An exceptionally rare 1939 continuity sketchbook used in the making of Disney Animation’s Pinocchio is among the top lots in RR Auction’s Fine Autographs and Artifacts Featuring Art, Literature, Books and Animation sale, which runs through August 13. Produced by the Disney Art Department, the 48-page sketchbook includes more than 175 pasted-in model drawings and photos that helped shape the beloved film’s opening sequence — complete with the Blue Fairy, Jiminy Cricket and Geppetto’s starry-eyed wish.
This sale’s animation section that includes over 200 original works from Disney’s golden age — among them, concept art by Mary Blair and Eyvind Earle, production cels signed by Walt Disney himself, and rare memorabilia from the early days of Disneyland and Walt Disney World.
Among the standout offerings:
- Marc Davis Concept Painting for Pirates of the Caribbean (Lot 385) – A vivid early concept piece from the mind of one of Disney’s “Nine Old Men,” capturing the swashbuckling spirit of the iconic ride.
- Walt Disney Signed Copy of Brer Rabbit Rides the Fox (Lot 344) – A boldly signed edition of the Uncle Remus tale, with 21 bids as of this writing and strong collector interest.
- Dopey Production Cel and Drawing Signed by Walt Disney (Lot 349) – A charming and rare Snow White cel set accompanied by a vintage Walt Disney signature. Estimate: $6,000+.
- Mary Blair Concept Paintings Galore – Blair’s signature visual flair is on full display with richly colored works for Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella, Dumbo and It’s a Small World. Notably, her concept for the Swedish exhibit in the Small World ride (Lot 399) is already drawing serious attention with a $2,765 bid on an estimate of $20,000+.
- Eyvind Earle’s Panoramic Painting for Sleeping Beauty (Lot 401) – A sweeping stylized background from the 1959 classic, showcasing Earle’s iconic medieval aesthetic.
Also up for grabs: Courvoisier cels featuring all Seven Dwarfs (Lot 355), early Mickey and Minnie Mouse animation art (Lots 359 & 364), and original sketches by Peanuts creator Charles Schulz (Lot 549).
“This sale is a celebration of visual storytelling at its highest level,” said Bobby Livingston, Executive Vice President at RR Auction. “To have original concept art from both Disneyland and Disney classics — alongside signed books by Walt Disney — is a thrill for any animation or pop culture collector.”
Beyond the world of animation, the auction spans centuries of literary achievement. Highlights include a signed 1936 edition of James Joyce’s Ulysses (Lot 597), a deluxe signed Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, and letters by Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Washington Irving and John Steinbeck. There’s even a monogrammed silverware set used by Charles Dickens at Gad’s Hill Place.
The Fine Autographs and Artifacts auction is open for bidding through August 13. To view the full catalog and place bids, visit www.rrauction.com.
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