Van Eaton Galleries, one of the world’s premier animation artwork and collectible galleries held the highly-anticipated “The Story of Disneyland” auction this weekend in Sherman Oaks, California. Bidders gathered each day under a tent, constructed specifically to hold the hundreds of anxious bidders who showed up for the two sessions, in hopes that they would take home a piece of Disneyland magic. Bidders from around the globe bid online and by phone in a fast and furious pace all day.
The collection which represented close to 1,000 pieces is said to be the largest and most historical collection ever to be offered. Many of the items up for bid exceeded pre-sale estimates including a Disneyland Enchanted Tiki Room Animatronic® Tiki Bird which sold for $153,400. Opening in 1963, the Enchanted Tiki Room was the first attraction to use Audio-Animatronic® characters in the park. The Pirates of the Caribbean remained a hit throughout the auction event with the Original Skeleton prop selling for $129,800 and the Pirates of the Caribbean E-Ticket Sign selling for $47,200. A Marc Davis Signed Original Pirates Concept Art piece sold for $70,800. Other highlights of this weekend’s historical and unprecedented auction included the Original Cigar Store Indian from Frontierland which sold for $44,250, a Construction Used Disneyland Brownline Plot Plan sold for $29,500, a Disneyland Enchanted Tiki Room Flower Boat sold for $22,420, a Mark Twain Riverboat Life Preserver Prop that hung on the Mark Twain Riverboat in the 1960s sold for $11,800, a Sam McKim Kodak Camera Shop Presentation Artwork sold for $20,060 and the Main Street Entrance Flag used in the Main Street entrance station sold for $7,670.
Betty Taylor, who performed at the park for 30 years as the popular “Slue Foot Sue” at the Golden Horseshoe Revue, still drew applause for a series of costumes that were available at the auction. Her “Slue Foot Sue” original costume dress, complete with black Egret feather headpiece, sold for $15,340. The Walt Disney signed Opening Day “Story of Disneyland” Guidebook (1955) which was signed by Walt in the inside cover sold for $13,275. Even a Disneyland Record Album Display Rack from the 1960s went high with a final bid of $5,900.
Other highlights from the two-days included a Mickey Mouse Character Costume Head which sold for $29,500, An “It’s A Small World” doll figure which sold for $41,300, the Bruce Bushman Original Tomorrowland Concept Art which sold for $55,460, the Adventure Through Inner Space Atomobile Prop which sold for $41,300, a Disneyland TWA Travel Poster which sold for $12,980 and Original Captain EO Poster Painting which sold for $47,200.
“The Story of Disneyland” Auction raised over $1.7 million. “The Story of Disneyland” Collection Exclusive Catalogs may be purchased at www.vegalleries.com