Note 1) The following Nicholas biographical materials are taken from the Askart.com website:

“George H. Nicholas (1910-1996)

Painter, animator, sculptor. Born in Vermillon, Ohio on December 14, 1910. At age ten Nicholas moved to Los Angeles with his family. By 1931 he had joined Disney Studios and worked on such films as Sleeping Beauty, Lady and the Tramp, and Cinderella.

He exhibited his paintings and wood sculptures extensively in the U.S. before his death in Erie, Pennsylvania on November 23, 1996.

Source: Edan Hughes, ”Artists in California, 1786-1940”

Erie Morning News, 11-25-1996 (obit).”

The Erie Art Museum organized a travelling exhibit of Nicholas' art collection, which it described in a press release, as follows:

“From Mickey to The Grinch: Art of the Animated Film, organized by the Erie Art Museum in Erie, Pennsylvania, is a traveling exhibit which debuted at the Erie Art Museum in summer of 1999, and is available to travel for the next five years. This extensive exhibition features the art, history, and process of American animation from the beginnings of classic full animation just getting underway in the 1930's up through the revival of full animation in the 1970's. From Mickey to The Grinch: Art of the Animated Film also includes hands-on activities for visitors as well as animation workshops and lectures throughout the length of the exhibit….The artworks in the exhibit are drawn from the more than 600 objects in the collection of animator George Nicholas, whose career in animation spanned over half a century. Nicholas worked with such major animation studios as Walt Disney, Chuck Jones, Walter Lantz, MGM, and Hanna-Barbera (Emphasis added).”

Note 2) Askart.com records do not contain a record of a Nicholas painting at auction. A private party is offering on internet, as of September 19, 2012, the following Nicholas watercolor entitled “Harbor Scene San Luis Obispo,” 27 in. x 33 in. for $1,500. This fact and the fact that this Nicholas auction work is not a watercolor, but an oil painting, which generally commands a higher price, and a beautiful depiction of Texas Bluebonnets, which is a large, 24 in. x 36 in, over the mantel piece size oil painting, that is in excellent condition, supports the conclusion that the presale estimate of $600-$1,000 is reasonable and justifiable.