First Retirement of 2009!

The first retirement for 2009 is Scrooge McDuck ("A Pool of Riches"). This sculpture (richly plussed with (brass, acrylic, gold metallic paint and pewter) captures Uncle Scrooge as he dives around his money like a porpoise - just as he does in the classic comic book stories by Disney artist Carl Barks.

An Open Edition release (June, 2004) sculpted by Bruce Lau, included a lithograph of the Carl Barks comic art from the classic "Only a Poor Old Man" from the first issue of Uncle Scrooge comic released in 1952 (pictured at right).

It was the first story with Scrooge McDuck as its main character (he had already made his debut as a supporting character in "Christmas on Bear Mountain"). The story was published in 1952 and is one of the most reprinted Uncle Scrooge comics.

Special Update (02-04-09): Scrooge McDuck ("A Pool of Riches") is now sold out at the Enesco warehouse. Please check with your authorized dealer for availability.

Disney Theme Parks Announce New Haunted Mansion Release!

In honor of the Haunted Mansion's upcoming 40th Anniversary, the Disneyland® Resort will be hosting a Haunted Mansion Event on 09-09-09.

The event will include the Walt Disney Classics Collection two-piece sculpture set of the Organ Player and Organ (click on image at left), presented in a Numbered Limited Edition (NLE) of only 500 pieces. Faithfully recreating this spirited musician and instrument from the famed ghost-bound abode attraction, Disney artists have referenced original attraction models and designs to bring to life the Organ Player and Organ sculpted by Dusty Horner.

Of the 5oo edition size, only 300 pieces will be on hand at the Disneyland® Resort, the remaining quantity will be released at WALT DISNEY WORLD® Resort to be announced at a later date.

Additional information on the upcoming event, merchandise offerings,
package and itinerary offerings can be found at Disneygallery.com.

Celebrate the 40th Anniversary of this most foreboding domain by making this spirit-bound musician part of your unearthly collection. For additional reading, be sure to check out an earlier blog entry, The History of the Haunted Mansion plus check out concept drawing of the Organ Player and Organ done by Ruben Procopio at his blog, Masked Avenger Studios.

I would like to thank Jason and Matthew for passing along this information. Thanks Guys!

A New Year ...

Hope everyone's New Year is off to a great start! Being an accountant, mine is busy as usual with year-end, opening the new year in addition to taking down holiday decorations, getting Amanda back to school and spending as much free time as I can with my latest passion/obsession, collecting Disney Pixar diecast cars from Cars .. LOL! This takes me back to when younger collecting Matchbox with my brother .. good times and having just as much fun this time around!

Onto WDCC News & Updates:

2009 Membership Kits: For those on auto-ship with their Society memberships, those have already shipped and starting to arrive in homes and kits are also starting to arrive at Authorized WDCC Dealers as well.

Special Note: Included with dealer information for 2009, it was noted that Dumbo from The Mickey Mouse Club had a status change. When originally released, he was listed as an Open Edition release. His status was changed to Limited to Production Year 2008. Check with your dealer for availability.

Decided today to get some much needed updates to the website, adding some additional angles (Elizabeth Swann & Will Turner) and first quarter releases to the Secondary Guide.

Clicking on the image at right, you'll find additional angles for both Elizabeth Swann and Will Turner have been added to the presentation page. Will Turner is an Open Edition release and Elizabeth Swann is a Numbered Limited Edition (NLE) of 1,000. Both were sculpted by Joel Harlow and scheduled for a February 2009 release along with an Opening Title.

For your added viewing pleasure, Ruben Procopio has added concept drawings for both Elizabeth Swann and Will Turner on his blog, Masked Avenger Studios. Be sure to click on each concept drawing for a larger view.