A Donald Duck sketch hand-drawn and signed by Walt Disney has sold at auction for almost $US12,000 ($A16,500).
The pencil drawing shows the character, created in 1934 as a companion to Mickey Mouse, wearing his trademark sailor hat while the revered animator has signed his name underneath.
The drawing was sold in Los Angeles on Thursday for $US11,949 by Nate D Sanders Auctions.
The identity of the buyer is unknown.
Michael Kirk, auction manager at Nate D Sanders, said: "It's rare to find a Donald Duck illustration hand drawn and signed by Walt Disney himself.
"Disney famously delegated almost all animation work to his team of talented animators, making this piece very unique and collectable."
Bidding for the drawing, which measures approximately 14cm wide and 22.6cm long, began at $US7900.
Australian Associated Press
