Big Disney auction includes movie cels, Goofy head

Another mammoth Disney memorabilia auction is coming up from Van Eaton Galleries. The two-day event, dubbed “Exploring the Disney Universe,” will feature more than 1,500 items that will go to the highest bidders.

The theme of this auction is broad, presenting items from the past century of Walt Disney productions. It includes many animation cels, movie posters and pieces of concept art. A production cel from “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” featuring the Hag character is estimated by Van Eaton to bring a bid between $40,000 and $50,000.

Also up for auction are several pieces of concept art by Imagineer Mary Blair, including one for the “it’s a small world” attraction that’s expected to go for $15,000 to $20,000.

The auction “includes everything from concept art to attraction props and personal items from the life and career of Walt Disney, as well as Disney Studio and animation archives,” Mike Van Eaton, co-founder of California-based Van Eaton Galleries, said in a news release. “It’s a remarkable testament to Walt’s dream and the influence Disney has around the world.”

There are plenty of paper products (blueprints, company documents, books signed by Walt Disney), long-forgotten subjects such as a Pin the Tail on Mickey Mouse game from the 1930s and mundane items such as a Reedy Creek Emergency Management paperweight.

The auction catalog, which can be viewed online, divides the items by decade, although the section devoted to Walt Disney World is in the final fourth of the publication. There about 130 items for review there. Here are five unique or eye-catching possibilities.

Getting Goofy

Up for grabs: The head of the Goofy character, worn by cast members in theme parks. It’s 29 inches tall, including Goof’s hat, is incredibly rare, Van Eaton notes, and is “one size fits most.” Expected bid: $4,000-$6,000. Gawrsh. (On the same page is a character costume for the Disney Park Hopper character, a yellow stub with red shoes, that was worn in promotions. It’s expected to draw between $1,500 and $2,000.)

Leagues of your own

Also with a direct parks connection is a porthole from the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea attraction, which closed in 1994 “due to high operating expense,” the catalog says. It’s 15 inches wide and in good condition, although there are signs of wear, particularly on the water-facing side. (Expected selling price: Between $1,000 and $2,000.)

Paper mates

“Where Dreams Take Flight” is an elaborate paper sculpture created by artist Dee DeLoy for Disney World’s 20th anniversary celebration. Its dimensions are 38 inches by 29 inches and 7 inches deep. Its 3D figures include Cinderella Castle, Space Mountain, Haunted Mansion, Spaceship Earth, the Earffel Tower at Disney-MGM Studios, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Mickey Mouse in a hot-air balloon and more. (Expected selling price: Between $7,000 and $9,000, the highest of the estimates for WDW items in this auction.)

Off the bench

In the future, you could take a load off by sitting on your very own bench that once stood at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. The metal black and teal item is nearly a yard long and a possible shipping challenge. (Expected selling price: $1,000 to $2,000.)

‘Food Rocks’ on

There are seven lots with sheet music for the parody songs of “Food Rocks,” the former Epcot attraction inside the Land Pavilion. (”Food Rocks” ended in 2004.) Among the options are “Every Bite You Take” and “Good Nutrition,” and some are autographed by superstars such as Chubby Checker and Little Richard. (Expected selling prices: $100 to $400.)

The auction will be held at Van Eaton’s new Studio City gallery Dec. 3-4. For information about live or absentee bidding, go to vegalleries.com.

dbevil@orlandosentinel.com