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RARE LARGE VINTAGE DISNEY PARKS
WALT DISNEY & MICKEY MOUSE "PARTNERS" STATUE
DESIGNED BY DISNEY LEGEND BLAINE GIBSON
APPROX. 15" TALL WITH MARBLE BASE
Offered here is the impressive large-format Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse "Partners" statue based on the iconic sculpture created by legendary Disney sculptor and Imagineer Blaine Gibson.
IMPORTANT: THIS IS NOT THE SMALL MODERN DISNEY STORE VERSION.
This is the much larger collector version, standing approximately 15 inches tall and mounted on a substantial marble base. Blaine Gibson's signature is incised into the sculpture base along with the Disney copyright marking.
THE HISTORY OF "PARTNERS"
The original life-size Partners sculpture was created by Disney Legend Blaine Gibson and unveiled at Disneyland's Central Plaza on November 18, 1993, Mickey Mouse's 65th birthday.
The sculpture depicts Walt Disney standing hand-in-hand with Mickey Mouse and has become one of the most recognizable images associated with Walt Disney and the Disney Parks.
Blaine Gibson joined Walt Disney Studios in 1939, initially working as an animator. His sculpting talent eventually led him to Walt Disney's theme park projects, where he became one of the most important sculptors in Disney history.
His work contributed to legendary Disney attractions including Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln and the Hall of Presidents.
After retiring, Gibson returned to create Partners, depicting Walt as Gibson remembered him during the formative Disneyland years.
THE LARGE COLLECTOR VERSION
Large-format reproductions of the Partners sculpture were offered to collectors through Disney Parks during the 1990s.
This is the impressive approximately 15-inch version with an antiqued bronze appearance and heavy marble base.
The larger scale gives this piece considerably more presence than the smaller modern reproductions and allows much greater detail in Walt, Mickey and their clothing and facial features.
Details include:
• Approximately 15" overall height
• Walt Disney & Mickey Mouse "Partners" design
• Designed by Disney Legend Blaine Gibson
• Blaine Gibson signature incised into the sculpture
• Disney copyright marking
• Cold-cast/resin construction with antiqued bronze appearance
• Heavy marble display base
• Highly detailed Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse figures
• Unusual Walt Disney quotation placard
THE UNUSUAL WALT DISNEY QUOTATION PLACARD
This particular example has an especially interesting feature.
Attached to the front of the marble base is a brass-colored placard bearing a Walt Disney quotation:
"I believe firmly in the efficacy of religion, in its powerful influence on a person's whole life... Without inspiration we would perish."
- Walt Disney
This is an unusual presentation that is not commonly seen on other examples of the large Partners statue.
The exact origin of this particular placard has not been independently established. It may have been added for a special presentation, recognition piece, commemorative gift or later personalization.
We are NOT representing the placard as factory-installed by Disney because we do not have documentation establishing that provenance.
It has intentionally been left exactly as acquired.
CONDITION - PLEASE READ
This is a pre-owned vintage collectible and is being sold in its present condition.
Overall, the statue remains an impressive display piece with excellent visual presence. It does, however, have specific condition issues that are fully disclosed and photographed.
WALT'S HAND:
The tip of Walt Disney's extended index finger is damaged/missing.
The damaged area is clearly visible in the photographs. No attempt has been made to conceal, touch up, reconstruct or repair the fingertip.
An experienced trophy, award, sculpture or collectible restoration professional may be able to reconstruct the missing fingertip and color-match the antiqued bronze finish. We have intentionally left the area untouched so the next owner can determine whether and how the restoration should be performed.
QUOTE PLACARD:
The brass-colored Walt Disney quotation placard on the front of the marble base is partially lifting/separated.
The placard remains present. This appears to be the type of issue that an experienced trophy or award professional could evaluate and potentially resecure appropriately.
Again, we have intentionally NOT attempted to glue, remove or otherwise alter the placard.
ADDITIONAL CONDITION:
There is additional surface wear, aging and minor cosmetic wear consistent with a vintage displayed collectible.
Please examine ALL photographs carefully, including the detailed close-up photographs.
The photographs intentionally document the fingertip damage, placard condition, marble base, finish, Blaine Gibson signature, Disney markings and overall condition.
Nothing has been repaired or cosmetically altered for the purpose of this sale.
WHY WE LEFT IT UNRESTORED
With a collectible of this nature, restoration preferences vary considerably among collectors.
Rather than attempting an amateur repair, we chose to preserve the statue exactly as acquired and allow its next owner to decide whether to display it as-is or commission an experienced professional to restore the affected areas.
The fingertip damage and lifting placard appear potentially restorable, but no representation or guarantee is made regarding the cost, difficulty or final result of any restoration.
WHY THIS PIECE IS SPECIAL
This should not be confused with an ordinary modern Mickey Mouse figurine.
Partners represents the relationship between Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse and has become one of the defining visual symbols of Disney history.
The combination of:
• Large approximately 15-inch format
• Vintage Disney Parks collector version
• Blaine Gibson design
• Incised Blaine Gibson signature
• Disney copyright marking
• Heavy marble base
• Detailed antiqued bronze appearance
• Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse subject
• Unusual Walt Disney quotation placard
makes this an impressive piece for a serious Disneyana collection.
The unusual quotation placard further distinguishes this particular example from many of the Partners statues encountered on the secondary market.
An excellent centerpiece for a collection focused on:
Disneyana
Disneyland
Walt Disney
Mickey Mouse
Disney Parks
Disney Imagineering
Blaine Gibson
Vintage Disney collectibles
Disney sculptures and statues
SHIPPING
This is a substantial collectible with a heavy marble base and extended sculptural elements.
It will be carefully packed with particular attention given to Walt's extended arm and hand, Mickey Mouse and the marble base.
The statue pictured is the EXACT item the buyer will receive.
Please examine all photographs and read the complete condition description before purchasing.
A rare opportunity to acquire the impressive large-format version of Blaine Gibson's iconic Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse "Partners" sculpture.
