There are fans and then there are Disney fans. Walt fanatics jump at any chance to get their hands on original memorabilia from the studio and Anaheim park, which makes the upcoming Collecting Disneyland exhibit and auction so exciting. The event is being put on by Van Eaton Galleries in Los Angeles and will feature over 800 items, including concept art, documents and rare theme park items from the 1950s-2000s.
The one-of-a-kind exhibition opens on October 24, giving you more than enough time to scope out your must-haves before the auction kicks off on November 21. Sure, you won’t be able to get your hands on the clothing items in time for Halloween this year, but next year will definitely be epic when you show up to parties dressed as an authentic Haunted Mansion butler.
“This collection and the people that have collected it are beyond extraordinary,” says Mike Van Eaton, Co-Founder of Van Eaton Galleries. “The breadth of this vintage collection and the rarity of the memorabilia are true testaments to the genius of Walt Disney.”
Among the items is an original piece of concept art for the Fantasyland Dumbo Ride by Bruce Bushman. Signed by many of the company’s original Imagineers, it is estimated to sell for $5k-$7k. Bushman was not only one of Walt’s first designers, he was a huge figure in the park’s development and design, making his lot a pretty big deal. A concept piece for Tomorrowland from its art director, Gabriel Scognamillo, as well as an original, fully-functional PeopleMover Ride Car that has been carefully restored (estimated to sell for $200k-$300k), definitely stand out.
With over 40 attraction posters on offer, the vintage Rocket To The Moon print is our favorite and could sell for as much as $20k. Also up for grabs is an original park bench from 1955, a ride car and concept art from Space Mountain, a Jack Skellington head from the park’s annual Haunted Mansion holiday exhibit, a Jungle Cruise boat sign and one of the Honorary Disneyland Police Chief uniforms Disneyland used to give retiring chiefs.
The auction will take place live at Van Eaton Galleries in Sherman Oaks and will be available online for those unable to attend.
