Disney exists in its own world today.
I wonder how many Star Wars fans in 2024 spare much thought for Walt Disney, the animation pioneer who started the ball rolling towards their galaxy-conquering franchise?
Once a man, and a somewhat well-known public personality, the Disney name is now a huge entertainment brand.
The whole range of the Disney empire is collectible.
Disney himself, as a historic figure whose personal contribution to animation, cinema, and the popular art of the 20th century can hardly be overstated.
The first flush of Disney films were hand-animated, beloved family favourites that set the standards for cartoon movies.
And they spawned a huge merchandising empire producing toys, comics, and much more.
Finally, the modern Disney Company. Wikipedia classifies it under: amusement parks, books, films, music, television programs, video games and web portals.
Among the brands included under the modern Disney umbrella are Pixar, Marvel, 20th Century Studios, Lucasfilms, and ABC television.
Disney is American culture and the American dream to many people.
There's too much to cover here, so we’ll focus on Disney’s historic core business.
That means the man himself and those early films.
No doubt we’ll return to those other brands in time.
5 - 1928 Mickey Mouse Poster
A 1930s Mickey poster.
Mickey is the constant in the Disney story.
He was Mortimer Mouse when Walt first developed him to replace Oswald the Lucky Rabbit as his main character.
Thankfully, Walt’s wife Lillian persuaded him Mortimer was a stuffy name and Mickey was born.
He was designed to mimic the spirit and appeal of the early silent film comics. He’s Charlie Chaplin’s Little Tramp in mouse form, with an equally recognisable silhouette.
He first appeared in black and white motion in Steamboat Willie in 1928 (an earlier film Plane Crazy was not distributed).
The fact that this poster dates from that year gives it extra historic impact, and it’s the most valuable Mickey poster we know of.
Price: £74,525
4 - Mickey and Minnie Dolls by Charlotte Clark
Walt liked Charlotte Clark's work so much they soon became official Disney toys. Image Redfoxtracks @ Wikimedia.
Walt Disney’s characters work brilliantly. They have character and personality. People want to be with them. They want to take them home.
Mickey had only strutted and danced across cinema screens a couple of years before the first souvenirs appeared.
They were stuffed toys (filled with velveteen) sewn by Los Angeles-area seamstress Charlotte Clark.
Walt and his team loved the dolls. And so did the public. Soon, Charlotte was forced to send out DIY patterns rather than completed toys to fulfill demand.
The most valuable known were a pair from very early in Charlotte’s career showing both Mickey and his ever-loving Minnie, that tower at over a metre in height.
Price: £111,726
3 - Mickey and Goofy comic
An example of a Mickey and Goofy comic. Only some examples become very valuable.
Comics must be the collectibles that offer the best rate of return.
First editions of throw-away kids comics with 10-cent price tags are now selling for millions of dollars.
If they’re the right comic.
For Disney that means this 1956 edition of the Mickey and Goofy comic (usually a 10-page offering).
Though the original printing plates elevate it above most collectible comics as an original and unique work.
Price: £184,000
2 - The Band Concert celluloid
Few would argue that this piece isn't a fine work of art.
A 1999 private sale valued a single cel from the 1935 colour debut of Mickey Mouse at $420,000.
It was subsequently auctioned for a slightly lower price. (Prices don’t always go up, and auction prices may be volatile - if the right buyer isn’t there, the price may not be what you expect.)
It’s a really stand-out work of art, full of life and joi de vivre. It’s the spirit of Disney in a single image.
Cels usually involved numerous artists, though some can be ascribed to a single person.
Since 1990, Disney films have been using digital animation, so The LIttle Mermaid, the last film to use cels is a good focus for buyers looking for future value.
1 - Mickey gold statue
A gold Mickey may not be worth its weight in gold.
This piece is somewhat exceptional.
It’s made out of gold for one thing.
The 60-cm+ Mickey was built to commemorate the centenary in 2001 of Walt Disney’s birth.
It’s a “Celebration Mickey” and he certainly looks pretty pleased with himself.
It’s been valued at $4 million and reportedly sold for $3.75 million, though the best auction sale I can find is $650,000.
There’s quite a story attached to this statue, which would probably be worth around $1 million melted down.
There’s been a legal dispute, and its first proposed sale was reportedly stymied by the September 11 attacks in 2001.
Price: £515,300
Buying Disney memorabilia today
The Disney company will continue to attract collectors for generations to come.
And Walt Disney is historically significant enough to remain a collectible figure for the long run in my view. His autograph is worth thousands in the right setting.
These big prices are eye-catching but you can start to build a Disney collection for much less.
Specially made collectibles rarely achieve real value - no matter their appeal - unless there’s something especially different or distinctive about them as an individual piece.
Cels that are less significant or visually striking than the one in our list can be bought for thousands of pounds. And they’re still original Disney art - real pieces of history.
Take a look at our movie memorabilia store now.
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Top image courtesy Heritage Auctions.
