Friday, November 21, 2008

NEW POST! Disneyland Photo Album w/ Photo - 1956

I usually don't really go for souvenir-ey stuff, but when I saw that this 1955 photo album actually contained Disneyland photos (as well as Marineland and Beverly Hills) circa 1956, I had to get it.

This guy/gal is my kind of photographer because he/she took a nice shot of some fine attraction posters instead of wasting another exposure on yet more Jungle Cruise/Castle/Main Street shots. A note to all of you time-travelers out there: shoot more of the attraction posters in their natural habitats. And in color, please.

I own or have owned 4 out of 5 of the posters in this shot and wish I could get my hands on one of those 3-stripe Frontierland beauties. And I wish I could fly. Let's see which happens first.


18 comments:

Katella Gate said...

What's up with Disneyland Posters and why does everybody go Merde d'Ape over them? (and pardon my French)

Now, I'm actually asking that in a sympathetic way... I've loved the posters since I was little, and was seriously peeved when the Park started to "depopulate" them in the, what 1990's? I realize that in the VERY early days of the park, they were basically used to dress up dead spaces, but it seems today you actually have to go hunting for them.

I'm asking it this way because as an 8 year old in 1968, I was really too young to appreciate their graphic excellence, and of course there's no nostalgic factor here cause little kids aren't nostalgic by definition. So what made them special then and is that why they're so popular now?

Daveland said...

Welcome back! I am also a huge fan of the early/original attraction posters. Love the hand-done look with the bright, bold, solid colors. In today's computer generated whiz-bang graphics, these old posters carry a much stronger punch with their well thought out simplicity. Design isn't necessarily about the tools you use, but knowing how to use what you have.

jedblau said...

You're right...kids are not nostalgic about the time in which they're living; such a thing contradicts the definition of nostalgia. However, what one sees as a kid is the very core source of nostalgia, as it was with me and these posters. I vividly remember seeing the Peoplemover and Primeval World posters on the parking lot Monorail pylons when I was a kid, so those two posters were the first ones I wanted as an adult.

As for why they are popular now, you'll have to ask someone else; I've been collecting them for almost 18 years. However, I can tell you this, they are no more popular now than a decade or more ago when prices first went through the roof.

Matterhorn1959 said...

I distinctly remember the posters growing up, especially the Jungle Cruise and the Matterhorn. The posters were also one of the first ways that a lot of collectors got to have a piece of the park and display items that were in the park. The Disney Gallery started out with artwork with prices beyond the budget of most people. Then, the gallery started selling posters for a more reasonable $300 each and people could own posters of their favorite rides. Once the posters were out there, more people looked at them with a visual eye and also movie poster collectors came in and started collecting them as well.

I also think that when looking at photographs (maybe family) taken years ago, there is usually a shot of the posters and that sparks the nostalgia as well.

Major Pepperidge said...

I am definitely one of the crazy poster fans... I especially remember noticing the Storybook Land poster, with its bright yellow background and Monstro about to swallow a boat.

I appreciate mid-century graphics of all sorts, and the best Disneyland posters evoke the 50's with their simple, bold designs and colors. However, if you don't care for Disneyland, you probably won't care much for the posters!

I started seeing the posters in Howard Lowery auction catalogs years ago... until then I never even thought that a person could get one for themselves. It was a way that I could own a piece of the park!

Disneyana World said...

I'm glad you are back!

As a young person who is very nostalgic and recognizes the beauty of simplistic design, I have to also admit my love for these posters.

My girlfriend thinks I'm weird when I get excited about something designed with simplicity. You should of saw how pumped I was about my airports beautifully simple redesigned logo.

I guess I'm a simple guy!

The Viewliner Limited said...

Happy Thanksgiving... wishing all the best for you and your family, Richard.

jedblau said...

Thank you for your wishes, but who's Richard? :)

The Viewliner Limited said...

Uhh! Richard is me.

jedblau said...

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOh! I thought you were addressing it to me as Richard. Indeed, duh on me.

Anonymous said...

Kattella, I think it’s a mix of things. The bold graphics of those early screen prints just have punch. And they are a real physical piece of Disneyland.

The Viewliner Limited said...

A Christmas message from Richard on board the Viewliner Limited:

May this Christmas end the present year on a cheerful note
and make way for a fresh and bright new year.

Here's wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Kevin Kidney said...

Merry Christmas, Jed!

Matterhorn1959 said...

Happy Holidays Jed! I hope all is well!

Joakim Gunnarsson said...

I have an original piece of art by Floyd Gottfredson that I've been told was used in a Disneyland ad. http://sekvenskonst.blogspot.com/2008/06/gottfredson-1968.html
Have you seen this? I'd love to see what has been cut off to the left and what the purpose for it was. (I guess Mickey turning 40?)

Anonymous said...

Hi... just happen to cross your site... I see that you also love Disney... me too...

Im planning to go to Tokyo or Hong Kong Disney this Christmas. Hoho and I found some stuffs from Hong Kong Disneyland here as well:
disneycloth.cwahi.net

I will definitely take tones of photos there!!!

Jeff Gold said...

Hi, I recently stumbled on some silk screens on paper produced for Walt Disney Productions in the early 1950's. Is there any way to find out if they were made into posters or shirts.

TokyoMagic! said...

Just wanted to tell you that it was great meeting you today at the Knott's event!!!