Disney theme park items performed beyond expectations at Van Eaton

Columbia Pictures one-sheet for the 1929 short 'Barnyard Battles,' which sold for $18,000 ($21,780 with buyer’s premium) at Van Eaton.

STUDIO CITY, Calif. — Anticipated high lots underperformed and surprise lots overperformed wildly at Van Eaton Galleries‘ Disney Studio and Disney Parks Live Auction on March 2. The sale’s overall outcome demonstrated the ongoing demand for official Disney memorabilia, and it seems that the more obscure it is, the better. Complete results are available at LiveAuctioneers.

Many of the top-estimated lots merely hit their low estimates, such as the Mary Blair concept painting for It’s A Small World at Disneyland, which realized $20,000 ($24,200 with buyer’s premium). In a rare instance, a Disneyland Haunted Mansion stretching portrait, estimated at $100,000-$150,000, passed.

Probably to the surprise of Van Eaton, the top lot was an early 2000s metal Disneyland resort transportation sign identifying a back of house shuttle stop that transported cast members from the entrance at Harbor Pointe to various other stops. Estimated at $300-$500, it hammered for a whopping $22,500 ($27,225 with buyer’s premium).

An original Columbia Pictures one-sheet for Barnyard Battles, a 1929 film short featuring Mickey Mouse, also exceeded its $9,000-$12,000 estimate by hammering for $18,000 ($21,780 with buyer’s premium). Van Eaton notes that pre-United Artists Disney posters are scarce, and this example is believed to be from 1930, after animator and director Ub Iwerks, whose name would normally appear on early Disney posters, left Disney.

A large-format (34 by 36in) area closure sign featuring Tinker Bell also blew out expectations. Annual Cleaning and Pixie Dusting was estimated at $300-$500 but sold for an outstanding $6,000 ($7,260 with buyer’s premium).

Robert Olszewski (b. 1945-) is a renowned miniaturist who has worked for Walt Disney Company, the Franklin Mint, Goebel, and many others. A collector commissioned a scale model of Disneyland’s Pirates of the Caribbean building complex with incredible detail and an illuminated ‘interior view’ showing the bride auction and ship battle scenes. Once again moderately estimated at $300-$500, it hammered for $6,500 ($7,865 with buyer’s premium).

 

 

 

Disneyland transportation sign identifying a back of house shuttle stop, which sold for $22,500 ($27,225 with buyer’s premium) at Van Eaton.

Disneyland transportation sign identifying a back of house shuttle stop, which sold for $22,500 ($27,225 with buyer’s premium) at Van Eaton.

Columbia Pictures one-sheet for the 1929 short 'Barnyard Battles,' which sold for $18,000 ($21,780 with buyer’s premium) at Van Eaton.

Columbia Pictures one-sheet for the 1929 short 'Barnyard Battles,' which sold for $18,000 ($21,780 with buyer’s premium) at Van Eaton.

Disneyland 'Annual Cleaning and Pixie Dusting' area closure sign, which sold for $6,000 ($7,260 with buyer’s premium) at Van Eaton.

Disneyland 'Annual Cleaning and Pixie Dusting' area closure sign, which sold for $6,000 ($7,260 with buyer’s premium) at Van Eaton.

Robert Olszewski scale model of Disneyland’s Pirates of the Caribbean building complex, which sold for $6,500 ($7,865 with buyer’s premium) at Van Eaton.

Robert Olszewski scale model of Disneyland’s Pirates of the Caribbean building complex, which sold for $6,500 ($7,865 with buyer’s premium) at Van Eaton.

Adventureland entryway mask, which sold for $7,500 ($9,075 with buyer's premium) at Van Eaton.

Adventureland entryway mask, which sold for $7,500 ($9,075 with buyer's premium) at Van Eaton.

Jim Bunte

Jim Bunte

Jim Bunte has worked in editorial, design and the toy and auction industries for more than 30 years. He co-founded Auction Central News in 2007.

Courvoisier Galleries saved original Disney animation cels

An original production cel of Mickey Mouse from the Sorcerer’s Apprentice sequence of Walt Disney’s ‘Fantasia’ achieved $6,000 plus the buyer’s premium in December 2022. The cel setup was professionally restored but it retains its original Courvoisier Galleries mat. Image courtesy of Van Eaton Galleries and LiveAuctioneers.

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An original production cel of Mickey Mouse from the Sorcerer’s Apprentice sequence of Walt Disney’s ‘Fantasia’ achieved $6,000 plus the buyer’s premium in December 2022. The cel setup was professionally restored but retains its original Courvoisier Galleries mat. Image courtesy of Van Eaton Galleries and LiveAuctioneers.
An original production cel of Mickey Mouse from the Sorcerer’s Apprentice sequence of Walt Disney’s ‘Fantasia’ achieved $6,000 plus the buyer’s premium in December 2022. The cel setup was professionally restored but retains its original Courvoisier Galleries mat. Image courtesy of Van Eaton Galleries and LiveAuctioneers.

NEW YORK — When it comes to animation art, there is one name that has led the market since the late 1930s. Based in Los Angeles at that time, the animators at Walt Disney Studios cranked out many thousands of celluloid images, or cels, of Mickey Mouse and other now-beloved characters for cartoons and film shorts. It released its first animated feature film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, just before Christmas in 1937. That film was a huge hit, but were it not for another California company — Courvoisier Galleries — much of the original artwork generated to create it might have been lost to history.

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Joel Magee’s stunning Disneyland collection comes to Van Eaton Galleries, July 17-19

Detail of Tomorrowland Autopia attraction poster, estimated at $5,000-$7,000. Image courtesy of Van Eaton Galleries and LiveAuctioneers
Left to right: Midget Atopia car, estimated at $50,000-$100,000; 1991 Disneyland Celebration U.S.A. parade float model, estimated at $7,000-$9,000; Jungle River Cruise Adventureland attraction poster, estimated at $8,000-$10,000. Images courtesy of Van Eaton Galleries and LiveAuctioneers
Left to right: Jungle River Cruise Adventureland attraction poster, estimated at $8,000-$10,000; Midget Autopia car, estimated at $50,000-$100,000; 1991 Disneyland Celebration U.S.A. parade float model, estimated at $7,000-$9,000. Images courtesy of Van Eaton Galleries and LiveAuctioneers

LOS ANGELES – The largest individually owned Disneyland/Disney Park collection in the world, amassed during a 30-year period, will hit the auction block at Van Eaton Galleries. The Joel Magee Disneyland Collection Auction will kick off on Monday, July 17, 2023 – which is also Disneyland’s 68th birthday – and continue through Wednesday, July 19. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

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SJ Auctioneers readies Disneyana, toys, art glass for April 16 sale

Mickey and Minnie Mouse porcelain wind-up figure, estimated at $250-$500
Mickey and Minnie Mouse porcelain wind-up figure, estimated at $250-$500
Mickey and Minnie Mouse porcelain wind-up figure, estimated at $250-$500

BROOKLYN, N.Y. – SJ Auctioneers’ Collectible Toys, Decor, Glass Art sale will be an online-only event, slated for Sunday, April 16, beginning at 5 pm Eastern time. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

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Star Wars and sports cards land in the winners circle at Morphy’s smash $3.1M auction

Unopened 1952 Topps baseball brick of eight factory-sealed 5-cent wax packs, with each pack containing five cards. Extraordinarily rare and most likely from Topps’ first series. Authenticated by Steve Hart, owner of Baseball Card Exchange. Sold above high estimate for $873,300 to a private collector

DENVER, Pa.- Star Wars fans and diehard sports buffs called the shots at Morphy Auctions’ February 1-3, 2023 auction, which attracted head-spinning prices and closed the books at nearly $3.1 million. The sale featured both a phenomenal single-owner collection of early Star Wars action figures and a vintage sports card selection that included one of the most sought-after treasures of the “unopened” realm: an intact 1952 Topps baseball wax-pack “brick” that sold for a staggering $873,300. Absentee and Internet live bidding was facilitated by LiveAuctioneers.

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Disney art treasures abound at RR Auction, Dec. 7

Detail of Mary Blair ‘Alice in Wonderland’ concept painting for Disney, showing Alice and the Cheshire Cat, estimated at $15,000-$20,000
Mary Blair ‘Alice in Wonderland’ concept painting for Disney, showing Alice and the Cheshire Cat, estimated at $15,000-$20,000
Mary Blair ‘Alice in Wonderland’ concept painting for Disney, showing Alice and the Cheshire Cat, estimated at $15,000-$20,000

BOSTON – RR Auction‘s December Fine Autographs and Artifacts sale, scheduled for Wednesday, December 7, brings more than 1,000 items to the auction block. A special animation section features production cels from a number of Disney classics, plus concept paintings by legendary artists Mary Blair and Eyvind Earle. View the fully illustrated catalog on LiveAuctioneers.

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Hake’s brings more rare Star Wars, vintage video games to auction, Nov. 15-16

Encased Star Wars (1978) 3.75in Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi 12 Back-A double-telescoping lightsaber action figure with SKU on footer denoted earlier production, AFA 75 Ex+/NM. Extremely rare and only the third carded specimen of its type ever to be offered by Hake’s. Estimate $100,000-$200,000. Image courtesy of Hake’s Auctions
Encased Star Wars (1978) 3.75in Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi 12 Back-A double-telescoping lightsaber action figure with SKU on footer denoted earlier production, AFA 75 Ex+/NM. Extremely rare and only the third carded specimen of its type ever to be offered by Hake’s. Estimate $100,000-$200,000. Image courtesy of Hake’s Auctions
Encased Star Wars (1978) 3.75in Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi 12 Back-A double-telescoping lightsaber action figure with SKU on footer denoted earlier production, AFA 75 Ex+/NM. Extremely rare and only the third carded specimen of its type ever to be offered by Hake’s. Estimate $100,000-$200,000. Image courtesy of Hake’s Auctions

YORK, Pa. – The quest for early Star Wars collectibles has reached a fevered pitch, but the auction market tells us the journey is just beginning. Interest in Star Wars items is stronger than ever, especially for prototypes and samples, rare variations, and toys produced in low numbers or no numbers at all. To some, it may seem that Hake’s – the auction house holding numerous world records for Star Wars material – has already sold the ultimate rarities from that wildly popular category. But exciting surprises continue to emerge, some from unexpected sources, and those fresh consignments and new discoveries will be front and center at Hake’s November 15-16 pop culture auction. View the fully illustrated catalog on LiveAuctioneers.

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Herend, Steuben, Daum and more at SJ Auctioneers, Oct. 23

Extra-large black fishnet pattern Herend elephant, estimated at $2,500-$5,000
Extra large black fishnet pattern Herend elephant, estimated at $2,500-$5,000
Extra-large black fishnet pattern Herend elephant, estimated at $2,500-$5,000

BROOKLYN, N.Y. – SJ Auctioneers will hold an online-only Fall for the Auction of Collectibles sale on Sunday, October 23, beginning at 4 pm Eastern time. The auction features more than 250 lots of toy cars and trains, paperweights, art glass, porcelain, decor, sterling silver, jewelry and Disney collectibles. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

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Americana in all its flavors offered at Jeffrey S. Evans, Aug. 25-27

Large Nesbitt’s embossed-tin bottle sign, est. $1,000-$2,000
Large Nesbitt’s embossed-tin bottle sign, est. $1,000-$2,000
Large Nesbitt’s embossed-tin bottle sign, est. $1,000-$2,000

MT. CRAWFORD, Va. – The Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates Summer Americana Auction includes everything from advertising and firearms to country furniture and antique marbles. The auction, comprising more than 1,700 lots, will take place during three days: Thursday, August 25; Friday, August 26; and Saturday, August 27, with sessions beginning at 9 am Eastern time each day. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

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