A Guidebook to the Carl Barks Universe

Barrier: MBAC-197
CBL: 05B-369
Type: illustrated story
Art: Norman McGary
Pencil: Carl Barks
Script: Annie North Redford (story); Western's head office in New York (design descriptions); Carl Barks (pencil drawings)
Hero: Donald Duck
Submission: 1958, November 28 (pencil drawings); [unknown] (watercolors); [unknown] (story)
Publication date: 1960
Issue: Little Golden Book D84 - Donald Duck and the Christmas Carol
Pages: 24

Additional credits: The story contains 19 watercolors, based on pencil drawings by Barks. A November 20, 1958 letter from Donald T. MacLaughlin seems to suggest that scrooge walking past shop-window [pencil drawing], and lonely scrooge walking through snowy street [pencil drawing] were designed by Barks. For the other illustrations, descriptions were provided by Western's head office in New York.

The watercolors are:

scrooge walking past shop-window [watercolor]
lonely scrooge walking through snowy street [watercolor]
trimming the christmas tree [watercolor]
nephews singing in the hall [watercolor]
scrooge stamping into the house [watercolor]
pointing at presents under christmas tree [watercolor]
scrooge walking away through swirling snow [watercolor]
donald scowling in doorway [watercolor]
nephews turning back to christmas tree [watercolor]
scrooge walking to his mansion [watercolor]
scrooge in bed with a book and a candle [watercolor]
spirit of christmas past [watercolor]
scrooge with old snapshot album [watercolor]
spirit of christmas present [watercolor]
singing christmas carols in snow [watercolor]
spirit of christmas yet to come [watercolor]
scrooge follows disguised nephew [watercolor]
scrooge discovers his family in living room [watercolor]
scrooge with bonnet and mitten [watercolor]

Changes: A December 15, 1958 letter from Thomas Goldberg reported that New york was very pleased with the sketches; nonetheless, the descision-makers there wanted five revisions. The most elaborate one was about scrooge follows disguised nephew [pencil drawing]
Possibly, another of these five revisions was about uncle scrooge and the christmas carol.
Barks originally intended the book to be called "Uncle Scrooge and the Christmas Carol".

Surviving material:

spirit of christmas past [pencil drawing]

Lost material:

scrooge walking past shop-window [pencil drawing]
lonely scrooge walking through snowy street [pencil drawing]
trimming the christmas tree [pencil drawing]
nephews singing in the hall [pencil drawing]
scrooge stamping into the house [pencil drawing]
pointing at presents under christmas tree [pencil drawing]
scrooge walking away through swirling snow [pencil drawing]
donald scowling in doorway [pencil drawing]
nephews turning back to christmas tree [pencil drawing]
scrooge walking to his mansion [pencil drawing]
scrooge in bed with a book and a candle [pencil drawing]
scrooge with old snapshot album [pencil drawing]
spirit of christmas present [pencil drawing]
singing christmas carols in snow [pencil drawing]
spirit of christmas yet to come [pencil drawing]
scrooge follows disguised nephew [pencil drawing]
scrooge discovers his family in living room [pencil drawing]
scrooge with bonnet and mitten [pencil drawing]

Research: Based on a Charles Dickens book, titled "A Christmas Carol".

Correspondence:

Questions: Do you have information about the fives revisions

Sources

Modern Inventions [illustrated story]

Inducks: ...
Type: illustrated story
Art: [unknown]
Pencil: [unknown]
Script: [unknown]
Hero: [none?; Donald Duck?]
Submission: [unknown]
Publication date: 1937, ...
Issue: Mickey Mouse Magazine Vol. ..., No. ... [1937]
Pages: [4?]
Animated adaption: Modern Inventions

Additional credits: The featurettes in «Mickey Mouse Magazine» usually appeared even before the corresponding cartoons were released.

Sources

Donald's Ostrich [illustrated story]

Inducks: ...
Type: illustrated story
Art: [unknown]
Pencil: [unknown]
Script: [unknown]
Hero: [none?; Donald Duck?]
Submission: [unknown]
Publication date: 1937, ...
Issue: Mickey Mouse Magazine Vol. ..., No. ... [1937]
Pages: [4?]
Animated adaption: Donald's Ostrich

Additional credits: The featurettes in «Mickey Mouse Magazine» usually appeared even before the corresponding cartoons were released.

Sources

Donald's Better Self [illustrated story]

Inducks: ...
Type: illustrated story
Art: [unknown]
Pencil: [unknown]
Script: [unknown]
Hero: [none?; Donald Duck?]
Submission: [unknown]
Publication date: 1938, ...
Issue: Mickey Mouse Magazine Vol. ..., No. ... [1938]
Pages: [4?]
Animated adaption: Donald's Better Self

Additional credits: The featurettes in «Mickey Mouse Magazine» usually appeared even before the corresponding cartoons were released.

Sources

Good Scouts [illustrated story]

Inducks: ...
Type: illustrated story
Art: [unknown]
Pencil: [unknown]
Script: [unknown]
Hero: [none?; Donald Duck?]
Submission: [unknown]
Publication date: 1938, ...
Issue: Mickey Mouse Magazine Vol. ..., No. ... [1938]
Pages: [4?]
Animated adaption: Good Scouts

Additional credits: The featurettes in «Mickey Mouse Magazine» usually appeared even before the corresponding cartoons were released.

Sources

Self Control [illustrated story]

Inducks: ...
Type: illustrated story
Art: [unknown]
Pencil: [unknown]
Script: [unknown]
Hero: [none?; Donald Duck?]
Submission: [unknown]
Publication date: 1938, ...
Issue: Mickey Mouse Magazine Vol. ..., No. ... [1938]
Pages: [4?]
Animated adaption: Self Control

Additional credits: The featurettes in «Mickey Mouse Magazine» usually appeared even before the corresponding cartoons were released.

Sources

Donald's Golf Game [illustrated story]

Inducks: ...
Type: illustrated story
Art: [unknown]
Pencil: [unknown]
Script: [unknown]
Hero: [none?; Donald Duck?]
Submission: [unknown]
Publication date: 1938, ...
Issue: Mickey Mouse Magazine Vol. ..., No. ... [1938]
Pages: [4?]
Animated adaption: Donald's Golf Game

Additional credits: The featurettes in «Mickey Mouse Magazine» usually appeared even before the corresponding cartoons were released.

Sources

Donald's Nephews [illustrated story]

Inducks: ...
Type: illustrated story
Art: [unknown]
Pencil: [unknown]
Script: [unknown]
Hero: [none?; Donald Duck?]
Submission: [unknown]
Publication date: 1938, ...
Issue: Mickey Mouse Magazine Vol. ..., No. ... [1938]
Pages: [4?]
Animated adaption: Donald's Nephews

Additional credits: The featurettes in «Mickey Mouse Magazine» usually appeared even before the corresponding cartoons were released.

Sources

Donald's Lucky Day [illustrated story]

Inducks: ...
Type: illustrated story
Art: [unknown]
Pencil: [unknown]
Script: [unknown]
Hero: [none?; Donald Duck?]
Submission: [unknown]
Publication date: 1939, ...
Issue: Mickey Mouse Magazine Vol. ..., No. ... [1939]
Pages: [4?]
Animated adaption: Donald's Lucky Day

Additional credits: The featurettes in «Mickey Mouse Magazine» usually appeared even before the corresponding cartoons were released.

Sources

Hockey Champ [illustrated story]

Inducks: ...
Type: illustrated story
Art: [unknown]
Pencil: [unknown]
Script: [unknown]
Hero: [none?; Donald Duck?]
Submission: [unknown]
Publication date: 1939, ...
Issue: Mickey Mouse Magazine Vol. ..., No. ... [1939]
Pages: [4?]
Animated adaption: The Hockey Champ

Additional credits: The featurettes in «Mickey Mouse Magazine» usually appeared even before the corresponding cartoons were released.

Sources

Donald's Cousin Gus [illustrated story]

Inducks: ...
Type: illustrated story
Art: [unknown]
Pencil: [unknown]
Script: [unknown]
Hero: [none?; Donald Duck?]
Submission: [unknown]
Publication date: 1939, ...
Issue: Mickey Mouse Magazine Vol. ..., No. ... [1939]
Pages: [4?]
Animated adaption: Donald's Cousin Gus

Additional credits: The featurettes in «Mickey Mouse Magazine» usually appeared even before the corresponding cartoons were released.

Sources

Sea Scouts [illustrated story]

Inducks: ...
CBL: 07C-512; 07C-513
Type: illustrated story
Art: [unknown]
Pencil: [unknown]
Script: [unknown]
Hero: [none?; Donald Duck?]
Submission: [unknown]
Publication date: 1939, June
Issue: Mickey Mouse Magazine Vol. 04, No. 9
Pages: 4
Animated adaption: Sea Scouts

Additional credits: 4 pages of text, including 6 illustrations. The featurettes in «Mickey Mouse Magazine» usually appeared even before the corresponding cartoons were released.

CBL-notes: Greyscale reproduction.

Sources

Donald's Penguin [illustrated story]

Inducks: ...
Type: illustrated story
Art: [unknown]
Pencil: [unknown]
Script: [unknown]
Hero: [none?; Donald Duck?]
Submission: [unknown]
Publication date: 1939, ...
Issue: Mickey Mouse Magazine Vol. ..., No. ... [1939]
Pages: [4?]
Animated adaption: Donald's Penguin

Additional credits: The featurettes in «Mickey Mouse Magazine» usually appeared even before the corresponding cartoons were released.

Sources

Donald's Vacation [illustrated story]

Inducks: ...
Type: illustrated story
Art: [unknown]
Pencil: [unknown]
Script: [unknown]
Hero: [none?; Donald Duck?]
Submission: [unknown]
Publication date: 1940, ...
Issue: Mickey Mouse Magazine Vol. ..., No. ... [1940]
Pages: [4?]
Animated adaption: Donald's Vacation

Additional credits: The featurettes in «Mickey Mouse Magazine» usually appeared even before the corresponding cartoons were released.

Sources

Fire Chief [illustrated story]

Inducks: ...
Type: illustrated story
Art: [unknown]
Pencil: [unknown]
Script: [unknown]
Hero: [none?; Donald Duck?]
Submission: [unknown]
Publication date: 1940, ...
Issue: Mickey Mouse Magazine Vol. ..., No. ... [1940]
Pages: [4?]
Animated adaption: Fire Chief

Additional credits: The featurettes in «Mickey Mouse Magazine» usually appeared even before the corresponding cartoons were released.

Sources

Bone Trouble [illustrated story]

Inducks: ...
Type: illustrated story
Art: [unknown]
Pencil: [unknown]
Script: [unknown]
Hero: [none?; Pluto?]
Submission: [unknown]
Publication date: 1940, ...
Issue: Mickey Mouse Magazine Vol. ..., No. ... [1940]
Pages: [4?]
Animated adaption: Bone Trouble

Additional credits: The featurettes in «Mickey Mouse Magazine» usually appeared even before the corresponding cartoons were released.

Sources

Window Cleaners [illustrated story]

Inducks: ...
Type: illustrated story
Art: [unknown]
Pencil: [unknown]
Script: [unknown]
Hero: [none?; Donald Duck?]
Submission: [unknown]
Publication date: 1940, ...
Issue: Mickey Mouse Magazine Vol. ..., No. ... [1940]
Pages: [4?]
Animated adaption: Window Cleaners

Additional credits: The featurettes in «Mickey Mouse Magazine» usually appeared even before the corresponding cartoons were released.

Sources

Mr. Duck Steps Out [illustrated story]

Inducks: ...
Type: illustrated story
Art: [unknown]
Pencil: [unknown]
Script: [unknown]
Hero: [none?; Donald Duck?]
Submission: [unknown]
Publication date: 1940, ...
Issue: Mickey Mouse Magazine Vol. ..., No. ... [1940]
Pages: [4?]
Animated adaption: Mr. Duck Steps Out

Additional credits: The featurettes in «Mickey Mouse Magazine» usually appeared even before the corresponding cartoons were released.

Sources

Put-Put Troubles [illustrated story]

Inducks: ...
Type: illustrated story
Art: [unknown]
Pencil: [unknown]
Script: [unknown]
Hero: [none?; Donald Duck?]
Submission: [unknown]
Publication date: 1940, ...
Issue: Mickey Mouse Magazine Vol. ..., No. ... [1940]
Pages: [4?]
Animated adaption: Put-Put Troubles

Additional credits: The featurettes in «Mickey Mouse Magazine» usually appeared even before the corresponding cartoons were released.

Sources

king seated on giant lemon [cover]

Inducks: ...
Barrier: MBAC-195
CBL: 04B-386
Type: cover, illustrating «The Lemonade King»
Art: Norman McGary
Pencil: Carl Barks
Script: [Carl Barks?]
Hero: Walt Disney's Uncle Scrooge
Submission: 1959, October 17 (pencil drawing); [unknown] (watercolors)
Publication date: 1960
Issue: Top Top Tales No. 2465 - Uncle Scrooge the Lemonade King
Pages: 1

Additional credits: Contains watercolor king seated on giant lemon [watercolor].

Changes: See king seated on giant lemon [watercolor].

Surviving material:

CR TT 2465b king straddling on giant lemon [glass and sign]
king straddling on giant lemon [two glasses]
king seated on giant lemon [cover design #1?]
king seated on giant lemon [cover design #2?]
CR TT 2465c king seated on giant lemon [cover design #3?]
CR TT 2465a king seated on giant lemon [cover design #4?]

Sources

CC TT 2465 The Lemonade King

Barrier: MBAC-195
CBL: 04B-419
Type: illustrated story
Art: Norman McGary
Pencil: Carl Barks
Script: [unknown] (story); [Carl Barks?] (pencil drawings)
Hero: Uncle Scrooge
Submission: 1959, October 17 (pencil drawings); [unknown] (watercolors); [unknown] (story)
Publication date: 1960
Issue: Top Top Tales No. 2465 - Uncle Scrooge the Lemonade King
Pages: 28

Additional credits: The story itself contains 23 watercolors by Norman McGary, based on pencil drawings by Barks. The title page was designed by the editors.

The watercolors are:

scrooge smacking fist on counter [watercolor]
scrooge pointing at lemonade leo's stand [watercolor]
scratching head while holding glass [watercolor]
murmuring behind counter [watercolor]
get your bucketful of lemonade here [watercolor]
donald inviting scrooge to celebrate [watercolor]
floating on big rubber gold piece [watercolor]
slipping off big rubber gold piece [watercolor]
lemonade here! bring your own barrel [watercolor]
hoisting a new sign into place [watercolor]
people carrying bathtubs [watercolor]
tumbling lemonade into bathtub [watercolor]
lemonade leo painting a new notice [watercolor]
crowd moving in trucks [watercolor]
scribbling a shopping list [watercolor]
handing over the shopping list [watercolor]
close-up of shopping list [watercolor]
sleeping donald and alarm clock [watercolor]
people running past bedroom window [watercolor]
trudging away from the beach [watercolor]
airplanes flying over lake [watercolor]
rushing up and down the beach [watercolor]

Changes: The editors discarded CR TT 2465d squeezing lemons with giant pinchers as design for the title page, for which they used a design of their own. Apparently, Barks's design is still used in the back of the book.
Judging from the watercolor on the title page as published, the editor's design shows Scrooge sitting on a deck chair, drinking lemonade from four glasses at once, using four straws. One straw for each glass.
The editor's also discarded lemonade ingredients and floating tools.
Norman McGary tended to thicken the ducks' lower beaks. He also changed many of the seconday characters; he kept the pig, horse, and bull characters but changed all the dogfaces to humans, often substituting bulbous pink noses for the canine ones that Barks had drawn. Children whom Barks had drawn as kittens and bear cubs became human tots. Maybe McGary misunderstood Barks' drawings and thought that the dogfaces were supposed to be human.

Surviving material:

scrooge smacking fist on counter [pencil drawing]
scrooge pointing at lemonade leo's stand [pencil drawing]
scratching head while holding glass [pencil drawing]
murmuring behind counter [pencil drawing]
get your bucketful of lemonade here [pencil drawing]
donald inviting scrooge to celebrate [pencil drawing]
floating on big rubber gold piece [pencil drawing]
slipping off big rubber gold piece [pencil drawing]
lemonade here! bring your own barrel [pencil drawing]
hoisting a new sign into place [pencil drawing]
people carrying bathtubs [pencil drawing]
tumbling lemonade into bathtub [pencil drawing]
lemonade leo painting a new notice [pencil drawing]
crowd moving in trucks [pencil drawing]
scribbling a shopping list [pencil drawing]
handing over the shopping list [pencil drawing]
close-up of shopping list [pencil drawing]
sleeping donald and alarm clock [pencil drawing]
people running past bedroom window [pencil drawing]
trudging away from the beach [pencil drawing]
airplanes flying over lake [pencil drawing]
rushing up and down the beach [pencil drawing]
lemonade ingredients and floating tools
CR TT 2465d squeezing lemons with giant pinchers

Correspondence:

September 16, 1959 letter from Thomas J. McKimson to Carl Barks

Questions: Can you supply scans or xeroxes, of the original publication? What material is published on the front and rear endpapers, and on the back cover?

Sources

XUC USCA 1C Go Slowly Sands of Time [illustrated story]

Barrier: ---
CBL: 05B-357
Type: story
Art: Carl Barks
Script: Carl Barks
Script rewriting: Carl Barks
Hero: Donald Duck
Submission: [unknown]
Publication date: 1981 (or 1982?)
Issue: Uncle Scrooge His Life & Times
Pages: 12?
Based on: Go Slowly, Sands of Time [story outline]

Additional credits: Contains 12 watercolors by Barks, drawn in 1980. Barks's text story is a reworked version of Go Slowly, Sands of Time [story outline].

The watercolors are: