The Haunted Mansion is one of the Disney theme parks’ most enduring and beloved attractions, ever since it first opened its doors way back in August of 1969. One of the ride’s most beloved features since its first day is the “stretching” room. Of course, it is actually the elevator that takes you down to the actual attraction. The room showcases several portraits that morph from innocent scenes into more comically macabre paintings. It’s the first indication of the mix of funny and spooky the mansion excels at.
And now, hardcore Haunted Mansion fans will have the chance to purchase some of the original stretching portraits. We’re talking the real art from the Disneyland ride. You just need a few hundred thousand dollars at your disposal. Via Bloody-Disgusting, we’ve learned that the esteemed Van Eaton Galleries have just announced an enormous auction of items from both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Among the many items are not just the original portraits, but also the original sheet music for the “Grim Grinning Ghosts” song, vintage concept art for the mansion, and an original silk-screened attraction poster.
The Walt Disney Company
The second portrait up for auction if from Walt Disney World. This one is of a little old lady holding a rose. She then reveals herself to be something far more sinister. Seems she offed her poor husband George in a rather gruesome way, judging from the ax sticking out of his head. I’m just guessing, he’s probably one of the singing busts in the graveyard scene at the end of the ride. They’re all just heads without bodies too, just like ol’ George. Both of these portraits will start bidding around the $100,000 range.
The Walt Disney Company
For hardcore Disney collectors and fans, this auction will make available several vintage items spanning six decades. There will be props and concept art from other legendary attractions like Pirates of the Caribbean, the Enchanted Tiki Room, It’s a Small World, the Indiana Jones Adventure and many, many more.
The new Disney+ series The Imagineering Story tells the origin stories of a lot of the items that will be up for auction in much greater detail. We imagine that with the popularity of this new show detailing the incredible work of Walt Disney Imagineering over the years, even more fans than ever before will want some of these pieces of living history.
The two day auction will take place in two separate sessions, starting with Disneyland on Saturday, December 7. This will be followed up by Disney World on Sunday, December 8. A public exhibition began on November 12, and will end on December 6.
Images: Walt Disney Company
