The Largest Disney Collection Hits the Auction Block on July 17th

The largest Disney Collection Hits the Auction Block on July 17th

The largest individually owned Disneyland/Disney Park collection in the world, amassed over a 30-year period will hit the auction block at Van Eaton Galleries. “The Joel Magee Disneyland Collection” auction will kick off on July 17, 2023 (Disneyland’s 68^th birthday) and continue for three days, concluding on July 19, 2023.

The collection is so vast, the auction house secured a 30,000-square-foot building for the public exhibition which begins June 28, 2023, and will remain open through July 16, 2023.  With over 1,500 items, the auction and exhibition is so diverse, so large and so fascinating that both Disney aficionados and fans who love the happiest place on earth will be stunned at the number of items included. 

Related – John Stamos Shares Behind-the-Scenes Look at Upcoming Van Eaton Disney Auction

“The Joel Magee Disneyland Collection is actually almost 6,000 pieces. For this auction, I have hand-picked just over 1,500 pieces that trace the story of the parks in an extraordinary fashion. This is the first and most important auction of his collection in the coming year and is by far the most impressive and historically significant one-of-a-kind piece. A couple of examples of the rarities the auction will provide are the “Set of three Audio-Animatronic Hitchhiking Ghosts” which are estimated to sell for $100,000-$200,000 and the “Midget Atopia” car, estimated to sell for $50,000-$100,000. There are just too many outstanding Disneyland and Disney Parks items to list. It is the most amazing collection we’ve had the honor of working within decades. We can’t wait to see all the happy faces come through the exhibition – our recreation of the “happiest place on earth.” – Mike Van Eaton, Co-Founder, Van Eaton Galleries.

So rare are many of the artifacts, they haven’t been seen in public for over 60 years. Imagine a 1917 Model T Ford Moving Van from Main Street that Walt Disney created himself or the set of very rare three animatronic Hitchhiking Ghosts from The Haunted Mansion – only set in the world to be available. 

Other remarkable items include a Peter Pan Ship Ride Vehicle (Estimate: $50,000-$100,000); a Haunted Mansion “Doom Buggy” (Estimate: $30,000-$60,000); a very rare set of Tiki Birds from the Enchanted Tiki Room which has been restored to working order (Estimate: $80,000-$100,000) and a very rare “Midget Atopia” car (Estimate: $50,000-$100,000) and so much more.

The over 1,500 items will be exhibited at the Burbank Town Center Mall at 201 East Magnolia in Burbank, California. It is a fitting location as it was once where Disney planned to build the Disney-MGM Studios. The public exhibition will open on June 28, 2023. 

From the rarest of attraction artifacts to costumes, props, souvenirs, tickets, signage, cast member items, and much more, the auction exhibition will be a journey through Disney offering guests the opportunity to experience some of the earliest historical items to modern-day ride attractions. 

Never before has Van Eaton Galleries staged such a monumental exhibition prior to the auction. Guests will see the Dumbo ride vehicle (Estimate: $100,000-$200,000) and the world’s largest collection of Disneyland posters all together for the first time (Estimate: various). 

Additional highlights include Walt’s Microphone Shield (Estimate: $7,000-$9,000); a rare 1955 Junior Admission Complete Ticket Book (Estimate: $1,500-$2,500);  a Santa Fe & Disneyland Main Street Original 1956 Attraction Poster (Estimate: $8,000-$10,000); the Original Main Street (1955) City Hall Doors (Estimate: $15,000-$20,000); Original Global Van Lines Moving Truck (1963-79) (Estimate: $100,000 – $200,000); a Rare Hand Painted (Disneyland, 1950s) Rainbow Caverns Omnibus Sign ($20,000-$30,000); a Disneyland 1960s Toy Factory Mold-a-Rama Vending Machine (Estimate $2,000-$4,000); a Disneyland Bubble Gum (1965) Trading Card Display Case with unopened Trading Cards (Estimate: $500-$800); a rare (1955) Disneyland Globe Board Game (Estimate: $200-$400); a Celebration U.S.A. (Disneyland, 1991) Parade Float Model (Estimate: $7,000-$9,000); a Large Main Street Electrical Parade (Disneyland, 1970s-1980s) Window Display (Estimate: $3,000-$5,000) and Indiana Jones Imagineering (1990s) Model (Estimate: $10,000-$20,000).

Although the collection is far too massive to list all of the items up for auction, some additional highlights include an Original Walt Disney World Barnstormer Vehicle (Estimate: $5,000-$8,000); an Original Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom Sign ($6,000-$8,000); Original Walt Disney World Mickey Mouse Promotional Art (Estimate: $2,000-$4,000); a Tower of Terror (1994) Twilight Zone Bellhop Costume ($2,000-$4,000); a Giant Toy Story Alien Prop Figure ($1,000-$2,000); and a Toy Story Midway Mania Potato Head Vehicle Prop (Estimate: $800-$1,000).

But there is more for the Disney collector. Others include a Mickey Mouse Steamboat Willie Poster (Estimate: $500-$700);  an Original Phantom Boat (1955 Disneyland) Production Model (Estimate: $5,000-$7,000); a rare Space Mountain Attraction Sign (Estimate: $4,000-$6,000); a rare Space Mountain Attraction Vehicle (Estimate: $10,000-$20,000); a rare Monorail Attraction Poster (Sample 1961) (Estimate: $4,000-$6,000); a Walt Disney World Monorail Captains Chair and Controller (Estimate: $10,000-$20,000); an Original Submarine Voyage Mermaid Prop (Estimate: $8,000-$10,000); an Original Painting Concept for Mission to Mars Poster ($20,000-$30,000); a Skyway Original Bucket Vehicle (1965 Disneyland) signed by Bob Gurr (Estimate: $60,000-$100,000); an Original Kilimanjaro Safari Wait Time Sign (Estimate: $2,000-$4,000); a Great Movie Ride Bugsby Berkely Dancer Figure (Estimate: $2,000-$4,000); a Figment Audio Animatronic Figure (Estimate: $4,000-$6,000); a Spaceship Earth Prototype Head (Estimate: $500-$700); a Walt Disney World original painting (Estimate: $800-$1,000); an Original Discovery Island Florida Natives Sign (Estimate: $500-$800); a Polynesian Resort Trash Can (Estimate: $2,000-$4,000); a Star Jets Attraction Vehicle (1974-1994) (Estimate: $15,000-$20,000), a Seven Drawfs Mine Train Construction Fence decor (Estimate: $300-$500) and much, much more. 

Joel Magee is best known as “The Toy Scout.” His passion for collecting began at age 13 while visiting a local flea market where he was fascinated with a collectible lunchbox and the rest is history. He is a well-sought-after personality appearing at Toy Shows across the country and has amassed one of the most impressive collections of toys and Disneyana in the world. He can often be seen on television and heard on radio shows where he brings his passion and knowledge for all things toys and Disney to each and every appearance. 

“I have spent most of my life searching the world for the most extraordinary Disney items that trace the history of such a magical place. It’s been a passion of mine forever and now it’s time to share that passion with fans and collectors around the globe.  I look forward to seeing all the happy faces at the exhibition and hope that the lucky bidders who become the new custodians of pieces in this collection enjoy them and learn from them as I have over the past few decades. – “Joel Magee, The Toy Scout

Walt Disney changed the world when he created Disneyland. He succeeded in creating the most magical place on earth that millions love and cherish. Van Eaton Galleries has produced a monumental tribute to Walt, Disneyland/Disney Parks and the decades of history that have captured the hearts of guests from all points of the earth. To bid in “The Joel Magee Disneyland Collection” auction please visit www.vegalleries.com. 

To bid, register or view the catalog for the auction please visit www.vegalleries.com

All photo credits: Van Eaton Galleries

The Joel Magee Disneyland Collection Auction

Monday, July 17, 2023 – Wednesday, July 19, 2023

Auction times vary each day, please visit the website for more information 

Van Eaton Galleries 

12160 Ventura Blvd

Studio City, California 

The Joel Magee Disneyland Collection Public Exhibition

Begins Wednesday, June 28, 2023 through Sunday, July 16, 2023

Open Wednesday through Sunday 11:00 a.m PT – 7:00 p.m. PT

Burbank Town Center Mall

201 East Magnolia

Burbank, California

Park in the West Parking Garage on First Street. Please enter the exhibition from the outside of the mall between Sears and World Market.