This limited edition pin features Squash McStretch, a soft enamel representation of the animator mascot for the Disney Institute that was restricted to only 5,000 pieces. The design captures the Irish-American character wearing a cap and holding a pencil in front, where the gap near the nose is filled, set against a gold bark-like pattern on the reverse with one nub. Released as a grassroots effort, these pins were the only Squash designs ever created before his creation was approved by Disney Legal, following the creator's departure from the institute after teaching classes there.
Note added by the artist, Larry Lauria, a director who created the character at Disneyana in September 1997 and vanished from the Institute in October; he is available to email
[email protected] for further information about this unique artifact that served as an official representation of Squash's presence within the organization.