SFD 351: Sent by Catfish Jones

This week, Sent from Disneyland explores the life and legacy of opening-day cast member Ray Van De Warker through two vintage Disneyland postcards. A 1969 Fantasyland postcard featuring King Arthur Carrousel and the Disneyland Band leads into stories of Ray's early days operating attractions on opening day, sleeping inside the park before Disneyland debuted, and his role as "Catfish Jones" on the Mickey Mouse Club. Then, a 1966 Mark Twain postcard dives into the origins of the famous Disneyland cast member canoe races and Ray's 41-year Disneyland career that earned him a Main Street window tribute. The episode also features an international Mickey-themed incoming postcard, unusual collections, and reflections on the joy of niche collecting and Disney history through the mail. Below are some of the regulars on Art Throw Down, Follow all of them on Instagram anyway for great art and postcards in your Instagram feed: Hipstadufus, luluvision, jlynch9923, greenmosspaper, georgemailsart, state_of_the_funyun, RussRomano2021