LOS ANGELES, CA.- An abandoned sporting goods store in the San Fernando Valley is not where you’d expect to soar with Dumbo The Flying Elephant or snap a photo alongside a 40 foot sea serpent, but Van Eaton Galleries –– the world’s premiere auction house specializing in Disneyland memorabilia and original animation –– has created “That’s From Disneyland!”, a 20,000 square foot pop-up exhibit that offers the public a once in-a-lifetime opportunity to get up-close with pieces of the Disney Parks in an entirely new way.

Guests are invited to take a selfie with the once-submerged giant sea serpent from “The Submarine Voyage” ride, dance along with 6 singing and dancing “it’s A Small World” figures, strike a pose with all four Original Haunted Mansion Stretching Room paintings, whistle a tune with José, the Audio-Animatronic™ “Enchanted Tiki Room” bird, and take flight with a pirate ship from Peter Pan’s Flight. The exhibit will mesmerize and stir up nostalgia as it spans six decades of Disneyland Park history, including blueprints and conceptual drawings of the Disneyland that almost was.

The exhibit culminates in a two day auction of the collection. With over 750 items that capture the nostalgia, inspiration, imagination and beauty of Disneyland, this is the largest auction, both in size and concept, that Van Eaton Galleries has ever offered to the public.

The Collector
Richard Kraft is an agent who represents composer for film & Broadway, including Disney Legends Alan Menken, Danny Elfman, and Richard M. Sherman. He grew up 3 hours North of Disneyland in Bakersfield, CA and because his brother David battled a chronic disease his entire life, his family was only able to make their pilgrimage to Disneyland whenever David was healthy enough to enjoy the park. When David passed away 25 years ago, Richard drove South to Disneyland and was flooded with all the happy memories of being with his brother. He began to collect Attraction Posters and rare souvenirs, filling his home with these artifacts from the park, including a Mr. Toad car in his library, a PeopleMover in the backyard, and a ‘Bashful’ minecart from Snow White’s Scary Adventures in his front lawn. Kraft went so far as to suspend the 800 pound Dumbo ride vehicle from his living room ceiling of his home, which friends dubbed ‘Kraftland.’

“That’s From Disneyland!” is Kraft’s way of sharing the joy and nostalgia of his incredible collection with the public before it’s auctioned off. “This exhibit is the ultimate bon voyage party to a collection that has brought me so much joy over the years.”

The Auction
Van Eaton Galleries will host a two-day auction of the entire collection on August 25th and 26th.

Highlights of the “That’s From the Disneyland!” auction are many. They include the iconic Sea Serpent from “The Submarine Voyage,” which delighted guests as the goofy finale of the attraction for 30 years (Estimate: $30,000-$55,000); an “Enchanted Tiki Room” Audio-Animatronic™ José singing bird (Estimate: $50,000-$75,000); All four “Haunted Mansion” original stretching portraits (Estimate: $50,000-$75,000 each); a never folded Disneyland map signed by Sam McKrim (Estimate: $3,000-$5,000); Original “Jungle Cruise” concept drawings (Estimate: $1,000-$1,500); a beautiful model of Disneyland by renowned miniature artist Robert Olszewski (Estimate: $3,000-$5,000); an original Doom Buggy vehicle from the “Haunted Mansion” (Estimate: $50,000-$75,000); a Mark Twain “Riverboat” life preserver prop (Estimate: $300-$500); the original “Bertha Mae” Mike Fink Keel Boat used in Disney’s live action films (Estimate: $15,000-$20,000); the “Country Bear Jamboree” original postcard machine (Estimate: $3,000-$5,000); Six different Audio-Animatronic™ “It’s a Small World” attraction dolls (Estimate: $6,000-$8,000 each); a 1954 original Bruce Bushman “Tomorrowland” drawing (Estimate: $20,000-$30,000) and even a “Dumbo the Flying Elephant” attraction vehicle (Estimate: $100,000-$150,000).

Other extraordinary items in the auction include iconic props like “Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride Devil prop (Estimate: $4,000-$6,000); Peter Pan’s Flight Original Attraction Vehicle (Estimate: $75,000-$100,000); “Mad Tea Party” lantern props (Estimate: Various); a “Matterhorn Bobsled Fantasyland original attraction poster (Estimate: $5,000-$7,000); an original “Skyway” bucket vehicle (Estimate: $5,000-$7,000); an “Adventure Thru Inner Space” automobile prop (Estimate: $6,000-$8,000); an original General Electric “Progressland” architectural model (Estimate: $15,000-$20,000); a Disneyland Main Street mailbox prop (Estimate: $1,000-$2,000); original “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln” drawings (Estimate: $200-$400); The huge neon letter “D” from the Disneyland Hotel (Estimate: $25,000-$30.000 ) an original Disneyland Ticket Booth (Estimate: $15,000-$20,000); the “Enchanted Tiki Room” development script with notes (Estimate: $800-$1,200) a Disney ice cream cart (Estimate: Estimate: $1,000-$1,500) and even distinct trash cans from the Park (Estimate: Various).

“This auction is the most comprehensive and extraordinary collection of Disneyland memorabilia we have ever offered at Van Eaton Galleries.” said Mike Van Eaton, Co-Founder of Van Eaton Galleries. “Through Richard’s passion for the park and his love for his brother and family, he has amassed a collection that is unequaled and unlike anything I have ever seen. It represents the largest collection of attraction vehicles, props, costumes, drawings, original souvenirs, posters, advertising, signs and memorabilia we have ever had the privilege of hosting at auction. Being tasked with putting this auction together has been a rare opportunity for us and it has been a true honor to work with someone who shares such enthusiasm for all things Disneyland.”

A portion of proceeds from the auction will go to benefit the Coffin-Siris Syndrome Foundation and CHIME Institute For Early Education, two organizations benefitting children with special needs, such as Kraft’s four year old daughter, Daisy. For more information go to www.coffinsiris.org

The Exhibit
“That’s From Disneyland!” is a free, experiential pop-up exhibit that invites guests to get up close and personal with pieces of the Disney park in a way that was never before possible. The size of this collection required converting an abandoned sporting goods store into an attraction all of its own, including special concerts, performances, and events.

The exhibit is located at 13730 Riverside Dr, Sherman Oaks, CA. It is completely free and open to the public from August 1-26, every Wednesday - Sunday from Noon to 8pm.