Hanna-Barbera

Born: Los Angeles, California (1957)
Lives and works: Hanna-Barbera Cartoons, Inc.
Education: Art Students League of New York, Pratt Institute
Awards: Seven Academy Awards, eight Emmy Awards, Hollywood Walk of Fame
“Animation will continue to thrive as long as there are children, parents, television, movies and the need to laugh.”

Hanna-Barbera 2022 | Original Production Cels & Drawings

Featuring rare archive animation art from William Hanna and Joseph Barbera’s studio, our Hanna-Barbera collection captures the magic of classic Saturday morning cartoons. From Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! to The Flintstones, Tom and Jerry and Top Cat, these original production drawings and hand-signed limited edition prints are collectable artefacts from cartoon history.

Inspiration

Our curation of this collection led us to the Californian publishing studio of Ruth Clampett, the daughter of the legendary animation director Bob Clampett. After a lifetime spent surrounded by animation and art, the former vice president of design at Warner Bros. now operates Clampett Studio Collections, one of the world’s most desirable archives of licensed animation art.

Amongst this incredible selection was a rare series of works originally produced by the Hanna-Barbera Cartoons, Inc. studio, which revolutionised Saturday morning television after launching in the summer of 1957. Founded by two former MGM animation directors, William Hanna (1910-2001) and Joseph Barbera (1911-2006), the studio was at the heart of American television for over four decades, introducing best-loved characters such as Scooby-Doo, Yogi Bear, the Flintstones and the Jetsons.

From their Los Angeles studio, the duo directed world-class animation artists, writers and voice actors including Iwao Takamoto, Bob Singer, Warren Foster, Jerry Eisenberg and Don Messick. In total, they created 249 individual cartoon series, winning seven Academy Awards, eight Emmy Awards and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Today, decades after their original release, Hanna and Barbera's characters are inspiring new audiences on channels such as Cartoon Network, Boomerang and HBO Max. 

Our exclusive selection of original production drawings is complemented by our limited edition collection. Created using high-quality fine art techniques, these authentic artworks include hand-painted cels and are signed by some of the biggest names in animation and film, including Hanna, Barbera and the Hollywood actor Gene Kelly. With only a handful available worldwide, these rare titles are a must-have for any cartoon fan. 

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Inside the world of Hanna-Barbera

The sprawling Hanna-Barbera Cartoons, Inc. studio was located at 3400 Cahuenga Boulevard West in Los Angeles, California. Described as “the birthplace of TV animation”, the unique building was designed by Beverly Hills architect Arthur Froehlich, who took inspiration from the futuristic, Space Age style of The Jetsons for the cartoonish façade.

Inside the building, teams of writers, animators and voice actors worked together to bring characters like Fred Flintstone, Jerry Mouse and Pink Panther to life. It was a far cry from William Hanna and Joseph Barbera’s early days, when they would draw storyboards at home! Amongst the staff were former MGM animators and layout artists including Lewis Marshall and Ed Benedict, along with voice actors such as Don Messick (who voiced Scooby-Doo, Muttley, Boo-Boo Bear and Papa Smurf amongst others). In the late 1960s, as the studio created more human characters, comic book artists like Alex Toth and Warren Tufts also joined the ranks.

Animators used a planned animation process, whereby frames were repeated to lower the number needed and speed up production. Because of this, the studio could focus more on scriptwriting, situational comedy and creative camerawork. It also led to many characters being drawn with collars and neckties so the heads could be seamlessly separated onto a separate cel. As a result, Huckleberry Hound's red bowtie, Scooby-Doo's dog collar and Yogi Bear's signature green tie are not just fashion accessories but a shrewd animation technique!

The shows and characters responded to real-life events, including Cold War espionage and the popularity of James Bond in the 1960s, which led to the creation of the Secret Squirrel character. Despite television networks not broadcasting in colour until 1965, Hanna and Barbera also had the foresight to create their cartoons in colour. Along with their programmes, the studio branched out into opening credits (including Bewitched in 1964) and crossovers with comic books, most notably with their Scooby-Doo franchise. 

Today, audiences around the world can instantly recognise the studio's many catchphrases, including 'Zoinks!', 'Captain CAAAAAVEMAAAANN' and 'Yabba-dabba-doo!'.  

 

From the blog

Hanna-Barbera | 2022 | Original production cels & drawings

Signed by animation legends William Hanna and Joseph Barbera, this collectible selection boasts best-loved characters like Tom & Jerry, Fred Flintstone, Yogi Bear and Top Cat.

Tom and Jerry misbehave in 'Tee Time' from Hanna-Barbera

Signed by the famed American animator Bob Singer, this limited edition serigraph cel features the cartoon duo in a humorous golfing scene, taken from the 1945 cartoon short Tee for Two.

Magazines and brochures

Hanna-Barbera | Original Drawings | 2021

We’re delighted to present a collection of rare original production drawings from the Hanna-Barbera studio. Hand-picked from one of America’s most prestigious animation art archives, this series of collectables boast some of the cartoon world’s best-loved characters.

Hanna-Barbera | 2021 Collection

We’re thrilled to announce that the second instalment from our Hanna-Barbera collection is now available! Featuring rare archive animation art from William Hanna and Joseph Barbera's Los Angeles studio, these limited edition graphics are collectable artefacts from cartoon history.

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