Rare Early Disney Photos Go to Auction at Van Eaton Galleries

Rare and never-before-seen original photographs of Walt Disney have been unearthed and will head to the auction block at Van Eaton Galleries & Auctions, offering an unprecedented chance for collectors and Disney fans to own an exclusive look at the man behind the mouse early in his career.

Van Eaton Galleries — which specializes in animation art, Disneyana and pop culture — shares that many of these incredibly rare photos have notes on the reverse hand-written by Walt himself.

“These original photos are one-of-a-kind items and give us a look into the beginnings of the Walt Disney Studio, and the young Walt Disney that started it all. Nothing like this exists in private hands, as these are truly part of American pop culture history,” says Mike Van Eaton, Co-Founder of Van Eaton Galleries & Auctions.

These collection of photos, including candid snaps of Walt Disney on his honeymoon, were taken in the early 1920s and mailed to Walt’s friend, the legendary composer Carl Stalling — who gave Walt the idea for Silly Symphonies.

These lots even include rare family moments, including Walt and Roy Disney using their first movie camera in the front yard of their uncle’s house in Los Angeles, where the Disney Studio was born.

The historical artifacts are part of the estate of animation legend Bob Clampett, who was also a close friend of Stalling. Many other artifacts from the estate along with the rare photos will be up for auction in March of 2025.

Celebrating 30 years in business, Van Eaton galleries runs a retail gallery featuring production drawings and collectibles that is open to the public as well as major catalog and online auctions.

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