CGC Trading Cards Grades Highly Sought-after Japanese Weiss Schwarz Steamboat Willie Card

CGC Trading Cards® is happy to report that Disney fans have been submitting full steam ahead since the recent release of the new Weiss Schwarz "Disney 100 Years of Wonder Cards" set. The debut anniversary series came out in Japan on April 7, 2023, and collectors have clamored ever since to get their hands on arguably the most sought-after card in the set: a "Steamboat Willie" Mickey Mouse.

At the end of April, CGC Trading Cards' expert graders certified a Japanese 2023 Weiss Schwarz "Steamboat Willie" Mickey Mouse, which earned the coveted grade of CGC Perfect 10, with perfect sub-grades of 10 for Centering, Surface, Corners and Edges. The popular trading card, which features a black-and-white image of the iconic original rendering of Disney's beloved character, is worth thousands of dollars in this high-grade condition. Since then, CGC has certified five other examples of this valuable "Steamboat Willie" card.

Click images to enlarge.

As part of Disney's year-long celebrations leading up to the company's official 100-year anniversary on October 16, 2023, this set was created to commemorate the special occasion. It pays tribute to all things Disney by also bringing together Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars, and has immediately become highly desirable to Disney fans and card collectors.

A pioneer of the early animation industry, Walt Disney first found success as an animator when he created Mickey Mouse in 1928. Disney first debuted the character in a test screening of an animated short film called "Plane Crazy." However, the first animated film to feature Mickey Mouse that was distributed was "Steamboat Willie," which premiered at Universal's Colony Theater in New York City on November 18, 1928. The short film became the most popular cartoon of its time, as the production revolutionized the animation industry with its groundbreaking synchronized sound and fully post-produced soundtrack.

"Steamboat Willie" catapulted Walt Disney Studios into prominence, as the company became synonymous with animation and recognized as the preeminent American animation studio. One hundred years later, Disney is still at the forefront of the entertainment industry, especially with the acquisitions of both the Marvel Comics and Star Wars universes in the last 15 years. 2023 marks the 100th anniversary of Disney's decades-long success, and fans have plenty to celebrate through new trading cards like the "Disney 100 Years of Wonder Cards" set and much more.