Rare 1957 First Concept of Disneyland Haunted Mansion by Ken Anderson

You may know that, originally, the Haunted Mansion ride was supposed to be a walk-through instead than the ride we know using Omnimovers. Well, Heritage Auctions put on sale a rare and fascinating original 1957 document that we thought we would never see, prepared by Ken Anderson at the request of Walt for a Haunted Mansion first concept of what Disneyland's "spook house" might be. It’s also interesting to note that, back in 1957, the “New Orleans” style for the exterior of the mansion was already chosen.

And, as this was done in 1957 more than ten years before Disneyland Haunted Mansion opened it seems to still be the "walk-through" concept which is depicted here. Have a look below at the images from the auction page ( make sure to click on each to see them in big size ) and for those of you interested to bid, jump HERE, bidding starts at $1600.

The Haunted House/Haunted Mansion Disneyland Notes and Plans Group (Walt Disney, 1957):
Here is one of the single most important lots we have ever offered in relation to Disneyland. After reviewing a Ghost House in one of Harper Goff's original concept sketches, Walt Disney gave the idea of a Ghost House to Ken Anderson. Mr. Anderson and Mr. Disney then visited the "Winchester Mystery House" in San Jose California. Walt asked Ken Anderson to create a story for a theme park haunted house. This is the group of extensive hand-typed notes and preliminary plans for a Disneyland "Haunted House." It is in a soft binder with a label that reads, "2nd Revision September 17 'The Haunted House' By Ken Anderson." This has his notes from the Winchester House visit, with his entire 24-page story for the attraction. The binder has a two-page table of contents and a spec page for the Winchester House. Also included are two small sheets with his notes on the Winchester House dimensions. Also included, a folded 30" x 18" architectural drawing print of the inside of the proposed ride. Print reads Ken Anderson 9/2/57. This plan is loose. The Front Elevation plan is in the last page of the binder and is a fold-out. Minor handling, edge wear and folds to two architectural plans. Good condition.

Pictures; copyright Heritage Auctions

The new " Jungle Book " luxury edition is simply Gorgeous !

Anyone who loved Disney's great animated classic "The Jungle Book" will be in heaven with Pierre Lambert new gorgeous opus. Pierre Lambert is the author of the previous luxury books "Pinnochio", "Snow White", and "Mickey Mouse" all of them existing in english edition. This new one, published by french renown publisher Editions de la Martinière has its text in french only - that's why the title on the cover is "Le Livre de la Jungle".

Although Pierre Lambert's text is extremely interesting this only-french-version must not stop you to order the book as most of the 237 pages of the book are purely visuals. And what a great artwork! From Ken Anderson and Bill Peet first sketches to the stunning background by Albert Dempster, the book tells the full story of the creation of one of Walt Disney's most beloved classic. You'll find not less than 250 never seen before artwork coming from Walt Disney Animation Research Library and private collections: cellos, layouts, modelsheets, story-boards and preliminary studies, and many more. Let's have a look to some of them.

Here is a watercolour and china ink preliminary study from Ken Anderson showing Mowgli and Baloo...



...and a great cello upon background painting showing Mowgli walking in the Jungle (double-click on the image to see it in big).



You'll find also in the book rare story-board sketches like these below...







...or great colour sketches like this one for Baloo...



...or these colour sketch and modelsheet for King Louis...





...or Shere Kahn.





Of course, the book is full of great cellos like this one from the Bear Necessities sequence...



...or beautiful background paintings...



...or both of them together like these cellos on background painting of the King Louis temple scene (double-click on the image to see it in big).



And when i will tell you that the printing of this 13" x 13" book - which comes in a box - is absolutely stunning you'll understand that this Jungle Book luxury edition - definitely the best book ever published on the movie - would be a perfect Christmas gift to any super-fan of this animated classic. For now, the best price is 95 euros on Amazon ( $142 ) which, i agree, may look a bit expensive but believe me the book definitely worth each cent of the 142 dollars! Fantastic book, really!




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All pictures: copyright 2009 Disney