Walt Disney’s Disneyland presentation map has sold for $708,000 at an auction in Los Angeles.
Although it fell short of the $900,000 it was expected to fetch, it’s still believed to be the most expensive Disneyland map ever sold but it’s not been revealed who the buyer is. The highly anticipated Walt Disney’s Disneyland auction was held by Van Eaton Galleries on June 25, 2017.
“As we had expected, this extraordinary Disneyland map sold for an outstanding price. After some pretty exciting bidding the map sold for $708,000,” said Mike Van Eaton, Co-Owner of Van Eaton Galleries. “We are beyond thrilled that the map will continue to be appreciated and cherished just like it has been for all these years.”
The original map, created by Walt Disney and Herb Ryman, was used to secure the initial funding for Disneyland in 1953. The auction featured nearly 1,000 other iconic, exceptional Disney artifacts.
For over 60 years, Disneyland has influenced popular culture and built generations of loyal fans. The auction was devoted to the history of Disneyland and featured rare and remarkable items from some of the finest collections in the world including Walt Disney’s original 1953 Disneyland map.
A visionary and master showman, Walt Disney was inspired to build his theme park after spending time with his daughters at a local Los Angeles park and carousel. Every detail of every costume was part of the show and the storyline and Walt Disney spared nothing in creating some of the most magical costumes in theme park history. From the moment you enter the turn-of-the-century Main Street, a portal between the real world and the adventures yet to come, a guest could see the bright colors, fanciful designs and entertaining styles of every fashion woven into the Disneyland experience.
Fashion highlights at the auction included a rare
Haunted Mansion hitchhiking ghost animatronic shirt, a Walt Disney World Railroad Conductor costume,
Haunted Mansion costume,
Indiana Jones Adventure female and male wardrobe designs, a
Star Tours male costume, a Tiki Room cast member blouse and Walt Disney World Guest Relations costume among many other things.
Other highlights included an original ride vehicle from Autopia, an original model of Michael Jackson from the
Captain EO attraction, an extremely rare poster from the Grand Opening of the
Haunted Mansion attraction, a rare original poster from the
Matterhorn Bobsleds attraction, a section of carpet from Walt Disney’s apartment in Disneyland and an extremely rare opening-day Disneyland Guide Book signed by Walt Disney.
Also up for auction were vintage park souvenirs, original signs, contracts, magazines, and memorabilia from the earliest of days of the Disneyland Parks.
Simon Thompson is a freelance film & entertainment journalist, broadcaster and producer. From the UK, but now living and working in LA, he can be found on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Source: forbes.com
