Heritage Auctions’ largest collection of Disney memorabilia will hit the auction block from April 5-8 in Beverly Hills.
The collection will spotlight work from Marc and Alice Davis, former Disney Imagineers who worked on classic Disney movies and attractions. Marc was a talented animator who worked on Disney films like “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” and developed and animated famous characters like Tinkerbell, Maleficent, Aurora, and Cruella de Vil.
Marc was also a member of Walt Disney’s “Nine Old Men” group, which comprised the studio’s most talented animators from the 1930s through the ’80s.
Alice, Marc’s wife and frequent collaborator, created memorable costume designs for park attractions like Pirates of the Caribbean, Flight to the Moon and the 1964-65 version of “It’s a Small World.”
Marc and Alice were named Disney Legends, the company’s highest honor, in 1989 and 2004, respectively.
Heritage Auctions’ collection, “The Art of Disneyland – Featuring the Marc and Alice Davis Archive Signature Auction,” will include more than 500 pieces from the Davis’ archives. The collection will include concept art, Marc’s original paintings and personal correspondence between the couple and other Disney greats like Mary Blair.
Specifically, Marc’s personal binder, which includes 116 original production drawings from “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” two of Alice’s sketchbooks, and concept drawings of the fairy godmother from Cinderella, will all be available for auction, a news release said.
Aside from the Davis’ personal collection, what’s believed to be the last surviving and most complete version of Disney W.E.B Enterprises shooting gallery, functioning audio-animatronics from Walt Disney World’s Enchanted Tiki Room and Epcot’s Food Rocks attractions, along with costumes, signage and more will be auctioned off.
Proceeds from the auction will benefit the couple’s favorite charities, including the art department of Cal Arts, where, when it was known as Chouinard, the couple first met in an animation class Marc was teaching.
“This may be Heritage’s best sale ever for The Art of Disneyland,” Jim Lentz, Heritage’s vice president of animation and anime Art, said in a statement.
“The Complete W.E.B Shooting Gallery in addition to the Bradely/Bushman Archives for the early development of Disneyland, are once-in-a-lifetime auction opportunities. If Disneyland is the “Happiest Place on Earth, I believe this auction may be the “Happiest Auction on Earth!”
More information about the auction can be found here.