How to buy iconic items from Disney - as world's largest collection goes on sale

03 July 2023 , 17:18

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How to buy iconic items from Disney - as world's largest collection goes on sale

For die-hard Disney fans, regular merchandise, like some Minnie Mouse ears, simply won't cut it anymore.

Many will have their sights set on Disney's upcoming auction - where artifacts are so rare they haven’t been seen in public for over 60 years.

But even seemingly mundane items included, such as a trash can from one of the beloved theme parks, could go for up to $6,000.

But some items make go for as low as $50, according to the gallery co-founder. But the Dumbo ride vehicle isn't one them; estimated to sell for between $100,000 and $200,000.

The auction will feature notable items such as a 1917 Model T Ford "Global Van Lines" moving van that Walt Disney himself used to drive. (Bloomberg via Getty Images)

The Joel Magee Disneyland Collection – the largest individually-owned Disney parks collection in the world – will hit the auction block at Van Eaton Galleries on July 17, 2023 (Disneyland’s 68th birthday).

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One special item is the 1917 Model T Ford “Global Van Lines” moving van from Main Street that Walt Disney used to drive himself.

Amassed over 30 years, the entire Joel Magee collection includes almost 6,000 pieces. The 1,500 pieces included in this auction will available for public viewing at a free pop-up exhibition in Burbank, California, through July 16, 2023.

Many of the artifacts in the collection have not been seen in public for over 60 years, making them extremely rare (Twitter/AP)

The auction also includes iconic Disneyland ride vehicles like a Midget Autopia car (Estimate $50,000-$100,000), a Peter Pan pirate ship ride vehicle (Estimate $50,000-$100,000), a fully-operational Haunted Mansion “Doom Buggy” (Estimate $30,000-$60,000), and an original orange 1965 Skyway bucket vehicle (Estimate $60,000-$100,000).

There are also two Space Mountain attraction vehicles, one from Disneyland (side-by-side seating) and one from Walt Disney World (single seating).

Joel Magee – known as “The Toy Scout” – began collecting at age 13 when he purchased a collectible lunchbox at a local flea market. Since then, he has accumulated one of the world’s most impressive collections of toys.

The collection includes a huge range of posters (Twitter/AP)

Reflecting on his lifelong passion, Magee shared, "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 the lucky bidders who become the new custodians of pieces in this collection enjoy them and learn from them like I have over the past few decades."

Additional highlights include Walt’s microphone shield (Estimate $7,000-$9,000), the original 1955 Main Street City Hall doors (Estimate $15,000-$20,000), a two-level 1990s Indiana Jones Imagineering model (Estimate $10,000-$20,000), plus scale models of the Matterhorn and Tomorrowland as they appeared in the early days of Disneyland and the original “Small World” model created by Disney Legend Rolly Crump.

Van Eaton Galleries Co-Founder Mike Van Eaton said: "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.

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"It is the most amazing collection we’ve had the honor of working with in decades, and we can’t wait to see all the happy faces come through the exhibition – our recreation of the ‘happiest place on earth."

Lucy Williamson