The Magical World of Disney Art & Collectibles

Disney art encompasses a wide range of mediums, from animation cels to sculptures to limited edition prints and more. There is an incredibly diverse world of Disney artwork and collectibles, with some pieces being accessible and affordable while others are exceptionally rare and valuable. This article will explore some of the most coveted and prized Disney artworks that collectors pursue.

History of Disney Art and Collectibles

Disney collectibles, known collectively as “Disneyana”, have existed since the early 1930s alongside the rise of Disney characters like Mickey Mouse. Some of the earliest Disney collectibles included watches, dolls, figurines, and merchandise featuring Disney characters. Interest and demand for Disney collectibles grew over the following decades with the release of Disney’s first animated films like Snow White and Pinocchio. The opening of Disneyland in 1955 also spurred more Disney souvenirs and memorabilia.In the 1960s and 70s, Disneyana collecting remained popular.

The 1970s saw the establishment of the Walt Disney Archives to preserve Disney history and artifacts. The 1990s brought an even wider range of Disney collectibles with the launch of official porcelain sculpture series. Today, Disneyana encompasses a vast spectrum of vintage and contemporary collectibles across three main categories: movie memorabilia, especially animation cels; merchandise and memorabilia tied to Disney parks history; and modern artwork/sculptures of Disney characters by licensed artists. As Disney films, characters, and parks continue evolving, so too does the world of Disney artwork and collectibles for fans to enjoy. Major milestones like the upcoming 100th Disney anniversary spur special merchandise and new collectibles. The Disneyana collector market remains massive and growing.

Most Expensive Disney Art Pieces

Some of the most expensive Disney artworks sold at auction include:

Band Concert Animation Cel – $198,000: This 1937 hand-painted animation cel from Mickey Mouse’s first color cartoon short is an exceptionally rare and historic piece.
Snow White and Seven Dwarfs Concept Painting – $55,000: A beautiful 1937 concept painting from the making of the groundbreaking first Disney animated feature film.
Peter Max Mickey Mouse Painting – $10,000+: Vibrant, colorful pop art serigraphs of Mickey Mouse by well-known artist Peter Max command premium prices at auction.
Original Walt Disney Autographed Letter – $8,000-$10,000: A personal letter discussing new Disneyland attractions and signed by Walt Disney himself is expected to sell for five figures.

These are just a few examples of the incredible prices paid for rare Disney animation and memorabilia at recent auctions. Major galleries specializing in Disney fine art also offer many limited edition prints, sculptures, and paintings ranging from $650 to over $10,000. Owning a piece of Disney history does not come cheap!

Hard To Find Disney Artwork

Some of the most sought after Disney artwork and collectibles are ones in short supply or no longer available. These hard-to-find pieces include:

Enesco Figurines: Intricate Enesco porcelain statues and figures of Disney characters are treasured but can be difficult to find as many have been retired.
Original Concept Art: One-of-a-kind concept drawings and paintings from Disney films rarely come up for public sale but are highly coveted.
Thomas Kinkade Studios: Select limited edition prints and paintings by this officially licensed Disney artist quickly sell out and end up very scarce.
Carl Barks Comics Art: Original comic art by this classic Disney duck artist is extraordinarily rare and commands premium auction prices.

For Disney collectors seeking some of the most elusive artwork and merchandise, tracking down these hard-to-find pieces provides the ultimate thrill of the hunt.

Most Popular Disney Art Categories

When it comes to Disney artwork and collectibles, some broad categories stand out as the most popular for fans and collectors:

Animation & Production Art

Cels: Hand-painted animation cels from Disney films are the ultimate prize for animation art collectors.
Concept art: One-of-a-kind concept drawings and paintings offer a unique glimpse into the Disney creative process.
Storyboards: Original sequential storyboard panels used in planning Disney films are unique artifacts.

Fine Art Editions

Canvas prints: Open edition giclée prints on gallery-wrapped canvas bring Disney art into home decor at affordable prices.
Limited editions: Special limited run fine art prints and sculptures produced in the hundreds sell out quickly.
Originals: Unique paintings and sculptures approved through the Disney Fine Art program are sold in galleries.

Collectible Figures

Jim Shore: Intricately hand-painted Disney Traditions figurines by folk artist Jim Shore are best-selling collectibles.
Tsum Tsums: These round stackable plushies of Disney characters are hugely popular across Japan, the Disney parks, and beyond.
Funko: Stylized POP! vinyl figures and other toys from this nostalgic collectible brand are Disney fan favorites.

This merely scratches the surface of the many types of Disney artwork and collectibles available. From designer dolls to original comic art to retro theme park merchandise and beyond, the world of Disney collecting offers endless possibilities.

Most Expensive Disney Collectibles

While the animation cels and concept art mentioned earlier are exceptionally pricey, there are also many high-value Disney collectibles trading hands for astronomical prices:

Mickey Mouse Watch Prototype – $800,000
Club 33 Haunted Mansion Collectibles – $10,000+
1952 Mickey Mouse Ring – $3.75 million
Original Epcot Center Sign Letters – $192,000
1939 Mickey Gas Pump – $71,700

Disney’s rich history has produced innumerable rare collectibles that now exchange hands for jaw-dropping sums. As the nostalgia and love for Disney continues growing, these most expensive collectibles will likely only increase in value.

Where to Start

Start small – Don’t try to jump in and buy expensive original art right away. Consider starting with more affordable reproductions, prints or small collectibles that allow you to enjoy Disney art without a huge investment upfront.
Focus your collection – Decide if you want to collect a certain character, movie, artist, etc. This helps direct your purchases instead of randomly buying pieces. Popular focuses include Mickey & Friends, Disney Princesses, Pixar films, and artists like Jim Shore.
Look for deals – ShopDisney.com, Art of Disney stores, and Disney auctions are great places to find quality Disney art and merchandise, sometimes at discounted prices. Limited edition releases also allow you to get unique, scarce pieces.
Display your collection – Find creative ways to display your Disney art at home so you can enjoy it regularly. Use frames, shelves, cabinet displays, etc. Rotate pieces if your collection grows.
Join collector communities – Connect with other Disney collectors online through groups, forums, social media, etc. This allows you to learn, get advice, trade, and share your common passion for Disney art.

The most important tip is to simply collect what you love rather than focusing on value. Let your personal connection to the art guide you. Check out galleries and stores on your Disney trips to find pieces that speak to you. Before you know it, you’ll have the start of a magical Disney art collection!

Items That are Easy to Store and Transport

Pressed pennies – These flattened penny souvenirs with Disney designs are inexpensive, lightweight, and easy to store in a small box or display case.
Pins – The variety of Disney pins traders collect are small and portable. They can be stored in special pin books and displays cases to transport.
Small figurines – Miniature figurines like Jim Shore Disney Traditions are fairly durable for travel and can be displayed on a shelf at home.
Art prints – Unframed art prints on paper can be rolled up for transport and later framed at home. Small canvas giclée prints are also lightweight.
Silhouette portraits – These classic Disney silhouette cutouts on card stock are flat and easy to pack.

Shipping Art Home

Some Festival of the Arts booths will ship purchases directly home for you. Costs vary based on item value but seem very reasonable – one report said a $10,000 piece of art would ship for $39.
You can take art purchases to your Disney Resort hotel gift shop and arrange shipping through them via UPS/FedEx. A $6 per package handling fee plus shipping fees will apply.
Retail stores on Disney property can also arrange shipping through UPS/FedEx for a $6 per package handling fee plus shipping costs.

Conclusion

From animation cels to limited edition prints to one-of-a-kind sculptures and beyond, Disney art and collectibles span a vast spectrum. Iconic classics like Mickey Mouse and Snow White rub shoulders with newer additions like Moana and Baby Yoda. With countless artists reinterpreting Disney in their own style through officially licensed fine art, the possibilities are endless for fans to find that perfect artistic centerpiece that ignites their personal nostalgia. For those with the dedication and means to hunt down the exceptionally rare items, six and even seven figure prices await the most elite Disney artwork and collectibles. Yet even just owning a $50 print that captures a favorite Disney character or film can be priceless. Ultimately the value is not in the cost but in the emotions and memories Disney art can recreate.

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Disney by Mark