Disney Memorabilia

The world of Disney collectables is an immense one that spans farther than one person can comprehend.  Even the niche collectors, like someone who may focus on Alice in Wonderland memorabilia, could spend their lifetime accumulating unique pieces and yet barely represent 10 percent of the available inventory.  Thus, when we hear someone say that they collect Disney memorabilia, it is always followed with the question of what kind.  Even though it is unfair to separate collectors into only two categories, I have found that there are two general types of Disney collectors; those that seek vintage Disney items, and the collector of modern pieces.  I have loosely defined the two types below.

The vintage Disney collector typically focuses on pieces that were produced and distributed prior to the 1966 death of Walt Disney.  These collectors are sometimes labeled as hardcore purists who shun the Disney works created after this period.  While it is extreme to categorize this group as tyrants, one can certainly appreciate their love for the founding period of Disney.  Collectibles in this time period are much rarer and can command significant prices.   Because the market for these pieces is so competitive, it is harder to find deals and uncovered treasures.  Nonetheless, the vintage Disney collector is always active in his pursuit of the next great piece.  This is a task that has become more accessible with the development of internet auction sites.

The modern Disney collector represents a much larger population of the overall collecting community.  As time rolls on, the collectible offerings of this modern period have eclipsed those of the vintage era.  This is attributed to the glut of marketing products that have penetrated the entertainment marketing business.  Because of this, the modern Disney collector has a number of options and outlets to fill his collection.  On the same token, the modern collector faces more exposure to instances of fraud and market saturation that can negatively affect item values.  The sheer size of the modern market has created better opportunities for collectors to profit as niche investors.  A niche investor focuses his efforts on a particular character, movie, or product category.  This allows the collector to become an expert in his particular sector, decreasing the odds of becoming victimized.

Is it possible to categorize the Disney collecting community into only two groups?  The answer is no, but most collectors do fall into either the vintage or modern focus group.  The fact of the matter is that is virtually impossible to just collect “Disney”.  There simply too many items out there and failure to understand the intricacies of each niche could prove costly.  One thing is certain, the love of collecting is a trait that permeates through the Disneyana family and the joy of finding the perfect piece is shared with all collectors.