NEW YORK.- On September 27, 2005, Sotheby's (NYSE: BID) and The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) will conclude the celebration of Mickey Mouse's 75th anniversary by auctioning 75 uniquely-designed statues of Mickey, an icon of American popular culture beloved for more than three generations. The statues, which have toured the country since Mickey's 75th anniversary on November 18, 2003, are part of a special tribute entitled "Celebrate Mickey: 75 InspEARations." Each statue, individually-decorated by notable Disney legends, artists, actors, musicians or athletes, is 6-feet-tall and weighs more than 700 pounds. The proceeds of the sale of each Mickey statue will benefit 50 deserving charities, designated by the artist of each statue. A catalogue containing all 75 Mickey statues will be available for purchase and will be accompanied by a limited-edition "Tuxedo" Mickey pin for collectors for the first 5,000 orders placed. Fifteen of the 75 statues will be featured in locations throughout New York City in August -- the New Amsterdam Theatre and World of Disney, among others. The full exhibition will take place from September 20th through 26th in Sotheby's 3rd floor galleries and is free and open to the public. The statues will be sold without reserve, and the sale is expected to bring in excess of $1 million*.

When the statues began their cross-country tour in November 2003, Michael Eisner, Disney Chief Executive Officer, said: "No other single character has remained in the limelight like Mickey, no other single character has been at the definitive forefront of a global entertainment company, no other single character has such timeless, ageless appeal or has engaged the hearts of so many. Chances are, if you talk to a 4-year-old or a 70-year-old anywhere in the world, they consider Mickey a special friend."

Lee Dunbar, Director of Sotheby's Collectibles department, said: "Sotheby's and Disney have a long-standing relationship, and we are thrilled to have been selected to conduct this special auction of 75 inspired visions of Mickey Mouse in a sale that will benefit a host of worthy charitable organizations."

Among the participants in this milestone event are:

Ben Affleck designed "Home Run Hero" for The Jimmy Fund at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; Andre Agassi designed "Love All" for the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation; Jerry Bruckheimer designed "Slapstick Mouse" for the Ilitch Charities for Children; Jamie Lee Curtis designed "The Original Mouse Pad" for the Children Affected by AIDS Foundation; Ellen DeGeneres designed "Ellenland" for the Children's Action Network; Long-time Disney animation artist Andreas Deja designed "Fruits of the Mouse" for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America
Annette Funicello designed "Always My Angel" for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Southern California Chapter; James Gandolfini designed "Funny Bones" for the Children Affected by AIDS Foundation; Tom Hanks designed "Space Mouse" for the James Birrell Neuroblastoma Research Fund; Sir Elton John designed "Music Royalty" for the Elton John AIDS Foundation; Shaquille O'Neal designed "Dunk Mouse" for the Real Model Foundation; Kelly Ripa designed "Big City Mouse" for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation; John Travolta designed "Jet Setter" for the Hollywood Education and Literacy Project.

Each artist's statue is a genuine work of art, and while some of the individuals offered creative inspiration, others, such as Peter and Harrison Ellenshaw, Rosie O'Donnell, Mear One, Raven, David Willardson and Wyland, chose to personally paint their Mickey statue. Otherwise, TivoliToo, a Minnesota-based design and sculpting studio, transformed the remaining statues for each artist.

While much of the proceeds will be donated to Make-a-Wish Foundation of America, 49 other charities will benefit from the sale, including the Boys and Girls Club of America, the Children's Miracle Network, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and the Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation. Disney was able to bring "Celebrate Mickey: 75 InspEARations" to fruition with the help of The Coca-Cola Company, the primary tour sponsor. The Home Depot® provided "Disney Color by Behr" paint and other supplies to bring the statues to life; Suddath Relocation Systems, an agent for United Van Lines, transported the statues to each destination; and Kodak offered digital photographs in each city via its EasyShare system.