Haunted Mansion History For Sale!

More items today from the upcoming December 7th Van Eaton Galleries History of Disneyland auction. This post is for the Haunted Mansion nuts (of which I am one!). Anyone interested in an original Haunted Mansion Model Ghost Maquette?

An incredibly rare 1969 maquette of a pop-up ghost from the original model of Disneyland's Haunted Mansion. This rare artifact was rescued by an Imagineer working at WED when the model was dismantled. The haunting figure is constructed of plaster, fabric, and hair over a metal spring that was attached to the model. Measuring 3.5" tall





Haunted Mansion Door Knocker Prop, c.1970s-80s. An original prop door knocker from Disneyland's Haunted Mansion. The prop is cast in metal so that when animated (through a small hole in the mount) it would create a realistic "knocking" sound. The prop is a functional and exceptionally rare artifact from the attraction's iconic Corridor of Doors. Measuring 7"x4.75" and 3" deep.









Are you a Grim Grinning Ghost fan?



How about some original Grim Grinning Ghosts Sheet Music?

An original 1969 vocal lead sheet used by actor Ernie Newton while performing the vocals for the Beheaded Knight within the Haunted Mansion. This sheet music is for the iconic theme song Grim Grinning Ghosts, and has many handwritten notes and changes throughout from its original use, which helped Newton in this memorable performance. This incredibly rare sheet music is an astounding artifact in the history of the Haunted Mansion. Measuring 13"x19" when opened.









This next auction is listed as an original Haunted Mansion Stretching Portrait.

An original c.1969-70s hand-painted stretching portrait on canvas used within Disneyland's Haunted Mansion attraction. As the elevator descends, the portraits would "stretch" to reveal their full image. However, the consistent "stretching" would eventually cause some wear to the canvas, and these portraits would need to be replaced. In the early years of the attraction, the portraits were all hand-painted with imagery designed by Imagineer Marc Davis, whereas later versions were printed. This stretching portrait depicts the man standing on a barrel of dynamite. The canvas measures 130"x35" and the portrait is in very good condition with some wear from use. These portraits are exceptionally rare and sought-after artifacts from the earliest years of the Haunted Mansion.

While it appears to be an original Mansion-used portrait, it is definitely not an original Marc Davis. Here’s a vintage shot from December 1969. Compare and contrast, folks!



Set of 3 1960s Haunted Mansion Changing Portrait Concepts.

A set of original concepts by Imagineer Ed Kohn for a series of changing portraits to be used within Disneyland's Haunted Mansion. The set includes an original painting in acrylic and marker on art board, and two pencil drawings on art paper. The two drawings appear to be early renderings for Guy Fawkes, who was originally planned to be included as a talking portrait rather than a changing portrait. These concepts range in size from the smallest 8.75"x8.5" painting to the largest 11"x8.75" drawing.



Are you Mansioned out? Want to bid? Check out the upcoming Van Eaton Gallery auction for yourself!

See more Disneyland Haunted Mansion photos at my main website.

April at Disneyland: The Haunted Mansion

Join me as I journey through the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland for approximately the gazillionth time. Give or take a few times. The crowds were still fairly low, so we walked right on to the attraction.



I was positioned to get shots of Alexander Nitrokoff…





and the Tightrope Girl:





Wouldn't you love to be able to see this guy up close?



Our Doombuggy stopped in the Corridor; unfortunately, it wasn't near anything really neat that I could get a good photo of.



Leota was floating again, now that Jack Skellington is gone.



Besides the Cemetery tableaus, the Ballroom is one of the top scenes I would love to walk around in and explore in person.



Up in the attic, Constance's husbands were losing their heads.



Note the animated shadow on the right, playing the piano.



This poorly done faux animatronic really needs to go.



Thematically, it doesn't fit the Claude Coats portions nor the Marc Davis ones.



Looking back as the Doombuggy leaves the attic, this is what you see.



Now here's a properly done projection effect:



Excellent every time!



I swear the Mansion was darker than usual; still, I was able to get some semi-decent shots of the cemetery.





NEXT: PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN!

See more vintage & current Daveland Disneyland Haunted Mansion photos on my main website.

Vintage Haunted Mansion Tour

Today's post is an assembly of some early Haunted Mansion photos I have managed to acquire that were taken by one guest on December 7, 1969 (other than the initial vintage publicity image of the exterior). Prepare to take a trip through the past as you ride in your Doom Buggy and see what the Mansion was like in its initial incarnation. Enjoy!

The most exciting find for me was these original Marc Davis inspired Stretch Portrait images:







I have included a previously published vintage color shot of Constance from my collection:



I am still missing a vintage shot of the Tightrope Girl. One of these days...

Moving onto the Conservatory, here are three vintage shots of the creepy hands pushing up the coffin lid; one of my favorite scenes!







Madame Leota: stationary but still very effective!



Bless the photographer's heart; he attempted a ballroom shot!



Those pop-up ghosts get me every time!



Unfortunately, the camera flash pretty much obliterates the projection effect of the Grim Grinning Ghosts:



The raven, who was initially intended to be a narrator for this attraction, sits silent above the exit of the cemetery:



Two shots of Little Leota:





See more vintage & current Disneyland Haunted Mansion photos on my Haunted Mansion web page.

TPE: Vintage Haunted Mansion Tour

Welcome Foolish Mortals! You have arrived at The Haunted Mansion BEFORE it was open. I would need to make two trips to my favorite attraction, as I would definitely want to see it under construction as well as be able to ride through it.







Even the pre-opening signage is fascinating to detail-nerds like me:



And in not-so-living color:



Everyone here is just dying to get in:



One of the highlights of a vintage attraction trip to the Mansion would be to see Marc Davis' original stretch-portraits:









Obviously, the person who took this vintage view of Leota used a flash. They must not have listened very well to the Ghost Host.



Three shots from the original film clip of Leota Toombs:



Oh how I love the ballroom, and especially the sound of the organ playing "Grim Grinning Ghosts" as a lilting waltz:











These little guys scare the bejesus out of me:



The frightened caretaker and his quivering dog are an initial warning to guests about to enter the cemetery:



















What a rarity; vintage shots of Little Leota. Once again, her face is obliterated by the camera's flash:





Stepping back a few years, the exit of the attraction before it was opened:



A reminder that the Indian Village was nearby:



See more vintage & current Disneyland Haunted Mansion attraction photos on my Haunted Mansion web page.