Looking Back: Family Vacation

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The sculpture in this blog entry (Donald, Daisy, Huey, Dewey and Louie) marks their second time in my collection. Due to an unfortunate accident when having our house painted a couple years ago, this sculpture broke beyond repair.

Thankfully I had it covered by insurance. Both reporting and resolving the claim went smoothly but at the time of the accident, this sculpture was beginning to become harder and harder to find amongst retailers. I decided to put the money aside with the hopes of one day locating another and once again, having in my collection.

Two years later, I'm happy to report, I was able to find one! The replacement sculpture arrived this past week.

Being a Duck Fan, it's probably a no-brainer this is one that I would like (and have in my collection) but after taking Mary & Amanda on their 1st visit to Disneyland® last summer, it held a special meaning for me and put me on the hunt to locate another.

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This piece evokes great memories for me of that trip, seeing the park through their eyes for the first time and time spent with good friends.  

The sculpture depicts Donald's classic red roadster (inspired by the auto seen in the last Donald Duck theatrical cartoon produced to date, 'The Litterbug') complete with Donald's famous '313' license plate and Donald Duck hood ornament (pictured at right). Coloration of Donald's license plate (see below) was based on research of California license plates of that era. 

The scultpure also includes nostalgic 1950's Davy Crockett 'coon skin cap and Mickey Mouse Ears worn by the nephews and a Disneyland® pennant!

"Family Vacation" (a Numbered Limited Edition (NLE) of 1,500) was sculpted by Bruce Lau, making its debut at Disneyland® Resort in July 2005 and then released to all other retailers in late August and September that same year.

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'A New Chapter' Ends with the Latest Sell-Through Announced by Enesco, LLC

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Today, Enesco announced the recent sell-through of Belle & Beast from Disney's Beauty and the Beast.


As Belle, dressed in her wintertime finery, and the Beast pause by the cozy fire, their friends smile as a new and warm relationship between their cursed master and his beautiful visitor blossoms.


'A New Chapter Begins,' a Numbered Limited Edition (NLE) of 1,500 released in November 2009 was sculpted by Dusty Horner.

Please contact your Authorized Walt Disney Classics Collection Retailer for availability.

Looking Back: The Pegasus Family

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Do you find a piece is announced/released and it seems to keep getting put on the back burner?  That was the case for me with The Pegasus Family from Fantasia.

I'm a late bloomer when it comes to Fantasia. Thanks to friends who are rabid fans, I've gained an appreciation for the film. Add to that, the Walt Disney Classics Collection has released some of their best pieces from this film. In a relatively short time, now with the addition of the Pegasus Family, my Fantasia Collection is complete!

I've only seen this piece once in person but really didn't get to study it very well.  I unpacked it when it arrived earlier this week to make sure it arrived safely and today finally took the time to study (and appreciate) this sculpture.

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This sculpture is crying for a rotating base to fully appreciate the sculpting and artistry of this piece.  In viewing the initial photos, thought the color of the tree branch and foliage was a bit garish. In person, the coloring is more muted and pleasing to the eye.  

In viewing the additional images below (and at right), note the underside of the Mother's wing.  I like the two-tone coloring and amazes me how someone was able to paint that as they did, given the area they had to work with. This is what has always set the Walt Disney Classics Collection apart from other collectibles, the attention to detail!

I also like how each Pegasi have their own individual personality and how Kent sculpted the Mother's wing, protecting her young child.

Special Note: I used natural light in these photos, for those who appreciate seeing the sculptures in a home setting. Even in these pictures, the red foilage in the tree came across much darker vs. in person.

The Pegasus Family ("Mythic Menagerie"), sculpted by Kent Melton was a Numbered Limited Edition (NLE) of 500, released in June 2010. 

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Looking Back: Opening Titles

When the Walt Disney Classics Collection released a new scene, many collectors anticipated the release of an Opening Title.

The Opening Title featured actual artwork from the opening credits of each film and/or animated short. They are a three-dimensional representation of the opening title sequence (made to look like a film reel). The artwork was pulled from the Disney Archives and replicated to create the opening film title as pictured in some of the opening titles featured at right.

To date, with each animated short retired, the opening title was retired as well except for Trick or Treat, Silly Symphonies and Mickey's Christmas Carol (all suspended as of 12-31-12). Not so with the film releases. Song of the South and The Three Caballeros are the only film title opening titles that were retired.

Timeless Treasures and Modern Masterpieces films where an opening title had not been released included Saludos Amigos, Make Mine Music, Fun and Fancy Free, Melody Time, Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad, The Many Adventures of Winnie-the-Pooh, The Fox and the Hound, The Great Mouse Detective, Pocahontas, The Emperor's New Groove, The Tigger Movie, Atlantis, Chicken Little and The Princess and The Frog.

Live Action Films included The Reluctant Dragon, Swiss Family Robinson, The Love Bug and Pete's Dragon. A Bug's Life and Up) are the only releases from Disney/Pixar Films that do not have an opening title. 

Cartoon Classics, not withstanding those shorts with a single sculpture release, Donald Gets Drafted, Good Scouts, Hawaiian Holiday, Mickey's Gala Premiere, Mickey's Orphans, Runaway Brain, Steamboat Willie and Thru the Mirror were the only animated shorts with more than one sculpt released that did not include an opening title as part of the release (or at a later date).

I personally like the Opening Titles and where I have a film or short represented in my collection, I have always picked up the opening title as well. I like them for both the beauty of the artwork depicted on the film reel and what they add to a scene. When I have multiple scenes from a film and they're displayed in various cabinets, I will pick up additional titles as they add something to a scene plus a helpful hint to family and friends not always familiar with the film.

Opening Titles seemed to become less popular in recent years, hence many of the releases over the past few years, an Opening Title was not made available.

Insuring Your Collection

At some point, each Disney fan becomes a collector of some sort over time.  Be it 2D art, porcelain collectibles, pins and/or vinyls to name a few.

You’ve searched and searched, did a lot of research, spent a lot of your hard-earned money and now you finally have a collection you’re proud of. The last thing you want to happen is for something to happen to your collection due to fire, theft or an accident. 

Should anything happen to your collection (be it one item or multiple items), you need to make sure you protect your investment. With the proper insurance, you can enjoy your collection and sleep soundly at night.

If you already have homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, you may feel pretty safe, but most policies cover only household goods, such as televisions, stereo equipment and jewelry but may take a different view towards your collection of Disney memorabilia. Even with insurance, it would be wise to check with your provider and discuss a “collectibles floater” which is a separate document allowing you to declare that the things listed on the floater are greater than the value they originally sold for.  In some cases, such as your collection being worth more than $2,000, your insurance provider may require you to start an additional policy that covers collectibles. Check with your provider to make sure they offer this service.

However, keep in mind that this coverage will still probably be limited to the usual coverage enjoyed by your household goods but what happens if you’re shipping a rare figure to a collector across the country and it disappears? Or what if your figures are damaged during a move? For that, you may need a policy with a bit more kick.  You want to make sure you policy covers the following:

• Breakage
• Fire
• Flooding & Natural Disasters
• Theft

Don’t be surprised if the insurance agencies don’t take your word on what your collection is worth.  Although you may find a better understanding from a specialist agency, most insurance companies are not knowledgeable about the collectible market.  Contact your insurance company and see if they offer a policy that will cover collectibles and if not, there are various companies out there that specifically handle collectibles insurance.

Once your collection is appraised and insured, it’s more important than ever to keep your figures stored properly and maintained.  Maintaining your collection will insure that your collectibles will keep their condition rating and collectible value.

This seems like a lot of work for a bunch of pins, vinyl figures and/or porcelain figurines (which some may call knickknacks) but insuring your collection is just one of the many steps you can take to build an enjoyable collection that keeps its collectible value, not to mention how much they mean to you.

Looking Back: Pumbaa & Timon

The Walt Disney Collectors Society introduced a new Members Only offering in 1999, a Scene Completer.  A scene was announced and one of the pieces within the scene was available to active Society Members only.

In 1999, a scene from The Lion King was released that included Simba ("Simba's Pride"), Nala ("Nala's Joy"), Rafiki ("The Circle Continues"), Zazu ("Major Domo"), an Opening Title and Pumbaa & Timon ("Double Trouble").  

Simba, Nala, Rafiki and the Opening Title were Open Edition releases, Zazu was Limited to Production Year 1999 and Pumbaa & Timon were available to active Society Members from 05/01/99 - 04/30/00.

Though a good film, The Lion King isn't one of my favorites and prefer Simba and Nala younger vs. adults, so initially passed on this scene at the time of its release.

My only representation from this film consisted of Mufasa & Simba (1995 Tribute Series release), Timon (1998 Membership Gift) and the Opening Title.  During the 20th Anniversary Reunion Weekend a few weeks ago, I purchased the Watering Hole Scene (2003 Numbered Limited Edition set) consisting of Simba, Nala, Zazu and Watering Hole Base sculpted by Patrick Romandy-Simmons.  14 years later, the time had come to finally search out Pumbaa & Timon to compliment the Watering Hole Scene and have Pumbaa represented in my collection.

Pumbaa & Timon were sculpted by Kent Melton.  I hadn't seen this piece in person in years.  It's a really great sculpt that could easily stand on its own.  Love the pose chosen, the expression on Pumbaa's face and the detail in the Timon miniature.  Unfortunately for now, both the Watering Hole Scene and Pumbaa & Timon will remain in their Green Box Prison until we settle on a new curio that will allow us more display space to finally get my Lion King pieces on display.

In the meantime, the thrill of the hunt has been a lot of fun the past few weeks seeking out these older pieces we initially passed on.

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Disney Interactive Announces "Disney's Planes" Video Game

TAKE TO THE SKIES WITH “DISNEY’S PLANES”

VIDEO GAME

High-Flying Adventure Game Inspired by Upcoming Disney Film

Available Exclusively for Nintendo Platforms this Summer

Star-Studded Talent Lend their Voices to In-Game Characters

 

BURBANK, Calif. — (April 10, 2013) – Disney Interactive today announced that “Disney’s Planes,” a flying adventure video game inspired by the upcoming Disney animated comedy adventure film, will be available exclusively for Nintendo platforms including the Wii™ and Wii U™ systems as well as the Nintendo 3DS™ and Nintendo DS™ handheld devices on August 6th, just a few days prior to the film’s August 9th opening in theaters nationwide.  The game will expand beyond the storyline of “Disney’s Planes,” offering players the opportunity to enjoy the thrill of flight as one of the popular characters from the film.

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From above the world of “Cars,” “Disney’s Planes” video game takes players on a high-flying, action-packed, fun-filled adventure with Dusty, a big-hearted, speed-loving crop duster who is voiced by actor and comedian Dane Cook.

Players will take to the skies with Dusty and other characters, including Ishani, voiced by actress Priyanka Chopra; Echo, voiced by actor Anthony Edwards; and Bravo, voiced by actor Val Kilmer, as they embark on global missions, air races and grand adventures around the world.

In “Disney’s Planes” video game, players travel through breathtaking environments and play as one of 10 cast of characters on console and one of 6 cast of characters on handheld in either single-player, on all platforms or race against one another in two-player drop-in and drop-out gameplay on console.  

Players will roll, turn and loop their way through mission-based objectives in exciting modes of play including a narrative based Story mode and a score-based mini-game that challenges the player’s precision flying skills called Balloon Pop.  The exploratory Free Flight mode and racing based Air Rallies mode are exclusive to the consoles and the objective achieving Challenge mode is only offered via the handheld platforms.

“Disney’s Planes” video game is currently rated ‘E’ for Everyone by the ESRB.  For additional information about the video game, please visit the official site at http://www.disney.com/planesvideogame and like “Disney’s Planes” on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/disneyplanes.

Wii and 3DS Screenshots

About The Movie
From above the world of “Cars” comes “Disney’s Planes,” an action-packed 3D animated comedy adventure featuring Dusty (voice of Dane Cook), a plane with dreams of competing as a high-flying air racer. But Dusty’s not exactly built for racing—and he happens to be afraid of heights. So he turns to a seasoned naval aviator who helps Dusty qualify to take on the defending champ of the race circuit. Dusty’s courage is put to the ultimate test as he aims to reach heights he never dreamed possible, giving a spellbound world the inspiration to soar. “Disney’s Planes” takes off in theaters on Aug. 9, 2013. For more information, check out Disney.com/Planes, like us on Facebook: facebook.com/DisneyPlanes and follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/DisneyPictures.

Meet The Characters

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Looking Back: Mice in Basket & Tiny Tailors

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My previous blog entry looked back at Cinderella's Dress Mannequin and Dress.  Keeping with a Cinderella theme, this entry looks back at the Mice in Basket and the Tiny Tailors.

Mice in Basket ("Surprise!"), sculpted by Chris Peterson was an Open Edition release, released in February, 2005 (retired August, 2007) as part of a scene consisting of Cinderella, Lucifer and the Dress Mannequin.

Gus & Jaq ("Tiny Tailors"), sculpted by Jacqueline Perreault Gonzales was an Open Edition release, released in February, 2006 (retired December, 2012) as an add-on to the Cinderella Scene released the year before.  Something I liked that the WDCC did, was to periodically add new releases to add and/or compliment an existing scene.  

The basket was made of resin, the mice bronze (in both releases) and the measuring tape pewter.  Mary is a huge fan of miniatures and not really sure why we didn't pick up both these pieces at the time of their release.  

Gus & Jaq were very easy to find but was giving up hope on the Mice in Basket.  A special thanks to Kenneth at Enchanted Gardens Florist & Gifts for locating one for us.  It was the first time that we saw this piece in person (Mice in Basket) and was simply blown away by the detail of it, from each of the mice faces (love the sleepy-eyed look of the mouse standing on the scissors), to the contents of the sewing basket and how the sewing tape is draped around the one mouse's neck.  It really makes you appreciate the artistry of miniatures and the level of detail that the Walt Disney Classics Collection put into these.

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