The Most Expensive Disney Merch Ever Sold Shows Disney Adults Have No Limit
For decades, Disney has influenced pop culture and is a place where adults can escape from reality and kids can immerse themselves in an unforgettable world filled with positive themes of joy, friendships and fun. The magic of Disney started in 1923 when visionary Walt Disney launched his company where he created timeless characters, iconic films and lifelong fans, and it's been a source of valuable collectibles ever since.
People love Disney so much that they're willing to pay big bucks for beloved memorabilia — and we're not talking just a few hundred dollars. Fanatics have no problems shelling out hundreds of thousands of dollars to own a piece of Disney history and in 2017 and 2018 some of the most expensive pieces of merchandise sold.
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Here are some of the biggest buys in the history of the House of Mouse.
Walt Disney's Presentation Disneyland Map
Sold for $708,000
Two years before Disneyland opened in 1955, Walt Disney was scrambling to get the money for his fantastical project. He enlisted Herb Ryman, a Disney Imagineer, to design a hand-drawn map that featured a layout of what the theme park would like to secure funding. In 2017, the presentation map sold at an auction to an unknown buyer for $708,000, according to Forbes.
Skyway Gondola
Sold for $621,000
According to Disney Wiki, the Skyway gondola opened at Disneyland in 1956 and carried passengers from Fantasyland to Tomorrowland. The ride shut down in 1994 and an original bucket was part of a 900-piece collection from Disney collector and Hollywood agent Richard Kraft, according to Reuters. Van Eaton Galleries hosted the auction and a private bidder bought the classic piece in 2018 for a whopping $621,000.
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Original Dumbo the Flying Elephant Car
Sold for $483,000
At the same Van Eaton Galleries auction, a private bidder took home an original Dumbo the Flying Elephant car that was also part of Kraft's collection. Magician David Copperfield was a bidder at the auction and scored a neon letter D from the Disneyland hotel for $86,250.
Tiki Room Animatronic Bird
Sold for $425,000
Another big-ticket item Kraft sold at the auction was José, an animatronic bird from the Tiki Room. José was one of the four main characters of the original show and was red, white and green to represent his implied country of origin-Mexico reported by WDW News Today.
Kraft had a 10,000-piece collection that started after his brother David died in his 30s due to complications from Crohn's disease, according to NPR. He collected everything from original rides to ticket booths and signage. As kids, the two had gone to Disneyland often, and collecting memorabilia helped Richard feel close to David.
After years of collecting, he wanted to share his joy with others and held a month-long exhibit in Sherman Oaks, California, before selling some of his prized possessions to share the joy with other fans.
Forbes reported that the two-day auction raised over $8.3 million and part of the proceeds went to organizations to help children with special needs and suffer from Coffin-Siris Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder Kraft's daughter Daisy battles, according to Reuters.
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This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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