Early Walt Disney Drawing up for Auction in Nevada
An original, autographed Walt Disney drawing is set to go up for auction in Reno this week.
Previously owned by Walt's sister, Ruth Disney, the drawing is of a cigar chomping man wearing a derby hat and is believed to be made before the animation magnate made his fortune in the entertainment world.
The piece is entitled "Fill Up My Can" and is estimated to be anywhere in the vicinity of $35,000 to $50,000.
This work is understood to be the forerunner to Mickey Mouse, created before the character's 1928 debut.
"Real pieces signed by him (Disney) are really rare. This is one of the earliest known signed Disney pieces, if not the earliest," Fred Holabird of Holabird-Kagin Americana said.
The Reno based auction house will also have an additional 1,400 items for bidding in the 2 day auction scheduled for Tuesday of this week.
Also up for auction is what is being made known as the only known copy of the Nevada Black Book. The book has only ever passed through the hands of private collectors and is said to have all the names, photos and known information about people who were banned from entering casinos in the 1960's.
The important piece of Nevada history is said to contain the name of mobster Sam Giancana.
"It represents the first effort to keep illegal people out of Nevada casinos. It's a big step in the way we did business in Nevada," Holabird said. The book is estimated to fetch up to $5,000.
The most expensive piece in the auction though is a one of a kind $50 coin struck in the period of California's Gold Rush. The estimated worth of which is said to be anywhere from $135,000 to $175,000.
Collections of Old West photos and Mustang Ranch brothel memorabilia are also up for auction.