Massive Collection of Rare Disney Memorabilia Goes to Auction at Van Eaton Galleries
Los Angeles, California - (May 2016) - Van Eaton Galleries, one of the world’s premier animation artwork and collectibles galleries, located in Sherman Oaks, California, has announced one of the most extraordinary auctions of rare and historic Disney memorabilia. The “Collecting Disney” auction will take place Saturday, June 18, 2016 at Van Eaton Galleries located at 13613 Ventura Blvd in Sherman Oaks, California, beginning 11:00 a.m. PT. Collecting Disney is an extraordinary auction devoted to the history of Walt Disney Studios and features items from some of the finest collections in the world. With memorabilia dating from the very beginning of the Studio, to expansion into feature film and beyond, this one-of-a-kind rare auction is an unprecedented glimpse into the personal and professional life of Walt Disney, his close group of animators and artists, the studio and the amazing legacy that lives on today. The auction will feature over 700 rare and some never-seen-before items.
For over 90 years, The Walt Disney studio has influenced popular culture and built generations of loyal fans across the globe. Over 700 pieces of memorabilia will be offered exclusively by Van Eaton Galleries and will be featured during a limited time exhibit. Among the collection’s highlights is an original score for the first song written about Mickey Mouse (Estimate: $15,000-$20,000); several early original drawings by animator Ub Iwerks from the first two Mickey Mouse cartoons ever made, “Steamboat Willie” and “Plane Crazy,” (Estimate: $4,000-$6,000); one of the first Mickey Mouse Dolls ever made, hand-signed by Walt Disney (Estimate: $25,000-$50,000); and an extremely rare premiere program for Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs signed by Walt Disney and over 50 members of the studio staff, (Estimate: $5,000-$10,000) - photo left shows program.
Mickey and Minnie Animated Old King Cole Window Displays ($50,000-$75,000); a complete Kem Weber designed Disney Studio office including an animators desk, “airline chair”, closet, and floor lamps (Estimate: $60,000-$80,000); an original Charlotte Clark Mickey Mouse Doll (Estimate: $3,000-$5,000) and a “Babes in Toyland” Prop Soldier (Estimate: $18,000-$20,000).
A portion of the Collecting Disney auction will benefit the Annette Funicello Research Fund for Neurological Diseases (www.annetteconnection/About-the-Research-Fund.php). Annette Funicello landed her role on The Mickey Mouse Club in 1955 at just 13 years old and soon became the world’s most beloved and most popular Mouseketeer of all time. Funicello’s personal Mickey Mouse Club “Mouse Ears,” as well as a Mickey Mouse Club sweater worn by her, are being offered and will benefit her foundation. These items are two of the very few pieces of memorabilia that were not lost when her home caught fire in 2011, and they are being offered directly from her estate.
Other highlights include one of the first blueprints of Disneyland discovered by the widow of the man that helped build the Disneyland railroad (Estimate: $15,000-$25,000), original “Babes In Toyland” toy soldier (Estimate: $15,000-$20,000), the first Mickey Mouse watch (Estimate: $1,500-$2,500) and the original acetates for the first soundtrack to The Jungle Book. (Estimate: $1,000-$2,000).
“This collection and the people that have collected it are beyond extraordinary,” said Mike Van Eaton, Co-Founder of Van Eaton Galleries. “The breadth of this vintage collection and the rarity of the memorabilia are a true testament to the genius of Walt Disney. I am not aware of any other auction which has recently taken place that features such rare and sought-after Disney memorabilia. We are honored to be a part of preserving Walt Disney’s legacy.”
Other highlights include rare books (some signed by Walt Disney), vintage toys, as well as original animation artwork, records, contracts, magazines and memorabilia from the earliest of days at the Walt Disney Studio. The complete collection can be viewed in the on-line catalog as of May 20, 2016 at www.vegalleries.com/collecting disney
COLLECTING DISNEYLAND AUCTION AND EXHIBITION LOCATION
Van Eaton Galleries
13613 Ventura Blvd
Sherman Oaks, California 91423
(818) 788-2357
PUBLIC EXHIBITION DATES:
May 25th through June 17th, 2016
Tuesday through Sunday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
LIVE AND ONLINE AUCTION:
June 18th, 2016 11 a.m. PST
At Van Eaton Galleries 13613 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, Ca 91423
Register at www.vegalleries.com/collectingdisney
Online at www.icollector.com/vaneatongalleries or through www.vegalleries.com/auctions
