Walt Disney November 1966 Associated Press / AP Wirephoto News Lung Surgery

Description

Walt Disney November 1966 Associated Press / AP Wirephoto News Lung Surgery
Walt Disney November 1966 Associated Press / AP Wirephoto News Lung Surgery
Historic Walt Disney Artifacts by Saturday's Toys presents...
a vintage Associated Press (AP) Wirephoto and press caption dated Tuesday, November 22, 1966.
The document is short on details but for the first time, Disney spokespersons announce Walt Disney had "part of his left lung removed by surgery."  The announcement on this AP Wirephoto also indicates that a tumor was found but did not disclose whether any malignancy was found.
In reality, after returning from a meeting of the American Forestry Association in Williamsburg, Virginia, Walt met with his doctors at St. Joseph Hospital (Burbank) on Wednesday, November 2, 1966.  Additional tests performed that day confirmed that a "walnut-sized tumor" had been found on his left lung.  After the appointment, he called General Joe Potter and Marvin Davis to discuss his disappointment at lack of speed in their develeopment of the EPCOT project in Florida.
Walt then attended several studio meetings on Thursday and Friday, November 3 and 4.  As the Carolwood home was then undergoing renovations, Walt spent the next few days at the home of Ron and Diane Miller.  The Millers were actually in the process of constructing a new Encino home and Walt stopped to visit the site on Sunday, November 6 and found Ron playing football with several of the neighborhood kids.  He then drove to the hospital to check-in for the following day's surgery.
The surgery on Monday, November 7 confirmed that the tumors in the lung were malignant and doctors estimated that Walt would have between six months to two years to live.  He remained in the hospital until checking out on Monday, November 21.  This press
announcement was likely prompted by Walt's return to work, though it made no mention of the prognosis that he had been given.  As such, his passing on December 15, 1966 came as a shock to many at the studio as well as to people throughout the world.
After checking out of the hospital, Walt attended a full schedule of meetings at the studio on November 22 and 23, before joining with Ron and Diane's family for Thanksgiving on November 24.  The following day, Walt and Lilly flew to their Palm Springs home at Smoke Tree Ranch for what was presumed to be several days of recovery.  Unfortunately, Walt called for his pilot to return him to Burbank on Wed. November 30. Upon landing, Walt was immediately transported to St. Joseph Hospital where he was checked into Room 529 under the name of "Mr. John Smith."
For the next several days his visits were limited to those of his closest family members and his trusted administrative assistants.  He was known to sign various checks and other documents that were shuttled from his studio office.  On Thursday morning, December 15, Walt Disney died at St. Joseph Hospital.
The original glossy black and white AP Wirephoto offered here was widely overlooked at the time it was transmitted to the nation's newsrooms.  Few believed that Walt Disney wouldn't be able to fully recover from the surgery.  As such, few of these historic documents remain.  The vintage photo measures 4" x 8" and has no writing on the reverse.  For unknown reasons, the staff at the AP sent out the Wirephoto with Walt's file photo in reverse format.  The same photo, in corrected form, was used again only days later to announce that Walt Disney had died.
A worthy archival document chronicling the final days of the world's most beloved storyteller, Walt Disney
About Us
Combined Shipping Available
Saturday’s Toys and Disneyana Auctions
was founded in 1994 by Southern California author and Disney historian, Dave Mason. Soon after eBay's launch the following year, Saturday's Toys was among the first Disneyana specialists to strategize in embracing this rapidly developing technology. Having delivered over 10,000 coveted Disney treasures since then, Saturday's Toys is pleased to partner with researchers, collectors and friends throughout the world with a shared interest in the preservation of authentic and accurate Disney history.
Today, online offerings of archival Disneyana keepsakes are presented in celebration of the extended times that allow for family, friends and neighbors to join in memorable gatherings that nurture the strong connections that bind a community together. These treasures are affectionately known as "Saturday's Toys." In that light we present our adopted motto (with a tip of the cap to the Sherman Brothers):
"Oh, let's go fly a kite!"
We are glad to combine shipping to reduce costs whenever possible.  Simply let us know before processing payment for the items selected and we'll revise and forward a final invoice to reflect the combined shipping price.
This usually works most effectively when combining flat paper items (postcards, newsletters, ephemera, etc.) but we'll do our best to make any combined purchase provide the best value for shipping.
Let us know if you have questions!