From: Rich_Koster@agwbbs.new-orleans.LA.US (Rich Koster)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.disney
Subject: Disneyana - Auction Pt. 6
Distribution: world
Date: 7 Oct 92 18:27:44 CST
Organization: The Amiga GateWay BBS * New Orleans, La.

Picking up and finishing up in this part with Items #60-61 of the 1st
Disneyana Convention Auction conducted by Sotheby's at the Contemporary
Resort Convention Center Fantasia Ballroom Friday, September 25, 1992.
 
Comments and further detailed descriptions within [] are ours,
otherwise come straight from the auction catalog.
 
[These last two were the billed stars of the show.  I'll quote first
the descriptive paragraphs from the auction catalog, then it's listing
and the prices.]
 
Sculptor John Zolar originally created this carousel horse around 1917
at the Philadelphia Toboggan Company.  The handsome mount and carousel
was manufactured for the Belle Isle Park in Detroit, and the carousel
was originally decorated with red, white and blue shields and images
of Miss Liberty.  Eventually, the carousel was obtained by Olympic
Park of Irving, New Jersey, and performed there steadfastly from 1928-
1965.  In 1965, Disney discovered this proud carousel and restored it
for the grand opening of Walt Disney World in 1971.  A new career
began as leader in a carousel of 90 different and ornate steeds.
Today, as beautiful as ever, Carousel No. 46 embodies the fine
craftsmanship of an earlier day, and the Disney devotion to
excellence.
 
60.  Carousel Horse, reproduction [*not* one of the originals from the
ride] of the lead horse from Walt Disney World's Carousel.  Created by
Whittler's Mother.  52 in. high.  Estimate:  $5,000-6,000.  Sold:
$4,000.
 
1955 "When I See An Elephant Fly..."  Since nothing like Disneyland
had ever been built before, any number of unexpected problems arose:
The first prototypes for Fantasyland's flying Dumbo ride, which
weighed 700 pounds each, refused to be hoisted into the air.
[Caption for original photograph of the Disneyland ride, aerial
view.]
 
"Dumbo the ninth wonder of the universe..."  Timothy Mouse
 
Disneyland's "Dumbo the Flying Elephant" ride debuted in August of
1955, shortly after the park first opened.  The ride's elephants were
pink throughout all the artists concepts, but were changed to natural
grey by word from Walt Disney himself.
 
The original drawings also featured the whip-bearing figure of Timothy
Mouse overseeing the elephants from the ride's hub.  He was actually
added a year later when the budget allowed.
 
Other ideas for the Dumbo ride were considered and dismissed.  It was
planned for half the elephants to go up and the other half down in
square dance fashion.  But old carnival hands said one of the elements
of a successful ride was rider participation.  So, the formation idea
was abandoned to let the riders control their own pachyderms.  While
Dumbo was flying his huge ears were meant to flap, but the driving
mechanism was too weak for the heavy ears, so they have always stayed
in one position.
 
From the many plans and changes came a ride which has delighted
Disneyland visitors for decades.  The Dumbo figure from this
attraction is now a most welcome Disney collectible.
 
61.  Dumbo Car, 1955, one of the original cars from the "Dumbo the
Flying Elephant" ride at Disneyland.  [The side where the ride's
arm attaches to the car is seamlessly patched, so what you get is
elephant without hint of holes or mechanism, no button to press to
go up/down either.]  76 in. high by 85 1/2 in wide, 96 in. diameter
base.  [Circus-looking base, painted red and yellow with three steps
leading to the entrance of the car.]  Estimate:  $12,000-15,000.
Sold:  $16,000.
 
TOTAL ESTIMATES:  $93,100-122,000
 
TOTAL SOLD:  $169,050
 
DIFFERENCE:  $47,050-75,950
 
[From my wife Carol:  I typed all this auction stuff in, all 61 items,
and I'm through, I'm through, I'm through, yayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!]

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