#Horsing #Disneyland #Stagecoach #Sells
Collectors go for a rousing two-day ride during the recent Disney event at Heritage Auctions that realized $1.8 million. Giddy-up!
DALLAS – A lucky bidder laid down $84,000 to ride off into the sunset with a one-of-a-kind original stagecoach offered by Heritage Auctions during its Disney Theme Parks auction March 25-26. The Art of Disneyland: From Stagecoaches to Monorails… and More! spanned the Parks’ fascinating evolution and brought in $1.8 million, with 100% of lots sold and some significant results for rarities from Disneyland, Disney World, Disney Stores and more.
“This event showcased every aspect of the Parks,” says Jim Lentz, Heritage’s Director of Animation Art. “More than 850 lots spread over two full days offered collectors precious slices of Main Street, Frontierland, Adventureland, Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, and more.”
Courtesy Heritage Auctions
The most unusual lot yielded the top result at $84,000; it reached back into Disney Parks history with something that kicked off Disneyland itself: the original full-size, nine-passenger Overland Stagecoach that evokes the “Rainbow Mountain Stagecoach” ride from Disneyland’s earliest years.
This real stagecoach (its last run was from Tombstone, Arizona, to Sacramento, California) belonged to a friend of Walt’s, fellow Anaheim businessman Ben Hathaway, who owned Tiffy’s restaurant originally located in the Disneyland Hotel.
Few authentic frontier stagecoaches still exist, making this a rare piece of Americana as well as the inspiration behind the iconic Disneyland attraction of the 1950s; the “Stagecoach” ride defined Disneyland’s opening years and preceded the famed Monorail.
Courtesy Heritage Auctions
Another top lot on the move: An astonishing Autopia Mark VII car from Disneyland circa 1967-‘99, professionally restored to drivable condition, sold for $48,000. Autopia’s vehicles were designed by Imagineer Bob Gurr, who fashioned this car with a front inspired by the Corvette Stingray, and the back inspired by an Opal GT. Another Autopia car in this event, a Mark VI park-used vehicle body, brought in $26,400.
Courtesy Heritage Auctions
Also from Disneyland: the Skyway ferried guests over Disneyland for some excellent views, and Heritage sold an exceptionally rare original Skyway gondola from the era of Tomorrowland, with its iconic rounded design, for $48,000.
Complete auction results can be found at HA.com/7314.
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