12 of the Most Valuable Vintage Disney Items
When it comes to Disney collectibles, nostalgia and rarity combine to create staggering price tags. From hand-painted animation cels to vintage toys and theme park memorabilia, these treasures offer a glimpse into Disney’s rich history while capturing the hearts — and wallets — of fans and collectors alike.
Some items, like the original map of Disneyland or Mickey Mouse’s first color cartoon celluloid, have fetched hundreds of thousands of dollars at auctions, proving that Disney magic extends far beyond the screen.
Here are the most valuable vintage Disney collectibles we could find.
1935 ‘The Band Concert’ Celluloid
Price: Sold in 1999 for $420,000 in a private sale
The hand-painted celluloids from Mickey Mouse’s first color adventure, “The Band Concert,” are worth bookoo bucks. Dating back to 1935, the celluloids are vintage relics that hone in on Disney’s deep roots. One reportedly sold for a whopping $420,000 back in 1999, and these cels are still circulating the auction block with one of them recently going for $36,000 in August of 2024.
1941 ‘Mickey Mouse Outwits the Phantom Blot’ Comic Book
Price: Sold in 2020 by Heritage Auctions for $78,000
Since their first encounter in 1941, Mickey Mouse and the Phantom Blot have had several other rendezvous. Still, the most value lies within their original adventure in the early Walt Disney comics. This particular comic was the 16th edition of the first series and while it only cost a dime in the 40s, these days it can sell for tens of thousands at the right auction to the right buyer.
Original Map of Disneyland
Price: Sold in 2017 by Van Eaton Galleries for $708,000
What better way to see how far Disneyland has come over the years than to spend six figures on an original map of the place? Seems like a modest and reasonable investment, no? The O.G. map of the theme park reached beyond $700,000 at a 2017 auction and despite its massive selling price, it actually fell short of its $900,000 expected selling price.
1935 Mickey’s Service Station Mickey and Goofy Production Celluloid
Price: Sold in 2014 by Heritage Auctions for $98,588
This 1935 celluloid comes from one of Mickey’s last black-and-white cartoons, adding to its value, and proving that the right buyer doesn’t mind dropping obscene amounts of money on special cels.
Walt Disney’s Personal ‘Cinderella’ Script
Price: Sold in 2017 by Heritage Auctions for $36,000
This isn’t your average write-up of the plot and character lines in “Cinderella.” The actual, authentic book containing Walt Disney’s personal script for the iconic princess flick sold for almost $40,000 in 2017. Not only is the script an encapsulation of Disney’s genius, but it also contains his scribblings and annotations within, making it all the more special for Disney fanatics.
1930 Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse Hurdy Gurdy Wind-Up Tin Toy
Price: Sold in 2022 by Heritage Auctions for $13,200
Can someone explain why toys in the 1930s were even better and cooler than those made almost 100 years later? Please make that make sense. This wind-up tin Mickey Mouse toy is adorable, especially with the tiny Minnie Mouse atop Mickey’s organ. Many of the early, most collectible Mickey toys were made in Germany, and this wind-up is a prime example of the German-crafted toys featuring the mouse.
1930 Mickey Mouse Book: First Edition
Price: Sold in 2024 by RR Auction for $7,155
Before there were Disney comics, the brand forayed into publishing with the “Mickey Mouse Book” publications. The first edition, which came out in 1930, had 16 pages inside and included two short stories, a board game, and a song. It’s no wonder a vintage, all-purpose book like that would sell for thousands these days.
1928 Mickey Mouse Poster
Price: Sold in 2012 by Heritage Auctions for $101,575
This Mickey Mouse poster is as vintage as humanly possible since it came out the same year the Mouse was born, in 1928. Originally unveiled as an advertisement, this vintage Disney collectible is now considered a relic worthy of a price tag stretching beyond $100,000.
1930s Charlotte Clark Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck Dolls
Price: Sold in 2024 by Heritage Auctions for $7,800
Charlotte Clark’s first Mickey Mouse dolls were made exclusively for her Disney fan nephew, until she took them to Walt and Roy Disney who loved them so much that they assembled a team to help her create more. These days, they are seen as beloved collectibles and people will pay thousands for the dolls.
Life-Size Jessica Rabbit Figure
Price: Sold in 2024 by Heritage Auctions for $15,600
Jessica Rabbit might be the most crush-worthy cartoon character of all time, so we’re not surprised that someone paid upwards of $15,000 to have a six-foot Jess all to themselves. Imagine those Christmas cards.
Disneyland Original Club 33 Sign
Price: Sold in 2022 by Heritage Auctions for $108,000
Originally a members-only club inside Disneyland, Club 33 is an executive lounge envisioned by Walt Disney himself. Over the years, the sign in front has been replaced a few times, but the O.G. version is by far the most valuable, marked by its colossal $108,000 price tag at a 2022 auction.
Coonskin Hat from ‘Davy Crockett Stories’
Price: Sold in 2018 by Heritage Auctions for $12,400
Davyyyyy, Davy Crockett! Crockett’s coon cap is one of the most iconic costume props and while you can find knock-off versions on Amazon for about $20, the real vintage Disney collectible realized a much higher $12,400 at auction.