Disney Collectibles
Disney collectibles, often referred to as Disneyana, encompass a vast array of merchandise associated with the Disney brand, originating from its iconic characters and stories. Since the debut of Mickey Mouse in 1928, the market for Disney collectibles has expanded significantly, offering items like figurines, pins, toys, and memorabilia. Collectors of Disneyana span diverse demographics and are often divided into specific niches, including vintage memorabilia, pin trading, and figurine collecting.
The collectible market is rich with opportunities, as dedicated enthusiasts can find special edition items and rare pieces that may appreciate in value. Online platforms, particularly auction sites and dedicated Disneyana exchange communities, facilitate the buying, selling, and trading of collectibles, making it easier for collectors to pursue their passions. While many collectors engage in this hobby for enjoyment, some view it as a potential avenue for profit, particularly with limited-edition items. The joy of collecting Disneyana is not just about the items themselves but also about the engagement with Disney's cultural legacy and the community of fellow fans.
Disney Collectibles
In 1923, burgeoning cartoonist Walt Disney established a studio with his brother, Roy. The two created an animated character, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, who would star in twenty-six cartoon episodes. When the cartoon's distributor shut out Disney to produce the episodes himself, Disney created a new character, one that he would own himself: Mickey Mouse. Since the squeaky-voiced mouse made his debut in Steamboat Willie in 1928, his face has become one of the most reproduced images in the world. Disney created an empire based on that image, one filled with countless characters and stories.
With the immediate success of Mickey Mouse came the character's marketability. It is believed that the first licensed item bearing the image of Mickey Mouse was a children's school tablet, which appeared in 1929. Since then, thousands of different items have borne Mickey Mouse's official likeness.
While Mickey Mouse was clearly the icon of the growing Disney empire, his visage would quickly be joined by countless other characters. With the introduction of each new popular character would come collectible merchandise. Among these collectibles were figurines, buttons, pins, glasses and mugs, toys, and other items. The Official Price Guide to Disney Collectibles, one of the top resources for Disney collectibles, includes 28,000 items spanning 125 different sections.
Disney collectibles, also known as Disneyana, has become a popular hobby as well as a broad marketplace. Disneyana includes photographs, amusement park tickets and pins, posters, dolls, and countless other items. An extensive Internet market exists for trade and sales.
Disneyana collectors are found worldwide, spanning all ages and a wide range of particular interests. There are three general niches of Disneyana of interest to collectors. The first of these areas is "vintage Disneyana," collectors who only seek memorabilia from the years prior to Walt Disney's death in 1966. The second niche is Disney pin collecting, a relatively recent segment of Disney collectors. The third is Disney figurine collection, a widely popular area of Disneyana pursuing mostly porcelain statues of Disney characters.
Collecting Disneyana presents both entertainment and business development opportunities for people around the world. Dedicated collectors spend large quantities of money in online auctions and at markets, while others simply collect items on a far more casual, unregulated, and less profit-driven manner.
Things to Look For
The physical condition of an item of Disneyana is one of the most important aspects a collector considers. Figurines, for example, should be free of chips or cracks, and pins should be well maintained (without blemishes). Similarly, pins should in good condition, without damage to the façade or the spring mechanism. Some of the most valuable types of Disneyana are the special edition collectibles that commemorate special anniversaries and are released in limited numbers. Disneyana collectors should be mindful of the following criteria when looking to acquire a new addition:
- Faded paint
- Paper condition
- Design
- Color
- Condition of springs and mechanism
- Special edition or rarity of the piece
- Cracks or chips
Collectors usually specialize in one or more types of Disneyana, allowing the person to complete a collection or simply focus attention on a particular interest. Examples of collections include the following:
- Pins
- Posters
- Figurines
- Commemorative plates
- Films
- Jewelry
- Stuffed animals
- Inverts
Trends
In 1999, with the Millennium Anniversary of Walt Disney World, pin trading became an official Disney tradition. Collectors wearing lanyards filled with pins sought out park employees wearing lanyards with other pins, seeking to trade. Pin collecting and trading remains an extremely popular activity within the Disneyana universe.
Regardless of the individual's preferred type of collectible Disneyana, collectors have found a haven in the Internet. Online auction sites, such as eBay, have provided purchasers with a great deal of access to all types of collectible merchandise. However, sites that are dedicated solely to Disneyana exchanges and purchasing are growing in number, offering all types of collectibles. One site, the Disneyana Exchange Service, contains thousands of item listings, some of which are extremely rare. The Internet remains one of the most popular vehicles for Disneyana collectors to purchase and trade their favorite items.
Disneyana Collecting for Fun vs. Profit
Many people enter into collecting Disneyana as a hobby or additional way to complement the enjoyment of Disney's films, television, and live productions. Disneyana collecting is seen by most people, particularly amateurs, as a fun activity that provides personal satisfaction to the collector. There is the possibility for profit making, however, for those who are able to obtain and sell limited edition and/or rare pieces of Disneyana, as such pieces may be sold for a significant amount of money. These collectors may be active on online auction and sales websites, but must conduct a great deal of research on the rare pieces they seek in order to be successful. Meanwhile, those who do not necessarily seek to profit from Disneyana collection need only research their favorite characters and/or type of collectible in order to build their collections.
Learning More
Organizations
D23, The Official Disney Fan Club <https://d23.com/>
Disneyana Fan Club <https://disneyanafanclub.weebly.com/>
Books
Hake, Ted. The Official Price Guide to Disney Collectibles. New York: House of Collectibles, 2005.
Heide, Bob, and John Gilman. Disneyana. New York: Disney Editions, 2002.
Tumbusch, Tom. Tomart's Disneyana Guide to Pin Trading. Dayton: Tomart Publications, 2007.