In conjunction with its Vintage Comics & Comic Art sale, Heritage Auctions' February 21-23 Animation Art Signature Auction in New York will offer a fantastic Mickey Mouse production cel.

The cel shows Disney's flagship character in his crowning performance as the sorcerer's apprentice in Fantasia. It is currently selling for $9,500 to lead the auction, having received eight bids.

The original cel has been trimmed and professionally applied to an airbrushed background with a painted overlay of stars, replicating the iconic imagery of the film. It is believed to have been given by Roy Disney - Walt's nephew - as a gift to an associate.

Roy Disney co-produced the sequel to the film, Fantasia 2000

Fantasia (1940) was first conceived by Walt Disney as a short production entitled The Sorceror's Apprentice. However, when its budget far exceeded what it could make at the box office, Disney decided to incorporate the short into a longer feature length film.

Although initially met with varied reactions from the public, Fantasia is noted as one of the defining Disney films. It is revered as a pioneering moment in cinema as the first commercial film shown in stereo, thanks to Disney's development of Fantasound.

The auction features an array of Disney production cels, as well as maquettes made for the most famous Disneyland rides. Also starring are original drawings from Chuck Jones, the director and artist behind Looney Toons and Merry Melodies.

Very few Chuck Jones watercolours have ever appeared on the market, so Heritage Auctions expects strong bids

The most valuable among the Chuck Jones works is a fantastic and extremely rare signed watercolour of his beloved character Pepe Le Pew, which is currently selling at just $950.

Paul Fraser Collectibles has a brilliant signed drawing of Looney Tunes' Bugs Bunny for sale, which has been signed by his creator Friz Freleng. See more of our superb animation art for sale.