Before there was a mouse, there was Oswald the Lucky Rabbit . But just how important this character is to the legacy of The Walt Disney Company has never been fully understood—until now. From David A. Bossert, an acclaimed 32-year veteran of The Walt Disney Company, and award-winning artist, filmmaker, and author, comes an exclusive look into the real—and surprising—history behind this notable character in: Oswald the Lucky Rabbit: The Search for the Lost Disney Cartoons (Disney Editions; On sale August 29, 2017).

For the first time ever, all the known material and information relevant to Oswald the Lucky Rabbit has been aggregated into one book, including never-before-seen images, photographs, development art, production artwork, scripts, as well as gag and situation notes are all inclusive. This handsome volume contains a variety of color posters, many of which were found at auction houses and with collectors. This deluxe hardcover edition features an embossed cloth spine and is profusely illustrated with many rare images that reconstruct many of the still lost cartoons in the series.

Oswald the Lucky Rabbit: The Search for the Lost Disney Cartoons presents, for the first-time, an in-depth look at the origins of the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio and their first major fully animated success in 1927 with Oswald the Lucky Rabbit series. From how the character came to be, to the rejection of the first Oswald short, Poor Papa, to the well-received second short, Trolley Troubles, to losing the contract for the character all together, prompting the creation of Mickey Mouse; and finally, how the company would reclaim these important films, the story of Oswald sends readers on a thrilling journey through Disney animation history like no other.