Walt Disney Classic Collectibles History
Introduction
The Walt Disney Classics Collection premiered at the South Bend Collectible Show in July 1992. The Collection is the first time that the Disney Company has produced on their own a line of Disney figurines. In the past, Disney had licensed other companies to produce Disney figures.
The Disney team spent three years in research to study the old classics characters and decide the best pose and method to sculpt them. Disney carefully designed each figure so that the final sculpture looks like the original character in the movie. For example, in sculpting Mickey in the Delivery Boy, Disney wanted to make him look like the way he appeared in the original short. The team wanted to make his arms and legs look like rubber hoses. It caused production difficulty, but the final result looks very authentic. These treasured pieces would bring joy to you and your family for years to come.
Making the Sculptures
The Classics Collection started in 1992 with three scenes, Bambi, Cinderella, and Fantasia's Sorcerer Apprentice. Many other series have since been introduced. For a listing of the sculptures. Some figurines are limited, and some have been retired. Some of these figurines have risen high on the secondary market.
The figurines are made of porcelain, and the process is similar to that use to make Hummel figurines. Individual pieces are molded, put together, and fired in an oven. Then they are painted and fired again.
Each figurine is marked on the bottom, signifying the year it was produced. The marks represent significant milestones in Disney history. The figurines with the first year mark are usually the most desirable.
Enchanted Places
In 1995 Disney launched the Enchanted Places, background scenes from the most popular animated films. In 1996 Disney introduced accessories to the Enchanted Places, miniatures figures sure to win everyone's hearts. The miniature figurines are designed by world renown miniature artist Robert Olszewski.
Collectors Society
In January 1993, Disney introduced the Walt Disney Collectors Society. This Society has grown to over 50,000 members. When a collector joins the Society, he or she gets a free figurine. The member also receives a free subscription to the quarterly magazine Sketches, newsletters, opportunities to buy a members-only figurines, folio, cloisonne pin, and membership card. Each membership cost $55; renewal costs $49. To join the Society, call (800)932-5749 or buy an instant membership kit from a WDCC dealer.
The quality and appreciating values of the limited editions have attracted large number collectors. Collectors are reminded of their youth and their love for the Disney characters. Each collector has a story to tell about his or her collection. The collection has grown to be a hot collectible today.
Walt Disney Classics Collection Signature Marks
Each Walt Disney Classics Collection sculpture bears a backstamp with Walt Disney's signature and production year mark.
The marks symbolize major milestones in Disney history. A production mark represents the calender year during which the particular piece is made. Individual sculptures of an open edition piece may carry different marks when production continues
over the years.
For the first production year 1992, the Walt Disney Classics Collection featured a steamboat wheel mark. The wheel honors Mickey Mouse's debut in Steamboat Willie (1928). This first mark is the most desired by collectors.
The 1993 production mark is a treble clef. The clef symbolizes the music in the Academy Award winning Silly Symphonies. In them, Walt explored and expanded the artistic, technical and emotional range of animation
The 1994 mark is a dancing flower. The flower represents Disney's Flowers and Trees (1932). This animated short is the first color cartoon ever created and won the first Academy Award for Disney.
The 1995 mark is a trowel. The trowel was used by Practical Pig in the Academy Award winning 1933 cartoon, Three Little Pigs. The short was a highpoint in character development and introduced the song, "Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf," which was the first hit song for Disney.
The 1996 mark is a sailor's hat. The hat represents Donald Duck's on-screen debut in The Wise Little Hen (1934). "Who? Me? Oh, no, I've got a bellyache" With these eight words, the worlds most quick tempered duck was born.
The 1997 mark is a music stand. The stand represents Mickey Mouse's first color cartoon The Band Concert (1935). The cartoon is renowned for its superb character animation of band leader Mickey and mischievous peanut vendor Donald Duck.
The 1998 mark is the pickax. The Dwarfs' diamond mining tool helps celebrate the Diamond (70th) Anniversary of the Walt Disney Company.
