When You Bid Upon a Star

DISNEY MEMORABILIA COLLECTORS HAVE LONG HAD VAN EATON GALLERIES & AUCTIONS ON THEIR RADAR. NOW, WITH A NEW VALLEY LOCATION, THERE’S EVEN MORE REASON TO VISIT.

Written by Hadley Hall Meares

If you’re in the market for a Goofy head, Mary Poppins dolls, or various other collectibles of childhood enchantment, you’re in luck. After more than 30 years in Sherman Oaks, Van Eaton Galleries has moved to a larger space in Studio City that includes an alluring sidewalk display window. The new 12,000 square-foot venue is a wonderland of everything Disneyana—a term coined to describe artwork, souvenirs, animation cels, toys and other ephemera produced or licensed by the Walt Disney Company.

The studio art on sale at the spacious new Van Eaton extends beyond Disneyana. Works from Warner Bros., Hanna-Barbera, Fox, Don Bluth, Marvel, Pixar and Sony artists are all showcased in the gallery. Collectors can find everything from a $20 porcelain Minnie Mouse to a $13,000 original Dr. Seuss drawing of Horton from the children’s book Horton Hears a Who. Other noteworthy artifacts: film cells, whimsical Mary Poppins dolls from the 1960s, and a collection of Peanuts artwork and production stills.

The new space also features a special wing for Van Eaton’s famous auctions, where rare, one-of-a-kind items go to the highest bidder. In December 2022, a character head of Goofy worn at the Magic Kingdom was auctioned at the gallery for $19,000—more than triple the pre-auction estimate.

“The schedule of auctions this year at our new location presents an amazing slate of items that trace the history of Disney and popular culture from all over the world,” says co-owner Mike Van Eaton, who opened the Gallery in 1994.

Mike is particularly excited about two upcoming auctions. The collection of attorney Paul Morantz will go up for auction April 29–30. The sale will include original illustration art, original animation art, Disneyana, rare Disney toys, tin toys, Davy Crockett memorabilia and a rather unusual auction item: a 1957 Porsche Speedster.

Also: The massive Joel Magee Disney Parks Collection will be offered July 17–19. Magee is a Disney expert and appraiser and a regular on Pawn Stars on the History Channel. He has amassed what Van Eaton affirms is the largest collection of its kind ever up for sale.

For all auctions, the public is invited to view the collections online in advance. The auctions are then held live at the gallery. Online, phone and absentee bidding are also available.

To the delight of all “Disney adults,” additional auctions will be announced throughout the year.

For more, go to vegalleries.com ■