World’s largest Disney parks collection hits the auction block
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).
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, Calif., through July 16, 2023.
“For this auction, I have hand-picked just over 1,500 pieces that trace the story of the parks in an extraordinary fashion,” said Van Eaton Galleries Co-Founder Mike Van Eaton. “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. 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.’”
Who is Joel Magee?
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 and Disneyana.
“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.” Magee said. “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.”
What’s on the Auction Block?
Many of the auction’s artifacts are so rare they haven’t been seen in public for over 60 years, including a 1917 Model T Ford “Global Van Lines” moving van from Main Street that Walt Disney used to drive himself; a set of three audio-animatronic Hitchhiking Ghosts – the only set in the world to be available (estimated to sell for $100,000-$200,000); and a very rare set of Tiki Birds from the Enchanted Tiki Room which has been restored to working (and singing) order (Estimate $80,000-$100,000).
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), a Dumbo ride vehicle (Estimate $100,000-$200,000), and an original orange1965 Skyway bucket vehicle (Estimate $60,000-$100,000), plus two Space Mountain attraction vehicles, one from Disneyland (side-by-side seating) and one from Walt Disney World (single seating).
But wait, there’s more!
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.
Don’t worry, Walt Disney World fans, the Florida resort is also well represented, including:
- Walt Disney World Monorail captain’s chair and controller (Estimate $10,000-$20,000)
- Great Movie Ride Busby Berkely dancer Figure (Estimate $2,000-$4,000)
- Original Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom sign (Estimate $6,000-$8,000)
- Figment audio-animatronic figure (Estimate $4,000-$6,000)
Avid Disney collector John Stamos is already making his shopping list.
The Joel Magee Disneyland Collection Public Exhibition
The 1,500 auction items will be exhibited at the Burbank Town Center Mall, a fitting location as it was the spot where Disney planned to build the Disney-MGM Studios. The public exhibition features rare attraction artifacts, costumes, props, souvenirs, tickets, signage, cast member items, and the world’s largest collection of Disneyland posters all together for the first time.
The free Joel Magee Disneyland Collection public exhibition will be open 11 a.m.-7 p.m. PT through July 16, 2023, at Burbank Town Center Mall. Park in the West Parking Garage on First Street and enter the exhibition from outside the mall between Sears and World Market.
The Joel Magee Disneyland Collection auction will take place on July 17-19, 2023 (auction times vary each day). In-person, online, phone, and absentee bidding will be available To view the auction catalog and register for bidding, visit www.vegalleries.com.
