Upcoming Profiles in History auction is a Disney collector’s dream, with theme park artwork, posters, vehicles, Imagineering models and more

in Entertainment, The Walt Disney Company, Theme Parks

Collage featuring a Star Tours attraction poster, a Cinderella collectible figure, an aged wooden bench, and a sculpted Imagineering head displayed on the left—perfect for Disney fans and collectors passionate about Disneyland memorabilia and theme park concept art.

On May 14-15, 2011, Profiles in History will be holding its latest Hollywood Memorabilia auction, this time featuring exciting items from the world of Disney that are guaranteed make any collector’s eyes bulge and pockets quite a bit lighter.

Hollywood Memorabilia Auction 44 is a two-day event, but nearly the entire first day is devoted to rare and unique Disney items up for sale. From theme park ride vehicles, posters, costumes and models, to original animation cels and artwork from classic Disney films, to Walt Disney signatures and important historical documents, there is no area of Disneyana that will not be included in this auction.

Below is just a small sampling of some of the most impressive items Profiles in History has gathered for the upcoming auction from private Disney collections around the world. A full auction catalog can be downloaded here.

Vintage handwritten letter on Disney Bros. Studio stationery, displayed in four segments with beautifully aged, yellowed paper—an extraordinary find for Disney fans and theme park history enthusiasts seeking a piece of the company’s origins.

Perhaps the most historically important item in the entire auction is this personal letter from Walt Disney to friend Ub Iwerks, encouraging him to move to California. It can be argued that this letter is a starting point of the Walt Disney Studios as we know it today. It’s expected to fetch $60,000 – $80,000, though most of Profiles in History’s estimates are lower than the actual sale price at auction.

Desirable and rare Disneyland and Walt Disney World items up for auction next month include:

Disneyland’s exclusive green press preview ticket from Anaheim, dated July 17, 1955, highlights Sleeping Beauty Castle and official event details—an iconic collectible for Disney fans and a standout example of early park design inspired by Imagineering’s original concepts.
Disneyland opening day press pass – $1,500 – $2,000

A highly detailed miniature dungeon diorama, featuring themed rooms, intricate bridges, and fantasy décor, all viewed from above—ideal for Disney Parks enthusiasts or Imagineering fans who admire the artistry behind classic attraction models.
Walt Disney Imagineering model for Indiana Jones Temple of the Forbidden Eye – $10,000 – $15,000

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs figurines, accompanied by authentic props and intricately crafted miniature scenes, along with original sketches from the beloved Disney classic—an enchanting addition for Disney Parks enthusiasts and fans of immersive theme park art displays.
Snow White’s Scary Adventures ride conceptual maquettes and photos – $20,000 – $30,000

Bashful ride vehicle from a Disney amusement park attraction, featuring brown coloring, two bench seats, and whimsical fairy tale accents—an iconic piece of Imagineering design perfect for Disney fans who appreciate rare theme park memorabilia and artistry.
Snow White’s Scary Adventures “Bashful” ride vehicle – $3,000 – $5,000

Yellow vintage toy car with red wheels, a black seat, and blue fenders on a sleek black background—reminiscent of the whimsical vehicles found in classic Disneyland attractions and perfect for any Disney fan’s memorabilia collection.
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride single-seat car – $8,000 – $12,000

Elmo, an animatronic machine, and Princess Leia in her iconic white dress make for a display any Disney Parks enthusiast or Imagineering fan would appreciate.
Fuzzball animatronic puppet and rig from Captain EO $15,000 – $20,000

Abraham Lincoln’s impressive bust displays weathered paint chips, capturing the classic look familiar to fans of Audio-Animatronics at Disney Parks; an inset reveals an Imagineer skillfully painting a smaller Lincoln head maquette, echoing the artistry behind theme park icons.
Abraham Lincoln prototype bust for “Great Moments with Mister Lincoln” created by Disney Legend Blaine Gibson $5,000 – $7,000

A hyper-realistic, bald animatronic mask with eerily blank white eyes and a distinctive scar across the scalp, styled after Imagineering figure prototypes often seen in Disney attraction concept art, displayed dramatically against a black backdrop.
Silicone animatronic mask of Abraham Lincoln from Hall of Presidents at Walt Disney World – ,000 – ,000

Star Tours Disneyland poster showcases dynamic spacecraft, distant planets, and favorite Star Wars characters soaring through space—a vibrant tribute to Disney Parks history and a must-have collectible for fans of classic attractions and Imagineering artistry.
Disneyland attraction posters including Star Tours, Adventure Through Inner Space, and more $400 – $1,500


Disneyland Submarine Voyage cap and patches – $400 – $600


Disneyland Submarine Voyage costume – $300 – $500


Radio controlled Jungle Cruise boat from Disneyland Hotel – ,000 – ,500


Chair from Club 33 – $200 – $300


Original 1969 Haunted Mansion cupola door with writings from cast members – ,500 – ,000


Original Herb Ryman concept drawings from 1964 World’s Fair, Epcot – $600 – $1,500 (This is one of several included in the auction.)

There are many more theme park items to be auctioned beyond these, so be sure to download the full auction catalog to see them all.

In the world of Disney movies, there is no shortage of unique items being put up for sale:


Cinderella production cel, production background, and Walt Disney signature – $15,000 – $20,000


Original Sleeping Beauty production cel and pan background – $80,000 – $120,000


Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather production cels from Sleeping Beauty – $400 – $600


Original Maleficent drawings from Sleeping Beauty – $600 – $800


Roger Rabbit and Jessica Rabbit production cels from Who Framed Roger Rabbit? – $200 – $600


Mickey Mouse Sorcerer’s Apprentice production cel – $8,000 – $12,000


Original Mickey Mouse Alpine Climbers one-sheet poster $40,000 – $60,000


Song of the South production cel with Walt Disney signature – $12,000 – $15,000


Lady and the Tramp production cel and pan production background – $12,000 – $15,000


TRON identity disc prop – $2,000 – $3,000


TRON costume – $8,000 – $12,000


Rocketeer helmet $12,000

In addition to these and hundreds of more Disney items, Profiles in History is also auctioning more Hollywood collectibles including items from Star Wars, Star Trek, A Clockwork Orange, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Wizard of Oz, The Walking Dead, Back to the Future, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and many more.

Visit their web site for more information about the auction including how to bid.

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