Hundreds of rare Disney artifacts go up for auction including Walt's World War I sketchbook expected to fetch $100K, plus Donald Duck canned goods and vintage Mickey Mouse pins
More than 800 rare artifacts relating to the legacy of Walt Disney are up for sale in a huge online auction.
Van Eaton Galleries in Sherman Oaks, California has organized the virtual sale, titled 'Walt Disney: The Man, the Studio, & the Parks'.
Bidding on the incredible items already open and final offers must be made by Saturday, with some of the coveted collectibles expected to fetch tens of thousands of dollars.
Wealthy fans of the iconic animator are expected to place competitive bids on a sketch book owned by Disney during World War I.
Many of the drawings included in the book are signed and dated to 1918 - the year that Disney was shipped to France to serve as an ambulance driver for the Red Cross.
More than 800 rare artifacts relating to the legacy of Walt Disney are up for sale in a huge online auction organized by Van Eaton Galleries. Included in the auction is this sketch book featuring drawings done by Disney in 1918
Many of the drawings included in the book are signed and dated to 1918 - the year that Disney was shipped to France to serve as an ambulance driver for the Red Cross
Interestingly, the book includes two illustrations featuring 'trench rats' - the earliest known rodent drawings done by Disney and more than a decade before he created Mickey Mouse
Collectors are thrilled about the online auction, titled 'Walt Disney: The Man, the Studio, & the Parks'. The iconic animator is pictured in 1955
It's believed Disney had the sketch book with him during his time in Europe, and a description of the item states that the illustrations give 'a fantastic look into the young mind of Walt and include political and societal commentary on issues relating to the war and mental health'.
Interestingly, the book includes two illustrations featuring 'trench rats' - the earliest known rodent drawings done by Disney and more than a decade before he created Mickey Mouse.
But the more realistic drawings bear little resemblance to the iconic character that would come just a few years later.
One person had already placed a $75,000 bid on the book, but Van Eaton Galleries estimates that the item could fetch upwards of $100,000.
Another item dating back to 1918 is a postcard penned by Disney during his time in France.
The front of the postcard features a photo of the young animator - who was aged just 16 at the time - standing in front of a World War I ambulance vehicle.
The back features a note penned to a high school friend as well as one of Disney's first-ever signatures. Auctioneers say the item could sell for somewhere between $50,000 and $75,000.
It's believed Disney had the sketch book with him during his time in Europe, and a description of the item states that the illustrations give 'a fantastic look into the young mind of Walt and include political and societal commentary'
Another item dating back to 1918 is a postcard penned by Disney during his time in France. The front of the postcard features a photo of the young animator - who was aged just 16 at the time
A signed letter typed out by the animator one Walt Disney Studios stationary back in 1941 could sell for $10,000
Meanwhile, a signed letter typed out by the animator one Walt Disney Studios stationary back in 1941 could sell for $10,000.
Van Eaton Gallery has previously put on a number of Disney auctions, with rich and famous figures snapping up the animator's artifacts.
According to San Francisco Gate, John Stamos once bought a Dumbo ride car from Disneyland, while Neil Patrick Harris snapped up sketches.
However, Disney lovers need not part with thousands of dollars in order to score an incredible item.
Gallery owner Mike Van Eaton says its often impossible to predict what some items will sell for, meaning there could be a bargain in the midst.
'We've had pieces in these auctions that we thought would go for $2,000, that went for $50,000, and we've had pieces in these auctions that we thought would go for $50,000 that didn't sell at all,' he told San Francisco Gate.
Vintage canned goods dating back to the 1940s and featuring Donald Duck are set to sell for $100
A Mickey Mouse badge from 1932 has a starting bid of $400
An enamel pin of Mickey Mouse from 1932 could fetch around $600. 10 bidders are currently competing on the item
Some items have a starting bid of just $50, including old collectibles from Disney's theme parks.
Other objects are a little more expensive, and date back to the early years of Walt Disney Studios, which was founded in 1923.
A Pinocchio wind-up tin toy released in 1939 has a starting bid of $100. Donald Duck canned goods are set to sell for a similar price.
Meanwhile, a Mickey Mouse badge from 1932 has a starting bid of $400, while an enamel pin featuring the famous rodent which dates back to the same year could fetch around $600. 10 bidders are currently competing for the item.
A Pinocchio wind-up tin toy released in 1939 has a starting bid of $100