Harper Goff

**Ralph Harper Goff** (1911-1993) more commonly known as **Harper Goff** was an American artist, musician, and actor affiliated with the Walt Disney Company.

## History

### Disney Parks

There is at-least one fictionalized Harper Goff who exists within the Disney Parks' mythos. There is likely however multiple though as a result, it is possible that some might be the same character or at-least relatives.

#### H. Goff

H. Goff was a cartographer in the late-18th/early-19th century who lived in a seaside kingdom.

#### Prof. Harper Goff

**Professor Harper Goff** was a banjo player and tattoo-artist specializing in Asian tattoo styles and was likely active around the 1930s. He is frequently identified as having worked out of, "Dock 54" which was likely a dock used by the Jungle Navigation Company. His services and offices were in the *Adventureland Bazaar*, an Arabian market-place presumed to be located in the kingdom of Agrabah.

Professor Goff was an apparent affiliate of one Trader Sam, a barkeep and trader who also was affiliated with the JNC. At one point in time, Sam obtained a banjo from Goff and also advertised his services. At another point in time, the professor was involved as a producer in a cartoon *Jungle Cruise* film starring Mickey and Minnie Mouse made with assistance from the JNC.

#### R.H. Goff

R.H. Goff was a patentor and likely inventor presumably active in the 19th century or at-least early 20th. His patented devices included the *Specrecom*, a paranormal invention which allowed communication with spirits of the deceased.

#### Skipper Harper

Skipper Harper was an employee of the Jungle Navigation Company during the latter end of the 1930s. In addition to working as a riverboat skipper, Goff also was the company's cartography expert. By 1938, Goff had his own office within the headquarters of the JNC.

## Appearances and allusions

Several tributes to Harper Goff can be found outside of Adventureland materials in the Disney Parks with may or may not connect to the Goff featured in the Adventureland mythos.

### Adventure Trading Company

H. Goff's banjo-lessons are advertised in the Daily Gnus newspaper. During the D23 play-testing stage, he was referenced as being Chairman of the Board of the Jungle Telegram Co..

### Adventureland Bazaar

A window over the Disneyland Adventureland Bazaar which advertises, "Oriental tattooing by Prof. Harper Goff; Banjo Lessons".

### Haunted Mansion

In Walt Disney World's Haunted Mansion is an item called the *Spectrecom* used to communicate with the voices of the dead. The patent on this invention is from one R.H. Goff.

### Jungle Cruise

A crate in the Magic Kingdom's Jungle Cruise has a label on it identifying it as containing crocodile resistant water-pants from, "Goff's" brand. It also identifies this brand as being based in the Main Street of St. Collins, Colorado.

### Magic of Disney Animation

One H. Goff is mentioned as being a film producer behind a Mickey and Minnie Mouse film called, "The Jungle Cruise" on a film-poster.

### Skipper Canteen

In the library of the *Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen* is a book titled *Banjos and Baboons* by Goff. There is also another allusion to Harper Goff via JNC cartographer, "Skipper Harper". There is also a book by one, "Goff" titled, "Tramp steamers in Africa".

### Tom Sawyer Island

In real-life, Harper's Mill is named in tribute to imagineer Harper Mill. However in the island's backstory, it is named after Tom Sawyer's friend Joe Harper.

### Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar

On display is a banjo which has writing on it reading, "Banjo lessons contact H. Goff; dock 54".

### Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid

Across from this *Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid* is a cartography shop with a sign identifying it as being run by cartographer, "H. Goff".

## Connections

### Disney films

* **20,000 Leagues Under the Sea**: The weathervane of the Goff cartography shop is made in the likeness of the Giant Squid from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.
* **Aladdin**: The Adventureland Bazaar is presumably set in Agrabah, a location from this film.

## References

1. ↑ https://www.endorexpress.net/movies-tv-shows/disney-movies/d23-disney/2013/08/adventure-trading-company/
2. ↑ https://www.davelandweb.com/adventureland/images/2000/DSC\_0498.jpg
3. ↑ https://www.wdwradio.com/2008/09/more-crates-in-the-jungle-cruise/
4. ↑ https://insidethemagic.net/2015/04/d-tales-13-disney-history-hidden-in-classic-movie-references-at-walt-disney-worlds-minnie-mouse-meet-and-greet/
5. ↑ http://www.mainstgazette.com/2016/05/memorial-award-for-jungle-excellence.html
6. ↑ https://jungleskipper.com/sea/attractions/skipper-canteen#&gid=1&pid=right-bookshelf-6th-shelf-c67
7. ↑ https://www.mousesteps.com/2011/09/25/detailed-look-at-trader-sams-enchanted-tiki-bar-disneyland-hotel-from-august-2011/2/
8. ↑ http://www.mainstgazette.com/2015/07/maps-globes.html