Hundreds of rare historical assemblages Disneyland and Disney-themed parks worldwide will be on auction for the first time.
Heritage Auctions is orchestrating the auction that opens May 21, and closes the following day, featuring nearly 700 lots from “one of the most significant assemblages of actual park-displayed signs, props, artifacts, and more,” according to organizers.
The sale includes a Complete Park-Used Original Autopia Car with Original Body, Chassis, and Tires (Walt Disney, c. 1967). Used at Disneyland and acquired directly from the park, it is believed to be the single Autopia vehicle to ever come to auction with all original components present, including the chassis and tires. The engine was not allowed to be sold due to safety reasons.
An original Park-Used Original Skyway Gondola (Walt Disney, c. 1965) will also be sold at the auction, from the Disneyland hallmark that stretched across the park from 1956-94, carrying guests into the skies. The auction will also include a Park-Used Original Mr. Toad's Wild Ride Vehicle (Walt Disney, c. 1993) from one of the Magic Kingdom's original opening-day attractions in 1971 through 1998.
Among several other items, the auction includes 17 lots of tickets, including a Complete 1956 Disneyland Ticket Book (Walt Disney, 1956) from the park's second year.
The collection comes from Scott Rummel, a renowned voice actor who has lent his voice to everything from Marvel movie trailers to countless commercials and voiceovers on networks ranging from CBS to CNN. Rummel said Disneyland was a part of his life since he was young, and his wife Terry collected Donald Duck memorabilia. When the couple got married, his parents gifted them annual passes.
"Disney wasn't 'something we did,'" Scott says. "It became our lifestyle."
The couple eventually designated one room as their “Disney Room”, which displayed the memorabilia they had collected.
"When we moved into the house, we thought it was crazy to have all these posters rolled up in tubes, so we hired people who worked for Disney to redesign the house specifically for the collection,” he said.
The pair opened up their home to events, like for the Children’s hospital and other organizations, according to Rummel.
“ A lot of people who love Disney came to the house. People ask 'how can you let the collection go?' … and it's a valid question. I feel a little bit like an artist who spends considerable time on a painting and then sells it. You have time and energy invested, but it's time to share it with other people,” he said.
Serious bidders can view some of the highlights of the lot at Heritage Auctions’ Beverly Hills location on Thursday and Friday before bidding begins. For images and information on all lots in the sale, click here.
