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In late
1991, Disney Consumer products was preparing to unveil an all new 3D
art line known as the Walt Disney Classics Collection.
On January 20th, 1992, after three years of exhaustive research, the
project was officially unveiled at the Studio's corporate
headquarters in Burbank, California for press and dealers. The
unveiling was an event to remember. The WDCC director Suzanne
Lee provided the first formal presentation of the new line of
sculptures, with accessory entertainment by various Disney
characters and live performers. The presentation included an
introductory film on the project. Marc Davis, legendary Disney
Animator, was in attendance with his wife Disney Legend Alice
Davis. Having consulted on the initial line of Bambi
sculptures, Marc and Alice Davis were presented with the number one
sculpture off the line.
Next, in July of 1992, at the South Bend
Collectible Show, the line was unveiled to the general public
followed by the first retail appearance of the sculptures at the May
Company store at the South Coast Plaza Mall in Costa Mesa,
California. The sculpture line was an instant hit,
capturing detail and emotion unlike any figurines Disney had ever
produced. Kent
Melton, a master sculptor, who still continues to sculpt for the
Walt Disney Art Classics, had this
to say....
"I
was creating maquette sculptures for the animated films and was
asked to work on a new collectible line called the Walt Disney
Classics Collection. I had seen various porcelain figurines before
and I was very skeptical of what could be done in this medium.
However, I decided to see a couple of the initial figurines. When
I saw the "Field
Mouse" piece in all its detail, I was astonished. I knew
right then that I wanted to be an integral part of the
project".
The
premiere of the Walt Disney Classics Collection began with three
scenes: Bambi, Cinderella, and Fantasia's Sorcerer's
Apprentice. Click
here to view an original 1992 advertisement from the WDCC.
There are now over 100 scenes and special editions.
Some figurines are limited by time or production, with subsequent
"retirement". These retired statues can never be
reproduced as the plaster molds are destroyed on the day of
retirement. Once retired, these figurines can only be found on the
secondary market from collectors willing to part with them. In
addition, annual conventions, artist signature events, and very
limited edition sizes add to the excitement of the WDCC collectible
line.
In
January 1993, the Walt Disney Company introduced the Walt
Disney Collectors Society.
Membership into this society (Retail: ~$50) brings many benefits,
including a free membership gift sculpture and joining a network
of several thousand other people who share the Disney enthusiasm.
For
a complete description of the society and its benefits, click the
"Walt Disney Collectors Society" link below.
In 1995,
Disney launched a new collectible line to supplement the WDCC,
known as the Enchanted Places. These pieces were small
scale replicas of the backgrounds from some of the most
popular Disney animated films. In addition, painted miniature
bronze figurines were created, to fit within these small backgrounds.
These sculptures included items like Snow White's Cottage with a
miniature Snow White. In late 1998, the Walt Disney Art Classics
stopped producing the official line of Enchanted Places,
but continued to create "accessory" sculptures, not only
in miniature, but also in larger scale to accessorize the full
size WDCC sculptures. Examples include Belle's
Fountain and Peter
Pan's Window Base. Some still refer to these non-character
sculptures as Enchanted Places or "Enchanted
Objects." In addition, items to promote or accessorize
the existing line of Walt Disney Classics Collection sculptures
are often sold or given away during select events. Click the
"Promotional Items & Bases" button below to see
hundreds of such items along with the official line of WDCC
accessory sculptures and bases.
In 1999, the Walt
Disney Art Classics began an annual event entitled "A Celebration of
Walt Disney Art Classics." These 3 day mini-conventions
focused on the Walt Disney Classics Collection, with
various special guests, seminars, and other WDAC-related artwork. Under the direction of the Walt Disney Art
Classics, the Walt
Disney Classics Collection line of sculptures celebrated their 10th
anniversary in 2002
("The Magic Lives On..."). This was followed by the 10th Anniversary
celebration of the Walt Disney Collectors Society in 2003 ("A Decade
of Dreams"). Also in 2003, they celebrated their 5th Annual "A
Celebration of Walt Disney Art Classics" convention aboard the
Disney Cruise Line, and provided those guests who attended every
convention since its inception with the above crystal gift,
featuring the backstamp logos of all 5 conventions. For a
recap of all the Walt Disney Art Classic Conventions,
click here.
In January 2004,
it was announced
that Enesco Group Inc.
(www.enesco.com) was expanding its relationship with Disney Consumer Products,
becoming the exclusive licensee for the Walt Disney Classics
Collection and assuming management of the Walt Disney Collector's
Society. A small team of original Walt Disney Art Classics
personnel continue to work hand-in-hand with Enesco, ensuring the
standards of quality and magic associated with the Disney brand.
Browse around this
site to enjoy and learn more about the Walt Disney Art Classics, the Enesco team, and the variety of Disney collectibles they produce.
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