL 136 Return to Plain Awful: Scrooge is shown, but not at all included in the story on which the painting is based.

Sources | image: © [Walt Disney Productions]

CB OIL 130 Afoul of the Flying Dutchman

Barks code: [unknown]
CBL: 04C-684
Type: Masonite
Creation date: 1985
Art: Carl Barks
Script: [Carl Barks]
Hero: [none]
Submission: [unknown]
Publication date: 1985
Issue: Afoul of the Flying Dutchman [lithograph]
Pages: 1
Orientation: portrait
Width: 25 inch
Height: 30 inch
Comic book version: heavy storm and flying ship

Maritime theme.

Surviving material:

Afoul of the Flying Dutchman [preliminary oil]

Publications:

Afoul of the Flying Dutchman [lithograph] (USA)
The Carl Barks Library - Set IV (USA. Arizona, Scottsdale)
Carl Barks Ölgemälde-Kalender 1996 (Germany)

Sources | image: © [Walt Disney Productions]

CB OIL 131 Dam Disaster at Money Lake

Barks code: [unknown]
Type: Masonite
Creation date: 1986
Art: Carl Barks
Script: [Carl Barks]
Hero: [none]
Submission: [unknown]
Publication date: 1986
Issue: Dam Disaster at Money Lake [lithograph]
Pages: 1
Orientation: landscape
Width: 25 inch
Height: 20 inch
Based on: W OS 386-02 in "Only a Poor Old Man"

Money theme.

Surviving material:

dam disaster at money lake [finished 1:1 layout]
Dam Disaster at Money Lake [preliminary oil]

Publications:

Dam Disaster at Money Lake [lithograph] (USA): Sold as a pair with a reprint of »in "Only a Poor Old Man"«,to tell the "Story Behind the Painting".
Bilder aus Entenhausen / Billeder fra Andeby (Germany / Denmark)
Carl Barks Ölgemälde-Kalender 1995 (Germany)

Sources | image: © [Walt Disney Productions]

CB OIL 132 Dubious Doings at Dismal Down

Barks code: [unknown]
CBL: 02C-642
Type: Masonite
Creation date: 1986
Art: Carl Barks
Script: [Carl Barks]
Hero: [none]
Submission: [unknown]
Publication date: 1986
Issue: Dubious Doings at Dismal Down [lithograph]
Pages: 1
Orientation: landscape
Width: 25 inch
Height: 20 inch
Based on: W OS 189-02 in "The Old Castle's Secret"

Surviving material:

Dubious Doings at Dismal Downs [preliminary oil]

Publications:

Dubious Doings at Dismal Down [lithograph] (USA)
The Carl Barks Library - Set II (USA)
Carl Barks Ölgemälde-Kalender 1995 (Germany)

Sources | image: © [Walt Disney Productions]

CB OIL 133 First Nat'l Bank of Cibola

Barks code: [unknown]
Type: Masonite
Creation date: 1987
Art: Carl Barks
Script: [Carl Barks]
Hero: [none]
Submission: [unknown]
Publication date: 1987
Issue: First Nat'l Bank of Cibola [lithograph]
Pages: 1
Orientation: portrait
Width: 20 inch
Height: 25 inch
Based on: seven cities of cibola

Surviving material:

First National Bank Of Cibola [preliminary painting]

Publications:

First Nat'l Bank of Cibola [lithograph] (USA)

Congruences:

CB OIL 113 Golden Cities of Cibola: Ducks inspecting treasures in Cibola.

CB OIL 134 Tresspassers Will Be Ventilated

Barks code: [unknown]
Type: Masonite
Creation date: 1987
Art: Carl Barks
Script: Carl Barks
Hero: [none]
Submission: [unknown]
Publication date: 1987
Issue: Tresspassers Will Be Ventilated [lithograph]
Pages: 1
Orientation: landscape
Width: 25 inch
Height: 20 inch
Motif: 4 of 4
Based on: old woman interrupts gold digging

Klondike theme. Pick theme.

Surviving material:

Tresspassers Will Be Ventilated [preliminary painting]

Publications:

Tresspassers Will Be Ventilated [lithograph] (USA)
Carl Barks Ölgemälde-Kalender 1995 (Germany)

CB OIL 135 The Makings of a Fish Story

Barks code: [unknown]
CBL: 06C-550
Type: Masonite
Creation date: 1988
Art: Carl Barks
Script: [Carl Barks]
Hero: [none]
Submission: [unknown]
Publication date: 1988
Issue: No One Will Ever Believe This
Pages: 1
Orientation: portrait
Width: 20 inch
Height: 25 inch
Based on: W US 68-02 Hall of the Mermaid Queen ?

Maritime theme.

Landmark: Barks's only painting with a scene under water.

Surviving material:

the makings of a fish story [study]
Makings of a Fish Story [preliminary painting]

Publications:

No One Will Ever Believe This (USA)
The Carl Barks Library - Set VI (USA)
Carl Barks Ölgemälde-Kalender 1996 (Germany)

CB OIL 136 Return to Plain Awful

Barks code: [unknown]
Type: Masonite
Creation date: 1989
Art: Carl Barks
Script: [Carl Barks]
Hero: [none]
Submission: [unknown]
Publication date: 1989
Issue: Return to Plain Awful [lithograph]
Pages: 1
Orientation: landscape
Width: 30 inch
Height: 24 inch
Based on: W OS 223-02 in "Lost in the Andes!"

Surviving material:

return to plain awful [layout of a detail]
Return to Plain Awful [preliminary painting]

Publications:

Return to Plain Awful [lithograph] (USA)
Carl Barks Ölgemälde-Kalender 1997 (Germany)

Congruences:

CB OIL 40 Blue Persia [73-01]: Scrooge is shown, but not at all included in the story on which the painting is based.
CB OIL 129 Return to Morgan's Island: Scrooge is shown, but not at all included in the story on which the painting is based.