Unprecedented Piece Of Disney History To Hit Auction Block This Weekend
SHERMAN OAKS (CBSLA.com) — A rare piece of Disney history is expected to fetch quite a price when it hits the auction block this weekend.
The items include a 1955 plot plan of Disneyland, handwritten manuals, and blueprints of the famous railroad.
They belonged to Don Rake, who passed away eight years ago. He had drawn the plans.
"He had told me about having drawn them and having worked at Disneyland before they opened," said Beulah Rake, his widow. "So, he was kind of in on the beginnings of it."
Don was an engineer, contracted by Disney to help get the railroad running. She thought a Disney fan may enjoy them so a friend helped her post an ad online.
"I think I probably would have sold them for about $1,000," Rake said.
Six years later, Disney collector Kevin Hicks of Dana Point stumbled upon the ad.
"It said, 'I've got some Disney railroad memorabilia.' Well, a six-year-old post isn't worth much but I decided to follow up anyway," he said.
The two met and upon seeing the plot plan and documents, Hicks knew he was looking at an unprecedented piece of Disney history.
"I was just amazed at what I saw, a little bit disappointed because I knew I could never afford them and told her that day she was sitting on a gold mine," he said.
"I had no idea until Kevin told me what he actually had found out they were worth. I was bowled over because I had no idea," Rake said.
Hicks connected her with Mike Van Eaton of Van Eaton Galleries in Sherman Oaks, who specializes in animation art and auctions.
"This was one of those times where you go, 'Wow, where did this come from? How can this exist,' " he said.
He estimates the collection is worth $20,000 to $30,000. He was amazed with the rare plot plan, the handwritten train manual, and even identification cards.
"Pretty rare," he said. "Like I said, I've never seen another one. Pre-opening stuff is unheard of. It's a huge piece of Disney history. This is all about the building of Disneyland. This was a gentleman who, at the last minute, just a few months before the park was opened was calling. They said, 'Hey, we need help.' "
Don Rake did the work at his kitchen table at night and already had a job when Disney offered him one.
The items will be part of a live and online Disney auction Saturday.
"Whoever gets these, I really hope enjoys them and appreciates them for what they are," Rake said.