DALLAS, TX.- Nearly 700 lots from one of the most significant assemblages of actual park-displayed signs, props, artifacts and more from Disneyland and Disney theme parks around the world will be offered May 21-22 in
Heritage Auctions DISNEYLAND: THE AUCTION Signature® Auction.
The founder of the collection, Scott Rummell, is instantly recognizable, even to those who dont know his name. He is a renowned voice actor who has lent his voice to everything from Marvel movie trailers to countless commercials and voiceovers on networks ranging from CBS to CNN.
Disneyland was part of Scotts life since he was young. His wife, Terry, collected Donald Duck. In 1982, after they were married, his parents gave the young couple annual passes, after which Disney wasnt something we did, Scott says. It became our lifestyle.
At one point, we had one room that was our Disney room that was where we had it all displayed, he says. When we moved into the house, we thought it was crazy to have all these posters rolled up in tubes, so we hired people who worked for Disney to redesign the house specifically for the collection. It was really awesome, what they did with certain pieces in mind.
It became something that was really special. We loved to open up the house. We had events for Childrens Hospital and other organizations. A lot of people who love Disney came to the house. People ask how can you let the collection go?
and its a valid question. I feel a little bit like an artist who spends considerable time on a painting and then sells it. You have time and energy invested, but its time to share it with other people.
The sale includes a Complete Park-Used Original Autopia Car with Original Body, Chassis, and Tires (Walt Disney, c. 1967) the first car I ever drove, Scott says. Used at Disneyland and acquired directly from the park, it is believed to be the single Autopia vehicle to ever come to auction with all original components present, including the chassis and tires (with the exception of the engine, which was not allowed to be sold for safety reasons).
Collectors also can press the gas in their efforts to land a Park-Used Original Mr. Toad's Wild Ride Vehicle (Walt Disney, c. 1993) from one of the Magic Kingdoms original opening-day attractions in 1971 through 1998. Modeled after the Disneyland attraction, it had some unique characteristics that set it apart from its West Coast twin, like the ride vehicle's added back seat, which was added in 1993. This amazing piece has been professionally restored and repainted with added features like spinning wheels and working headlights. Only a limited number of these vehicles were made, and of those only a handful ever made it to market.
Among the rarest Disney attraction vehicles, a Park-Used Original Skyway Gondola (Walt Disney, c. 1965) is from the Disneyland hallmark that stretched across the park from 1956-94, carrying guests into the skies. In 1965, Disneyland switched from the original round gondolas to rectangular versions that were not as cramped, and could accommodate up to four passengers. Everything on this example the bucket, the seats, the rails, the roof, the lights is original, and what makes this gondola even more impressive is the fact that the lights have been rewired and now are fully functional. This vehicle is believed to be one of the rare examples that traveled over both Disneyland and Walt Disney World.
Walt Disney famously loved trains, a passion Scott shares. The sale includes 37 train-themed lots, from a Park-Used Railroad Train Wheel (Walt Disney, c. 1950s) to an LGB Big Thunder Mountain Starter Train Set with Box and Manual (Walt Disney/LGB, c. 2001) to a Park-Used Main Street Train Station Wait Sign (Walt Disney, c. 1990s-2010s) to a Pair of Train Photo Binders (Walt Disney, c. 1990s-2000s). One lucky bidder will even end up with the Rainbow Caverns Mine Train Engine #3 Bell with Park-Used Stand (Walt Disney, c. 1956).
When entering one of the Disney parks, the first things guests always did was pick out the days ticket book, which included tickets for that days rides. The sale includes 17 lots of tickets, including a Complete 1956 Disneyland Ticket Book (Walt Disney, 1956) from the parks second year.
It was a glorious moment when you got your ticket book, Scott says. You were going to go on this ride, or you were going to do that today. It was a big part of the day. When you have full ticket books, with the admission still attached, it is such a rare piece. These are paper items that were mostly torn apart and exchanged for the experience you were getting that day. It was a huge part of Disney history.
In fact, these books would still work for entry, if you wanted to tear them off
but you wouldnt want to do that!
Signs from the parks are prized by Disney collectors, who will find more than 100 in this auction, including:
A Park-Used Pirates of the Caribbean Wait Time Sign (Walt Disney, c. 1967-1970s)
An Original Club 33 Sign (Walt Disney, c. 1967)
A Park-Displayed Mickey Mouse Sign (Walt Disney, c. 1980s)
A Park-Displayed Santa Fe & Disneyland R.R. Grand Canyon Diorama Sign
An Alice in Wonderland Park-Displayed Sign (Walt Disney, c. 2000s-2010s)
A Haunted Mansion Painted Sign (Walt Disney, c. 1990s)
Disney fans love the cars and trains and signs and tickets, but what first captures the imagination of young park goers is the lineup of beloved Disney characters. Mickey Mouse appears in 66 lots in the auction, including a Life-Size Park Exclusive Mickey Mouse Big Fig (Walt Disney, c. 1990s-2000s), seven lots of posters, a Vintage Mickey Mouse Projector by Keystone with 13 Reels of Film (Walt Disney, c. 1930s-1960s), a group of Three Telephones or a group of Three Wristwatches.
The event includes 15 Donald Duck lots, including a Donald Duck Vintage RPM Motor Oil Sign (Walt Disney, c. 1940s) and a Club 33 Plush Doll plus Restaurant Menu, Recipe Book, and Related Items Group of 14 (Walt Disney, c. 1980s-1990s). Or work on your short game with a How to Putt Disney Big Fig (Walt Disney, c. 1990s) one of seven lots in the sale featuring Goofy.
Scott spent years doing voiceover work for Disney, but never was awarded any of the items in his collection; instead, he spent years scouring auctions and even garage sales for additions. He said he and Terry are thrilled to share their collection with another generation of Disney fans, but admitted it will be difficult to say goodbye to some of his favorites, including a Park-Used Original Rocket Jets Vehicle (Walt Disney, c. 1967) just as he shared his love of Disney with his children, he loved seeing his young granddaughter sit in it.
The Rummells shared their passion with their children, first at Disneyland in Anaheim and then on trips to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. For his 60th birthday, the family took Scott to Disneyland Paris. A planned trip to Tokyo Disney was scrapped when the coronavirus pandemic hit, but Scott says part of the proceeds from the auction will go toward a rescheduled family trip.