The Story of Disneyland Collection will be auctioned on February 28th and March 1st 2015 at Van Eaton Galleries, 13613 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA. With over 1000 pieces of memorabilia dating from the very beginning of Walt’s planning to his expansions in Florida and beyond, this one-of-a-kind rare collection has been amassed over thirty years and includes an extraordinary glimpse into the life of Walt Disney, his close group of original Imagineers, the initial plans for Disneyland and the amazing legacy he left behind.

A visionary and master showman, Walt Disney was inspired to build his theme park after spending time with his daughters at a local Los Angeles park and carousel. At that time, the unclean boardwalks and shady game booths of “Amusement Piers” were not places considered family-friendly. Disney’s extensive travels had taken him to some of Europe’s more popular parks, and he wanted to build something in America that both adults and children could enjoy together. By the time Disney broke ground in 1954 on a 75-acre plot in Anaheim he had put almost everything he owned and more into the project. Considered “Walt’s Folly” by many who felt his idea would never work, the park welcomed its millionth visitor in less than one year, and has since become a worldwide cultural icon, influencing popular culture and generations of loyal followers across the globe.

From the moment you enter the turn-of the century Main Street, a portal between the real world and the adventures yet to come, you enter into the creative mind of Walt Disney and his Imagineers. This exhibit and sale allows people the opportunity to not only experience, but also to own a piece of that magic.

Among the collection’s highlights are several original artworks including a rare early concept for Tomorrowland by Bruce Bushman. Bushman was one of the major designers working by Walt’s side during the park development and construction. The artwork is a very early concept and was actually featured in the 1954 series premiere of Walt Disney’s “Disneyland” television show (Estimate: $50,000-$70,000). An original Slue Foot Sue costume dress from the Golden Horseshoe (Estimate: $5,000-$7,000) used from 1956 to 1986 and worn by one of the most well-known performers in the park, Betty Taylor; an original “Pinocchio” character head from a 1968 walk-around character (Estimate: $7,000-$9,000); an etched glass E-ticket sign that hung at The Pirates of the Caribbean entrance which is one of only two made (Estimate: $15,000-$20,000); an original Disneyland Tiki Bird from the enchanted Tiki Room (Estimate: $20,000-$25,000), and a house from the Storybookland Village from the Disneyland attraction are only a few of the hundreds of items offered in the collection.

Everyone knows Walt Disney was a man of big dreams but he also took great delight in the world of miniatures. Disney constructed and collected a huge variety of miniatures during his lifetime which ultimately inspired some of his much bigger ideas including attractions at the Disney theme parks. A rare miniature pot belly stove hand-crafted and hand painted by Walt Disney himself will be offered in the online auction (Estimate: $15,000-$20,000)

Other highlights include the original Cigar Store Indian that stood at the front of Frontierland in the 1960s (Estimate: $15,000-$20,000), an actual skeleton prop from the original Pirates of the Caribbean attraction (Estimate:$ 60,000-$90,000), a large panel from the first monorail in the park (Estimate: $12,000-$15,000) and a doll from one of the most famous attractions of all time, “It’s a Small World.”